If you are looking for predictions on the best Rap, Reggae or Jazz performances, you’ve come to the wrong place. But if you are interested in who I think will win versus who should win in categories including best Americana, Country and Bluegrass, you’re in the right place. My winner predictions are in bold while who should win has an asterisk in front of the nominee. Who do you think should win? I would love to hear your picks.
The toughest category in the list below for me was Best Bluegrass Album. While everyone in this category deserves a “W,” Billy Strings will continue to ride his current wave of popularity to earn this well-deserved Grammy despite the fact that I believe Molly Tuttle and her band put out a better album. Best Country Solo Performance category is another tough one with Dolly Parton going head to head with Luke Combs haunting version of “Fast Car,” but I think Brandy Clark should win this category. My money, if I was in Vegas, however, is on Chris Stapleton for obvious reasons. The same goes for Best Country Duo/Group Performance. While I think Dierks Bentley and Billy Strings “High Note” should win, I think Carly Pierce and Stapleton will edge out the crazy popular Jelly Roll and Lainey Wilson.
Best Country Solo Performance
*Brandy Clark – Buried
Chris Stapleton – White Horse
Dolly Parton – The Last Thing on My Mind
Luke Combs – Fast Car
Tyler Childers – In Your Love
Best Country Duo/Group Performance
Brothers Osborne – Nobody’s Nobody
Carly Pearce Featuring Chris Stapleton – We Don’t Fight Anymore
*Dierks Bentley featuring Billy Strings – High Note
Jelly Roll With Lainey Wilson – Save Me
Vince Gill & Paul Franklin – Kissing Your Picture (Is So Cold)
Zach Bryan Featuring Kacey Musgraves – I Remember Everything
Best Country Song
*Brandy Clark – Buried
Chris Stapleton – White Horse
Morgan Wallen – Last Night
Tyler Childers – In Your Love
Zach Bryan Featuring Kacey Musgraves – I Remember Everything
Best Country Album
Brothers Osborne – Brothers Osborne
Kelsea Ballerini – Rolling Up the Welcome Mat
*Lainey Wilson – Bell Bottom Country
Tyler Childers – Rustin’ in the Rain
Zach Bryan – Zach Bryan
Best American Roots Performance
Allison Russell – Eve Was Black
Blind Boys of Alabama – Heaven Help Us All
Jon Batiste – Butterfly
Madison Cunningham – Inventing the Wheel
*Rhiannon Giddens – You Louisiana Man
Best Americana Performance
Allison Russell – The Returner
Blind Boys of Alabama – Friendship
*Brandy Clark Featuring Brandi Carlile – Dear Insecurity
Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit – King of Oklahoma
Tyler Childers – Help Me Make It Through the Night
Best American Roots Song
Allison Russell – The Returner
*Billy Strings Featuring Willie Nelson – California Sober
Brandy Clark Featuring Brandi Carlile – Dear Insecurity
Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit – Cast Iron Skillet
The War and Treaty – Blank Page
Best Americana Album
Allison Russell – The Returner
Brandy Clark – Brandy Clark
Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit – Weathervanes
Rodney Crowell – The Chicago Sessions
*Rhiannon Giddens – You’re the One
Best Bluegrass Album
Billy Strings – Me/And/Dad
Michael Cleveland – Lovin’ of the Game
Mighty Poplar – Mighty Poplar
*Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway – City of Gold
Sam Bush – Radio John: Songs of John Hartford
Willie Nelson – Bluegrass
Best Folk Album
Dom Flemons – Traveling Wildfire
Joni Mitchell – Joni Mitchell at Newport (Live)
The Milk Carton Kids – I Only See the Moon
Nickel Creek – Celebrants
*Old Crow Medicine Show – Jubilee
Paul Simon – Psalms
Rufus Wainwright – Folkocracy
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