Roots, Toots n' Hoots Blog

Luke Bryan, New Artist award?

Jeffrey Remz  |  November 9, 2011

The idea of the New Artist award is a bit of a misnomer for the Country Music Association awards.

Nominated for the award tonight were The Band Perry, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Thompson Square and Chris Young.

Maybe you're scratching your head also wondering how Luke Bryan, Eric Church and Chris Young had the chance to even be nominated. Each has enjoyed multiple albums (not to mention hits, but that's besides the point). The CMA might argue something along the lines that the nominee had to have shown an increase in stature or something along those lines. There's no doubt that all three have enjoyed stellar years with new CDs and singles that did quite well.

But it still feels disingenuous to me that the trio should even have a chance for the award.

The Band Perry and Thompson Square (interesting that both are acts comprised of people related to each other - two brothers and a sister in TBP and husband-wife for Thompson Square) did deserve to be nominated. Both released their first CD (Okay, TBP had an EP, but they get a pass on that given the state of the music industry), had a few hits, toured and saw their careers on the upswing.

Despite that, Bryan looks to be the choice here. He's been on a real big roll on the charts with his feel good music. Bryan doesn't cut very deep - at least not to me - but he sure has enjoyed a big year.

Let's hope this is the last time Bryan is nominated - he's not so new any more.