Dustin Lynch Says It “Sucks” Not Getting an ACM Awards Nomination for Single of the Year—But Did He Deserve One?

JS

Dustin Lynch Says It “Sucks” Not Getting an ACM Awards Nomination for Single of the Year—But Did He Deserve One?

Yep, yep, Dustin, it does suck not getting an ACM Awards nomination for Single of the Year for “Small Town Boy.”

But did Dustin deserve one? We’ll get there after a bit of backstory.

Dustin got up early on March 1 to watch as the nominees were announced. We know this because he recently posted a video on Instagram that displayed his dejection front and center (the clip has also been edited with sad music to let us know when to feel sad).

“Well, we successfully didn’t get nominated again,” says Dustin after watching the announcement. “Career-changing song. I don’t get it. What am I missing, you know? Man, it just sucks. Like we always say, it’s like we’re playing with one, maybe two hands tied behind our back. I don’t get it . . . bummer man, worked freaking hard for this. Sucks.”

"and the ACM Nominees are…”| 009

A post shared by Dustin Lynch (@dustinlynchmusic) on

As soon as the ACM nominations were announced, I wrote an article titled “2018 ACM Awards Nominations: 15 Snubs and Surprises.” Basically, the article was just my natural gut reaction to the nominees—sans any in-depth research.

Here’s what I wrote about Single of the Year:

Single Record of the Year

  • “Better Man” – Little Big Town
  • “Body Like A Back Road” – Sam Hunt
  • “Broken Halos” – Chris Stapleton
  • “Drinkin’ Problem” – Midland
  • “I’ll Name The Dogs” – Blake Shelton

SNUB:”In Case You Didn’t Know” by Brett Young
The tune spent two weeks at No. 1 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart and would have been the most successful song of the year if it hadn’t been for Sam Hunt’s smash, “Body Like a Back Road.”

SURPRISE: “I’ll Name the Dogs” – Blake Shelton
Normally, I wouldn’t bat an eye about this nomination, but it feels out of place considering Blake didn’t receive a Male Vocalist of the Year nomination. It’s almost like a pity nomination to get Blake to show up at the awards show.

As you can see, the initial shocker to me was the absence of Brett Young’s “In Case You Didn’t Know,” which spent two weeks at No. 1 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart and was the second best-selling country song of the year, behind Sam Hunt’s “Body Like a Back Road.”

Top-Selling Country Digital Songs of 2017 (according to Nielsen Music)

  1. Sam Hunt — “Body Like a Back Road” — 1,818,000 units
  2. Brett Young — “In Case You Didn’t Know” — 847,000
  3. Keith Urban featuring Carrie Underwood — “The Fighter”— 701,000
  4. Kane Brown featuring Lauren Alaina — “What Ifs” — 589,000
  5. Jon Pardi — “Dirt on My Boots” — 545,000
  6. Luke Combs — “Hurricane” — 530,000
  7. Keith Urban — “Blue Ain’t Your Color” — 512,000
  8. Dustin Lynch — “Small Town Boy” — 492,000
  9. Little Big Town — “Better Man” — 468,000
  10. LANCO — “Greatest Love Story” — 454,000

Dustin’s “Small Town Boy” came it at No. 8 on the Top-Selling list—and that’s quite a feather in your hat—but what Dustin can really hang his hat on is this: “Small Town Boy” spent four weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart in 2017.

No other country song accomplished that feat in 2017.

Three songs spent three weeks at No. 1 on the Airplay chart—Blake Shelton’s “A Guy With a Girl,” Sam Hunt’s “Body Like a Back Road” and “Billy Currington’s “Do I Wake You Wanna—but “Small Town Boy” was the only single to top the chart for four weeks.

Which brings us to the criteria for ACM Single of the Year: “The factors to be considered include, but are not limited to, success at radio, record sales, success in digital media and impact of the single record on consumers and the country music industry. The nominees shall be determined by a nomination ballot(s) and are subject to the approval of the Board. The winner shall be determined by a vote of the ACM professional membership.”

Yep, yep, Dustin’s “Small Town Boy” probably should have been nominated based on the aforementioned criteria, but that damn “but are not limited” clause basically gives the Board carte blanche to do whatever it wants.

All Dustin is left to do is say, “Sucks.”

photo by Jason Simanek

Blogs

Our Thoughts on NBC’s Opry 100

Our Thoughts on NBC’s Opry 100

The Grand Ole Opry’s 100th Anniversary celebration on NBC Wednesday night (3-19) was a cavalcade of country music stars singing classic country songs. The show began with Reba McEntire singing Loretta Lynn’s “You Ain’t Woman Enough,” followed by a duet with Trisha Yearwood on “The Night The Lights Went Out in Georgia.” Ketch Secor, Jamey…

Spring Break Ideas for the Kiddos…

Spring Break Ideas for the Kiddos…

If your kids are anything like ours, they’re already bored. Thanks to Gretchen at BoiseDev – here are some fun things to do with your Spring Breakers this week: ·         🎳Cheap Bowling: Emerald Lanes in Boise charges $4.75 per person per game or $30 per lane per hour Monday through Thursday.…

Top Things We’re Looking Forward to This Weekend in Kissin’ Country!

Top Things We’re Looking Forward to This Weekend in Kissin’ Country!

Spring is almost here, and this weekend in Kissin’ Country is packed with awesome events for the whole family! We’ve teamed up with our friend Becca at BoiseWithKids.com to highlight some of the best activities happening around town. From sweet treats to festive celebrations, there’s something for everyone to enjoy! Pi Day Deals – Friday,…