Banana Don’s Slice Of Americana – The Case For Kasey Musgraves

Who will win the Grammy for "Best Country Album" on Sunday night? The nominees this year are:

• Jason Aldean - Night Train
  
• Tim McGraw - Two Lanes Of Freedom
  
• Kasey Musgraves - Same Trailer, Different Park
  
• Blake Shelton - Base On A True Story...
  
• Taylor Swift - Red

If this were a fan voted award, my bet would always be on Taylor Swift, but these are the Grammy's, voted on by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, in other words - just music industry people. Some years, they make some interesting choices for winners. The other four have had longer and bigger careers so far, but I think there's a good chance Kasey may win this thing. Don't get me wrong, I love her music, I just think it might come as a shock to some people if she wins against much more established acts. Let's look at some of the "not so mainstream" winners from past years:

2002 - Tim McGraw had a huge hit album, "Set This Circus Down".

Winner-"Timeless-Hank Williams Tribute"

2004 - Faith Hill with "Cry" and Shania Twain's "Up" were both nominated.

Winner-"Livin, Lovin, Losin: Songs of the Louvin Brothers" (love it, but more of a bluegrass album)

2005 - Keith Urban's "Be Here" and Tim McGraw's "Live Like You Were Dying" were nominated.

Winner - Loretta Lynn - "Van Lear Rose" (produced by Detroit's own Jack White from "The White Stripes")

2006 - Nominated: Faith Hill - "Fireflies", Brad Paisley - "Time Well Wasted", Gretchen Wilson - "All Jacked Up" and and Trisha Yearwood - "Jasper County".

Winner - Alison Krauss and Union Station - "Lonely Runs Both Ways" (Good Lord, I love this band and this CD - but it's BLUEGRASS)

They may go more mainstream this year, but don't be surprised if the winner is Kacey Musgraves. She can write. Plus, every time my wife sees her performing, she goes into "mom mode" and says, "she's just darling."

Just like in Superbowl games, sometimes it's the intangibles.