POLL: Who Should Win Best American Roots Song at the 2017 Grammy Awards?
At the 2017 Grammy Awards, one talented songwriter will be walking away with an award for the Best American Roots Song. Presented to artists in the blues, bluegrass, folk, Americana and regional roots genres, this Grammy has been previously awarded to iconic artists such as Rosanne Cash and Jason Isbell since its inception in 2014. Who do you think should win in 2017?
Acclaimed songwriter, vocalist and banjo player Robbie Fulks received his first Grammys nominations in 2017: one in the Best American Roots Song category, for "Alabama at Night," and another for his 13th solo album, Upland Stories. Written from the perspective of a journalist, "Alabama at Night" delves into the lives of farmers affected by the Great Depression, treating scenes of poverty with astounding care.
One of the most prolific musical performers and producers of recent years, Jack White is poised to receive his 12th Grammy in 2017. This year alone, White received a total of four Grammys nods, three of which come for his collaboration with Beyonce on her epic 2016 album Lemonade; the other nomination is in the Best American Roots Song category, for his acoustic track "City Lights." White will also be honored by the Recording Academy’s Producers & Engineers Wing in a special pre-Grammys event on Feb. 8.
"Gulfstream" is the second Grammy Awards nomination for Eric Adcock and Roddie Romero and their blues-rock outfit, Roddie Romero and the Hub City All-Stars. The group was nominated in 2008 for their double record, The La Louisianne Sessions, a tribute to the musical legacy of their native Louisiana.
Vince Gill already has 20 Grammys under his belt, but a win for "Kid Sister," which he penned for his Western swing ensemble the Time Jumpers, would be the country star's first songwriting-related Grammys trophy. The song is one of 14 tracks on the Time Jumpers' third studio album of the same name, which was written in honor of the band's vocalist Dawn Sears, who passed away in 2014.
Lori McKenna's Best American Roots Song nomination for "Wreck You" is one of four for the singer-songwriter in 2017: The tune is up for both this honor and Best American Roots Performance, and McKenna's album, The Bird & the Rifle, is nominated for Best Americana Album; additionally, McKenna is nominated for Best Country Song, as the writer of Tim McGraw's hit "Humble and Kind." In November of 2016, McKenna took home the 2016 CMA for Song of the Year for that song.
Who should win Best American Roots Song at the 2017 Grammy Awards? Vote for your pick in the poll below as often as once an hour until 11:59PM ET on Feb. 9; we’ll tabulate the results and use them for our winners predictions.
The 59th annual Grammy Awards will take place in Los Angeles on Feb. 12. The Late Late Show host James Corden will host the televised ceremony, which will begin at 8PM ET on CBS; the pre-telecast Premiere Ceremony will begin at 3:30PM ET and be available to stream online.
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