2017 Grammy Predictions: Country

Best Country Album
Will Win - Sturgill Simpson "A Sailor's Guide to Earth"
Could Win - Maren Morris "Hero" or Loretta Lynn "Full Circle"
Should Win - Morris or Simpson
Commentary - Morris is the young upstart, like Kacey Musgraves was a few years ago when she upset in this category. And Loretta Lynn is so beloved, and at one point in their history, the Grammy voters used to love rewarding veterans. But when Sturgill Simpson got that surprise Album of the Year nomination, he rocketed to the top of this category.

Best Country Song
Will Win - Maren Morris "My Church"
Could Win - Tim McGraw "Humble and Kind"
Should Win - My Church
Commentary - McGraw's songs have charmed voters before, but I think that Maren Morris' strength across the country categories helps her here, and its a chance to reward one of country's hottest new stars. Plus, My Church is easily the better song of the two.

Best Country Solo Performance
Will Win - Maren Morris "My Church"
Could Win - Carrie Underwood "Church Bells" or Keith Urban "Blue Ain't Your Color"
Should Win - Morris
Commentary - Once again, My Church and Maren Morris are strong throughout the categories, but don't discount voters love for Carrie Underwood. Although this is the only category she is in this year, which means maybe she is just not as high on their list this year. There is another nominee we all need to keep our eye on. Urban is the only male nominated against four female artists. Often in awards races, we see the one thing that stands out sometimes upset. The Marisa Tomei up against the four veteran British actors. The guys at GoldDerby call this theory the "apple in the basket of oranges" or "orange in the basket of apples". Since those guys are simply the best in the game, it is always a smart idea to keep their theories in mind.

Best Country Duo or Group Performance
Will Win - Pentatonix feat. Dolly Parton "Jolene"
Could Win - Dierks Bentley feat. Elle King "Different for Girls" or Brothers Osborne "21 Summer" or Kenny Chesney and P!nk "Setting the World on Fire"
Should Win - Kenny Chesney and P!nk "Setting the World on Fire"
Commentary - This category is a real anomaly this year. None of these songs or artists are nominated anywhere else in the country categories. Bentley and King and Chesney and P!nk are dynamic duos and previous Grammy favorites, and Brothers Osborne are the only actual country group nominated here. But I think that the novely of Pentatonix with the legendary Dolly Parton will sway voters. I just wish I could get over that blonde guy's weak, whiny voice, because otherwise, it was a fantastic re-imagining of one of the greatest songs of all time.