I'm not saying country music has gone stale, but watching Christ Stapeton take home the Male Singer award for the fifth time and Brooks & Dunn take Vocal Duo of The Year for the 17th kind of makes it hard to argue on the contrary.
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Sure, Brooks & Dunn haven't won that particular award since 2010, but the fact that they're back isn't exactly great. It just means that this year the new duos have been so bad, the classics have had to be dusted off again.
The other nominees for Vocal Duo of the Year at the ACM awards were Dan + Shay, Brothers Osborne, Muscadine Bloodline and War + Treaty. There wasn't a lot of action in the category, so the competition was down to the opinions of the judges.
Brooks & Dunn have been touring of late, but any artist who wants to pay their rent needs to. This was enough for the group, and they managed to take home the award once again. Is there nothing fresh and good in country music anymore?
Fans Lament Predictable Brooks & Dunn ACM Awards Win
This year's ACM awards have had a few boring and predictable results. The Chris Stapleton win had people exasperated by the lack of judging imagination. The results turning up old time winners like Brooks & Dunn for an award they have won time and time again just compounded the problem.
Country music isn't a dead genre by any means. Every year, there are innovators, movers, and shakers. There are young bucks bringing classic sounds to the scene, and crossovers injecting new flavors. There hardly seems to be any need to keep giving awards to the veterans. Let someone else have a shot.
"I love Brooks & Dunn but wish someone else would take home an award once in a while. I didn't even know they were touring. I really love War & Treaty," one X user commented. I think they nailed it too. Sure, the winners are great, but let's shed some light on a few other artists here and there.
It's not on the artists. They tour, produce, and perform as they always have. It's down to the stagnant, unimaginative judging at these awards ceremonies. I mean, good for Brooks & Dunn, but let's see something new at the ACM awards next time, shall we?
