Kacey Musgraves: CMA’s Best New Artist Was Behka’s Choice [OPINION]

Last night, the CMAs had their big yearly awards show.  Every year they celebrate the best and the brightest in what's happening in country music. I think all of us have our opinions on who should win and who shouldn't.  Of course, it's based on our personal preferences.  For me, though, one award I thought went to the absolutely correct recipient was Best New Artist. 

This year for Best New Artist, the category was certainly tough.  New Artist of the Year nominees were Lee Brice, Brett Eldredge, Florida Georgia Line, Kip Moore and Kacey Musgraves. While all of them had huge years, and all of them certainly make great records, I think the CMA made the right choice in Kacey Musgraves.  Kacey is a songwriter and a singer, and has written some of the greatest songs I've heard in recent years.  She's responsible, for example, for one of Miranda Lambert's biggest hits this year, "Mama's Broken Heart".

On her own, she's done some amazing singles like "Merry Go Round", "Blowin Smoke" and my new favorite, "Follow Your Arrow".

I think this is a great choice for Best New Artist because her songs are very real and evocative to people all in kinds of different situations, and also because she's got a fresh perspective in her melodies and instrumentation.  She's talking about stuff that's important to the average person, like getting by at a hand-to-mouth job or feeling like you just need to march to the beat of your own drum. She hasn't once put out a song that included a cliche that we've come to expect with country music; she even had a fresh take on that standard image of the trailer park.

Either way, I think we've seen the beginning of a new songwriting voice that we'll keep hearing from for years to come.  She's unique, she's an individual, and she's fun without forgetting to incorporate some more serious themes.  I will always gladly champion any young woman trying to make an impact in a heavily male dominated music scene like country.  I hope this award gives her the recognition that keeps the industry at attention when it comes to her music.

Winnerly yours,
Behka