Billy Dukes

Lack of success in predicting the results of the 2013 ACM Awards can be attributed to tight competition... or maybe underestimating the strength and popularity of artists like Luke Bryan. Perhaps we're just making excuses for ourselves after a less-than-super success rate at Sunday's show. Taste of Country readers also made predictions, and it's time to see who fared better. 

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Luke Bryan's new song 'Crash My Party' would fit well on his last album 'Tailgates and Tanlines.' The ballad is a continuation of themes introduced with 'I Don't Want This Night to End' and 'Drunk on You,' two No. 1 hits for the ACM Entertainer of the Year. At first listen, it's difficult to become excited about a song that's so familiar. 

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It was another good night for Kellie Pickler and partner Derek Hough on 'Dancing With the Stars' on Monday night (April 9). The country singer did the Rumba to a song called 'Say I Do,' written and performed by husband Kyle Jacobs. One judge called the moment magical, while the others asked for more fluidity. 

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Scotty McCreery makes his songwriting debut on 'See You Tonight,' a mid-tempo love song that finds the 19-year-old not settling for a phone call or some distant "I love you" from the girl who holds his heart. It's the start of a new chapter for McCreery -- one that's much more important than his last. 

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Brad Paisley's 'Wheelhouse' delivers a familiar mix of humor, life lessons and scorching guitar solos, but it does it in a way different from any of the other eight albums the 'Beat This Summer' singer has released. He took his old formula, balled it up, lit it on fire and tossed the ashes in the garbage. The result is a meaty and ambitious project that doesn't always click, but clears new ground when it does.

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Willie Nelson's 80th birthday celebration begins with the release of a new album on April 16. The country music legend will reveal 'Let's Face the Music and Dance,' which you can listen to in full in advance with this online stream on Taste of Country.

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Stevie Wonder, John Mayer and John Fogerty were among those who made surprise guest appearances at the 2013 ACM Awards on Sunday (April 7). Perhaps more interesting, however, is who wasn't in attendance. Fans were left asking about a lack of screen time for three big country singers after Luke Bryan accepted Entertainer of the Year and credits rolled across the screen. 

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In his new song 'I Want Crazy.' Hunter Hayes doesn't soar like Ronnie Dunn or croon like Chris Young. His vocal performance is an exercise in diction -- and memory. Simply put, he packs a ton of words into a tight space without straining or slurring one idea into another. It's not easy. 

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The last hour of voting during the finals of March Bandness was frenzied, to say the least. Thousands of fans of Alabama and the Charlie Daniels Band cast a ballot in the waning minutes. The boys from Fort Payne, Ala. were trailing until the end, when they surged ahead and took the title of Best Country Band of All Time. 

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Here's a strange fact about the Taste of Country Top 10 Video Countdown: Only videos from blonde singers have reached the No. 1 spot. Toby Keith kept the streak alive last week, as fans chose 'Hope on the Rocks' as the most popular clip of the week. Casey James and Carrie Underwood were close behind with their recent videos, but new offerings from the Band Perry and 'X Factor' winner Tate Stevens could challenge them for the title. 

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The 2013 ACM Awards produced some predictable and unpredictable moments on Sunday night. Luke Bryan won Entertainer of the Year, which few would have bet on in Las Vegas if gambling on awards shows was something people did. Miranda Lambert's wins were more expected, but equally deserving. 'Over You' is among the best songs of the last 15 years, and she and husband Blake Shelton are worthy of the honors.

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Carrie Underwood changed directions with the release of 'See You Again' as the fourth single from 'Blown Away.' The ballad is anything but dark and stormy. Instead it's an inspirational reminder that will be especially meaningful to fans who have lost someone close recently. 

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