Although the reputation of the Grammys (and just about every award show for that matter) has diminished over the last decade or so, it is still seen as the most prestigious award that an artist can win – the oscars of the music industry, so to speak.
Many country acts have been treated kindly by the recording academy, just refer to Alison Krauss (27) and Vince Gill (21) who lead the country music genre in Grammy award wins.
Likewise, there’s a long list of country acts who have never had the privilege and “honor” of taking home a gold-plated gramophone trophy. What’s even more shocking is some of them have never even been nominated.
With the 66th annual Grammys set to air live tomorrow night, what better time than now to take a quick deep dive into the genre’s most snubbed artists.
KEITH WHITLEY
Three nominations. zero wins.
Many believe that if Keith Whitley were still alive today, he would’ve given George Strait a run for his money as the current titleholder of the “King of country music.”
Unfortunately, Keith passed away in May of 1989 from alcohol poisoning, but not before giving country fans some of the most timeless hits over the course of his brief, 5-year career. The Grammys should be embarrassed.
JASON ALDEAN
Five nominations. Zero wins.
Brothers Osborne beat out Jason and Carrie Underwood’s “If I Didn’t Love You” for best Country Group/Duo Performance last year. Other hits such as “Dirt Road Anthem,” the best-selling song in digital history by a male country solo artist, and his collaboration with Kelly Clarkson on “Don’t You Wanna Stay,” were also nominated but lost.
KENNY CHESNEY
Six nominations. Zero wins.
Kenny’s last nomination came in 2017 for “You and Tequila.” With only three other artists nominated in the category that year, he ended up losing to the Civil Wars’ “Barton Hallow.”
TOBY KEITH
Seven nominations. Zero wins.
Put some respect on Toby’s name.
LUKE BRYAN
Zero nominations.
No matter how you feel about Luke Bryan, he was once thee biggest artist in all of country music. Not only does he have zero wins, the 47 year-old has never even been nominated.
BLAKE SHELTON
Eight nominations. Zero wins.
Look, Willie Nelson is a legend, but for him to beat out “God’s Country” for Best Country Solo Performance in 2021 is criminal.
ERIC CHURCH
Ten nominations. Zero wins.
You mean to tell me that Eric Church has been nominated TEN times and couldn’t manage to pull off just one win? Don’t even get me started on the fact that Lady Antebellum’s “Own The Night” beat out “Chief” for Album of the Year back in 2012. Do better Grammys.
JAMEY JOHNSON
Ten nominations. Zero wins.
How Jamey Johnson didn’t win Best Country Song with “In Color” at the 2009 Grammy Awards is beyond me.
THOMAS RHETT
Five nominations. Zero wins.
Crashed and burned.
MORGAN WALLEN
Zero nominations.
Morgan has dominated the entire music industry over the last couple of years. Even though “Last Night” was the best-selling and most streamed song of 2023, all-genre, Morgan wasn’t nominated for a single category this year.
