2012: A Look Back at 3 of Music's Memorable Moments

Wow, another year is coming to an end (even earlier than usual according to the Mayans ... ha!). It seems like I was just sitting down to write our 2011 look back and here it is already the end of 2012. Good music makes a year fly by and this year was crazy chock full of some great music.

#1: The Wild Ride of Florida Georgia Line

I have to start out with Florida Georgia Line, probably the single biggest act of 2012, exploding like a country stick of dynamite and leaving one hell of an impact on country radio. I first heard these guys thanks to Kent Terry, Nashville 57 and Nixa Country Radio back in early 2011. I knew the first time I heard "Backwoods Beauty Queen" and "Black Tears", I knew this was no fly by night, flash in the pan, in and out kinda band. Brian Kelly and Tyler Hubbard have a certain charisma, southern boy charm, and   genuine connection with fans that few groups have. Flash forward to December 2011, Brian and Tyler  signed a publishing/production/management deal with Big Loud Shirt Publishing/Big Loud Mountain and released their EP, "It'z Just What We Do" which immediate went crazy on the Billboard Top Country Album Chart, peaking at #18. In the late spring of 2012, the band hit the road and were a featured act on the Country Throwdown Tour alongside Gary Allan and Rodney Atkins. In June 2012, the major labels finally saw what the rest of us already knew and they signed with Republic Nashville/Big Machine Records and the rest is FGL history. When they released their now #1 platinum hit, "Cruise", it was on like Donkey Kong and Florida Georgia Line is going to save the Princess at the end of their game. Girls love them, guys envy them, and radio loves them. Their debut full length cd, "Here's to the Good Times" is aptly named because that's exactly what's ahead for them. "It'z Just What We Do" and "Here's to the Good Times" have both been on iTunes top sellers list and I predict ACM and CMA awards next year for these guys ... it's coming!

#2: Blake Shelton's Amazing Year

Well it's about damn time Shelton! Blake's paid his dues for years and this past year has paid him back in spades. In addition to being the favorite, funniest and hottest mentor on NBC's smash hit "The Voice", just look at the list of awards he's been nominated for and has won in 2012! Talk about a bunch of BS! LOL! Love it. Blake also released his first Christmas cd, "Cheers, It's Christmas" and hosted his first television Christmas special, "Blake Shelton's Not So Family Christmas".

Peoples Choice Awards  

Favorite Male Artist - Nominated 

Favorite Country Artist - Nominated

Grammy Awards 

Best Country Album: "Red River Blue" - Nominated

Best Country Solo Performance: "Honey Bee" - Nominated

Best Country Song: "God Gave Me You" - Nominated

CMT Teddy Awards 

Best Flirting Video: "Honey Bee"- Won

Academy of Country Music Awards

Entertainer of The Year - Nominated

Male Vocalist of The Year - Won

CMT Music Awards

Video of The Year: "God Gave Me You" - Nominated

Male Video of The Year: "God Gave Me You" - Nominated

Performance of The Year: "Footlose" - Nominated

Teen Choice Awards

Male Country Artist - Nominated

Country Song: "God Gave Me You" - Nominated

Male Artist - Nominated

CMA Awards

Entertainer of the Year - Won

Male Vocalist of the Year - Won

Single of the Year - Nominated

Song of the Year - Won

#3: Hunter Hayes Takes Country By Storm

I remember the first time I heard the name Hunter Hayes. I was talking to his label rep, and he kept telling me he wanted me to meet this new kid, Hunter Hayes. They were getting ready to hit the road for his first radio tour for "Storm Warning". He was so impressed by the level of Hunter's talent that I knew this was something special if he was that excited. To say he was right is an understatement because Hunter's talent is more than special, more than impressive, it's first rate, five-star, talent at it's natural best. He's not only a singer, but a writer and one hell of a musician, playing all 30 instruments in "Storm Warning".

Hunter's musical career began at the ripe old age of two when he received a toy accordion from his grandmother. By the age of four, he was already appearing on local stages and on national television including shows such as Maury, Rosie O'Donnell, and Nickelodeon's Figure It Out. 

Flash forward to 2012: Hunter was the opening performer for Rascal Flatts on their "Thaw Out" tour. He wrote "Where We Left Off" , an original song on the 2012 soundtrack for "Act of Valor".  In September 2012, Hunter was the youngest member ever to be inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame in New Orleans, Louisiana.


"Wanted", Hunter's follow up single to 2011's "Storm Warning" was released to radio on March 5, 2012 and a few months later, in July 2012, Hunter received his first gold certification from RIAA during an appearance on the CBS show, The Talk and then was certified platinum the following August. The song was Hunter's first #1 single. In September 2012, Hunter started touring with Carrie Underwood on her Blown Away Tour. His list of accomplishments this year is impressive:


Academy of Country Music Awards
Best New Artist - Nominated

CMT Music Awards
USA Breakthrough Video of the Year: "Storm Warning" - Nominated

Teen Choice Awards 2012
Choice Male Country Artist -Won
Choice Country Song: "Storm Warning" - Nominated

Country Music Association Awards
New Artist of the Year - Won

American Country Awards
Artist of the Year: New Artist - Pending
Single of the Year: New Artist- "Wanted" - Pending
Music Video of the Year: New Artist- "Wanted" - Pending

2013 55th Grammy Awards
Best New Artist - Pending
Best Country Solo Performance: "Wanted" - Pending
Best Country Album - Pending