The Try That In A Small Town crew dives into the 2024 ACM Awards – the politics, the snubs, and the few moments that actually delivered. From Morgan Wallen being shut out, to Ella Langley’s historic run, to Lainey Wilson, Miranda Lambert, Zach Top, Kane Brown, Parker McCollum, and more, the guys break down who deserved what and where country music is really headed.

They also talk about TikTok-ready story songs like “Choosing Texas,” the future of traditional-leaning artists, how award shows are losing legitimacy with fans, and why the industry keeps cloning the same “country boy” image. Plus: a small-town hero who saved a family from a fire, drive-thru rim damage, broken-English call centers, and a McDonald’s “fresh” muffin story.

Perfect for country fans, songwriters, and anyone who’s over the BS of modern award shows.

Timed Highlights:

2:16 – Studio chaos, heat, and golf talk in the eSpaces room

3:18 – Peacemaker Coffee plug and the truth about roast caffeine levels

4:32 – Shoulder MRI results: torn bicep, torn rotator cuff, and surgery date

16:05 – Instagram subscriptions and bonus content tease

16:44 – Confession: who actually watched the ACM Awards (and who didn’t)

18:20 – Lainey Wilson’s opener: high energy vs memorable songs debate

22:36 – Laney’s lack of a clear “signature” song and expectations for her writing

23:22 – Miranda Lambert’s “Crisco” performance reaction

24:44 – Riley Green and Ella Langley: onstage “pajamas” tension

33:31 – Why fans are losing faith in award shows and ratings

36:29 – Megan Moroney’s many nominations and zero wins

42:48 – Group of the Year: Red Clay Strays and the new darlings of country

45:18 – “Best they/them duo?” Pushing back on where categories might go

47:05 – Why Brooks & Dunn, Alan Jackson, and Rascal Flatts are selling more tickets now

48:01 – Disposable songs vs timeless 90s/2000s country

48:20 – Red Clay Strays sell out Bridgestone: how fans find music now

48:54 – Encouraging signs: more traditional-leaning performances at the ACMs

49:44 – Parker McCollum wins Album of the Year over Morgan Wallen

50:37 – “Choosing Texas” wins Song/Single of the Year and just how massive it is

52:51 – Somewhere Over Laredo vs Somewhere Over The Rainbow and copyright splits

55:09 – Tucker Wetmore: Morgan/Riley clone, performance debate, and industry blame

59:12 – Zach Top’s 90s throwback lane: can it really last?

1:02:27 – Why traditional acts must have truly great songs to survive

1:03:21 – Kane Brown’s “Woman” and trying to stay country

1:08:20 – Why Ella Langley feels so believable and why her stool performance worked

1:09:34 – Dancers in country: necessary or cheesy?

1:11:09 – Grading the ACMs: starting at a 5 because of the Morgan snubs

1:12:34 – What the ACMs are signaling to fans by ignoring Morgan Wallen

1:13:58 – How the snubs actually pour jet fuel on Morgan’s career

1:14:55 – The legitimacy problem when the biggest artists don’t show up

1:16:46 – Speculating on why the industry still hasn’t moved on from Morgan’s incident

1:16:54 – New Male Artist: Tucker Wetmore; New Female Artist: Avery Anna

1:21:01 – “No cause for alarm” text actually is cause for alarm: contract story teaser

1:21:39 – Contract options and income surprises: more to come

1:22:29 – Small town hero: Officer Eli Rogers saves a family from an apartment fire

1:23:18 – Why stories like Eli’s embody “Try That In A Small Town”

1:23:59 – Dipshit of the Week: broken-English call centers and customer service

1:31:32 – Why the ACMs feel like BS but we still care about songs, fans, and country music

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