Country Music Herald

The Grammy nominations were announced today (by Taylor Swift, among others) and there are plenty of country acts across the board to root for this year. There were a few surprises, and even a couple of acts I’ve never heard of in the country categories–who are the Time Jumpers that are nominated for Best Vocal by a Group or Duo (if you know anything about them, help me out with a post in the comments section!), which, I am sad to say, did not include Sugarland for “Stay” or any of their songs, for that matter, silly Grammy voters.

The Grammy Awards broadcast isn’t for another couple of months, yet, but it’s never too early to check out the nominations and start rooting for our favorites! To see the complete list of categories that include country artists, keep reading after the jump.

country music, 2008 Grammy Nominations, 2008 country music Grammy Nominations

Album of the Year

* Foo Fighters, Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace
* Vince Gill, These Days
* Herbie Hancock, River: The Joni Letters
* Kanye West, Graduation
* Amy Winehouse. Back to Black

Song of the Year

* Carrie Underwood, “Before He Cheats”
* Plain White T’s, “Hey There Delilah”
* Corinne Bailey Rae, “Like a Star”
* Amy Winehouse, “Rehab”
* Rihanna, “Umbrella”

Best New Artist

* Feist
* Ledisi
* Paramore
* Taylor Swift
* Amy Winehouse

Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals

* Tony Bennett & Christina Aguilera, “Steppin’ Out”
* Beyoncé & Shakira, “Beautiful Liar”
* Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, “Gone Gone Gone (Done Moved On)”
* Gwen Stefani & Akon, “The Sweet Escape”
* Timbaland Featuring Nelly Furtado & Justin Timberlake, “Give It to Me”

Best Female Country Vocal Performance

* Alison Krauss, “Simple Love”
* Miranda Lambert, “Famous in a Small Town”
* LeAnn Rimes, “Nothin’ Better To Do”
* Carrie Underwood, “Before He Cheats”
* Trisha Yearwood, “Heaven, Heartache and the Power of Love”

Best Male Country Vocal Performance

* Dierks Bentley, “Long Trip Alone”
* Alan Jackson, “A Woman’s Love”
* Tim McGraw, “If You’re Reading This”
* George Strait, “Give It Away”
* Keith Urban, “Stupid Boy”

Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals

* Brooks & Dunn, “Proud of the House We Built”
* Eagles, “How Long”
* Emerson Drive, “Moments”
* Montgomery Gentry, “Lucky Man”
* The Time Jumpers, “Sweet Memories”

Best Country Collaboration with Vocals

* Steve Earle & Allison Moorer, “Days Aren’t Long Enough”
* Reba McEntire & Kelly Clarkson, “Because of You”
* Tim McGraw & Faith Hill, “I Need You”
* Willie Nelson & Ray Price, “Lost Highway”
* Brad Paisley & Carrie Underwood, “Oh Love”

Best Country Instrumental Performance

* Russ Barenberg, “Little Monk”
* The Greencards, “Mucky the Duck”
* Brad Paisley, “Throttleneck”
* Andy Statman, “Rawhide!”
* The Time Jumpers, “Fidoodlin’”

Best Country Song

* Carrie Underwood, “Before He Cheats”
* George Strait, “Give It Away”
* Tim McGraw & Faith Hill, “I Need You”
* Tim McGraw, “If You’re Reading This”
* Dierks Bentley, “Long Trip Alone”

Best Country Album

* Dierks Bentley, Long Trip Alone
* Vince Gill, These Days
* Tim McGraw, Let It Go
* Brad Paisley, 5th Gear
* George Strait, It Just Comes Natural

Best Bluegrass Album

* Cherryholmes, Cherryholmes II Black And White
* J. D. Crowe & The New South, Lefty’s Old Guitar
* Jim Lauderdale, The Bluegrass Diaries
* Seldom Scene, Scenechronized
* Tony Trischka, Double Banjo Bluegrass Spectacular

Best Short Form Music Video

* Johnny Cash, “God’s Gonna Cut You Down”
* Feist, “1 2 3 4″
* Gnarls Barkley, “Gone Daddy Gone”
* Justice, “D.A.N.C.E.”
* Mute Math, “Typical”

Best Long Form Music Video

* Dierks Bentley, “Live & Loud at the Fillmore”
* R. Kelly, “Trapped in the Closet Chapters 13-22″
* Madonna, “The Confessions Tour”
* Kenny Wayne Shepherd, “10 Days Out - Blues from the Backroads”
* Various Artists, “Liberacion - The Songs of the New Cuban Underground”