Billy Dukes

Despite the accuracy (or lack of accuracy) of these predictions for the 2013 ACM Awards, one thing is certain: one group of country fans will be ecstatic come Monday morning, while another will be furious that their favorite wasn't recognized for his or her talent and achievements. Only one out of every group of five can take the trophy for Entertainer, Male Vocalist, Female Vocalist and the other top prizes. This means four more will be left politely applauding for someone the industry says had a little better year. Fans tend to not be as graceful in defeat. 

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Hours after being eliminated from the 'Dancing With the Stars' competition, Wynonna Judd took to Twitter to talk to her fans and thank all of those who believed in her and voted for her and partner Tony Dovolani during her time on the ABC series. Judd became the second dancer to go home on Tuesday night (April 2) after a Samba that left judges less than impressed on Monday.

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Wynonna Judd's next great challenge has ended prematurely. The country legend and her professional dance partner Tony Dovolani were eliminated from 'Dancing With the Stars' on Tuesday night (April 2) after their Samba received the night's lowest scores on Monday. The dancer with the lowest total of fan votes and judges scores is sent home each week.

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Newcomer Weston Burt's debut single 'Lucky Sometimes' aims right down the middle and hits the mark. The upbeat, head-over-heels love song is easy to find yourself singing along with before the first spin is complete. Listen again to hear him flex a little vocal muscle in the most subtle ways.

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Get ready to be broke by April 30. No fewer than three superstars are releasing new country music albums in April 2013, and that's before you get to projects from LeAnn Rimes and 'X Factor' winner Tate Stevens. The Band Perry, Brad Paisley, Eric Church, Willie Nelson and Kenny Chesney are just a few of the names releasing new music.

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There is comedy in Blake Shelton singing with Pistol Annies, as he does on his new single 'Boys 'Round Here.' One imagines a country Hugh Hefner surrounded by his beauties. In real life, the Annies likely (very likely) don't attend to his every need and agree with him at all costs, but they do on this song, and it's absolutely charming. 

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'Cut to Impress' by Maggie Rose is one of the more entertaining listens of the year. Fans will either embrace the dark, swampy sound the singer creates with producer James Stroud, or they'll be terrified by her bad girl persona and downright chilling stories. The album is no teddy bear.

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The best songs on Thompson Square's new album 'Just Feels Good' sound like a conversation between the two married lovers. Early on, their back-and-forth is light and playful. Later ballads take a more somber tone, but all that find the 'If I Didn't Have You' singers sharing lead are highlights from the duo's sophomore project.

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In recent years, Kenny Chesney has began to reveal layers of his personal life through his music. Songs from 'Hemingway's Whiskey,' 'Welcome to the Fishbowl' and 'Life on a Rock' are his most personal and introspective to date, but he's still somewhat of a private person, one who shuns social media in favor of retreats to the islands. There are plenty of things even a superfan of the 'Pirate Flag' singer might not know. 

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Women who already think Blake Shelton singing is the sexiest thing since Johnny Castle pulled Baby from the corner may want to take the rest of the week off. The best moments on 'Based on a True Story ...' sizzle, and not in that ironic "bow-chicka-wow-wow" sort of way that's occasionally implied with this singer's sense of humor. Songs like 'Mine Would Be You' are safe to put on any red wine and candles soundtrack. Guys, you can thank Shelton via his Twitter account, if you'd like.

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The magic of many of the songs on Kacey Musgraves' debut album -- including her new single 'Blowin' Smoke' -- is in the little details. 'Merry Go 'Round' thrived in efficient specificity. The follow-up is equally effective in its portrayal of a life waiting tables.

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Kacey Musgraves' Mercury Records debut album is everything a new artist dreams her first record will be. 'Same Trailer Different Park' is well-written, edgy (yet familiar) and coated in "cool." Musgraves is an original who at age 24 is surprisingly wise and adept at using her voice to share her experiences. 

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