Hunter Hayes Admits He’s ‘Scared’ to Beat Carrie Underwood at the Grammys

Hunter Hayes accepted Carrie Underwood's invitation to join her hugely-successful Blown Away Tour, but is Hayes afraid to win an award over Underwood at the 2013 Grammys on Sunday night?

Possibly. The country newcomer recently sat down with MTV and discussed the likelihood that his hit 'Wanted' would beat out Underwood's 'Blown Away' in the Best Country Solo Performance category during the the upcoming ceremony.

"Well, I doubt that's going to happen, so I don't have to worry about that," Hayes humbly admits. He adds cautiously, "I don't even want to talk about that. I'm scared. I'm scared for that day."

Given the success of his very first country No. 1 single, 'Wanted,' the newly-certified double-Platinum ballad could very well overtake Underwood's equally as dynamic 2012 chart-topping hit. That is, if it can also outshine Eric Church's 'Springsteen,' Dierks Bentley's 'Home,' Blake Shelton's 'Over' and Ronnie Dunn's 'Cost of Livin'' in the competitive category.

Two trophies Hayes wouldn't mind taking home are in the Best New Artist and Best Country Album categories -- only because Underwood is not eligible or included in either category.

"I have somewhat of a speech prepared," says the current CMA New Artist of the Year. "I have my list: it's always God, mom and dad, team and I elaborate from there, and obviously, I feel like there are so many different ways to say it."

The 'Somebody's Heartbreak' singer does feel in good company with his fellow nominees in the coveted Best New Artist category, sharing, "They are all shaping sounds. They aren't just making good records or putting on really good shows or writing really good songs. It's that and ... again, I just feel so grateful being a part of this category because these are people that are making new sounds.

He adds, "These are sounds you're going to refer to in year and a half. When I go in to make my record, and I'm like, 'I want that sound. Like remember what was on that certain record?' You name it, from this category, they are shaping new sounds. I hope someday somebody can look back and say the same about me."

Hayes is currently working on his new sophomore album, which he says will be a "whole-hearted" project. The singer will step away from the recording studio to attend the Grammy Awards on Sunday night as a first-time nominee and presenter. The 2013 Grammy Awards will air on February 10, 2013 at 8PM ET on CBS.