2014 ACM Awards Entertainer of the Year – Why Taylor Swift Should Win
Taylor Swift is a two-time ACM Entertainer of the Year winner, though her streak was snapped by Luke Bryan last year. Her campaign for the award in 2014 will mostly depend on her outstanding touring successes. Swift not only brings the fans in, but she over-delivers.
No one pays as much attention to lighting, costumes, choreography and staging as Swift. Her show is a theatrical production, with more outfit changes than ballads. She never has an off night and never fails to give fans additional surprises, like a cameo from Jennifer Lopez or Carly Simon.
If that’s what defines Entertainer of the Year, then give this girl the award right now, because no one in country music puts on a better show for their fans. Swift may have spent more time on pop radio than country radio in 2013 -- and at first, that seems like it’d hurt her chances -- until one factors in the new voters she’s pulling in from other genres who would otherwise sit this out.
Swift is never out of contention for Entertainer of the Year, or any fan-voted award. Below, you’ll find the highlights of Swift’s ACM Entertainer of the Year campaign. Fans can vote for their favorite at VoteACM.com until the third hour of the live CBS Broadcast on April 6.
The Music: The title track from Swift’s most recent album was her biggest country radio hit in 2013, but she scored multiple hits on pop radio and was part of the year’s top collaboration in ‘Highway Don’t Care’ with Tim McGraw. In comparison to other years, this was a quieter campaign for the 24-year-old singer.
The Tour: Swift is becoming like Kenny Chesney in that her touring success is taken for granted. The superstar still sells out shows quicker than anyone in the format, and her schedule is relentless. Frequently, she sells out multiple shows in the same city, packing in high-profile celebs who fill the seats or take the stage with her. The show is an event.
The Intangibles: When Taylor Swift’s name is in the news for something other than her music, it’s usually a dating rumor. They say any publicity is good publicity, but it’s not clear if just being "out there" will translate to votes. Off stage, Swift lives a fairly quiet life, but it’s amplified by the media.