Playlist

Newcomers up for their first Academy of Country Music Award, which will be handed out Sunday at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas, are probably chomping at the bit to find out the winners. But before they do, let's do a little soothsaying in the three categories. You can learn who takes home the prize during the telecast from 7-10 p.m. at CBS (Channel 11).

Top New Male Vocalist: Luke Bryan, Jack Ingram or Jake Owen? How great if Austin's Jack Ingram would win. He might, but it's probably going to be Jake Owen. He's got more industry muscle supporting him.

Top New Female Vocalist: Sarah Buxton, Kellie Pickler or Taylor Swift? Um, Sarah, Kellie, don't bother showing up. This is Taylor's award. A sure thing!

Top New Duo or Vocal Group: Carolina Rain, Lady Antebellum or the Wreckers? It's between Antebellum and Wreckers. Wreckers are now defunct, and Antebellum currently has buzz and a radio hit. So let's go with them.

Those who own Fiest's breakthrough disc, The Reminder, know the song "Brandy Alexander." She penned it with singer-songwriter Ron Sexsmith, who put it on his album, Exit Strategy of the Soul, that comes out July 8. Mr. Sexsmith and Leslie Fiest ran into each other at an Ottawa hotel lounge. Here's his story of how the tune was inspired:

"At the time I had gotten into the habit of ordering Brandy Alexanders and so she had come up to me and asked me what I was drinking. I told her that it was the famous drink that got John Lennon and Harry Nilsson kicked out of the LA Troubadour back in the 70's. A few days later I received a lyric via email from Leslie called "Brandy Alexander." I thought it was great and almost immediately I went down to the piano and started setting it to music."

"Hey Dallas!" said a bubbly and buoyant Jordin Sparks at the top of her 30 minute set at Nokia Theatre on Wed. night. "Aren't you excited to be able to see Alicia Keys? I know I'm excited to be opening up for her!"

The singer's unbridled enthusiasm was contagious as she opened with her latest single, "One Step at a Time," even as she swept back her thick cloud of hair, gulped water and fanned herself ("It is HOT in here!"). Ms. Sparks' vocals---which were threatened with permanent damage after a bout of vocal hemorrhaging last month and temporarily sidelined her from opening for Ms. Keys--- were smooth, supple and assured as she delivered "Tattoo" and the soaring ballad "Permanent Monday."