The 2017 Grammy Awards categories are full of strong contenders, especially in the country categories. From bona fide legends to fresh-faced newcomers, the race for Best Country Album is intense.

Big Day in a Small Town, Brandy Clark's sophomore record, includes the singles "Girl Next Door" and "Love Can Go to Hell." The record was released in June of 2016 and earned a Top 10 spot (No. 8) on the country charts.

Loretta Lynn's Full Circle gave the country icon her highest-ever debut week spot on the all-genre Billboard 200 (No. 19). The album was recorded at Cash Cabin Studio in Hendersonville, Tenn., and includes a duet with Willie Nelson (“Lay Me Down”) and “Everything It Takes” featuring Elvis Costello.

In 2016, Maren Morris burst onto the country music scene with her debut record, Herowhich she co-wrote and co-produced. The disc contains Morris’ single “My Church,” as well as three more of the songs from her self-titled EP; it was the first debut album to top Billboard's Top Country Albums chart in 2016, and debuted at No. 5 on the all-genre Billboard 200.

A Sailor’s Guide to Earth from Sturgill Simpson debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Country Albums chart and No. 3 on the all-genre Billboard 200; it dropped on April 15, 2016, and was bested only by Prince, who took the No. 1 and No. 2 spots following his death. Simpson produced the record, which includes  “Brace for Impact (Live a Little)” and a version of Nirvana‘s “In Bloom.” The record received two Grammys nods this year: Best Country Album and the all-genre Album of the Year.

Keith Urban's Ripcord is the country star's eighth studio record, and he calls it his "most exhilarating album to make." There are new collaborators -- Jeff Bhasker, busbee, Greg Wells and Nile Rodgers -- on the project, as well as familiar faces: Shane McAnally, Ross Copperman, Dann Huff and Nathan Chapman; rapper Pitbull is even featured on a song called “Sun Don’t Let Me Down." Ripcord debuted at No. 1 in the U.S., Canada and Australia, and became Urban's second album to top the charts in those three countries during its debut week (something no other male country artist has ever done).

Who should win Best Country Album at the 2017 Grammy Awards? Vote for your pick in the poll below as often as once an hour until 11:59PM ET on Feb. 9; we’ll tabulate the results and use them for our winners predictions.

The 59th annual Grammy Awards will take place in Los Angeles on Feb. 12. The Late Late Show host James Corden will host the televised ceremony, which will begin at 8PM ET on CBS; the pre-telecast Premiere Ceremony will begin at 3:30PM ET and be available to stream online.

2017 Grammy Awards Nominees: The Country Surprises and Snubs

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