COUNTRY SONG OF THE YEAR

The Nominees: “All the Good Ones are Gone” by Dean Dillon and Bob McDill; “Butterfly Kisses” by Bob Carlisle and Randy Thomas; . “Did I Shave My Legs for This?” by Deana Carter and Rhonda Hart; “In Another’s Eyes” by Garth Brooks, John Peppard and Bobby Wood; “It’s Your Love” by Stephony Smith.

The Judge: Legendary country tunesmith Harlan Howard, whose songs include Patsy Cline’s “I Fall to Pieces,” Ray Charles’ “Busted” and Ray Price’s “Heartaches by the Number.”

The Verdict: Howard has a soft spot for the shamelessly sappy “Butterfly Kisses,” though he does concede, “it can drive you a little crazy.” According to Howard, the song’s conceit--a daughter giving her dad “butterfly kisses” with her eyelashes--is what makes it click. “If you make that about two lovers, then it doesn’t work,” he says.

Another novelty-tinged song, Deana Carter’s hit “Did I Shave My Legs for This?” is also a favorite. “I think Deana had a lot of courage to write a song like this,” says Howard. “I could relate to the lyrics. It’s like a guy putting on his best smellin’ stuff and going on a lousy date. I take it seriously as a song.”

Howard has mixed feelings about the two country duets nominated. “ ‘In Another’s Eyes’ is well written and well sung,” he says. “Bobby Wood is a hell of a writer. The vocal blend between Garth [Brooks] and Trisha [Yearwood] is what makes this work.” As for Tim McGraw and Faith Hill’s “It’s Your Love,” “it’s probably my least favorite song here. There’s nothing startling about it.”

Howard reserves his highest marks for the Pam Tillis hit “All the Good Ones Are Gone.” “I’m a sucker for sentimental songs; they’re more apt to touch me,” he says. “Dean and Bob are two of the best writers in Nashville, so their collaboration makes this song a fabulous thing. That’s probably my favorite of the bunch.”