Can you believe the CMA Awards are only a few short months away? As the color begins to fade from the trees, it's time to break out the thinking caps and conjure up hopeful predictions for Country Music's Biggest Night.
On Tuesday, Sept. 10, this year’s nominations will be unveiled by Sheryl Crow and Florida Georgia Line live from New York City. Ahead of the announcement, I thought I would take a stab at predicting who will earn some deserved (or not-so-deserved) nods. This is simply based on sales and which way the winds are blowing — definitely not founded on any artistic merits, per se.
Side note: I'll be live on scene in NYC on Tuesday, so look out for my coverage.
Entertainer of the Year
Luke Bryan
Blake Shelton
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood
Jason Aldean
(I honestly think the voters will finally give Carrie her credit here.)
Female Vocalist of the Year
Miranda Lambert
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood
Kacey Musgraves
Kelly Clarkson
(Yes, not much is going to change with this category.)
Male Vocalist of the Year
Luke Bryan
Blake Shelton
Jason Aldean
Brad Paisley
Eric Church
(I wouldn’t be surprised if Hunter Hayes and/or Tim McGraw sneak their way into this category. This year, plenty of guys have had blockbuster success, so this is wide open.)
Album of the Year
Kacey Musgraves, ‘Same Trailer Different Park’
Little Big Town, ‘Tornado’
Florida Georgia Line, ‘Here’s to the Good Times’
Taylor Swift, ‘Red’
Blake Shelton, ‘Based On A True Story…’
(If critics have their way, Kacey has this sewn up. I’m pretty OK with that, if that happens. On another note, The Band Perry’s ‘Pioneer’ and Jason Aldean's 'Night Train' could slip in here, too.)
Vocal Group of the Year
Little Big Town
The Band Perry
Lady Antebellum
Rascal Flatts
Eli Young Band
(It’ll be a battle between Little Big Town and The Band Perry, for sure.)
Vocal Duo of the Year
Florida Georgia Line
The Civil Wars
Love & Theft
Thompson Square
Big & Rich
(I mean, can we give Florida Georigia Line the crystal statuette already?!)
Song of the Year
Lee Brice, ‘I Drive Your Truck’
Miranda Lambert, ‘Mama’s Broken Heart’
Gary Allan, ‘Every Storm (Runs Out of Rain)’
Darius Rucker, ‘Wagon Wheel’
Carrie Underwood, ‘Blown Away’
(Usually, this category tends to go to the more ‘emotional’ or ‘meaningful’ songs. Lee Brice has the advantage here. Carrie could very well sweep in, though. It should be noted this award goes to the songwriters, not the performers. The Band Perry's "Better Dig Two" has a chance to squeeze in here.)
Single of the Year
Florida Georgia Line, ‘Cruise’
Hunter Hayes, 'Wanted'
The Band Perry, ‘Better Dig Two’
Darius Rucker, ‘Wagon Wheel’
Carrie Underwood, ‘Blown Away’
(If anyone other than FGL snags this, I’ll be shocked. Blake Shelton's "Boys Round Here" has a chance to squeeze in.)
Music Video of the Year
Taylor Swift, ‘We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together’
Miranda Lambert, ‘Mama’s Broken Heart’
Kacey Musgraves, ‘Merry Go ‘Round’
Blake Shelton, ‘Boys Round Here’
Tim McGraw, ‘One Of Those Nights’
(Carrie Underwood's "Two Black Cadillacs" deserves a nod here, or even her "Blown Away." Both are quite cinematic and very different from the rest.)
Musical Event of the Year
Blake Shelton, ‘Boys Round Here’ (featuring Pistol Annies)
Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, ‘The Only Way I Know’
Florida Georgia Line, ‘Cruise’ (featuring Nelly)
Tim McGraw, Taylor Swift, Keith Urban, ‘Highway Don’t Care’
(This category is as wide open as they come. Any one of these could win.)
New Artist of the Year
Kacey Musgraves
Florida Georgia Line
Brett Eldredge
Lee Brice
Love & Theft
(Yes. FGL has this one, too.)
In conclusion, FGL will sweep this year, at least in Single, Duo and New Artist. There are plenty of other awards they could take home, too. With the Female Vocalist category still stagnant, will Carrie finally take back the crown? Or will the voters continue to shower Miranda? Also, who will win Entertainer?
Photo: CMA World
What do you think of my predictions? What are yours? Let me know your thoughts on Twitter. Also, feel free to email me to keep the conversation going.
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