This Is Country Music
  • Home
  • Album Reviews
  • Other Stuff
  • Archives

2019 CMA Picks and Predictions

9/2/2019

0 Comments

 
Picture
This year's CMA Awards show promises to be an interesting one, and TICM is here to prepare you once again with our annual picks and predictions!
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR

Will win: 

Garth Brooks
Eric Church
Chris Stapleton
Carrie Underwood – Zackary Kephart, Markus Meyer
Keith Urban 


Should win:

Garth Brooks
Eric Church – Zackary Kephart (tie), Markus Meyer
Chris Stapleton
Carrie Underwood – Zackary Kephart (tie)
Keith Urban 


Zackary Kephart: Keith Urban somehow won this last year, but considering this is a touring award, it’s hard not to see how either Carrie Underwood or Eric Church are more deserving here. Granted, that speaks to the groundswell of their respective fan bases that they’re willing to fight and declare these artists have had their “moments,” and it’s hard to disagree. I have a bad feeling Urban might repeat his win considering these award shows like to be repetitive and predictable, but considering they’re making a slight effort to include stronger female representation this year (lip service or not), I could see Underwood finally getting her due here. 

Markus Meyer: This should be an Underwood v. Church showdown, and I think that's what will happen, with Church ultimately winning. That said, don't write off Garth or Urban, the two most inexplicably over-recognized artists of the past several years. 

ALBUM OF THE YEAR

Will win:

Thomas Rhett – Center Point Road
Carrie Underwood – Cry Pretty
Dan + Shay – Dan + Shay
Eric Church – Desperate Man - ZK, MM
Maren Morris – GIRL


Should win:

Thomas Rhett – Center Point Road
Carrie Underwood – Cry Pretty
Dan + Shay – Dan + Shay
Eric Church – Desperate Man - ZK, MM
Maren Morris – GIRL


ZK: This category usually lacks in quality, and somehow they’ve set the bar even lower this year. Forget the fact that Reba McEntire or George Strait dropped great albums in their post-radio careers or that the Pistol Annies dropped one of the most critically acclaimed albums of last year – let’s just award nepotism and bland, forgettable pop music masquerading as country. Granted, I’m not about to defend Eric Church as country either, and Desperate Man is far from his best work. But at least it’s the one album here that doesn’t outright suck. Church is usually a favorite for this category, so hopefully that’s the case this year. 

MM: A remarkably bad slate of candidates. This is my least favorite Church album and yet it's still miles better than everything else nominated here. Underwood's is pretty average and the other three are straight pop. Tragic category.



NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR


Will win:


Cody Johnson
Ashley McBryde - MM
Midland
Carly Pearce
Morgan Wallen - ZK


Should win:


Cody Johnson
Ashley McBryde - ZK, MM
Midland
Carly Pearce
Morgan Wallen


ZK: Aside from Morgan Wallen, this is probably one of the best fields of new entrants in years. Granted, none of these names really scan as “new” aside from Ashley McBryde - Cody Johnson is the most obvious example, and Midland and Carly Pearce released their debut albums over two years ago. Still, I have no complaints here, though the fact that Wallen is the most commercially viable artist here with the hits and marketing to boot, no one else really has a chance. But really, there’s an unwritten law somewhere out there that says McBryde should win every award she’s nominated for in any instance. 

MM: This one is actually pretty strong. Even Wallen is far from the worst offender at radio. My gut says McBryde takes it, though I could easily see Wallen or Midland winning. 


SINGLE OF THE YEAR


Will win:


Dierks Bentley and Brothers Osborne - “Burning Man”
Maren Morris - “Girl”
Blake Shelton - “God’s Country” - ZK, MM
Chris Stapleton - “Millionaire”
Dan + Shay - “Speechless”


Should win:


Dierks Bentley and Brothers Osborne - “Burning Man” - ZK, MM
Maren Morris - “Girl”
Blake Shelton - “God’s Country”
Chris Stapleton - “Millionaire”
Dan + Shay - “Speechless”


ZK: I’ll live the rest of my life trying to forget that “Hell Right” exists, but if I’m being completely fair to Blake Shelton, “God’s Country” totally deserves this award – and there’s no question that will happen given its success. Including “Burning Man” is a nice touch, but Dierks Bentley is always a dark horse candidate at best, sadly. “Millionaire” is also good, but would be not be a fitting candidate for this award. “Girl” is here just for female representation and “Speechless” … wait, this was actually a hit?!? 

MM: "Burning Man" is my favorite of the bunch (and also maybe the least likely winner), though "God's Country" would be a totally worthy victor here, in terms of both quality and impact. Stapleton and Morris feel like filler here, but "Speechless" could very well take this given its commercial heft. Still, this will likely be Shelton's, and it will be his most deserved win in years. 



SONG OF THE YEAR


Will win:


Luke Combs - “Beautiful Crazy” - ZK, MM
Maren Morris - “Girl”
Blake Shelton - “God’s Country” 
Kacey Musgraves - “Rainbow”
Dan + Shay - “Tequila”


Should win: 


Luke Combs - “Beautiful Crazy”
Maren Morris - “Girl”
Blake Shelton - “God’s Country”
Kacey Musgraves - “Rainbow” - ZK, MM
Dan + Shay - “Tequila”


ZK: This certainly isn’t the worst field in the world, though it does include some oddball choices, as always. Still, this category seems more loaded with pure hits than previous years. Of course, when I say “hit,” I’m referring to general public reaction, not to how Kacey Musgraves’s gorgeous “Rainbow” only peaked inside the top 40 at radio. But I wouldn’t be mad at “God’s Country” either considering it is quite good, though otherwise, Luke Combs could win this, but he has better songs. Anything but “Girl” or “Tequila” is a win I suppose. 

MM: It's far from the best of the field, but I have a hard time seeing "Beautiful Crazy" getting completely passed over, so I think it wins. However, "Rainbow" is a very conceivable and much stronger choice, while "God's Country" and "Tequila" are both repsectable compositions with a chance. It's fairly wide open and honestly not a horrible group to pick from. 



FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR


Will win:


Kelsea Ballerini
Miranda Lambert
Maren Morris
Kacey Musgraves
Carrie Underwood - ZK, MM


Should win:


Kelsea Ballerini
Miranda Lambert
Maren Morris
Kacey Musgraves - MM
Carrie Underwood – ZK


ZK: Considering Carrie Underwood is up for Entertainer of the Year, this award should be a lock, though voters could also be fetching for new blood by picking Maren Morris. In terms of natural talent, this is usually a justifiable award for Underwood to win, so I don’t have much to say here other than that. 

MM: Logically Carrie's EOTY nom would make her a heavy frontrunner but maybe they go a different direction here? Kacey's been a great ambassador for the genre this period and Morris is the most nominated of the night, so you can't write them off. Still, I think Underwood takes this, but I'm not 100% confident in saying that. 



MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR


Will win:

Dierks Bentley
Luke Combs - ZK, MM
Thomas Rhett
Chris Stapleton
Keith Urban

Should win:

Dierks Bentley
Luke Combs – ZK (tie), MM
Thomas Rhett
Chris Stapleton – ZK (tie)
Keith Urban


ZK: Again, there isn’t much to say here – Luke Combs is far and away the biggest country artist right now, so I can’t see how this award will go to anyone else. If we have to defy logic, though, let’s at least not go for Thomas Rhett. 

MM: I mean maybe Stapleton or Rhett win, but I have a very hard time seeing this go to anyone but Combs, and it will be very well deserved. 

VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR

Will win:

Lady Antebellum
Little Big Town
Midland - ZK
Old Dominion - MM
Zac Brown Band


Should win:

Lady Antebellum
Little Big Town
Midland - ZK, MM
Old Dominion
Zac Brown Band


ZK: It’s between Midland and Old Dominion, and really, it just comes down to voters caring more about which band actually has the public’s attention and which band is just soaking up radio hits. I’m going to lean away from my usual pessimism and have faith, at least for once. 

MM: No one really seems to care about any of country music's groups that much these days but Old Dominion is the fallback winner these days, so I think they pull it off. Still, a Midland upset is possible (and preferable in my mind). 



VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR

Will win: 

Brooks & Dunn
Brothers Osborne - ZK, MM
Dan + Shay 
Florida Georgia Line
Maddie and Tae


Should win: 

Brooks & Dunn - MM
Brothers Osborne
Dan + Shay – ZK (I mean, only if I’m being 100% unbiased and honest … )
Florida Georgia Line
Maddie and Tae


ZK: This, as well as Group of the Year, usually provide the most laughs out of any other categories. I mean, it’s nice to see Brooks & Dunn here, but who are they replacing? Sugarland? Big & Rich? Anyway, as much as I naturally like the Brothers Osborne more than any other duo here outside of B&D  and Maddie and Tae (who all don’t have a shot anyway, let’s be honest), Dan + Shay were truthfully the most commercially relevant artists this year. 

MM: I don't know, the CMAs compeltely snubbed Dan + Shay last year and they seem to like the Bros so I think they take it, though it's definitely a two horse race (neither of which is FGL, which is a topic for another day but is kind of remarkable). Maddie & Tae and Brooks & Dunn made the best music of the period so I'll give the latter my vote cause I think it'd be cool if they won (though the Maddie & Tae EP is lovely). 



MUSICAL EVENT OF THE YEAR

Will win:

Maren Morris and Brothers Osborne - “All My Favorite People”
Luke Combs and Brooks & Dunn - “Brand New Man”
Garth Brooks & Blake Shelton - “Dive Bar”
Lil Nas X & Billy Ray Cyrus - “Old Town Road (Remix)” - ZK, MM
Brantley Gilbert and Lindsay Ell - “What Happens In A Small Town”


Should win: 

Maren Morris and Brothers Osborne - “All My Favorite People”
Luke Combs and Brooks & Dunn - “Brand New Man”
Garth Brooks & Blake Shelton - “Dive Bar”
Lil Nas X & Billy Ray Cyrus - “Old Town Road (Remix)”
Brantley Gilbert and Lindsay Ell - “What Happens In A Small Town” - MM


ZK: This is a bizarre group of songs in general this year, enough to where I can’t in good faith personally recommend any of them. But we all know the “bull ridin’ and boobies” song will take this award anyway.

MM: I don't think there's any chance they pass up an "Old Town Road" victory here. Weird group, but I dig the Gilbert/Ell track quite a bit. 

MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR


Will win: 


Jenee Fleenor
Paul Franklin
Mac McAnally - ZK
Illya Toshinsky
Derek Wells


Should win: 


Jenee Fleenor - ZK
Paul Franklin
Mac McAnally
Illya Toshinsky
Derek Wells


ZK: I mean, let’s be honest, Mac McAnally wins this by default every year. But still, it’s absolutely cool to see Jenee Fleenor grab a nomination slot here. Fiddle power!

0 Comments

    Like us on Facebook! Also, follow us on Twitter @TICMWeebly!

    Writers

    Markus Meyer
    A country music fan from B.C., Canada. You can find his work at theshotgunseat.com. You can follow Markus on twitter at @Markus_Meyer27.

    Contributors

    Chris Baggs
    A country music and Buffalo Sabres fan from Buffalo.

    Zackary Kephart
    A country music fan from Buffalo, New York. 
    ​
    Comment Policy

    TICM is dedicated to the respect of readers and authors, and their opinions. Any comments that contain derogatory language will be deleted.
    ​

    More Country Music Content:

    All Access
    ​B-Sides & Badlands
    Country Exclusive
    ​
    Country Perspective
    Country Universe
    Farce the Music
    ​Grady Smith on Country
    Highway Queens
    Pulse Music Board
    Queens Of Country
    Roughstock
    Saving Country Music
    Shore2Shore Country
    The Shotgun Seat
    ​The Musical Divide
    ​The Word

    Tweets by @Markus_Meyer27

    Categories

    All
    3 Up 3 Down
    5 Second Single Reviews
    5 Second Single Reviews
    Aaron Watson
    Alan Jackson
    American Aquarium
    Ash Bowers
    Ash Bowers
    Ashley Campbell
    Ashley McBryde
    Ashley Monroe
    A Thousand Horses
    Austin Webb
    Autumn Hill
    Awards
    Bebe Rexha
    Best Of 2012
    Big & Rich
    Billy Currington
    Blackjack Billy
    Blake Shelton
    Blanco Brown
    Brad Paisley
    Brantley Gilbert
    Brett Eldredge
    Brett Young
    Brooks & Dunn
    Brothers Osborne
    Cam
    Canaan Smith
    Candi Carpenter
    Carly Pearce
    Carrie Underwood
    Casey James
    Cassadee Pope
    Chad Brownlee
    Charlie Worsham
    Chase Bryant
    Chase Rice
    Chris Cagle
    Chris Janson
    Chris Lane
    Chris Stapleton
    Chris Young
    Chris Young
    Cole Swindell
    Colt Ford
    Craig Campbell
    Craig Morgan
    Craig Morgan
    Dallas Smith
    Danielle Bradbery
    Dan + Shay
    Darius Rucker
    David Lee Murphy
    David Nail
    Dean Brody
    Devin Dawson
    Dierks Bentley
    Doc Walker
    Dustin Lynch
    Dylan Scott
    Easton Corbin
    Edens Edge
    Eli Young Band
    Eric Church
    Eric Paslay
    Faith Hill
    Florida Georgia Line
    Florida Georgia Line
    Frankie Ballard
    Garth Brooks
    Gary Allan
    George Strait
    Gloriana
    Greg Bates
    Hayden Panettiere
    Hunter Hayes
    Ingrid Andress
    Jake Owen
    Jake Owen
    James Wesley
    Jana Kramer
    Jason Aldean
    Jason Aldean
    Jason Blaine
    Jason Mitchell
    Jennifer Nettles
    Jerrod Niemann
    Joe Diffie
    Joel Crouse
    Joe Nichols
    Joey Hyde
    John Mayer
    Jon Pardi
    Jordan Davis
    Justin Moore
    Kacey Musgraves
    Kane Brown
    Karen Fairchild
    Keith Urban
    Kelleigh Bannen
    Kellie Pickler
    Kelly Clarkson
    Kelsea Ballerini
    Kenny Chesney
    Kip Moore
    Kristian Bush
    Lady Antebellum
    LANCO
    Laura Bell Bundy
    Lauren Alaina
    Leann Rimes
    Lee Brice
    Lindsay Ell
    Little Big Town
    LoCash
    Locash Cowboys
    Lonestar
    Love And Theft
    Luke Bryan
    Luke Combs
    Maddie & Tae
    Maggie Rose
    Maren Morris
    Martina Mcbride
    Michael Bublé
    Michael Ray
    Mickey Guyton
    Midland
    Miranda Lambert
    Montgomery Gentry
    Mo Pitney
    Morgan Wallen
    Nashville
    Natasha Bedingfield
    Nelly
    News
    Niko Moon
    Old Dominion
    Parmalee
    Pat Green
    Pistol Annies
    Raelynn
    Rainey Qualley
    Randy Houser
    Randy Rogers Band
    Rascal Flatts
    Riley Green
    Robert Counts
    Rodney Atkins
    Ronnie Dunn
    Runaway June
    Russell Dickerson
    Sam Hunt
    Sara Evans
    Sarah Buxton
    Sarah Darling
    Scotty McCreery
    Seth Ennis
    Shania Twain
    Sheryl Crow
    Single Reviews
    Single Reviews
    Single Round Up
    Striking Matches
    Sugarland
    Sunny Sweeney
    Tate Stevens
    Taylor Swift
    Tebey
    Tenille Townes
    The Band Perry
    The Chicks
    The Civil Wars
    The Farm
    The Henningsens
    The Last Bandoleros
    Thomas Rhett
    Thompson Square
    Tim Hicks
    Tim Mcgraw
    Toby Keith
    Todd O' Neill
    Trace Adkins
    Train
    Travis Denning
    Tucker Beathard
    Turnpike Troubadours
    Tyler Farr
    Tyminski
    Vince Gill
    Walker Hayes
    Walker McGuire
    William Michael Morgan
    Willie Nelson
    Worst Of 2013
    Worst Of 2014
    Worst Of 2020
    Year End Countdowns
    Zac Brown Band

    Archives

    December 2022
    November 2022
    September 2022
    July 2022
    December 2021
    August 2021
    December 2020
    April 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    September 2019
    April 2019
    January 2019
    August 2018
    June 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    July 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    April 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Home
  • Album Reviews
  • Other Stuff
  • Archives