Entertainer of the Year
Should win:
- Blake Shelton
- Luke Bryan
- George Strait
- Miranda Lambert
- Keith Urban
- Blake Shelton
- Luke Bryan
- George Strait
- Miranda Lambert
- Keith Urban
Miranda should win this. She perfectly balanced commercial success and substantial music, and I think she has a legitimate shot. Keith had a decent year, and Blake was strong once again, but neither have a great chance of winning here. This is George vs Luke for me, but I'll go with Bryan barely over King George.
Male Vocalist of the Year
Should win:
- Dierks Bentley
- Luke Bryan
- Blake Shelton
- Eric Church
- Keith Urban
- Dierks Bentley
- Luke Bryan
- Blake Shelton
- Eric Church
- Keith Urban
As much as I've loved the output of both Eric and Keith, Dierks is head and shoulders above the rest here. Hoping for a Dierks or Eric win (and there's a very good chance one of those two do walk away with it) but I have a bad feeling we're in for another lame Blake win here.
Album of the Year
Should win:
- Luke Bryan: Crash My Party
- Keith Urban: Fuse
- Miranda Lambert: Platinum
- Dierks Bentley: Riser
- Eric Church: The Outsiders
- Luke Bryan: Crash My Party
- Keith Urban: Fuse
- Miranda Lambert: Platinum
- Dierks Bentley: Riser
- Eric Church: The Outsiders
Love Fuse, The Outsiders and Platinum, but once again, Dierks rises (no pun intended) above the others here. It could go to anybody but Fuse realistically, unfortunately I'm thinking it's going to the mildly enjoyable at best, commercial monster Crash My Party.
Female Vocalist of the Year
Should win:
- Miranda Lambert
- Kacey Musgraves
- Taylor Swift
- Carrie Underwood
- Martina McBride
- Miranda Lambert
- Kacey Musgraves
- Taylor Swift
- Carrie Underwood
- Martina McBride
It's depressing how much country radio has resisted female acts. Brandy Clark, Ashley Monroe, Cassadee Pope. All these promising new artists, and we're still stuck nominating a pop star and a veteran who's done pretty much nothing outside of a covers album. *sigh*. Carrie was inactive for the most part, and while Kacey might a sliver of a chance, this should easily go to Miranda.
Vocal Group of the Year:
Should win:
- Eli Young Band
- Lady Antebellum
- Little Big Town
- The Band Perry
- Zac Brown Band
- Eli Young Band
- Lady Antebellum
- Little Big Town
- The Band Perry
- Zac Brown Band
I'm desperately hoping for a ZBB win, or even a EYB win, but yeah, it's not happening. I could see Little Big Town or The Band Perry taking it, but this should be Lady A's again.
Vocal Duo of the Year
Should win:
- Dan + Shay
- Florida Georgia Line
- Love and Theft
- The Swon Brothers
- Thompson Square
- Dan + Shay
- Florida Georgia Line
- Love and Theft
- The Swon Brothers
- Thompson Square
The one act who has done enough to win, will win.
New Artist of the Year
Should win:
- Brandy Clark
- Brett Eldredge
- Kip Moore
- Thomas Rhett
- Cole Swindell
- Brandy Clark
- Brett Eldredge
- Kip Moore
- Thomas Rhett
- Cole Swindell
The Brandy Clark nomination is beyond awesome, and she has a good chance here. However, I do think Eldredge has this, and here's why. Clark may be seen as not commercially strong enough, Kip didn't do a ton, and Rhett/Swindell may be seen as to "bro". Eldredge finds a nice balance, and should take this.
Song of the Year
Should win:
- “Automatic,” Miranda Lambert
- “Follow Your Arrow,” Kacey Musgraves
- “Give Me Back My Hometown,” Eric Church
- “I Don’t Dance,” Lee Brice
- “I Hold On,” Dierks Bentley
- “Automatic,” Miranda Lambert
- “Follow Your Arrow,” Kacey Musgraves
- “Give Me Back My Hometown,” Eric Church
- “I Don’t Dance,” Lee Brice
- “I Hold On,” Dierks Bentley
Four solid songs. I do think Lambert's is the weakest of the five, while still solid, but I think it will win here. I hope "Follow Your Arrow" wins, as it's one of the strongest lyrics of the past few years.
Single of the Year
Should win:
- “Automatic,” Miranda Lambert
- “Drunk on a Plane,” Dierks Bentley
- “Give Me Back My Hometown,” Eric Church
- “Meanwhile Back at Mama’s,” Tim McGraw & Faith Hill
- “Mine Would be You,” Blake Shelton
- “Automatic,” Miranda Lambert
- “Drunk on a Plane,” Dierks Bentley
- “Give Me Back My Hometown,” Eric Church
- “Meanwhile Back at Mama’s,” Tim McGraw & Faith Hill
- “Mine Would be You,” Blake Shelton
Another really solid group. Dierks' is an excellent single, while also being a huge hit, but I have no problem with my anticipated Eric Church win.