Entertainer
Should win:
Jason Aldean- MM
Blake Shelton
Miranda Lambert- GP
Luke Bryan
Taylor Swift
Will win:
Jason Aldean
Blake Shelton- GP
Miranda Lambert
Luke Bryan
Taylor Swift- MM
Markus: Meh, went with Aldean because he released "Fly Over States". Swift will win due to fan-voting.
Gator: Just because, despite her bad year, Miranda is still my favorite. Blake will because he just won't stop it seems.
Male Vocalist
Should win:
Luke Bryan
Jason Aldean
Eric Church- MM, GP
Toby Keith
Blake Shelton
Will win:
Luke Bryan
Jason Aldean
Eric Church- GP
Toby Keith
Blake Shelton- MM
Markus: Church has released the best music, but I wouldn't bet against Shelton. I like the Toby Keith nom.
Gator: I agree Church has the best music but I think he will win because the ACM's can be pretty adventurous
Female Vocalist
Should win:
Taylor Swift
Miranda Lambert
Martina McBride
Carrie Underwood- MM, GP
Kacey Musgraves
Will win:
Taylor Swift
Miranda Lambert- MM
Martina McBride
Carrie Underwood- GP
Kacey Musgraves
Markus: Why is McBride even nominated? Anyways, I'm not an Underwood fan, but she has released some of the best music of her career, along with a great album. Too bad I can't see Lambert losing.
Gator: Carrie by far has the best vocals in the category and with her great commercial and critical year I think its hers to lose.
Duo
Should win:
Florida Georgia Line
Big & Rich
Thompson Square- MM
Sugarland
Love and Theft
Will win:
Florida Georgia Line- MM, GP
Big & Rich
Thompson Square
Sugarland
Love and Theft
Markus: TS has released "Glass" and "If I Didn't Have You". Two excellent singles. But FGL has dat "Cruise" momentum.
Gator: I don't think any should win and that they should combine this category with group but i suppose it will go to Florida-Georgia Line
Group
Should win:
Eli Young Band
Lady Antebellum
The Band Perry
Little Big Town- GP
Zac Brown Band- MM
Will win:
Eli Young Band
Lady Antebellum
The Band Perry
Little Big Town- MM, GP
Zac Brown Band
Markus: It's the LBT era now. So they'll win. But I'm rooting for ZBB all the way!
Gator: This time next year I'll be voting for The Band Perry most likely, but since it's not, I'll go with Little BIg Town because they've been good quality and great commercially.
Single
Should win:
Little Big Town- 'Pontoon'
Miranda Lambert- 'Over You'
Eli Young Band- 'Even If It Breaks Your Heart'
Eric Church- 'Springsteen'- MM, GP
Hunter Hayes- 'Wanted'
Will win:
Little Big Town- 'Pontoon'- MM, GP
Miranda Lambert- 'Over You'
Eli Young Band- 'Even If It Breaks Your Heart'
Eric Church- 'Springsteen'
Hunter Hayes- 'Wanted'
Markus: 'Springsteen' is by far my favorite. But I can't seem them passing on 'Pontoon' after the CMA's and Grammy's didn't. It's not like the ACM's have ever been creative.
Gator: I like Church's the best but I don't think "Pontoon" is as bad as people try to make it out. I can handle it winning,
Song
Should win:
Miranda Lambert- 'Over You'
Eli Young Band- 'Even If It Breaks Your Heart'
Eric Church- 'Springsteen'- MM, GP
Lee Brice- 'A Woman Like You'
Hunter Hayes- 'Wanted'
Will win:
Miranda Lambert- 'Over You'- MM, GP
Eli Young Band- 'Even If It Breaks Your Heart'
Eric Church- 'Springsteen'
Lee Brice- 'A Woman Like You'
Hunter Hayes- 'Wanted'
Markus: 'Springsteen' is legendary, but will lose to 'Over You'. *sigh*.
Gator: One final nomination for "Over You" and one final victory. I've got to say it has grown on me with all this belated attention.
Vocal event
Should win:
Kelly Clarkson & Vince Gill- 'Don't Rush'- GP
Kenny Chesney & Tim McGraw- 'Feel Like A Rockstar'
Rascal Flatts & Natasha Bedingfield- 'Easy'- MM
Jason Aldean, Eric Church & Luke Bryan- 'The Only Way I Know'
David Nail & Sarah Buxton- 'Let It Rain'
Will win:
Kelly Clarkson & Vince Gill- 'Don't Rush'
Kenny Chesney & Tim McGraw- 'Feel Like A Rockstar'
Rascal Flatts & Natasha Bedingfield- 'Easy'
Jason Aldean, Eric Church & Luke Bryan- 'The Only Way I Know'- MM, GP
David Nail & Sarah Buxton- 'Let It Rain'
Markus: None of them blow me away, but 'Easy' is my fave. Though, I guarantee 'The Only Way I Know' will win.
Gator: I think Vince and Kelly are the best (and if this was the Grammy's it would have a chance) but the star power is too much to bypass here.
Album
Should win:
Taylor Swift- 'Red'
Eric Church- 'Chief'- MM
Carrie Underwood- 'Blown Away'- GP
Luke Bryan- 'Tailgates and Tanlines'
Little Big Town- 'Tornado'
Will win:
Taylor Swift- 'Red'
Eric Church- 'Chief'- MM, GP
Carrie Underwood- 'Blown Away'
Luke Bryan- 'Tailgates and Tanlines'
Little Big Town- 'Tornado'
Markus: 'Chief' is my fave and I also have a feeling it will win.
Gator: Underwood did some great stuff and was the biggest step forward, but I don't see her picking it up over Church.
New Artist
Should win:
Florida Georgia Line
Brantley Gilbert- MM
Jana Kramer - GP
Will win:
Florida Georgia Line
Brantley Gilbert- MM, GP
Jana Kramer
Markus: Don't love any of them, but I love "More Than Miles", so I guess I'll go with Gilbert. Oh, he will win as well.
Gator: Jana is by far the most acceptable nominee and the most interesting one. While I'd love to see her deservingly win this, I see her fiancee stepping in for the victory.
Video
Should win:
Eric Church- 'Creepin'
Kacey Musgraves- 'Merry Go 'Round'- GP
Hunter Hayes- 'Wanted'
Little Big Town- 'Tornado'
Taylor Swift- 'We Are Never Ever Ever Getting Back Together'
Zac Brown Band- 'The Wind' - MM
Will win:
Eric Church- 'Creepin'- MM
Kacey Musgraves- 'Merry Go 'Round'- GP
Hunter Hayes- 'Wanted'
Little Big Town- 'Tornado'
Taylor Swift- 'We Are Never Ever Ever Getting Back Together'
Zac Brown Band- 'The Wind'
Markus: Lol. How can you not love the video for 'The Wind'? I also like the video for 'Merry Go Round' though. I think this will go to 'Creepin' but I could see 'Wanted' taking it as well.
Gator: I personally think that Musgraves' video was an eloquent depiction of her excellent single and the fact that she is even nominated is awesome. Her somewhat surprising nomination makes me think she could win it, but I would not be surprised if Hayes sneaks in with his boyish charm.
Should win:
Jason Aldean- MM
Blake Shelton
Miranda Lambert- GP
Luke Bryan
Taylor Swift
Will win:
Jason Aldean
Blake Shelton- GP
Miranda Lambert
Luke Bryan
Taylor Swift- MM
Markus: Meh, went with Aldean because he released "Fly Over States". Swift will win due to fan-voting.
Gator: Just because, despite her bad year, Miranda is still my favorite. Blake will because he just won't stop it seems.
Male Vocalist
Should win:
Luke Bryan
Jason Aldean
Eric Church- MM, GP
Toby Keith
Blake Shelton
Will win:
Luke Bryan
Jason Aldean
Eric Church- GP
Toby Keith
Blake Shelton- MM
Markus: Church has released the best music, but I wouldn't bet against Shelton. I like the Toby Keith nom.
Gator: I agree Church has the best music but I think he will win because the ACM's can be pretty adventurous
Female Vocalist
Should win:
Taylor Swift
Miranda Lambert
Martina McBride
Carrie Underwood- MM, GP
Kacey Musgraves
Will win:
Taylor Swift
Miranda Lambert- MM
Martina McBride
Carrie Underwood- GP
Kacey Musgraves
Markus: Why is McBride even nominated? Anyways, I'm not an Underwood fan, but she has released some of the best music of her career, along with a great album. Too bad I can't see Lambert losing.
Gator: Carrie by far has the best vocals in the category and with her great commercial and critical year I think its hers to lose.
Duo
Should win:
Florida Georgia Line
Big & Rich
Thompson Square- MM
Sugarland
Love and Theft
Will win:
Florida Georgia Line- MM, GP
Big & Rich
Thompson Square
Sugarland
Love and Theft
Markus: TS has released "Glass" and "If I Didn't Have You". Two excellent singles. But FGL has dat "Cruise" momentum.
Gator: I don't think any should win and that they should combine this category with group but i suppose it will go to Florida-Georgia Line
Group
Should win:
Eli Young Band
Lady Antebellum
The Band Perry
Little Big Town- GP
Zac Brown Band- MM
Will win:
Eli Young Band
Lady Antebellum
The Band Perry
Little Big Town- MM, GP
Zac Brown Band
Markus: It's the LBT era now. So they'll win. But I'm rooting for ZBB all the way!
Gator: This time next year I'll be voting for The Band Perry most likely, but since it's not, I'll go with Little BIg Town because they've been good quality and great commercially.
Single
Should win:
Little Big Town- 'Pontoon'
Miranda Lambert- 'Over You'
Eli Young Band- 'Even If It Breaks Your Heart'
Eric Church- 'Springsteen'- MM, GP
Hunter Hayes- 'Wanted'
Will win:
Little Big Town- 'Pontoon'- MM, GP
Miranda Lambert- 'Over You'
Eli Young Band- 'Even If It Breaks Your Heart'
Eric Church- 'Springsteen'
Hunter Hayes- 'Wanted'
Markus: 'Springsteen' is by far my favorite. But I can't seem them passing on 'Pontoon' after the CMA's and Grammy's didn't. It's not like the ACM's have ever been creative.
Gator: I like Church's the best but I don't think "Pontoon" is as bad as people try to make it out. I can handle it winning,
Song
Should win:
Miranda Lambert- 'Over You'
Eli Young Band- 'Even If It Breaks Your Heart'
Eric Church- 'Springsteen'- MM, GP
Lee Brice- 'A Woman Like You'
Hunter Hayes- 'Wanted'
Will win:
Miranda Lambert- 'Over You'- MM, GP
Eli Young Band- 'Even If It Breaks Your Heart'
Eric Church- 'Springsteen'
Lee Brice- 'A Woman Like You'
Hunter Hayes- 'Wanted'
Markus: 'Springsteen' is legendary, but will lose to 'Over You'. *sigh*.
Gator: One final nomination for "Over You" and one final victory. I've got to say it has grown on me with all this belated attention.
Vocal event
Should win:
Kelly Clarkson & Vince Gill- 'Don't Rush'- GP
Kenny Chesney & Tim McGraw- 'Feel Like A Rockstar'
Rascal Flatts & Natasha Bedingfield- 'Easy'- MM
Jason Aldean, Eric Church & Luke Bryan- 'The Only Way I Know'
David Nail & Sarah Buxton- 'Let It Rain'
Will win:
Kelly Clarkson & Vince Gill- 'Don't Rush'
Kenny Chesney & Tim McGraw- 'Feel Like A Rockstar'
Rascal Flatts & Natasha Bedingfield- 'Easy'
Jason Aldean, Eric Church & Luke Bryan- 'The Only Way I Know'- MM, GP
David Nail & Sarah Buxton- 'Let It Rain'
Markus: None of them blow me away, but 'Easy' is my fave. Though, I guarantee 'The Only Way I Know' will win.
Gator: I think Vince and Kelly are the best (and if this was the Grammy's it would have a chance) but the star power is too much to bypass here.
Album
Should win:
Taylor Swift- 'Red'
Eric Church- 'Chief'- MM
Carrie Underwood- 'Blown Away'- GP
Luke Bryan- 'Tailgates and Tanlines'
Little Big Town- 'Tornado'
Will win:
Taylor Swift- 'Red'
Eric Church- 'Chief'- MM, GP
Carrie Underwood- 'Blown Away'
Luke Bryan- 'Tailgates and Tanlines'
Little Big Town- 'Tornado'
Markus: 'Chief' is my fave and I also have a feeling it will win.
Gator: Underwood did some great stuff and was the biggest step forward, but I don't see her picking it up over Church.
New Artist
Should win:
Florida Georgia Line
Brantley Gilbert- MM
Jana Kramer - GP
Will win:
Florida Georgia Line
Brantley Gilbert- MM, GP
Jana Kramer
Markus: Don't love any of them, but I love "More Than Miles", so I guess I'll go with Gilbert. Oh, he will win as well.
Gator: Jana is by far the most acceptable nominee and the most interesting one. While I'd love to see her deservingly win this, I see her fiancee stepping in for the victory.
Video
Should win:
Eric Church- 'Creepin'
Kacey Musgraves- 'Merry Go 'Round'- GP
Hunter Hayes- 'Wanted'
Little Big Town- 'Tornado'
Taylor Swift- 'We Are Never Ever Ever Getting Back Together'
Zac Brown Band- 'The Wind' - MM
Will win:
Eric Church- 'Creepin'- MM
Kacey Musgraves- 'Merry Go 'Round'- GP
Hunter Hayes- 'Wanted'
Little Big Town- 'Tornado'
Taylor Swift- 'We Are Never Ever Ever Getting Back Together'
Zac Brown Band- 'The Wind'
Markus: Lol. How can you not love the video for 'The Wind'? I also like the video for 'Merry Go Round' though. I think this will go to 'Creepin' but I could see 'Wanted' taking it as well.
Gator: I personally think that Musgraves' video was an eloquent depiction of her excellent single and the fact that she is even nominated is awesome. Her somewhat surprising nomination makes me think she could win it, but I would not be surprised if Hayes sneaks in with his boyish charm.
