ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
Will win:
Garth Brooks
Keith Urban
Chris Stapleton
Luke Bryan - Markus Meyer, Zack
Eric Church
Should win:
Garth Brooks
Keith Urban
Chris Stapleton
Luke Bryan
Eric Church - Markus Meyer, Zack
Zack - Really, it’s almost guaranteed that Luke will win this one. I can’t foresee Garth winning again, and even though I’d love for Chris Stapleton to win, I don’t think he’d be THAT lucky at the CMA’s. Still, while none of these artists have had huge years this year, as always, Eric Church seems long overdue for this award. The winner will be Luke though.
MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Will win:
Dierks Bentley
Chris Stapleton - MM, Zack
Thomas Rhett
Eric Church
Keith Urban
Should win:
Dierks Bentley
Chris Stapleton - MM, Zack
Thomas Rhett
Eric Church
Keith Urban
Zack - I’m usually not good at predicting who will get what award, but this almost seems like a given for Chris at this point. Dierks and Keith are dark horse picks at best, and while Thomas Rhett does also seem like a likely candidate, I still think this is Chris’ award to take home.
FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Will win:
Kelsea Ballerini
Miranda Lambert - MM, Zack
Carrie Underwood
Maren Morris
Reba McEntire
Should win:
Kelsea Ballerini
Miranda Lambert - MM, Zack
Carrie Underwood
Maren Morris
Reba McEntire
Zack - Normally I’d fight for Carrie Underwood to win this award, and in terms of pure vocals she’d easily win. However, Miranda Lambert has arguably had the bigger year. Although, it could easily go to Maren Morris as well who’s gaining more and more prominence. Who am I kidding though? With the politics surrounding this thing, betting on Miranda to win is a safer bet than betting the sun will come out tomorrow.
VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
Will win:
Little Big Town - MM, Zack
Zac Brown Band
Lady Antebellum
Old Dominion
Rascal Flatts
Should win:
Little Big Town - MM, Zack
Zac Brown Band
Lady Antebellum
Old Dominion
Rascal Flatts
Zack - This category seems like it’s turned into a joke. Zac Brown Band, Rascal Flatts and Lady Antebellum made paltry comebacks at best, and Old Dominion? Well, they’re certainly not doing too bad for themselves, but Little Big Town deserves this one (even if “Happy People” was a disaster in every way).
VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR
Will win:
Florida Georgia Line - Zack
Brothers Osborne - MM
Maddie & Tae
LOCASH
Dan + Shay
Should win:
Florida Georgia Line
Brothers Osborne - Zack
Maddie & Tae
LOCASH
Dan + Shay - MM
Zack - Truthfully it’s delightful to see that Florida Georgia Line are capable of losing this award, but considering their foray into Pop (in terms of the sound they’re making) has actually been successful, I don’t see Brothers Osborne winning again this year. I mean, it’s not like the Brothers have had a stellar year anyway outside of releasing “It Ain’t My Fault”. Then again none of these bands have really had stellar 2017’s.
NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Will win:
Lauren Alaina
Brett Young
Jon Pardi - MM, Zack
Old Dominion
Luke Combs
Should win:
Lauren Alaina
Brett Young
Jon Pardi - MM, Zack
Old Dominion
Luke Combs
Zack - Really, I’m happy that this seems to be Jon Pardi’s to take home, but I do wish he had achieved this nomination with better singles. Still, if he does win, it will be a victory for Country music, not that Lauren Alaina or Luke Combs would be horrible picks either.
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Will win:
The Breaker, Little Big Town
From a Room: Volume 1, Chris Stapleton - MM
The Nashville Sound, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit - Zack
The Weight of These Wings, Miranda Lambert
Heart Break, Lady Antebellum
Should win:
The Breaker, Little Big Town
From a Room: Volume 1, Chris Stapleton
The Nashville Sound, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit - MM, Zack
The Weight of These Wings, Miranda Lambert
Heart Break, Lady Antebellum
Zack - I don’t think Jason Isbell’s nomination was just for nothing. Remember, this is the CMA’s - they are capable of surprising us. While it is almost silly to bet against Miranda Lambert here (who released an album that’s right on par with Isbell’s by the way), I’ve got to vote for the dark horse here. Even if he loses, the fact he was nominated at all means that there’s no reason for disappointment. On a side note, toss out Lady Antebellum’s album and this is a fantastic field (even if I’m still lukewarm on that LBT album).
SINGLE OF THE YEAR
Will win:
“Dirt On My Boots” by Jon Pardi
“Tin Man” by Miranda Lambert
“Body Like a Back Road” by Sam Hunt - MM, Zack
“Blue Ain’t Your Colour” by Keith Urban
“Better Man” by Little Big Town
Should win:
“Dirt On My Boots” by Jon Pardi
“Tin Man” by Miranda Lambert - Zack
“Body Like a Back Road” by Sam Hunt
“Blue Ain’t Your Colour” by Keith Urban
“Better Man” by Little Big Town - MM
Zack - These are all hot steaming piles of garbage outside of “Tin Man” and “Better Man” which is at least borderline mediocre. It’s easy to predict who will win and who should win here.
SONG OF THE YEAR
Will win:
“Dirt On My Boots” by Jon Pardi
“Tin Man” by Miranda Lambert
“Body Like a Back Road” by Sam Hunt
“Blue Ain’t Your Colour” by Keith Urban
“Better Man” by Little Big Town - MM, Zack
Should win:
“Dirt On My Boots” by Jon Pardi
“Tin Man” by Miranda Lambert - MM, Zack
“Body Like a Back Road” by Sam Hunt
“Blue Ain’t Your Colour” by Keith Urban
“Better Man” by Little Big Town
Zack - ...Can I just repeat what I said for single of the year?
MUSICAL EVENT OF THE YEAR
Will win:
“Craving You” by Thomas Rhett feat. Maren Morris - Zack
“Funny How Time Slips Away” by Glen Campbell with Willie Nelson
“Kill a Word” by Eric Church feat. Rhiannon Giddens
“Setting the World on Fire” by Kenny Chesney with P!nk - MM
“Speak to a Girl” by Tim McGraw & Faith Hill
Should win:
“Craving You” by Thomas Rhett feat. Maren Morris
“Funny How Time Slips Away” by Glen Campbell with Willie Nelson - Zack
“Kill a Word” by Eric Church feat. Rhiannon Giddens - MM
“Setting the World on Fire” by Kenny Chesney with P!nk
“Speak to a Girl” by Tim McGraw & Faith Hill
Zack - Thomas Rhett and Maren Morris are too hot right now to not grab this award. Truthfully I don’t think “Funny How Time Slips Away” is necessarily the best track here, but I’d love to see them honor legends like Willie and Glen, especially when the latter passed away in June.
MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Will win:
“Better Man” by Little Big Town
“Blue Ain’t Your Colour” by Keith Urban
“Vice” by Miranda Lambert - Zack
“It Ain’t My Fault” by Brothers Osborne - MM
“Craving You” by Thomas Rhett feat. Maren Morris
Should win:
“Better Man” by Little Big Town
“Blue Ain’t Your Colour” by Keith Urban
“Vice” by Miranda Lambert
“It Ain’t My Fault” by Brothers Osborne - MM, Zack
“Craving You” by Thomas Rhett feat. Maren Morris
Zack - I think even Larry The Cable Guy could watch Brothers Osborne’s video and say, “I don’t care who you are right now, that’s funny!”
Will win:
Garth Brooks
Keith Urban
Chris Stapleton
Luke Bryan - Markus Meyer, Zack
Eric Church
Should win:
Garth Brooks
Keith Urban
Chris Stapleton
Luke Bryan
Eric Church - Markus Meyer, Zack
Zack - Really, it’s almost guaranteed that Luke will win this one. I can’t foresee Garth winning again, and even though I’d love for Chris Stapleton to win, I don’t think he’d be THAT lucky at the CMA’s. Still, while none of these artists have had huge years this year, as always, Eric Church seems long overdue for this award. The winner will be Luke though.
MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Will win:
Dierks Bentley
Chris Stapleton - MM, Zack
Thomas Rhett
Eric Church
Keith Urban
Should win:
Dierks Bentley
Chris Stapleton - MM, Zack
Thomas Rhett
Eric Church
Keith Urban
Zack - I’m usually not good at predicting who will get what award, but this almost seems like a given for Chris at this point. Dierks and Keith are dark horse picks at best, and while Thomas Rhett does also seem like a likely candidate, I still think this is Chris’ award to take home.
FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Will win:
Kelsea Ballerini
Miranda Lambert - MM, Zack
Carrie Underwood
Maren Morris
Reba McEntire
Should win:
Kelsea Ballerini
Miranda Lambert - MM, Zack
Carrie Underwood
Maren Morris
Reba McEntire
Zack - Normally I’d fight for Carrie Underwood to win this award, and in terms of pure vocals she’d easily win. However, Miranda Lambert has arguably had the bigger year. Although, it could easily go to Maren Morris as well who’s gaining more and more prominence. Who am I kidding though? With the politics surrounding this thing, betting on Miranda to win is a safer bet than betting the sun will come out tomorrow.
VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
Will win:
Little Big Town - MM, Zack
Zac Brown Band
Lady Antebellum
Old Dominion
Rascal Flatts
Should win:
Little Big Town - MM, Zack
Zac Brown Band
Lady Antebellum
Old Dominion
Rascal Flatts
Zack - This category seems like it’s turned into a joke. Zac Brown Band, Rascal Flatts and Lady Antebellum made paltry comebacks at best, and Old Dominion? Well, they’re certainly not doing too bad for themselves, but Little Big Town deserves this one (even if “Happy People” was a disaster in every way).
VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR
Will win:
Florida Georgia Line - Zack
Brothers Osborne - MM
Maddie & Tae
LOCASH
Dan + Shay
Should win:
Florida Georgia Line
Brothers Osborne - Zack
Maddie & Tae
LOCASH
Dan + Shay - MM
Zack - Truthfully it’s delightful to see that Florida Georgia Line are capable of losing this award, but considering their foray into Pop (in terms of the sound they’re making) has actually been successful, I don’t see Brothers Osborne winning again this year. I mean, it’s not like the Brothers have had a stellar year anyway outside of releasing “It Ain’t My Fault”. Then again none of these bands have really had stellar 2017’s.
NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Will win:
Lauren Alaina
Brett Young
Jon Pardi - MM, Zack
Old Dominion
Luke Combs
Should win:
Lauren Alaina
Brett Young
Jon Pardi - MM, Zack
Old Dominion
Luke Combs
Zack - Really, I’m happy that this seems to be Jon Pardi’s to take home, but I do wish he had achieved this nomination with better singles. Still, if he does win, it will be a victory for Country music, not that Lauren Alaina or Luke Combs would be horrible picks either.
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Will win:
The Breaker, Little Big Town
From a Room: Volume 1, Chris Stapleton - MM
The Nashville Sound, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit - Zack
The Weight of These Wings, Miranda Lambert
Heart Break, Lady Antebellum
Should win:
The Breaker, Little Big Town
From a Room: Volume 1, Chris Stapleton
The Nashville Sound, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit - MM, Zack
The Weight of These Wings, Miranda Lambert
Heart Break, Lady Antebellum
Zack - I don’t think Jason Isbell’s nomination was just for nothing. Remember, this is the CMA’s - they are capable of surprising us. While it is almost silly to bet against Miranda Lambert here (who released an album that’s right on par with Isbell’s by the way), I’ve got to vote for the dark horse here. Even if he loses, the fact he was nominated at all means that there’s no reason for disappointment. On a side note, toss out Lady Antebellum’s album and this is a fantastic field (even if I’m still lukewarm on that LBT album).
SINGLE OF THE YEAR
Will win:
“Dirt On My Boots” by Jon Pardi
“Tin Man” by Miranda Lambert
“Body Like a Back Road” by Sam Hunt - MM, Zack
“Blue Ain’t Your Colour” by Keith Urban
“Better Man” by Little Big Town
Should win:
“Dirt On My Boots” by Jon Pardi
“Tin Man” by Miranda Lambert - Zack
“Body Like a Back Road” by Sam Hunt
“Blue Ain’t Your Colour” by Keith Urban
“Better Man” by Little Big Town - MM
Zack - These are all hot steaming piles of garbage outside of “Tin Man” and “Better Man” which is at least borderline mediocre. It’s easy to predict who will win and who should win here.
SONG OF THE YEAR
Will win:
“Dirt On My Boots” by Jon Pardi
“Tin Man” by Miranda Lambert
“Body Like a Back Road” by Sam Hunt
“Blue Ain’t Your Colour” by Keith Urban
“Better Man” by Little Big Town - MM, Zack
Should win:
“Dirt On My Boots” by Jon Pardi
“Tin Man” by Miranda Lambert - MM, Zack
“Body Like a Back Road” by Sam Hunt
“Blue Ain’t Your Colour” by Keith Urban
“Better Man” by Little Big Town
Zack - ...Can I just repeat what I said for single of the year?
MUSICAL EVENT OF THE YEAR
Will win:
“Craving You” by Thomas Rhett feat. Maren Morris - Zack
“Funny How Time Slips Away” by Glen Campbell with Willie Nelson
“Kill a Word” by Eric Church feat. Rhiannon Giddens
“Setting the World on Fire” by Kenny Chesney with P!nk - MM
“Speak to a Girl” by Tim McGraw & Faith Hill
Should win:
“Craving You” by Thomas Rhett feat. Maren Morris
“Funny How Time Slips Away” by Glen Campbell with Willie Nelson - Zack
“Kill a Word” by Eric Church feat. Rhiannon Giddens - MM
“Setting the World on Fire” by Kenny Chesney with P!nk
“Speak to a Girl” by Tim McGraw & Faith Hill
Zack - Thomas Rhett and Maren Morris are too hot right now to not grab this award. Truthfully I don’t think “Funny How Time Slips Away” is necessarily the best track here, but I’d love to see them honor legends like Willie and Glen, especially when the latter passed away in June.
MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Will win:
“Better Man” by Little Big Town
“Blue Ain’t Your Colour” by Keith Urban
“Vice” by Miranda Lambert - Zack
“It Ain’t My Fault” by Brothers Osborne - MM
“Craving You” by Thomas Rhett feat. Maren Morris
Should win:
“Better Man” by Little Big Town
“Blue Ain’t Your Colour” by Keith Urban
“Vice” by Miranda Lambert
“It Ain’t My Fault” by Brothers Osborne - MM, Zack
“Craving You” by Thomas Rhett feat. Maren Morris
Zack - I think even Larry The Cable Guy could watch Brothers Osborne’s video and say, “I don’t care who you are right now, that’s funny!”
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