Who is Going to Walk Away A Winner? CMA Predictions

It's that time of year again....CMA Awards season. It seems everywhere one looks on twitter/facebook/social media one can find someone's predictions for CMA Award winners. So why not give it the old college try? Our list is more of a reflection of who I think the voters will give the award to, not necessarily who I want to win it. Feel free to leave your comments below whether you agree or not.

Entertainer of the Year:
Aldean
Bryan
Shelton
Strait
Swift

In my opinion, Aldean and Shelton leave much to be desired. George Strait, although a living legend, is not really "entertainer" material either. However, he might get the award as a reward for The Cowboy Rides Away being his last tour. Taylor Swift is an entertainer. I went to her show this year wanting to hate it. The openers, except for Joel Crouse, were not great, but Taylor...she blew me away. She gave 110% for almost two hours. She was energetic, funny, engaging and put on a musical style show. That being said, she is too much of a cross over artist to be named EOTY. I believe the award will go to Luke Bryan. Yes there is the backlash against "bro-country," (by some) but disregard that for a minute and think about a Luke Bryan show: he entertains. He is an artist who puts on a good show, interacts with his audience, is funny & really performs for everyone in the room. I have seen him in a small venue to an arena and although he is not my favorite cup of tea, he delivers. I'll put my money on Luke.

Male Vocalist
Aldean
Bryan
Church
Shelton
Urban

One question: where's Dierks Bentley? Now, are any of these guys top notch vocalists? Not really. Eric Church has my vote, but he was not really in the public eye this year with new material. I'll say it will go to Bryan, not because he deserves it, but he's riding a wave and it's not looking to break anytime soon.

Female Vocalist
Clarkson
Lambert
Musgraves
Swift
Underwood

More questions: why is Kelly even nominated in this category? Although a critical darling, Kacey is too new, Taylor is too pop. That whittles it down to Carrie and Miranda. I think this one goes to Miranda Lambert. Again, not because I think she is the strongest vocalist, but she is still on fire this year with her tour and 'Four The Record' still producing singles.

Vocal Group
Eli Young Band
Lady Antebellum
Little Big Town
The Band Perry
Zac Brown Band

I truly think ZBB is one of the best acts live anywhere, hands down, but I don't see them winning this. I think the battle here is between LBT and TBP . Either way I will be happy.

Vocal Duo
Big & Rich
FGL
Love and Theft
Sugarland
The Civil Wars
Thompson Square

Oy! More mysteries of the universe. Why on earth are Sugarland still being nominated? And Big & Rich? I would cast my vote for The Civil Wars, but seeing how they own the country universe right now, I would say the win goes to FGL.

New Artist
Lee Brice
Brett Eldredge
FGL
Kip Moore
Kacey Musgraves

This category is actually pretty tough. There are a group of talented people here. I am hoping the voters give it to either Kip or Kacey, but popular opinion tells me FGL might walk away with this one.

Album of the Year
Blake Shelton Based On A True Story
Carrie Underwood Blown Away
Taylor Swift Red
Kacey Musgraves Same Trailer Different Park
Little Big Town Tornado

My vote goes to Kacey Musgraves whose album should be in everyone's collection. But seeing LBT in this category makes me think they are going to walk away with the trophy, which wouldn't bother me at all because 'Tornado' is a terrific album as well.

Song of the Year (awarded to the writer)
Lee Brice I Drive Your Truck---Jessie Alexander, Connie Harrington & Jimmy Yeary
Miranda Lambert Mamas Broken Heart--Brandy Clark, Shane McAnallay & Kacey Musgraves
Kacey Musgraves Merry Go Round-- Shane McAnallay, Kacey Musgraves & Josh Osborne
Little Big Town Pontoon--Barry Dean, Natalie Hemby & Luke Laird
Darius Rucker Wagon Wheel--Bob Dylan & Ketch Secor

Another tough category. Awards shows love songs that tug at the heartstrings, so I think they will vote "I Drive Your Truck" the winner. Although my personal favorite is "Mama's Broken Heart."

Single of the Year
Cruise
Highway Don't Care
Mamas Broken Heart
Merry Go Round
Wagon Wheel

Surprisingly, "I Drive Your Truck" is not nominated here. But we have substituted another tug at the heartstrings song "Highway Don't Care." However, never discount those FGL boys to take this one as "Cruise" is probably the biggest country song ever.

Musical Event of the Year
Boys Round Here-Blake Shelton featuring the Pistol Annies
Cruise-FGL with Nelly
Don't Rush-Kelly Clarkson featuring Vince Gill
Highway Don't Care-Tim McGraw with Taylor Swift and Keith Urban
Only Way I Know-Jason Aldean with Luke Bryan and Eric Church

Here's one I don't think Aldean/Bryan/Church will win. I am going to discount Kelly Clarkson here too. Boys Round Here..an event?? That leaves us with two. Cruise featuring Nelly sure had everyone talking and got played a ton on the radio, but what could be more of an event than Swift/McGraw and Urban? I think they will walk away with this one.

Music Video of the Year
Blown Away-Carrie Underwood
Boys Round Here-Blake Shelton featuring the Pistol Annies
Downtown-Lady Antebellum
Highway Don't Care-Tim McGraw featuring Taylor Swift and Keith Urban
Mama's Broken Heart-Miranda Lambert

I like Miranda for the win, but think that it will go to "Highway Don't Care." Don't voters love videos with PSAs?

Musician of the Year
Sam Bush
Paul Franklin
Dann Huff
Brent Mason
Mac McAnally

Seriously, they are all superb musicians, cant we give them all the award?

Tune into the CMA Awards on ABC on November 6th.