I'll be in-studio tonight running the board for BOB's broadcast of the CMA Awards. Since I'll be stuck there (and likely talking to all of you on facebook) I figure I might as well put my predictions out there so we can all laugh about how wrong I was. To the predictatron!!!
Female Vocalist of the Year
Kelly Clarkson
Miranda Lambert
Martina McBride
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood
WINNER: Miranda Lambert. This is going to be Taylor's night, but the CMA's like to use Male & Female vocalist of the year as consolation prizes to whoever doesn't win the big prize. Miranda's a big damn deal in Nashville and put out a solo album AND a Pistol Annies album over the last year.
Male Vocalist of the Year
Jason Aldean
Luke Bryan
Eric Church
Blake Shelton
Keith Urban
WINNER: Eric Church should be the winner, although I wonder if his 'outsider' status in Nashville will keep him from getting a trophy. Still my pick. Church is one of those rare artists who actually expands the country audience.
Vocal Group of the Year
The Band Perry
Eli Young Band
Lady Antebellum
Little Big Town
Zac Brown Band
WINNER: The Band Perry. They're just so CUTE!!! Lady A has owned this category for a while, but I smell an upset.
Vocal Duo of the Year
Big & Rich
Love and Theft
Sugarland
The Civil Wars
Thompson Square
WINNER: Could Thompson Square really take this? Sugarland should own this category, but they haven't released an album since 2010. Can't see it going to Love & Theft or Civil Wars, and Big & Rich is just a reunion act at this point. That leaves it open for Birthday Bash alums Thompson Square to take the trophy. THE BIRTHDAY BASH BUMP LIVES!!!!
New Artist of the Year
Lee Brice
Brantley Gilbert
Hunter Hayes
Love and Theft
Thompson Square
WINNER: Brantley Gilbert. Ah, my favorite CMA category. In what universe is Lee Brice a new artist? Love and Theft had a top-10 single in 2009. The 'New Artist' category never makes any sense (I remember when Zac Brown Band was nominated as a New Artist three years in a row. I'll give it to Gilbert.
Album of the Year
Luke Bryan, Tailgates and Tanlines
Eric Church, Chief
Miranda Lambert, Four the Record
Dierks Bentley, Home
Lady Antebellum, Own the Night
WINNER: Miranda Lambert. This is another category that Eric Church should take, as Chief shocked the country world by debuting at #1 overall. But Miranda's the superstar, and Four The Record is a worthy choice.
Single of the Year (Award goes to artist and producer)
Jason Aldean, "Dirt Road Anthem"
Blake Shelton, "God Gave Me You"
Dierks Bentley, "Home"
Little Big Town, "Pontoon"
Eric Church, "Springsteen"
WINNER: "Pontoon". Another category that makes no sense. 'Dirt Road Anthem' reached #1 on the charts sixteen months ago, yet somehow is a 2012 nominee. Whatever. I don't think "Pontoon" will actually win, but it should because it's the best country song of 2012.
Song of the Year (Award goes to songwriters)
Eli Young Band, "Even if It Breaks Your Heart" - written by Will Hoge and Eric Paslay
Blake Shelton, "God Gave Me You" - written by Dave Barnes
Dierks Bentley, "Home" - written by Dierks Bentley, Dan Wilson and Brett Beavers
Miranda Lambert, "Over You" - written by Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton
Eric Church, "Springsteen" - written by Eric Church, Jeff Hyde and Ryan Tyndell
WINNER: "God Gave Me You". Blake Shelton hasn't won anything yet, so why not? (Can you tell I'm getting towards the end here?)
Entertainer of the Year
Jason Aldean
Kenny Chesney
Brad Paisley
Blake Shelton
Taylor Swift
WINNER: Taylor Swift. Look, Taylor's the top dog. She's the center of the entire pop music world right now. Red sold more than a million copies in its first week, in a time when nobody buys albums anymore. Taylor has the most fans, sells the most records, the biggest tours, the most publicity, and even writes her own songs. Nashville KNOWS who holds the belt right now, and it's Swift. Her coronation continues tonight.
Enjoy the show!!!
