The 45th Annual CMA Awards will broadcast live from Nashville tonight at 8pm ET on ABC. Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood will host again this year.
Each year, I try to guess who will take home the trophy, but I rarely share those predictions with anyone until after the show has aired. Really? I didn't pick all the winners? Okay, prove it.
But this year, I have decided to post my predictions on the worldwide web. I feel so tough now. Maybe I'll get a tattoo.
Entertainer of the Year
Jason AldeanEntertainer of the Year
Brad Paisley
Blake Shelton
Taylor Swift
Keith Urban
I thought the Taylor Swift concert rocked!, but I've got to go with the show's co-host. Paisley's tour was just as successful as Swift's and I think the industry would prefer to put their check beside Brad's name instead. Sorry, Taylor.
Female Vocalist of the Year
Sara Evans
Miranda Lambert
Martina McBride
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood
Remember when there were enough deserving female country artists to actually fill five spots? Pfft. I think Miranda Lambert will win and send the rest to the baggage claim.
Jason Aldean
Kenny Chesney
Brad Paisley
Blake Shelton
Keith Urban
Please, please, please tell me that Jason Aldean will win this category. I love his music and he is from Georgia, which automatically makes him awesome.
New Artist
The Band Perry
Luke Bryan
Eric Church
Thompson Square
Chris Young
If you tell me that Luke Bryan or Chris Young will win, I will have trouble arguing against it, but considering the crossover commercial success of The Band Perry, I've got to go with them.
Lady Antebellum
Little Big Town
Rascal Flatts
The Band Perry
Zac Brown Band lady
The Civil Wars
Montgomery Gentry
Steel Magnolia
Sugarland
Thompson Square
This homely little category should have been banned from the planet years ago, but somebody (*ahem* Brooks & Dunn *cough, cough*) thought it would be a good idea to keep it in the line-up. This is always the part of the show when I go pee and grab a Little Debbie from the pantry. Even though I'm not a fan, I'm gonna go with Sugarland. (If you like to speak in rhyme, we should grab a drink sometime.)
Album of the Year
'All About Tonight' -Blake Shelton, Produced by Scott Hendricks'My Kinda Party' - Jason Aldean, Produced by Michael Knox
'Speak Now' - Taylor Swift, Produced by Nathan Chapman and Taylor Swift
'This Is Country Music' - Brad Paisley, Produced by Frank Rogers
'You Get What You Give' - Zac Brown Band, Produced by Keith Stegall and Zac Brown
To me, this is the most solid group of nominees from any category, but I think that Brad Paisley will win this one. And it's not just because I'm moved by a good hyperbole... well, yeah, it's because of that.
(Award goes to artist and producer)
'A Little Bit Stronger' - Sara Evans, Produced by Tony Brown
'Colder Weather' - Zac Brown Band, Produced by Keith Stegall and Zac Brown
'Don't You Wanna Stay'- Jason Aldean with Kelly Clarkson, Produced by Michael Knox
'Honey Bee' - Blake Shelton, Produced by Scott Hendricks
'If I Die Young' - The Band Perry, Produced by Paul Worley
There is a very strong possibility that this award will go to The Band Perry, but since I think they will win Song of the Year, I cannot imagine a world in which they take home both awards. An artist hasn't done that since... well, I'm not sure, but it's been a while.... probably. Look it up and let me know, okay?
Song of the Year
(Award goes to songwriters)'Colder Weather' - Zac Brown, Wyatt Durrette, Levi Lowrey, and Coy Bowles
'Dirt Road Anthem' - Brantley Gilbert and Colt Ford
'If I Die Young' - Kimberly Perry
'Mean' - Taylor Swift
'You and Tequila' - Matraca Berg and Deana Carter
I am a big fan of the song You and Tequila, but I think The Band Perry is going to come out on top here. And if not, I take back my prediction for Single of the Year.
Musical Event of the Year
'As She's Walking Away' -Zac Brown Band featuring Alan Jackson
'Coal Miner's Daughter' - Loretta Lynn, Sheryl Crow, and Miranda Lambert
'Don't You Wanna Stay' - Jason Aldean with Kelly Clarkson
'Old Alabama' - Brad Paisley featuring Alabama
'You and Tequila' - Kenny Chesney featuring Grace Potter
This one is a no-brainer. Did you know that Don't You Want To Stay has been downloaded more than any other country collaboration? Take that, Tim and Faith.
Music Video
(Award goes to artist and director)'Honey Bee' -Blake Shelton, Directed by Trey Fanjoy
'If I Die Young'- The Band Perry, Directed by David McClister
'Mean' - Taylor Swift, Directed by Declan Whitebloom
'Old Alabama' - Brad Paisley featuring Alabama, Directed by Jim Shea
'You and Tequila' - Kenny Chesney featuring Grace Potter, Directed by Shaun Silva
Who even watches music videos anymore? That's why record labels put almost zero money into them, and most of the time, they royally suck. And that is exactly why I think the industry will be cool with giving this one to Taylor Swift.
Musician
Sam Bush - MandolinJerry Douglas - Dobro
Paul Franklin - Steel Guitar
Dann Huff - Guitar
Mac McAnally - Guitar
Who cares? They don't even show this award on television. The winner is just announced as a sound bite before going to a commercial break after one of the real awards. I don't have an educated guess, so I'll choose Mac McAnally. Why? Because his name has the word "anal" in it and I figure that he got picked on a lot as a kid. I don't know how well he plays the guitar, but it would be nice to have a CMA to rub in all those punks' faces - wouldn't it, Mac?
Who are your picks?