The CMAs are on Wednesday (Nov. 9th)
Here are the nominees and my predictions. . .
Entertainer of the Year
Miranda Lambert
Chris Stapleton
Carrie Underwood
Morgan Wallen
Luke Combs – he played back-to-back nights at each city on his tour. That’s entertainment. Selling out stadiums and bringing all kinds of show openers.
Female Vocalist of the Year
Ashley McBryde
Carrie Underwood
Lainey Wilson
Carly Pearce
Miranda Lambert – lot of these ladies did duets with other artists (Lainey Wilson w/ Hardy and Cole, Carrie with Aldean, etc.) and that could be a huge factor. Miranda should either win this award or album of the year – or both.
Male Vocalist of the Year
Eric Church
Cody Johnson
Chris Stapleton
Morgan Wallen
Luke Combs – if (and only if) Luke doesn’t win entertainer of the year, he should win this.
Vocal Group of the Year
Lady A
Little Big Town
Midland
Old Dominion
Zac Brown Band – this is a tough category. Some of these guys haven’t toured or released music. ZBB gets my vote but Old Dominion is a close second.
Vocal Duo of the Year
Brooks & Dunn
Brothers Osborne
Dan + Shay
LOCASH
Maddie & Tae – I really liked their Through The Madness releases.
New Artist of the Year
Walker Hayes
Cody Johnson
Parker McCollum
Lainey Wilson
HARDY – this guy has been busting out hits for other artists for way too long. He should get some recognition.
Album of the Year – my favorite award for any award show
Growin’ Up
Luke Combs
Humble Quest
Maren Morris
Sayin’ What I’m Thinkin’
Lainey Wilson
Time, Tequila & Therapy
Old Dominion
Palomino
Miranda Lambert – anybody who doesn’t have this album in their top 5 best albums of 2022 is a goofball and doesn’t know good music.
Single of the Year
“Buy Dirt”
Jordan Davis featuring Luke Bryan
“half of my hometown”
Kelsea Ballerini (feat. Kenny Chesney)
“Never Wanted To Be That Girl”
Carly Pearce and Ashley McBryde
“You Should Probably Leave”
Chris Stapleton
“’Til You Can’t”
Cody Johnson – this tune went on the charts and wouldn’t go away. Sounded great on the radio.
People sometimes ask: “What’s the difference between single of the year and song of the year?” The best answer I have is: “What sounds good on the radio (Single of the year)? And what sounds good around a campfire (Song of the year)?
Song of the Year
“Never Wanted To Be That Girl”
Shane McAnally, Ashley McBryde and Carly Pearce
“Sand In My Boots”
Ashley Gorley, Michael Hardy and Josh Osborne
“Things A Man Oughta Know”
Jason Nix, Jonathan Singleton and Lainey Wilson
“You Should Probably Leave”
Chris DuBois, Ashley Gorley and Chris Stapleton
“Buy Dirt”
Jacob Davis, Jordan Davis, Josh Jenkins and Matt Jenkins – all these tunes are great. Never Wanted To Be That Girl is amazing but I think Luke and Jordan will get it.
Musical Event of the Year
“Beers On Me”
Dierks Bentley with BRELAND and HARDY
“If I Didn’t Love You”
Jason Aldean and Carrie Underwood
“Longneck Way To Go”
Midland (featuring Jon Pardi)
“Never Say Never”
Cole Swindell (with Lainey Wilson)
“Never Wanted To Be That Girl”
Carly Pearce and Ashley McBryde – it would be great to see Cole and Lainey win this but I think it will go to Carly and Ashley but it will be well deserved.
Music Video of the Year
“Longneck Way To Go”
Midland (featuring Jon Pardi)
“Never Say Never”
Cole Swindell (with Lainey Wilson)
“Never Wanted To Be That Girl”
Carly Pearce and Ashley McBryde
“’Til You Can’t”
Cody Johnson
“I Bet You Think About Me (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault)”
Taylor Swift (featuring Chris Stapleton) – crazy combo. Taylor and Stapleton. My only issue with the video is it doesn’t have Stapleton in it. They should kinda lose for that fact and the award should go to another nominee.
Musician of the Year
Jenee Fleenor
FIDDLE
Paul Franklin
STEEL GUITAR – the musician of the year should always go to the steel guitar player. Most difficult instrument to play and Paul Franklin is amazing.
Brent Mason
GUITAR
Ilya Toshinskiy
BANJO
Derek Wells
GUITAR