Wednesday, November 12, 2008

The 42nd Annual CMA Awards

When you watch as many awards shows as I do, you start to get into predicting winners. So, not that anyone out there cares near as much about this stuff as I do, nevertheless, here are my predictions for tonight's big reveal.

Entertainer of the Year
Kenny Chesney
Brad Paisley
George Strait
Sugarland
Keith Urban

Please let people be tired of giving this award to Kenny Chesney! He has won it 3 times already! Brad should be getting it tonight but when he wins in the Male Vocalist category, that could kill his chances at Entertainer which will make Kenny a 4 time winner.

Female Vocalist of the Year
Alison Krauss
Miranda Lambert
Martina McBride
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood

Carrie should be the 3 time winner here but with a humongous year, bright personality, and sophomore album released yesterday, Taylor Swift could surprise everyone!

Male Vocalist of the Year
Kenny Chesney
Alan Jackson
Brad Paisley
George Strait
Keith Urban

Brad will win and should win. No surprises here.

New Artist of the Year
Jason Aldean
Rodney Atkins
Lady Antebellum
James Otto
Kellie Pickler

Tough competition here but considering Pickler, Atkins, and Aldean have all been nominated for this award before, don't look for them to win. Look for Lady A to give an emotional acceptance speech.

Vocal Group of the Year
Eagles
Emerson Drive
Lady Antebellum
Little Big Town
Rascal Flatts

Duh.........RF.

Vocal Duo of the Year
Big & Rich
Brooks & Dunn
Montgomery Gentry
Sugarland
The Wreckers

I am not even sure how The Wreckers got nominated here when they aren't even together anymore. Nevertheless, who would have ever thought that the toughest category of the year would come from Vocal Duo?!?!?! Sugarland is nominated for Entertainer (how'd that happen?) so I give them the edge here.

Single of the Year
(Award goes to Artist and Producer)
"Don’t Blink" - Kenny Chesney
"Gunpowder & Lead" - Miranda Lambert
"I Saw God Today" - George Strait
"Stay" - Sugarland
"You’re Gonna Miss This" - Trace Adkins

"Stay" won this category at the ACMs so it definitely has some momentum. But the CMA loves to give this award to George Strait and "ISGT" is definitely one of his best over his 30+ year career. I say this awards goes "Strait" to George.

Album of the Year
Carnival Ride - Carrie Underwood
Cowboy Town - Brooks & Dunn
Good Time - Alan Jackson
Just Who I Am: Poets & Pirates - Kenny Chesney
Troubadour - George Strait

I am not real sure how Brad Paisley's album didn't get nominated here as it should have WON this category. Since it is out, look for Troubadour or Carnival Ride to win. It depends on whether voters go old school or not. The vote could be split and Chesney could take it, but that is unlikely. I could definitely miss this category but I'll give the edge to Troubadour.

Song of the Year
“Good Time” - Alan Jackson
“I Saw God Today” - George Strait
“Letter To Me” - Brad Paisley
“Stay” - Jennifer Nettles
“You’re Gonna Miss This” - Ashley Gorley/Lee Thomas Miller

"Letter to Me" is by far the best song here. But "ISGT" could be rewarded here instead of in the single category. But I have to believe that the single is better than the song composition and give the edge here to "LTM". I told Jess back in the spring that "LTM" should win this category. Let's see if my 6 month old prediction holds up.

Musical Event of the Year
Josh Turner featuring Trisha Yearwood - “Another Try”
Reba McEntire and Kenny Chesney - “Every Other Weekend”
Robert Plant and Alison Krauss - “Gone Gone Gone”
Sugarland featuring Little Big Town and Jake Owen - “Life In A Northern Town”
Kenny Chesney (duet with George Strait) - “Shiftwork”

This award is gone gone gone to Alison Kraus and Robert Plant. Who would have ever thought Robert Plant would win a CMA award????

Music Video of the Year
“Don’t Blink” Kenny Chesney Directed by Shaun Silva
“Good Time” Alan Jackson Directed by Trey Fanjoy
“Stay” Sugarland Directed by Shaun Silva
“Waitin’ On A Woman” Brad Paisley featuring Andy Griffith Directed by Jim Shea & Peter Tilden
“You’re Gonna Miss This” Trace Adkins Directed by Peter Zavadil

Stay should win here. The simplicity and raw emotion that this video invoked was visually stunning and redefined video production.

Musician of the Year
Jerry Douglas – Dobro
Paul Franklin – Steel Guitar
Dann Huff – Guitar
Brent Mason – Guitar
Mac McAnally – Guitar

I have no idea. Maybe Dann Huff just out of respect for Keith Urban not winning anything tonight.

Tune in tonight at 8/7 CST on ABC to see who wins. If you don't care about the awards, the just tune in to see Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman presenting. That should definitely be a highlight of the evening!

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