CMA Awards Nominees: Pirates, Poets, Ex-Girlfriends & Blondes
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Entertainer of the Year
Nominees:
Kenny Chesney, Brad Paisley, George Strait, Sugarland, Keith Urban
Last year's winner: Kenny Chesney
Who should win...
Linda Ryan: All of these artists hit the road hard last year and deserve to be here. That said, I think George Strait will win. His live show is great and he is the consummate professional onstage. Plus, he's older than everyone else and touring has got to be harder when you're older!
Todd Hedrick: I think we have to keep the name of this award in mind, and that being said, I think without a doubt, Kenny Chesney deserves to win this award once again. Nobody fills stadiums, gives the masses what they want and entertains quite like he does. As many people show up for his summer outings, for just the event itself, as much as they do for the music.
Who will win...
LR: Remember the hullabaloo that happened last year when he won this award? Will people not vote for him for that reason? I dunno. But out of all the nominees here, Chesney's concerts out sell them all, so I think Kenny will take this one home again.
TH: It’s definitely a solid category again this year, but I don’t think there will be any surprises here and Chesney will come home with the award once again.
Female Vocalist of the Year
Nominees:
Alison Krauss, Miranda Lambert, Martina McBride, Carrie Underwood, Taylor Swift
Last year's winner: Carrie Underwood
Who Should Win...
LR: I would just love if Miranda Lambert won this award! She kicks ass!
TH: I agree. Lambert’s second record Crazy Ex-Girlfriend showed an amazing range and voice and quite the emerging talent. I am definitely a huge fan.
Who will win...
LR: This is a toss up between Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood, but I don't think
Nashville
is ready to put Carrie in the backseat just yet. Even though Taylor Swift had a huge year, I am going with Carrie Underwood.
TH: Yes, again, more or less. It’s definitely a close match between Taylor and Carrie, but I imagine it’s going to go to Swift. She is definitely well-deserving, but again, no surprises here.
Male Vocalist of the Year
Nominees:
Kenny Chesney, Alan Jackson, George Strait, Brad Paisley, Keith Urban
Last year's winner: Brad Paisley
Who should win...
LR: Geez. All these guys are so awesome, it's really hard to pick one over the other. I think I will randomly go with Alan Jackson.
TH: Yea, nobody really stands out here for me and that’s a compliment for sure. They all had really solid records last year/this year, and it’s dang near impossible to figure out which way the voting went. I personally think it ought to go to King George. Troubadour is a triumph, even for him.
Who will win...
LR: It would be a boring show if all last year's winners won again. Even though Brad Paisley certainly deserves to go home with the trophy again, I think Keith Urban will take this one home.
TH: I think because of the tough decision, the Association is going to respect their elders and go with Strait.
Best New Artist (Horizon Award)
Nominees:
Jason Aldean, Rodney Atkins, Lady Antebellum, Jason Otto, Kellie Pickler
Last year's winner: Taylor Swift
Who should win...
LR: I have a soft spot for Lady Antebellum, but Kellie Pickler is certainly a huge presence and both James Otto and Rodney Atkins have had no. 1 singles. Still, I'm going with Lady A.
TH: Well, I personally have a soft spot for Kellie Pickler, but I don’t know that she ought to win this category. I think it should really be a toss up between Jason Aldean and Rodney Atkins who have shown themselves to be serious songwriters and road warriors and have both built a solid fanbase for long-lasting careers.
Who will win...
LR: I think James "Just Got Started Loving You" Otto will walk with this.
TH: Otto is definitely walking away with this one. He has paid his dues over the years and has showed impressive sales, radio plays and accolades all around. He has definitely gotten himself noticed with the CMA and it’s going to pay off for him this time.
Single of the Year
Nominees:
Kenny Chesney, "Don't Blink"; Miranda Lambert, "Gunpowder & Lead"; George Strait, "I Saw God Today"; Sugarland, "Stay"; Trace Adkins, "You're Gonna Miss This"
Last year's winner: Carrie Underwood, "Before He Cheats"
Who should win...
LR: I think this one is a toss up between Kenny Chesney's "Don't Blink" and Trace Adkins' "You're Going to Miss This." This is one of the few categories Trace was nominated for, and I think he should get it.
TH: Miranda Lambert’s “Gunpowder & Lead” should really win this category. In a sea of sappy ballads and inspirational tunes, here is a catchy, heavy little number about waiting by the door at home to blow her abusive boyfriend’s brains out with a shotgun.
Who will win...
LR: I think a lot of people the feel the same way I do, and Trace Adkins will take this one home.
TH: I have to agree. I am very partial to Miranda, but I think the rarely nominated Adkins is here for a reason this year with one of his strongest efforts to date and is going to pull this one out.
Album of the Year
Nominees:
Brooks & Dunn, Cowboy Town; Carrie Underwood, Carnival Ride; Alan Jackson, Good Time; Kenny Chesney, Just Who I Am: Poets & Pirates, George Strait, Troubadour
Last year's winner: George Strait - It Just Comes Natural
Who should win...
LR: I would like to see
George
Strait
take this one. Troubadour is a great album that also did well commercially. I don't think anyone on this list would mind losing to
George
Strait.
TH: I think Alan Jackson ought to be acknowledged this year. Good Time was also a great album and just keeps on selling. I think he’s about due!
Who will win...
LR: I think Carrie Underwood outsold everyone of these nominees, so she will probably walk with this one.
TH: Yeah, I don’t think Miss Underwood’s awards reign is going to stop anytime soon. She is definitely coming home with this one this year.
Watch the 42nd Annual CMA Awards on Wednesday, November 12 on ABC!
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