The 45th annual Country Music Association Awards take place this Wednesday, airing live on ABC and like last year, we’re giving you our picks of the nominees.
Like 2010 for Miranda, 2011 was The Band Perry’s year. We hope Kimberly has picked out a cute dress (or two), because we have a feeling she’ll be on stage accepting an award more than once at this year’s CMAs.
We’ve chosen the artists that we hope win each category, but unfortunately those that really deserve it don’t often win. So, we also chose the artists that we think the CMA will award. In the end, this is all pointless since the awards really will never make a difference in the music each of us listen to. What about you? Who do you want to take home a trophy on Wednesday night? The CMA has a website for fans to make their picks this year, so go to http://game.cmaworld.com/ to predict the winners and join our “Indy Sky CMA Mockfest” league.
We are going to be tweeting throughout the red carpet and award show with our usual snark, so join the convo on Twitter!
Aly and Beth
Entertainer of the Year
Jason Aldean
Brad Paisley
Blake Shelton
Taylor Swift (will win)
Keith Urban (should win)
Female Vocalist of the Year
Sara Evans
Miranda Lambert (should and will win)
Martina McBride
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood
Male Vocalist of the Year
Jason Aldean (will win)
Kenny Chesney
Brad Paisley
Blake Shelton (should win)
Keith Urban
New Artist
The Band Perry (will win)
Luke Bryan
Eric Church (should win)
Thompson Square
Chris Young
If the nominees in this category are as confusing to you as they are to us, review CMIL’s CMA Award Nomination Criteria Explanation [CMIL].
Vocal Group
Lady Antebellum (will win)
Little Big Town (should win)
Rascal Flatts
The Band Perry
Zac Brown Band (should win, second choice)
A win for LBT is much deserved and has been a long time coming. Just once, we want to see them rewarded.
Vocal Duo
The Civil Wars (should win)
Montgomery Gentry
Steel Magnolia
Sugarland (will win)
Thompson Square
A nomination in this category for The Civil Wars is a step in the right direction for country music. They may not be “country” as you know it these days, but they are definitely not pop or rap. Bravo, CMA, bravo.
Album of the Year (artist and producer)
‘All About Tonight’ Blake Shelton and Scott Hendricks
‘My Kinda Party’ Jason Aldean and Michael Knox
‘Speak Now’ Taylor Swift and Nathan Chapman (will win)
‘This Is Country Music’ Brad Paisley and Frank Rogers
‘You Get What You Give’ Zac Brown Band and Keith Stegall (should win)
Single of the Year (artist and producer)
‘A Little Bit Stronger’ Sara Evans and Tony Brown
‘Colder Weather’ Zac Brown Band and Keith Stegall
‘Don’t You Wanna Stay’ Jason Aldean with Kelly Clarkson and Michael Knox
‘Honey Bee’ Blake Shelton and Scott Hendricks
‘If I Die Young’ The Band Perry and Paul Worley (will and should win)
Song of the Year (songwriter)
‘Colder Weather’ Zac Brown, Wyatt Durrette, Levi Lowrey, and Coy Bowles (should win)
‘Dirt Road Anthem’ Brantley Gilbert and Colt Ford (will win)
‘If I Die Young’ Kimberly Perry (should win, 2nd choice)
‘Mean’ Taylor Swift
‘You and Tequila’ Matraca Berg and Deana Carter
If ‘Dirt Road Anthem’ wins Song of the Year, country music is officially dead.
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 (will win)
‘Old Alabama’ Brad Paisley featuring Alabama (should win)
‘You and Tequila’ Kenny Chesney featuring Grace Potter
Music Video
‘Honey Bee’ Blake Shelton and Trey Fanjoy
‘If I Die Young’ The Band Perry and David McClister (should win)
‘Mean’ Taylor Swift and Declan Whitebloom (will win)
‘Old Alabama’ Brad Paisley featuring Alabama and Jim Shea
‘You and Tequila’ Kenny Chesney featuring Grace Potter and Shaun Silva
[watch nominated videos]
Musician
Sam Bush - Mandolin
Jerry Douglas - Dobro
Paul Franklin - Steel Guitar
Dann Huff - Guitar
Mac McAnally – Guitar
No opinion on this category.
