Just under 116 hours to go until the CMA’s (Country Music Awards) on ABC. The award show will air at 8 p.m. As most of you probably know, I am a country music fanatic! It surprises some, given my strong liberal leanings but I just can’t get enough of this genre of music. I first fell in love with country music back around 1990/1991. My babysitter back then used to listen to it all the time. Even though I was only 5/6 years old at the time, it still is my preference of music to listen to up through today!
So, when it comes time for anything Country on TV, I am glued! Back in the day, I would actually makes these really nice dinners and have it prepared to eat just in time for the awards show to the beginning. Nothing like watching Country music singers belting out tunes while I am eating some good grub!
My favorite part of the award show is the performances. This year I am looking forward to the performances of Reba McEntire and LeAnn Rimes singing their duet live together for the first time. Jamie Foxx and Rascal Flatts are also performing their duet live for the first time. The Eagles will be performing for the first time at an awards show in a long time. I am also looking forward to the performances of Sugarland, Carrie Underwood, Big & Rich, and Little Big Town.
So, I am going to give my predictions on whom I think WILL win but also let you know who I think SHOULD win. Then I will give my reasoning.
Entertainer of the Year
Kenny Chesney (will win)
Brad Paisley
Rascal Flatts (should win)
George Strait
Keith Urban
Kenny won it last year and he probably has it again this year. He continues to sell out large venues and is still on top. Though, I think it is time for Rascal Flatts to win this award. They are one of the biggest groups in all types of music.
Female Vocalist of the Year
Alison Krauss
Miranda Lambert
Martina McBride
Reba McEntire
Carrie Underwood (will win, should win)
Carrie won this award last year and I think she will win it again this year. She deserves it. She continues to knock it out of the park. Such a great voice! Watch out boys, because she will soon break the all boys club when nominations for Entertainer of the Year come out in the future. Plus, she’s HOT! Though, part of me wishes that Reba McEntire would win it. She is such a star, a true legend, and is still making great music. She hasn’t been nominated for this award in a while and I think it would be great to see her win this award after almost 30 years in the business. What a powerful statement it would make!
Male Vocalist of the Year
Kenny Chesney
Brad Paisley (will win)
George Strait
Josh Turner
Keith Urban (should win)
I think Brad Paisley will win the award this year. Though, Keith’s latest album is superb and he should win!
Horizon Award
Jason Aldean
Rodney Atkins
Little Big Town (should win)
Kellie Pickler
Taylor Swift (will win)
This is always a really tough category. 4 of the 5 singers/groups have a good chance at winning. Though, I think they will give this award to Taylor Swift. She’s young, cute, bubbly, and a star in the making. Though, I really wish Little Big Town would win. They are superb. Their harmonies rock! I was a fan of theirs before they became big and will continue to be for a long time.
Vocal Group of the Year
Alison Krauss and Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas
Dixie Chicks (should win)
Emerson Drive
Little Big Town (should win)
Rascal Flatts (will win)
You know I like all of these groups a lot! Rascal Flatts will probably win this award but I really wish the Association would give it to another group artist this year. They have won it the past 4 years. Now, I think two groups should get this award. Dixie Chicks are one of my all time favorite groups. They are so talented and even though they are not embraced by the Country Music community anymore, they deserve to win. Their latest CD is phenomenal! I have already sung Little Big Town’s praises but they do deserve to win as well. Even though I do not think they should or will win, I do look forward to the day that Emerson Drive wins this award, as they are a great band and awesome performers.
Vocal Duo of the Year
Big & Rich
Brooks & Dunn
Montgomery Gentry
Sugarland (will win, should win)
The Wreckers
Please, please do not let this be another year for the Brooks & Dunn music machine. I love them, but, let’s move on and give someone else a chance. So, I am going to go out on a limb and say that Sugarland will win and should win. They definitely deserve it! Though, I LOVE Big & Rich and want to see them win this award someday.
Single of the Year
“Anyway” by Martina McBride
“Before He Cheats” by Carrie Underwood (will win, should win)
“Lost In This Moment” by Big & Rich
“Ticks” by Brad Paisley
“Wrapped” by George Strait
This is a tough category. Though, I think Carrie Underwood should and will pull through for the win.
Album of the Year
5th Gear by Brad Paisley
It Just Comes Natural by George Strait
Long Trip Alone by Dierks Bentley
Love, Pain & the whole crazy thing by Keith Urban (should win)
These Days by Vince Gill (will win)
So, I only own two of these CD’s. One of them is the Keith Urban CD. It is one of the best albums to come out in years. His best work to date. He should win this award. I am going to go out on a limb though and say that Vince Gill will win. The CD is actually a 4-CD set and even though it did not get much radio play it was critically acclaimed. Plus, Vince is a favorite of the CMA’s and the Association does like to shock us from time to time. Though, the association also likes George, so we shall see.
Song of the Year (award goes to songwriter)
“Anyway” by Martina McBride (will win)
“Before He Cheats” by Carrie Underwood
“Give It Away” by George Strait
“Lost In This Moment” by Big & Rich (should win)
“Stupid Boy” by Keith Urban
Since this song goes to songwriting I am going to pick “Anyway” by Martina McBride as the winner. This song is your classic, run of the mill, shoo-in for this award. Though, “Lost in this moment” by Big & Rich was my favorite song of 2007 thus far and may be my favorite song of all time. The writing on it was superb. When I get married, it will get played at the wedding reception. The Keith Urban song is also great but I do not think it will or should win.
Musical Event of the Year
“Because of You” by Reba McEntire with Kelly Clarkson (will win, should win)
“Find Out Who Your Friends Are” by Tracy Lawrence featuring Tim McGraw and Kenny Chesney
“Hey Good Lookin’” by Jimmy Buffett with George Strait and Alan Jackson
“Missing You” by Alison Krauss and John Waite
“The Reason Why” by Vince Gill with Guest Vocalist Alison Krauss
This one is easy. The Reba/Kelly duet will win! It was an instant classic as soon as they recorded it. Though, I do really like the Alison/John duet.
Music Video of the Year
“Anyway” by Martina McBride
“Before He Cheats” by Carrie Underwood
“Moments” by Emerson Drive
“Online” by Brad Paisley (will win, should win)
“You Save Me” by Kenny Chesney
Carrie Underwood could steal this award but not likely. This category was made for Brad Paisley. He is a music video star! Plus, Jason Alexander from Seinfeld directed this video (and starred in it), so they would both win it and that would be very cool!
