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Brooks and Dunn are my pick for this award based on the success of their Neon Circus Tour, and their latest album, Steers and Stripes. All of the nominees have had good years. Brooks and Dunn released their new album, Steers & Stripes, which has produced two strong hits, and they've had a very successful tour with the Neon Circus & Wild West Show. The Dixie Chicks have laid low, so I'd say they have the least chance of winning the award. Tim's had great success with Set This Circus Down, which has yielded two smash hits. Alan's When Somebody Loves You, is also continuing to spawn more hit singles. George Strait had his George Strait Country Fest, and released his self-titled album, which has produced several hot singles. While Tim has the best success in tour numbers, I think that this is Brooks & Dunn's year to come back, and they'll take the award. Female Vocalist of the Year
While Sara Evans has received the most nominations this year, I don't think her success with Born To Fly is enough to pull this one off. Faith has taken most of the year off while she's preparing for the birth of her third child with husband Tim McGraw. Her latest single, There You'll Be" didn't really make the Top 10, so I think that might hurt her chances for a repeat this year. Martina McBride released her first Greatest Hits album this year, and she toured with the Girls Night Out. Lee Ann Womack is still riding high on her album I Hope You Dance, which is continuing to spit out the singles. Trisha Yearwood released Inside Out, which has a Top 5 single with "I Would Have Loved You Anyway." It's a hard choice, but I think maybe Martina will pull off the win this year. Male Vocalist of the Year
Vocal Duo of the Year
This is an easy pick. Montgomery Gentry took this award last year, but Kix and Ronnie have come roaring back with a new album and a successful tour, and I think they're going to take the award back this year. The Kinleys haven't done anything. The Bellamy Brothers aren't played on American Country Radio, although they do have great success in Europe. The Warren Brothers had a mild hit with "Where Does It Hurt" but none of them can match the success of Brooks & Dunn. Vocal Event of the Year
Ok, this one is going to be harder to pick. As far as I know, none of these has been played on country radio. The success of the O Brother soundtrack is evidenced here in two nominations from songs from that album. Brad Paisley has two nominations as well, one with George Jones, Bill Anderson and Buck Owens, and the other, his song with Chely Wright from the Grand Ole Opry album. Then Dwight Yoakam has a duet with Buck Owens as well. I'm gonna go with Brad & Chely because of the Opry tie. It really could go any way, but that's my pick. Vocal Group of the Year
This one is easy for me to pick. The Dixie Chicks have had a couple of singles out, but nothing that went to No. 1, and they haven't toured, nor have they released a new record. Alabama really hasn't done anything this past year. Nickel Creek is a great group, but I really don't think they belong in this category quite yet. They haven't really had a breakout hit yet. Diamond Rio has had a great year based mainly on the success of their new album, and smash single, "One More Day." But, for me, Lonestar has had the most success with their gold-selling album and single, "I'm Already There," which sat at the top of the charts for six weeks. They're my pick. Single of the Year
Single of the Year will be harder to pick. Sara Evans song "Born To Fly" was a great song, and it did top the charts for one week. "One More Day" broke records by topping the charts, dropping, then rising back up to the top again. "I Am A Man Of Constant Sorrow," while a great song, from a successful double-platinum album, has never gone higher than 48 on the charts. "Ain't Nothing 'Bout You" topped the charts for five weeks, earlier this year. But, it's the success of Lonestar, with "I'm Already There" that topped the charts for six weeks that makes my choice for this award. Album of the Year
If you go by album sales, O Brother has this one locked up, at 2 million plus sold. Alan Jackson's album has sold 1 million. Tim McGraw's album has sold 1 million. I believe both Sara Evans and Brooks & Dunn's albums have gone gold. I'm gonna go with the success of O Brother, even though radio hasn't been kind, you can't argue with those kind of numbers. Song of the Year
I have no idea why "Murder on Music Row" was nominated again when it was nominated in the same category last year. "One More Day," as stated in the Single of the Year category hit the top of the charts twice, "I'm Already There" stayed at the top for 6 weeks. I'm not sure why Toby's song was nominated either. It was the most played song of the year 2000, though, so maybe that's why. I'm going to go with Lonestar's "I'm Already There" again. Horizon Award
Jessica Andrews had great success with "Who I Am," and keith urban has had success with his No. 1 hit, "But For The Grace of God," and Phil Vassar has had some chart successes. Nickel Creek, I'm not sure about. I really like them, but I don't think they've had as much success as the others in this category. Jamie O'Neal has probably had the most success with "There Is No Arizona," and "When I Think About Angels" both going to No. 1. Because of this, I think she will be the winner in this category. Music Video of the Year
This one will be just my preference. They're all good videos, but I think that Sara Evan's "Born To Fly" was a lot of fun to watch, and the song is great as well. I'm going to go with that one. Musician of the Year
Musician of the Year is probably the hardest category to pick because you don't hear much about the musicians that play on the various albums, unless you are into reading liner notes. I'm going with the popular Dann Huff, who is also a great producer as well. Well, that's my predictions. You'll have to watch the show on November 7th to see how well I did.
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