The CMA Awards are held each November to celebrate achievements in country music over the previous year. This year, the awards will be held on November 7, 2007 in Nashville, TN, and the show will be broadcast on ABC TV starting at 8:00 pm ET.
Predicting the awards is always fun, and I usually do a lot better at predicting the CMAs and ACMs than I do, say, the Grammy Awards, which are voted on by a variety of people from both inside and outside the genre. This year has some suprises, and a few places where I feel nominations should have been given, and weren't. There are a few very easy categories to predict, and one extremely difficult. Now, on to my predictions.
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
- Kenny Chesney
- Brad Paisley
- Rascal Flatts
- George Strait
- Keith Urban
Who I would like to win? The only tour of these five that I have seen over the past year has been George Strait. I love going to his shows. He has so many great songs. I just feel you really get what you pay for when you see him. That said, I would kind of like to see Keith Urban take the award this year. Since I don't have the experience of seeing all the other artists over the past year, I'm basing this by the reviews we have on our site on these artists, and Bobbi's review of Keith Urban's show made me feel like I was there. It really sounded like something I truly wish I could have seen, and Keith gets my vote for Entertainer.
Who will win? I think Kenny Chesney will take this award once more.
FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
- Alison Krauss
- Miranda Lambert
- Martina McBride
- Reba McEntire
- Carrie Underwood
Who I would like to win? While I enjoy all of these artists, I have to say I'd like to see Martina take back the crown for Female Vocalist.
Who will win? I think Carrie will retain the Female Vocalist award for another year. Although her new single started to fly up the charts, it's moving a bit more slowly since hitting the Top 10. I still feel with her sophomore release coming out in a couple weeks, she will be getting a lot more face time, and will capture the votes, once more.
MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
- Kenny Chesney
- Brad Paisley
- George Strait
- Josh Turner
- Keith Urban
Who I would like to win? I have to say I'm partial to Josh Turner. It's his first nomination in this category, and what a great honor it would be for him to win this award on his first try.
Who will win? Brad Paisley took the ACM Male Vocalist, and I think that the voting will go his way here as well.
HORIZON AWARD
- Jason Aldean
- Rodney Atkins
- Little Big Town
- Kellie Pickler
- Taylor Swift
Who I would like to win? I'm actually in the fan clubs of three of these five stars, so I'm having a hard time choosing. But, based on the fact that they have been nominated before, and you can't be nominated more than twice, I would have to say I'd like to see Little Big Town win.
Who will win? This has to be one of the toughest ones to call. I think it's really a two-horse race between Rodney Atkins and Taylor Swift. Both have had fantastic years. I think I'm going to give a slight edge to Taylor Swift.
VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
- Alison Krauss and Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas
- Dixie Chicks
- Emerson Drive
- Little Big Town
- Rascal Flatts
Who I would like to win? I would love to see Little Big Town take home this award.
Who will win? Hands down, Rascal Flatts. We're gonna have to start calling this the "Rascal Flatts" award, like the Duo award should be called the "Brooks & Dunn" award. The guys show no signs of slowing down, with the biggest selling debut sales of a country album this year.
VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR
- Big & Rich
- Brooks & Dunn
- Montgomery Gentry
- Sugarland
- The Wreckers
Who I would like to win? I love Brooks & Dunn. I really do. But, I think it's time for someone else to win. I would like to see Sugarland take the award this year.
Who will win? I think Brooks & Dunn are still at the top of their game, and will take this home another year.