This year's CMA Awards will be broadcast for New York City, for the first time. Also new this year, fans will be allowed to buy tickets to the show. The nominations were announced in early September, and frankly, I was surprised at the omission of several stars.
First, in the Female Vocalist category, I really think Jo Dee Messina should have had a nomination this year. I would have rather seen her there than Alison Krauss. I have nothing against Alison, but the only song she's had in the Top 5 lately was "Whiskey Lullaby" with Brad Paisley, and that was August of 2004. So, how did Jo Dee Messina get passed over, when she had a No. 1 single for 2 weeks in May 2005?
For the same reason, I would have like to see "My Give a Damn's Busted" get some kind of award, whether for single or song. Both "Redneck Woman," and "Whiskey Lullaby" are songs from before LAST year's CMA Awards, so how do they qualify for this year's awards?
Ok, enough complaining from me and let's get down to the nitty gritty. Some of these are just a feeling I have. I don't really have a specific reason to pick who I picked, other than going by my feeling of who I think will win.
CMA Female Vocalist
Nominees are: Sara Evans, Alison Krauss, Martina McBride, Gretchen Wilson and Lee Ann Womack. Last years Female Vocalist was Martina McBride. This year, I think Lee Ann Womack will take it. Martina didn't do a heck of a lot last year, as she was pregnant most of the time. Sara Evans is really getting up there as far as popularity and hit songs, etc., but I think Lee Ann had a great year. Her album was critically hailed, and debuted at No. 1 on the charts. As much as I like Alison Krauss, I don't think she really did much, other than sing on Brad Paisley's "Whiskey Lullaby" in the Summer of 2004. I like Gretchen Wilson, and her albums have done really well for her, as have her singles, but I still have a feeling Lee Ann will take it this year.
CMA Male Vocalist
Nominees are: Kenny Chesney, Alan Jackson, Brad Paisley, George Strait and Keith Urban. Last year Keith Urban won the award, and I see him winning it again this year. Alan Jackson has had a good, but not outstanding year. George Strait is always good, but hasn't done anything outstanding, either. I'm glad to see some new blood in this category. Brad Paisley has been doing great lately, with his new album, Time Well Wasted. Kenny Chesney had the bigger tour and sales, but Keith has just been on a huge roll lately, and I see it paying off for him again this year.
CMA Vocal Group
Nominees are: Alison Krauss + Union Station, Diamond Rio, Lonestar, Rascal Flatts and Sugarland. Last year Rascal Flatts won this category, and I don't see that changing. The only group that rivals them in any way, really is Lonestar. Sugarland is doing great, but they're so new, I can't see them taking the award this year. Alison Krauss + Union Station are great too, but not anywhere near the calibur of popularity of Rascal Flatts.
CMA Vocal Duo
Nominees are: Big & Rich, Brooks & Dunn, Montgomery Gentry, Van Zant and the Warren Brothers. Last year Brooks & Dunn won the award, and for some reason, I'm thinking it might be time for a change. Nothing against Kix & Ronnie, but I think maybe Montgomery Gentry might step up to the mic when the award is presented. Big & Rich are great live, and have sold a lot of records, but I don't think they're in Brooks & Dunn's league yet. Van Zant is too new, and the Warren Brothers, while talented, have never sold many records or had hit singles, so they're a total long shot.
CMA Musical Event
Nominees are: George Strait with Lee Ann Womack - "Good News, Bad News," Willie Nelson with Lee Ann Womack - "I’ll Never Be Free," Brad Paisley and Sara Evans, "New Again," Shania Twain with Billy Currington, "Party For Two," and Jimmy Buffett and Martina McBride, "Trip Around the Sun." Three of the five nominated songs have never had any radio play. This said, I'm torn between Shania Twain & Billy Currington with "Party For Two," and Jimmy Buffett & Martina McBride with "Trip Around the Sun." I'm going to go with Jimmy and Martina on this one.
CMA Video of the Year
Nominees are: "Alcohol" from Brad Paisley, "As Good As I Once Was," from Toby Keith, "Days Go By," from Keith Urban, "I May Hate Myself in the Morning" from Lee Ann Womack, and "When I Think About Cheatin'" from Gretchen Wilson. This category is a tough one for me to predict. They're all really good videos. I am partial to Keith Urban's "Days Go By," because it's just such an energetic song and the video really captured that, so I'm going to go with that one to win.