The CMA Awards show will broadcast on November 6, 2006 on ABC TV. Hosting the show once more is Brooks and Dunn. See who I think will win in each category.
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
- Brooks & Dunn
- Kenny Chesney
- Brad Paisley
- Rascal Flatts
- Keith Urban
All five of the nominees are very deserving. It's the first nomination in this category for Rascal Flatts. Last year Keith Urban won this award. I think that Tim McGraw should have definately have been nominated here. His tour with Faith, the Soul II Soul 2 tour was one of the highest grossing country tours this year. Kenny Chesney performed to over 1 million fans for a fifth straight year. That's something not even Garth Brooks had done. My prediction is for Kenny Chesney to recapture the award.
MALE VOCALIST
- Dierks Bentley
- Kenny Chesney
- Alan Jackson
- Brad Paisley
- Keith Urban
It's good to see new names in this category. Dierks Bentley gets his first Male Vocalist nomination this year. That said, I'm very disappointed that Tim McGraw wasn't nominated here. But, there's only five spots, so if someone new is going to come in, someone has to go out. Keith Urban is the 2006 winner, and I see him taking the award again this year.
FEMALE VOCALIST
- Sara Evans
- Faith Hill
- Martina McBride
- Carrie Underwood
- Gretchen Wilson
I'm glad to see Faith Hill in the category again. I personally don't think Carrie Underwood belongs in this category *YET*. She's an incredible talent, but I think she should put in a few years, before being moved to the Female Vocalist category. I would have liked to have seen Lee Ann Womack or Trisha Yearwood here instead. Sara's probably had the most successful year hit-wise. Faith was part of the successful Soul II Soul 2 tour. Martina is touring, supporting her Timeless CD, Gretchen is headlining across the country, and Carrie has been touring as well as having a lot of chart success. Gretchen is the reigning female vocalist, but I don't think her year has been strong enough to keep the award this year. Sara just picked up this award at the ACMs and I think she may pick it up here, although I wouldn't be surprised to see Miss Underwood take the award, either.
VOCAL GROUP
- Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas
- Little Big Town
- Lonestar
- Rascal Flatts
- Sugarland
I'm really not sure why Sugarland is still being placed in the group category. They should be in the Duo category. Rascal Flatts was last year's winner, and I don't really see anyone taking this award away from them this year.
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
- Time Well Wasted Brad Paisley ~ Read Review
- Me and My Gang Rascal Flatts ~ Read Review
- Hillbilly Deluxe Brooks & Dunn ~ Read Review
- The Road and The Radio Kenny Chesney ~ Read Review
- Precious Memories Alan Jackson ~ Read Review
Rascal Flatts have had three Top 10 hits, including a No. 1 with "What Hurts the Most," and "My Wish" at No. 4 and rising to another No. 1 most likely. Brad's record has spawned several big hits, including two No. 1's, with nominations in Single and Musical Event categories. Brooks & Dunn's "Believe" is also nominated in two categories, and their "Building Bridges" is nominated in the Musical Event category. Kenny Chesney's "Summertime" is nominated for Single of the Year. But, Alan Jackson's Precious Memories while not an album that spawned huge country hits, was a sentimental favorite for many people. This is a difficult choice. I think I'm gonna go with Rascal Flatts for this one.
SINGLE OF THE YEAR
- "Believe" Brooks & Dunn
- "Better Life" Keith Urban
- "Jesus, Take The Wheel" Carrie Underwood
- "Summertime" Kenny Chesney
- "When I Get Where I'm Going" Brad Paisley f. Dolly Parton
Single and Song are two of the *TOUGHEST* awards to predict. All of the nominees have great credentials. Just when I think I can make a decision, I think.. wait a minute, this other song had a 5 week run at No. 1. I am gonna go with "Jesus, Take the Wheel." Although, any one of these could win, and I would be happy. They're all wonderful songs.