We’re breaking down the nominations for the 53rd Annual CMA Awards, including our predictions on who we reckon will be the winner this time around.
“THE 53RD ANNUAL CMA AWARDS” – FINAL NOMINEES:
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
Garth Brooks
Eric Church
Chris Stapleton
Carrie Underwood
Keith Urban
Making records by selling out the Nissan stadium, our vote realistically should be on Eric Church. However, having witnessed the majesty of Carrie Underwood’s ‘Cry Pretty’ tour, we’re tipping our hat to Carrie Underwood for this one.
Off the Record Prediction: Carrie Underwood
SINGLE OF THE YEAR
Award goes to Artist(s), Producer(s), and Mix Engineer
“Burning Man” – Dierks Bentley Feat. Brothers Osborne
Producers: Ross Copperman, Jon Randall, Arturo Buenahora, Jr.
Mix Engineer: F. Reid Shippen
“GIRL” – Maren Morris
Producer: Greg Kurstin
Mix Engineer: Greg Kurstin
“God’s Country” – Blake Shelton
Producer: Scott Hendricks
Mix Engineer: Justin Niebank
“Millionaire” – Chris Stapleton
Producers: Dave Cobb, Chris Stapleton
Mix Engineer: Vance Powell
“Speechless” – Dan + Shay
Producers: Dan Smyers, Scott Hendricks
Mix Engineer: Jeff Juliano
Thrilled to see Dan + Shay and Maren Morris on this list, but our vote for this one’s on God’s Country for the win, because have you heard it?
Off the Record Prediction: God’s Country
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Award goes to Artist and Producers
Center Point Road – Thomas Rhett
Producers: Dann Huff, Jesse Frasure, Thomas Rhett, Julian Bunetta, The Stereotypes, Cleve Wilson
Cry Pretty – Carrie Underwood
Producers: David Garcia, Jim Jonsin, Carrie Underwood
Dan + Shay – Dan + Shay
Producers: Dan Smyers, Scott Hendricks
Desperate Man – Eric Church
Producers: Jay Joyce, Arturo Buenahora, Jr.
GIRL – Maren Morris
Producers: busbee, Maren Morris, Greg Kurstin
This one’s a close call between two albums that have been the soundtrack to our 2019 – Maren Morris’ GIRL and Dan + Shay’s self-titled album. However, with Morris’ record pushing continual boundaries and making new records, including that stunning performance at the Royal Albert Hall, we’re hedging our bets and staying in the Morris camp for this one.
Off the Record Prediction: GIRL
SONG OF THE YEAR
Award goes to Songwriters
“Beautiful Crazy”
Songwriters: Luke Combs, Wyatt B. Durrette III, Robert Williford
“GIRL”
Songwriters: Maren Morris, Sarah Aarons, Greg Kurstin
“God’s Country”
Songwriters: Devin Dawson, Jordan Schmidt, Michael Hardy
“Rainbow”
Songwriters: Natalie Hemby, Shane McAnally, Kacey Musgraves
“Tequila”
Songwriters: Dan Smyers, Nicolle Galyon, Jordan Reynolds
This category is like choosing between your favourite children, but if we were gambling people, our vote would be on Tequila for the CMA this year, given the diversity of its success and enduring appeal. We’re just missing Lady Antebellum’s ‘What If I Never Get Over You’ from this list…
Off the Record Prediction: Tequila
FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Kelsea Ballerini
Miranda Lambert
Maren Morris
Kacey Musgraves
Carrie Underwood
For all these women it has been a huge huge year, and really all of these could be up for entertainer of the year. Morris has been tipped for 6 nominations this year and Kacey is continuing her reign supreme having picked up those Grammy gongs, however we’re hedging our bets and sticking with the golden vocalist for the win here.
Off the Record Prediction: Carrie Underwood
MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Dierks Bentley
Luke Combs
Thomas Rhett
Chris Stapleton
Keith Urban
These just get more difficult and ask us tomorrow and we’d probably have a different answer. Today the sun’s shining and the beer is our friend, we’re going with the newest Opry member..
Off the Record Prediction:Luke Combs
VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
Lady Antebellum
Little Big Town
Midland
Old Dominion
Zac Brown Band
It’s been a hugely transformative year for all of these bands, but given that a capella performance and their bid on the C2C stage, we might be a little biased here.
Off the Record Prediction: Lady Antebellum
VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR
Brooks & Dunn
Brothers Osborne
Dan + Shay
Florida Georgia Line
Maddie & Tae
Sorry everyone, to us one duo reigns supreme.
Off the Record Prediction: Dan + Shay
MUSICAL EVENT OF THE YEAR
Award goes to Artists and Producer(s)
“All My Favorite People” – Maren Morris (feat. Brothers Osborne)
Producers: Maren Morris, busbee
“Brand New Man” – Brooks & Dunn (with Luke Combs)
Producer: Dann Huff
“Dive Bar” – Garth Brooks & Blake Shelton
Producer: Garth Brooks
“Old Town Road (Remix)” – Lil Nas X feat. Billy Ray Cyrus
Producers: YoungKio, Michael Trent Reznor, Atticus Matthew Ross
“What Happens In A Small Town” – Brantley Gilbert & Lindsay Ell
Producer: Dann Huff
Realistically, 2019 will always be known as…
Off the Record Prediction: Old Town Road (Remix)
NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Cody Johnson
Ashley McBryde
Midland
Carly Pearce
Morgan Wallen
The enduring appeal of her debut album knows no bounds… We’re disappointed not to see Ingrid Andress on this list though.
Off the Record Prediction: Ashley McBryde
