With the 2015 CMA Awards on tomorrow tonight, now would be an appropriate time to see what we at The Shotgun Seat think about this year’s nominees. Go read about our picks and predictions, and leave your own in the comments!
Entertainer of the Year
Should win:
Luke Bryan – Ellis Frederick
Miranda Lambert
Garth Brooks
Eric Church – Markus Meyer, Annie Dineen. Christina Bosch, Laura Spinelli
Kenny Chesney
Will win:
Luke Bryan – Markus Meyer, Annie Dineen, Christina Bosch, Laura Spinelli, Ellis Frederick
Miranda Lambert
Garth Brooks
Eric Church
Kenny Chesney
Markus Meyer: Lambert’s inclusion here baffles me, but I guess it shouldn’t. The other four are all solid nominees, and Church has made the most compelling music of them all. I fully expect this to be a battle between Garth and Luke, with the latter pulling it out.
Annie Dineen: I will forever be biased towards Church, but he’s done a lot in the past year to be worthy of this commendation. However, Luke has a new album out, and I’d be nervous to bet against Luke.
Christina Bosch: Unfortunately with new Luke album, the blinders are on to anyone else who did anything this year.
Laura Spinelli: Between the final spring break tour, the new album and the general press momentum, Bryan’s sure to take home the show’s top prize again.
Ellis Frederick: Markus, Miranda may baffle you, but Garth baffles me! I never understood the need for one “legacy” artist in this category. If George Strait or Garth Brooks isn’t honored at your country award show, did you really have a country award show? All that said, Luke is untouchable.
Male Vocalist of the Year
Should win:
Dierks Bentley
Luke Bryan
Blake Shelton
Eric Church
Chris Stapleton – MM, AD, CB, LS, EF
Will win:
Dierks Bentley – EF
Luke Bryan – AD CB LS
Blake Shelton – MM
Eric Church
Chris Stapleton
Markus: Dierks was a pleasant surprise, and Stapleton’s inclusion thrills me. However, I’ve learned better than to bet against Blake, so I’ll look for another victory in Team Shelton.
Annie: There is nothing I’d love more than to see Stapleton win this.
Christina: Totally agree with Annie, that would be a slight miracle however, I think they will give it to Luke this year.
Laura: I’d love to see Stapleton pull an upset (though performing with JT is a nice consolation prize) but I think this is Luke’s for the taking.
Ellis: Not sure why, but I have a feeling Dierks is going to have a moment here.
Female Vocalist of the Year
Should win:
Kelsea Ballerini – LS
Miranda Lambert
Lee Ann Womack
Carrie Underwood
Kacey Musgraves – MM, CB, AD, EF
Will win:
Kelsea Ballerini – LS
Miranda Lambert – MM
Lee Ann Womack
Carrie Underwood – CB, AD, EF
Kacey Musgraves
Markus: For the first time in forever, we finally have some competition here, with Carrie scoring a couple big hits, Kelsea bursting onto the scene and Kacey delivering one of the most critically acclaimed albums of the year that also sold well. However, much like Shelton, I unfortunately have a hard time betting against the Lambert camp here.
Christina: Kacey’s album was gold and she has never made a bad decision regarding the music she has put on the radio, it’s unfortunate that she won’t be recognized for it. Although Kelsea had a huge #1 single this year I don’t think she will pull out the win over Miranda or Carrie.
Annie: I’d love for this to go to Kacey, but with Carrie’s big year I think she’ll end up taking it home. While the Kelsea nod was nice, I think it’s ambitious to suggest an upset from her.
Laura: It’s hard to argue with Underwood’s streak of good singles this year between “Something in the Water,” “Little Toy Guns,” and now “Smoke Break,” but I’m going to go out on a limb here and say that tides are shifting and this is Kelsea’s for the taking.
Ellis: Kacey is my top choice, but then again, she’s not the greatest “vocalist” in this category. I’m going to give this one to Carrie. Also, isn’t it crazy that with just one album, Kelsea can be nominated for the second-largest category of the night?
Album of the Year
Should win:
Pageant Material, Kacey Musgraves – CB, EF
Pain Killer, Little Big Town
The Big Revival, Kenny Chesney
Traveller, Chris Stapleton – MM, AD
Old Boots, New Dirt, Jason Aldean
Will win:
Pageant Material, Kacey Musgraves – MM, CB, AD, EF
Pain Killer, Little Big Town
The Big Revival, Kenny Chesney
Traveller, Chris Stapleton
Old Boots, New Dirt, Jason Aldean
Markus: Kenny was a surprise inclusion here, while the others were fairly predictable. Stapleton is head and shoulders above the competition, Kacey and Jason’s are extremely solid, while the final two are somewhat mixed bags. I fully expect the CMA’s to go with critical acclaim here and reward Musgraves’ sophomore effort.
Christina: I would be surprised if they don’t reward Pageant Material here.
Annie: Traveller is so fantastic and if it were up to me, Stapleton’s recording of “Whiskey and You” alone would earn him the accolade. But it’s not up to me, and Kacey is deserving.
Ellis: Kacey Kacey Kacey. It’s not a secret how much I love this album.
Single of the Year
Should win:
“American Kids” by Kenny Chesney
“Girl Crush” by Little Big Town – AD, LS, EF
“I Don’t Dance” by Lee Brice
“Take Your Time” by Sam Hunt
“Talladega” by Eric Church – MM
Will win:
“American Kids” by Kenny Chesney
“Girl Crush” by Little Big Town – MM, AD, LS
“I Don’t Dance” by Lee Brice
“Take Your Time” by Sam Hunt – EF
“Talladega” by Eric Church
Markus: Listen, “I Don’t Dance” is a great record, but can we please, please stop nominating it for things? Come on, it’s almost two years old. I suppose an upset win by anyone is possible here, but I fully expect a “Girl Crush” victory.
Annie: “Girl Crush” made waves in so many different ways this year. I’d be shocked if that weren’t recognized here.
Laura: When your song inspires a mini-clothing line (Hello Girl Crush Hats), it’s deserving of some award show recognition!
Ellis: I reluctantly choose “Take Your Time” as my Will win, though I think it could go either to Sam or LBT.
Song of the Year
Should win:
“Like a Cowboy” performed by Randy Houser
“Like a Wrecking Ball” performed by Eric Church – MM, EF
“Girl Crush” performed by Little Big Town – AD, LS
“American Kids” performed by Kenny Chesney
“Take Your Time” performed by Sam Hunt
Will win:
“Like a Cowboy” performed by Randy Houser
“Like a Wrecking Ball” performed by Eric Church
“Girl Crush” performed by Little Big Town – MM, AD, LS, EF
“American Kids” performed by Kenny Chesney
“Take Your Time” performed by Sam Hunt
Markus: What is so great about the lyrical content of “American Kids”? It has now been nominated at the ACM’s, Grammy’s, and the CMA’s for Best Song. It is a list of old things. It is not that great. I enjoy it as a single, but it has no business running the table for Song of the Year noms. Besides that, Church and Houser are pleasant surprises, but this is Little Big Town’s to lose.
Annie: The best written song here is clearly “Girl Crush” for concept. I loved the Church song especially, but I agree with Markus – this is LBT’s to lose.
Ellis: Definitely agree with Markus and Annie on this one. Nothing else to say, really.
Vocal Group of the Year
Should win:
Little Big Town
The Band Perry
Zac Brown Band – MM, AD, EF
Rascal Flatts
Lady Antebellum
Will win:
Little Big Town – MM, AD, EF
The Band Perry
Zac Brown Band
Rascal Flatts
Lady Antebellum
Markus: A Thousand Horses’ and (to a lesser extent) Parmalee’s exclusion here shows how much some acts (namely The Band Perry and Rascal Flatts) are relying on name recognition. Look for another Little Big Town win with upside for a Zac Brown Band upset.
Annie: The Zac Brown Band should win these at all times for eternity, and this year they’re especially deserving with their out of the box record stretching capabilities and stylings. However, I won’t be mad if LBT take it – they’ve proven themselves incredibly strong this year as well.
Ellis: Can someone please tell me why they bother nominating more than three groups for these categories? ZBB and LBT are the only true competitors, and I almost feel it’s not even worth considering that CMA will give this one to ZBB (per their track record). LBT had a huge year. This all theirs.
Duo of the Year
Should win:
Dan + Shay
Maddie & Tae – MM, AD, LS, EF
Brothers Osborne
Florida Georgia Line
Thompson Square
Will win:
Dan + Shay
Maddie & Tae
Brothers Osborne
Florida Georgia Line – MM, AD, LS, EF
Thompson Square
Markus: I would love a Maddie & Tae win but… I can’t see that happening. As an aside, Big & Rich not getting a nomination when Bros. Os. and Thompson Square did is more evidence of name recognition over success.
Annie: I feel like voting against FGL is a “don’t mess with the bull” scenario. Even though I sometimes feel like their music more accurately yields to the bull in a china shop metaphor. Jokes aside, I’d love to see M&T take this, but I just don’t see it happening.
Laura: Vocally and lyrically Maddie & Tae blow the others out of the water (or rather knock them into the water ala “Shut Up and Fish”) but FGL sells out stadiums and that counts for something.
Ellis: I’m already heartbroken over this category because FGL’s win is just so obvious.
New Artist of the Year
Should win:
Sam Hunt
Chris Stapleton – MM, AD, LS
Maddie & Tae – EF
Thomas Rhett
Kelsea Ballerini
Will win:
Sam Hunt – MM, AD, LS, EF
Chris Stapleton
Maddie & Tae
Thomas Rhett
Kelsea Ballerini
Markus: My personal pick is a brilliant songwriter and a sterling example of evolution in country music. My Will win is Sam Hunt.
Annie: Hahaha Markus. Stapleton for president.
Laura: Totally agree with the Stapleton-loving sentiment. In Sam’s defense though, Montevallo has sold over 810k copies to an audience that doesn’t buy records anymore. — an extremely impressive feat that does deserve recognition.
Ellis: Wow, what a year for new country. All of these artists have brought something new to the table and made a true name for themselves. I’m a Maddie & Tae stan so I’ll choose them as my Should win, but I would not be disappointed by a Sam Hunt win. He not only made a great album, but is truly changing the face of a genre. Editor’s Note: For those not aware, a stan is an avid fan of a celebrity, franchise, or group.
Music Video of the Year
Should win:
“Biscuits”, Kacey Musgraves
“Girl Crush”, Little Big Town
“Girl In a Country Song”, Maddie & Tae – AD, LS, EF
“Little Red Wagon”, Miranda Lambert
“Something In the Water”, Carrie Underwood
Will win:
“Biscuits”, Kacey Musgraves
“Girl Crush”, Little Big Town – AD, LS
“Girl In a Country Song”, Maddie & Tae – EF
“Little Red Wagon”, Miranda Lambert
“Something In the Water”, Carrie Underwood
Annie: I’m really hoping M&T take this one, but “Girl Crush” was such a moment that I’m putting my money on it sweeping.
Laura: Would love to see Maddie & Tae’s take on challenging gender norms prevail, but this definitely was the year of “Girl Crush.” LBT also has the might of Universal’s voting power behind them.
Ellis: Maybe I’m biased (I did just admit I was a stan), but I have a feeling the newcomers will take this one. “Girl In a Country Song” had the only music video in this category that I really remember aside from “Biscuits,” but I don’t think Kacey is a contender in this one.
Musical Event of the Year
Should win:
“Raise ‘Em Up” by Keith Urban and Eric Church – MM, AD, LS, EF
“Wild Child” by Kenny Chesney feat. Grace Potter
Django and Jimmie by Merle Haggard and Willie Nelson
“Smokin’ and Drinkin’” by Miranda Lambert feat. Little Big Town
“Lonely Tonight” by Blake Shelton feat. Ashley Monroe
Will win:
“Raise ‘Em Up” by Keith Urban and Eric Church – LS
“Wild Child” by Kenny Chesney feat. Grace Potter
Django and Jimmie by Merle Haggard and Willie Nelson
“Smokin’ and Drinkin’” by Miranda Lambert feat. Little Big Town
“Lonely Tonight” by Blake Shelton feat. Ashley Monroe – MM, AD, EF
Markus: Keith and Eric is my personal favorite, but I think they’ll reward Blake again here.
Annie: Markus is speaking my mind here, and I’ll leave it at that.
Laura: Maybe I’m an optimist, but I feel like the musical brilliance that is an Eric Church and Keith Urban combo will prevail this year.
Ellis: A win for Blake is a win for Ashley Monroe here, and that’s fine with me!