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This year’s CMA Awards will be broadcast live Wednesday from the Sommet Center in Nashville. You can watch from 8-11 p.m. on ABC.
Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood return as hosts of the show for the second time.
Here’s a complete list of the nominees for the 2009 CMA Awards and my picks for the winners:
Entertainer of the Year
Kenny Chesney
Brad Paisley
George Strait
Taylor Swift
Keith Urban
And the winner is: Taylor Swift. The golden girl is headlining her own shows and commands the charts. She’s been on Oprah twice and hosted Saturday Night Live. It would be quite a coup for Swift to win, since this award is almost always male-dominated.
Female Vocalist
Miranda Lambert
Martina McBride
Reba McEntire
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood
And the winner is: Carrie Underwood. I love all the artists in this category, but I’m counting on Carrie, who has some of the best pipes in the business to edge out Taylor Swift. Swift really doesn’t belong in this category. She simply doesn’t have the vocal chops the others have.
Male Vocalist
Kenny Chesney
Brad Paisley
Darius Rucker
George Strait
Keith Urban
And the winner is: I would love to see Darius Rucker win this. His debut album delivered three straight No. 1s and he’s going for four with his current single, History In the Making, which would be history in the making. But a more conventional choice would be George Strait whose current album, Twang, is a virtual feast for the ears.
New Artist
Randy Houser
Jamey Johnson
Jake Owen
Darius Rucker
Zac Brown Band
And the winner is: This is a toss-up. For one thing, ‘new’ has a very opened ended meaning and this group contains a wide swathe of styles. Jamey Johnson, a gifted song-writer is too R-rated for mainstream country. Jake Owen’s first album performed well, but didn’t have the impact and sophistication Rucker’s has. The Zac Brown Band with their ‘Aw shucks’ sweetness has seen a lot of play at the top of the charts with Chicken Fried and Toes. My vote goes to Rucker, especially if he doesn’t win male vocalist. It’s a longshot but he could win both.
Vocal Group
Eagles
Lady Antebellum
Little Big Town
Rascal Flatts
Zac Brown Band
And the winner is: No brainer. Rascal Flatts. Again. Their most recent album doesn’t have the punch the others had but it’s still solid work. And in concert, these guys rock! It’s too bad Gary LeVox can’t be nominated in the Male Vocalist category. (Same think with Jennifer Nettles in Female Vocalist.)
Vocal Duo
Big & Rich
Brooks & Dunn
Joey & Rory
Montgomery Gentry
Sugarland
And the winner is: B&D. With news of their retirement, this could be the guys’ last hurrah.
Single of the Year
(Award goes to artist and producer.)
Chicken Fried — Zac Brown Band
I Run to You — Lady Antebellum
In Color — Jamey Johnson
People Are Crazy -— Billy Currington
Then — Brad Paisley
And the winner is: What a tough category. I could make a case for every song nominated. I’m going to follow my heart and go with Billy Currington. I would be thrilled to see this man get some industry recognition. But I think Chicken Fried might edge out the others. It was huge song on radio and country music television.
Album of the Year
(Award goes to artist and producer.)
American Saturday Night — Brad Paisley
Defying Gravity — Keith Urban
Fearless — Taylor Swift
Love on the Inside — Sugarland
That Lonesome Song — Jamey Johnson
And the winner is: Taylor Swift. This young woman is an enigma. I didn’t love this album right out of the box, but a lot of other people did. Despite her busy schedule she stays in touch with her fan base through her myspace page. And she didn’t need the publicity but her behavior at the Video Music Awards after being dissed by Kanye West proved she is a class act. (And I loved her monologue song that included jab at him on SNL Saturday.)
But for critical acclaim, you have to consider that Jamey Johnson, who is the polar opposite of Swift, might win this one.
Song of the Year
(Award goes to songwriters.)
Chicken Fried by Zac Brown and Wyatt Durette
I Told You So by Randy Travis
In Color by Jamey Johnson, Lee Thomas Miller and James Otto
People Are Crazy by Bobby Braddock and Troy Jones
Then by Brad Paisley, Chris DuBois and Ashley Gorley
And the winner is: Jamey Johnson. This song stirred so much emotion for so many people. The descriptions are so vivid that you almost see colors in the music. I swear I can see that the “rose is red and her eyes are blue.”
Music Video
(Award goes to artist and director.)
Boots On — Randy Houser. Director: Eric Welch
Love Story — Taylor Swift. Director: Trey Fanjoy
People Are Crazy — Billy Currington. Directors: The Brads
Start a Band — Brad Paisley’s duet with Keith Urban. Director: Jim Shea
Troubadour — George Strait. Director: Trey Fanjoy
And the winner is: Taylor. Yes, again. You don’t often see an artist sweep the awards, but I think you will this year. The more interesting question is how long can the teenager (yes, she’s still a teenager) sustain this popularity.
I agree 100% with this article. I look forward to watching tomorrow night.
EOTY definitely is not Taylor Swift…trust me…
It’s going to be either Brad or Keith…
For Taylor’s fans, don’t get high hopes, just let you know first.
I’ve seen Taylor’s concert and I really hope Keith Urban gets the EOTY. Of all the ones nominated his was by far the BEST. I did not want his show to end. Taylor’s was more of a choreographed rehearsed musical…basically like most of her stuff is. She is not spontaneous, she is rehearsed! If she gets the entertainer award, I will not have respect for the country music association any more. Her music is so loud over her voice, guess that’s good, she doesn’t have a great voice. She slings her hair way too much. She stands agging on the audience to scream for her! Ewwwww, her show was just not a country concert to me. It was more Disney…aka Miley Cyrus type show!
taylor swift is light years behind keith urban in performing
that poor keith urban he just gets passed by on etoy and i have
seen them all. he can sing, play that guitar likes nobodys
business and just gets slapped around. i feel sorry for him for
the disrespect he gets from award shows. ask any nashville country artist who they respect more than anybody for their overall talent and i guarantee keith urban will be 90% of the vote
he does not win then it is a complete misjustice in the system
he has been around the world more than anybody sold out on 3-4
continents and does not get a smell. its pitiful to the core.
again i saw taylor swift with keith urban in concert and
gloria said it exactly correct.
taylor swift all the way !!!! taylor has had an awsome year, with selling out concerts in minutes!!!! records she has broken and set!!! I have seen her 3 times and no iam not a teen taylor was AMAZING!!!!It will be the taylor swift show!!!!!!
have a award for the most tickets sold
but keep the entertainer seperate. i have complete respect for
her and her accomplishments but on stage, sorry.
i like her songs but on stage, nope!
there would not be 50% tickets sold if 13 years of age or less did not go. she will have many many more hits because what
a gifted songwriter, shes awesome, but heart, soul and sweat and
tears on stage, get with it, please
I guarantee if you had all the CMA voters in a arena and have them watch all the ETOY nominees for an hour each, that Keith Urban would take the award easily- I wonder how many of these
association voters have seen all nominees LIVE — He is the epitome of what entertaing is all about.. there is not enough
adjectives in the English language to descirbe him on stage.
You have to see it to believe it – ‘
SHERRI
Hard to believe she’s decades younger than some of the nominees… but this is definitely Taylor’s year. She’s amazing, I wish her the best.
Entertainer of the Year….Is that stage show only? Or is it something else?…What encompasses that title? Is it the biggest prize that can be had in the award world of CMA?…
The hottest ticket in the entire nation is Taylor Swift. The best songs that have come out on released CD’s are Taylor Swift’s.
To say it’s a good thing that the music is louder than her voice and has no heart is only a testament to the freedom of speech we have.
She writes and sings with more heart than just about anybody who ever has been anybody in the top of the music world’s history……
That’s exactly why she is breaking records…That is the simple reason. She can be felt.
Keith is so talented. He should win. What a voice and his show is amazing. I think Taylor is good but she does not put on a show like Keith-He should definitely be ETOY!!!
KEITH URBAN ALL THE WAY!!! He is the world’s greatest entertainer and he can also play guitar and sing like a god! I agree with jim’s comment, it would be a discrace to country music if Keith didnt win. He really brings another element to his music through his AMAZING live shows. He is the main reason why American country music is so popular, with sold out shows all over Australia, USA, Canada and has also broken through in Europe which is absolutely amazing. If you haven’t been to one of his concerts then you are missing out big time!
KEITH URBAN HAS TO WIN! He is a true champion of country music!!
I agree with Edward 100%. Keith Urban is the best! He really is the best. His music is so amazing. It would be so sad not to honor the ones who truly deserve it!!!
Clearly most of you DON’T understand CMA’s.
The Country Music Association (CMA) likes to spread the love….they never give an artist every award they are nominated for-ever. Taylor has had a good year but will not win female vocalist, don’t get your hopes up fans: the criteria for the award clearly states “Outstanding Vocal performance and touring in the period of eligibility”, which was from July 1, 2008-July 30, 2009. Carrie will walk out with her 4th consecutive win and until Taylor’s vocals improve (which is not likely, ever), she will never win any vocalist award from the CMA. Just because she’s the bigger star doesn’t guarantee a vocalist win and you’re a fool if you think so: Kenny and Shania were always the biggest stars, better sellers, better peformers…the CMA never handed them a vocalist award, ever.
Entertainer of the Year SHOULD go to Brad (he has the most going for him in the period of eligibility), but don’t be surprised if it goes to Kenny, who just announced that he won’t be touring next year. Swift is a long shot in this one.
Album: The CMA always gives this to a traditional country album…don’t be surprised if/when Jamey Johnson is holding the trophy.
All I can see Taylor winning is Video if they CMA continues like they usually do. They will only give her album if they really are that hungry for sales.
Expect repeats from Rascal Flatts, Carrie, and Brad, and don’t be surprised if Brooks and Dunn takes Duo on their last year together.
Taylor will not win Female Vocalist….or Entertainer….or Album.
Mark it down.
Carrie will win her fourth Female Vocalist award in a row. 61 shows in the period of eligibility (Reminder: it’s from July 2008-June 2009, anything from this summer of fall is not included), the re-release of Carnival Ride, 2 #1s (3 if you count Do You Hear What I Hear), OUTSTANDING vocal performances…..done.
Brad will win his third Male Vocalist trophy…no other male comes close to the success he’s had in this time period (Huge tours, and TWO count ‘em TWO albums released in the time slot with 2 more #1s).
It’s a toss up between Brad and Kenny for Entertainer (though Keith Urban is long, LONG overdue, he simply hasn’t had the publicity or touring/charting success the other men have).
Album will go to Jamey Johnson. The CMAs favor the critically acclaimed, traditional country style, “roots” albums. They always do.
B&D will win Duo. Rascal Flatts will win group (Again, and with good reason).
Song will most likely go to Jamey Johnson…. though I feel Brad really deserves to be recognized for his songwriting. Single will be Chicken Fried or People Are Crazy.
Music Video is the weakest it’s been in years….they’re going to have to give Swift something, and this will most likely be it. But don’t be surprised if George gets it…
Surprisingly enough, Vocal Event of the year is the toughest category of the night!!!! Funny, the toughest and weakest categories are the ones that aren’t aired on TV.