Wow, it's been a while. But it wouldn't be a Country Music award show without a blog to go with it. The CMA Awards are November 11th, so here's how I think they should go.
Entertainer of the Year
Kenny Chesney -Possibly the best concert that I've ever been to so far. Kenny knows how to put on a show and his songs are perfect for everyone to sing along to! Wouldn't be disappointed if he won.
Brad Paisley- Also saw Brad this year too. He's my favorite male country artist right now and he put on an awesome show. Wouldn't mind if he wins either.
George Strait -Notice a theme? I also saw George this summer. The guy is timeless! He still does almost everything better than the stars of today. His concerts are cla$sic but they don't have all the effects that the others have. So he's not gonna win this one.
WINNER Taylor Swift -Continuing with the theme, I saw her 2 weeks ago. I had heard from others that she was kinda disappointing in concert, so my expectations weren't high. But I was in for quite a surprise! She pulled out ALL the stops for her Fearless Tour. Though I still don't like all the pop music attention she's getting, she put so much into all of her performances and it turned out incredible! She's my Choice
Keith Urban- The streak is finally broken. I missed out on seeing Keith this summer which disappointed me. He's the next person on my list of people that I need to see in concert!
Male Vocalist of the Year
Kenny Chesney- Kenny's an awesome performer but not exactly at the top in terms of vocals
WINNER Brad Paisley- He's my favorite for a reason! His incredible lyrics along with his unmatched guitar playing will lock this up for him for the 3rd year in a row!
Darius Rucker- He's been a very pleasant surprise but not quite up there with the others
George Strait- Like i mentinoed before, he's timeless! I have no problem with him winning
Keith Urban- If Brad doesn't win, Keith will probably get the win
Female Vocalist of the Year
Miranda Lambert-Saw her this summer and she put on a really great show. Haven't listened to her new album yet, but I've heard all kinds of good things. She's not quite ready for this award yet.
Martina McBride
Reba McEntire
WINNER Taylor Swift- Taylor will be the popular choice for this award but there's only one problem: the vocalist part. While her song writing is almost second to none, her vocals are her only weak spot. Other popular singers like Kenny Chesney have won many Entertainer of The Year awards but he has never won a vocalist of the year award. I have a feeling that this is gonna be the story for Taylor too. Well, as long as she's up against Carrie.This was a joke!
Carrie Underwood- I'm curious how this will play out because Carrie took off most of the year to work on her new album. So i'm wondering if that will hurt her in votes because she only had one single during this time. It shouldn't though, so this will be her 4th year in a row winning this award.
Vocal Group of the Year
Eagles
WINNER Lady Antebellum- My obsession with Lady A isn't as strong as it once was but they are as good as it gets when it comes to country groups.
Little Big Town- I love them too, but they've been very quiet lately. Haven't heard much from them in terms of new songs.
Rascal Flatts- they make me sick....
Zac Brown Band
Vocal Duo of the Year
Big & Rich
Brooks & Dunn
Joey + Rory
Montgomery Gentry- Saw them in concert and they put on one hell of a show. I wouldn't mind them winning, but their songs do tend to get overplayed and get really old, really fast.
WINNER Sugarland- This duo is hard to judge. I'm not really a fan of either person and they do have a couple songs that I hate. But they make up for it with a bunch of catchy songs, such as their most recent "It Happens"
New Artist of the Year
Randy Houser
Jamey Johnson
Jake Owen
WINNER Darius Rucker- Commented on him already. Don't really like anyone that much in this category other than him
Zac Brown Band
Musician of the Year
Eddie Bayers – Drums
Paul Franklin – Steel Guitar
Dann Huff – Guitar
Brent Mason – Guitar
WINNER Mac McAnally – Guitar- I recognized him because he co-writes with Kenny Chesney and sung a duet with him in the song "Down the Road" which I really really like!
Album of the Year
American Saturday Night, Brad Paisley- Got this album the day that it came out and I wasn't disappointed one bit!
Defying Gravity, Keith Urban- He's got some REALLY good songs on this album, but I can't justify voting for an album that I don't own
WINNER Fearless, Taylor Swift- I own this CD also and while it does have a bunch of hits and will almost definitely win, i can't justify voting for it because i don't believe it's her at her best. She needs to go back to writing more country songs
Love On The Inside, Sugarland
That Lonesome Song, Jamey Johnson
Single of the Year
"Chicken Fried" – Zac Brown Band- Most annoying song....
WINNER "I Run To You" – Lady Antebellum- Love this song but it really didn't take off like the others did
"In Color" – Jamey Johnson
"People Are Crazy" – Billy Currington- This song was probably the most catchy song of the year. Billy Currington just has a way with making his songs like that. Definitely gets my vote.
"Then" – Brad Paisley- I was going back and forth between this and Billy C. You'll see why I made my decision in the next category.
Song of the Year
"Chicken Fried" - Zac Brown/Wyatt Durrette
"I Told You So" - Randy Travis- Love Carrie, but this award goes to the writer. So she won't get this award
WINNER "In Color" - Jamey Johnson/Lee Thomas Miller/James Otto
"People Are Crazy" - Bobby Braddock/Troy Jones- Wonderfully written song but it had tough competition
"Then" - Brad Paisley/Chris DuBois/Ashley Gorley- I picked this one because this category is more about the writing of the song. And i think this one is one of Brad Paisley's best written love songs. And he's got a TON of them!
Musical Event of the Year
"Cowgirls Don't Cry" – Brooks & Dunn featuring Reba McEntire
"Down The Road" – Kenny Chesney (with Mac McAnally)- Love this song! And if it weren't for Carrie being in this category, this would be the choice for me.
"Everything But Quits" – Lee Ann Womack (duet with George Strait)
"I Told You So" – Carrie Underwood featuring Randy Travis- Gotta vote for Carrie. Her voice just takes this song to the next level. Don't really like the duet but I gotta vote for my girl :)
"Old Enough" – The Raconteurs featuring Ricky Skaggs and Ashley Monroe
WINNER "Start A Band" – Brad Paisley (duet with Keith Urban)
Music Video of the Year
"Boots On" – Randy Houser- UGH, i HATE this music video. Sooo stupid
WINNER "Love Story" – Taylor Swift- This one probably gets the win but I really don't see much special about it. So everyone's dressed in the Romeo & Juliet period outfits....big deal. There are better choices for this award.
"People Are Crazy" – Billy Currington- Love the song, but the video isn't really anything special
"Start A Band" – Brad Paisley (duet with Keith Urban)- The two best guitar players in country music join forces to make this song AMAZING. Paisley and Urban look like they're having so much fun playing guitar together in this video while they show kids playing a Guitar Hero ****video game. Love watching the two of them play those solos!
"Troubadour" – George Strait