Eric Church leads the way with fivenominations. Brett Eldredge scored a Male Vocalist of the Year nomination, as did country wunderkind Chris Stapleton. The “Nobody to Blame” singer’s appreciationis no surprise, as he cleaned house at the 2015 CMA Awards. Sultry Jana Kramerin the Female Vocalist categoryisone. Dierks Bentley and Luke Bryan join forces to host the show.
Nominees Include:
Entertainer of the Year
Jason Aldean
Garth Brooks
Luke Bryan
Miranda Lambert
Eric Church
With Church leading the charge nomination-wise, he looks like a sure bet here. But Bryan has hosting duties and Lambert is America's sweetheart right about now. Loosely translated: either one could be the upset.
Male Vocalist of the Year
Jason Aldean
Eric Church
Brett Eldredge
Chris Stapleton
Dierks Bentley
Same logic applies as far as Church is concerned here too, but Stapleton looks good for a steal. Sure, Bentley has hosting duties but little else going for him right about now, save for scoring the recently vacated hosting chair by Blake Shelton.
Female Vocalist of the Year
Kelsea Ballerini
Jana Kramer
Miranda Lambert
Kacey Musgraves
Carrie Underwood
Lambert looks like the victor for Female Vocalist, but Underwood is never one to be underestimated. Hats off to Kramer for the nod, but it's not her time yet.
Vocal Duo of the Year
Brothers Osborne
Dan + Shay
Florida Georgia Line
Maddie + Tae
Joey + Rory
FGL all the way. Sure, there are plenty of up-and-comers here, but Florida Georgia Line are in the groove right now; they've got the fan base and the work ethic.
Vocal Group of the Year
Eli Young Band
Little Big Town
Rascal Flatts
Old Dominion
Zac Brown Band
Has the Little Big Town groundswell shrunken at all yet? This is where we will find out. I think it just might have but for the life of me I don't know who that leaves for the steal. In fact, I'm so lost as to who could actually pull this out from under them that it makes me think they will win it.
Album of the Year
Eric Church,Mr. Misunderstood
Sam Hunt,Montevallo
Thomas Rhett,Tangled Up
Chris Young,I’m Comin’ Over
Chris Stapleton,Traveller
Circling a familiar block here: Church is the man of the hour, and will no doubt take home a trophy or two, with Stapleton out there ready to step up to the podium when need be. Rhett is the other contender here, but is a ridiculous long-shot.
NewMale Vocalist of the Year
Brett Eldredge
Chris Janson
Thomas Rhett
Chase Rice
Chris Stapleton
Probably Stapleton, but Rhett is coming up the rear, and Eldredge has a head of steam in his favor. The key word here is "new," and one has to wonder in this day and age if Stapleton really qualifies as that. To hardcore country fans he doesn't, but to the country? He just might.
New Female Vocalist of the Year
Kelsea Ballerini
Cam
Mickey Guyton
RaeLynn
This looks like a win for Ballerini, but the Academy could go for a curve ball with this one. I wouldn't count on it, but if you're looking for something in the 50-to-1 category, this one's for you.
Single Record of the Year
“Burning House,” Cam
“Buy Me a Boat,” Chris Janson
“Die a Happy Man,” Thomas Rhett
“Girl Crush,” Little Big Town
“I’m Comin’ Over,” Chris Young
“Take Your Time,” Sam Hunt
I absolutely love "Die A Happy Man" (and the Shaggy version too), but this is another opportunity to see if there is still gas in the "Girl Crush" controversy tank. It's been cleaning up on the award circuit all year.
Video of the Year
“Biscuits,” Kacey Musgraves
“Burning House,” Cam
“Girl Crush,” Little Big Town
“Mr. Misunderstood,” Eric Church
“Riser,” Dierks Bentley
I'd like to see "Musgraves" get her due here, and she just might. Church and Bentley are there to either cancel each other out or beat her to the stage. She's got the more memorable video though.
Song of the Year
“Burning House,” Cam
“Girl Crush,” Little Big Town
“Nobody to Blame,” Chris Stapleton
“Raise ‘Em Up,” Keith Urban feat. Eric Church
“She Don’t Love You,” Eric Paslay
This is a tight race. It is every year. "Girl Crush" is getting one of these, but not more than that. If it's not here for them, look for Stapleton or the underperforming Urban/Church collaboration.
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