I’m feeling a little generous, my friends, and bankrolling a fun little contest here. Over the past few days, I’ve made predictions for eight categories in the upcoming CMA Awards. Do you think you can outguess Country Universe?
Here’s how the contest works. Post your predictions for all eight categories – five per category – in the comments section below. The final nominees will be announced on Thursday, August 30, so the deadline for posting your prediction is Wednesday, August 29, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. I’ll award one point for each correct nominee, for a total possible score of 40. The person with the highest score will win a $25 Amazon Gift Certificate via e-mail. In the event of a tie, the person with the earliest entry will win, so get cracking! Make sure to include a valid e-mail address when posting.
Here are the predictions of Country Universe. Click on the category title for analysis:
- Kenny Chesney
- Brad Paisley
- Rascal Flatts
- Carrie Underwood
- Keith Urban
- Kenny Chesney
- Brad Paisley
- George Strait
- Josh Turner
- Keith Urban
- Sara Evans
- Alison Krauss
- Miranda Lambert
- Martina McBride
- Carrie Underwood
- Big & Rich
- Brooks & Dunn
- Montgomery Gentry
- Sugarland
- The Wreckers
- Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas
- Emerson Drive
- Heartland
- Little Big Town
- Rascal Flatts
- Jason Aldean
- Rodney Atkins
- Billy Currington
- Little Big Town
- Taylor Swift
- “Before He Cheats” – Carrie Underwood
- “Find Out Who Your Friends Are” – Tracy Lawrence
- “Give it Away” – George Strait
- “If You’re Going Through Hell” – Rodney Atkins
- “Ticks” – Brad Paisley
- Vince Gill, These Days
- Tim McGraw, Let it Go
- Brad Paisley, 5th Gear
- George Strait, It Just Comes Natural
- Keith Urban, Love, Pain & the Whole Crazy Thing
Entertainer of the Year
Kenny Chesney, Rascal Flatts, Brad Paisley, Keith Urban, George Strait
Male Vocalist
Keith Urban, Tim Mcgraw, George Strait, Brad Paisley, Kenny Chesney
Female Vocalist
Carrie Underwood, Faith Hill, Martina Mcbride, Reba McEntire, Miranda Lambert
Vocal Duo of the Year
Brooks & Dunn, Sugarland, Big & Rich, The Wreckers, Montgomery Gentry
Vocal Group of the Year
Rascal Flatts, Little Big Town, Emerson Drive, Heartland,
Allison Krauss & the Union Station(Featuring Jerry Douglas)
Horizon Award
Eric Church, Jake Owen, Jason Aldean, Taylor Swift, Bucky Covington
Single of the Year
Before He Cheats(Carrie Underwood), Give It Away(George Strait),
Ticks(Brad Paisley), Stupid Boy(Keith Urban), Stand(Rascal Flatts)
Album of the Year
Love, Pain, & the Whole Crazy Thing(Keith Urban),
It Just Comes Natural(George Strait),
Let It Go(Tim Mcgraw), 5th Gear(Brad Paisley), Bucky Covington(Bucky Covington)
Entertainer: Trace Adkins, Kenny Chesney, Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts, Tim McGraw
Male Vocalist: Tim McGraw, Josh Turner, Rodney Atkins, Kenny Chesney, George Strait
Female Vocalist: Carrie Underwood, Reba McEntire, Miranda Lambert, Martina McBride, Sara Evans
Vocal Duo: Big & Rich, Brooks & Dunn, Sugarland, Montgomery Gentry, Halfway to Hazard
Vocal Group: Rascal Flatts, Emerson Drive, Little Big Town, Alison Krauss & Union Station, Heartland
Horizon: Eric Church, Jason Aldean, Rodney Atkins, Jake Owen, Taylor Swift
Single: Before He Cheats (Carrie Underwood), Brand New Girlfriend (Steve Holy), If You’re Going Through Hell (Rodney Atkins), Good Directions (Billy Currington), Want To (Sugarland)
Album: Love, pain, & the whole crazy thing (Keith Urban), 5th Gear (Brad Paisley), It Just Comes Natural (George Strait), Let It Go (Tim McGraw), Enjoy the Ride (Sugarland)
Two additional outside of the contest, just because I feel like it:
Song: If You’re Going Through Hell (Berg/Tate/Tate), Moments (Berg/Tate/Tate), If You’re Reading This (McGraw/Warren/Warren), Tough (Leathers/Criswell), I’ll Wait For You (Anderson/Allen)
Vocal Event: Because of You (Reba McEntire/Kelly Clarkson), Oh Love (Brad Paisley/Carrie Underwood), I Need You (Tim McGraw/Faith Hill), Missing You (Alison Krauss/John Waite), The Reason Why (Vince Gill/Alison Krauss)
Entertainer Of The Year:
Kenny Chesney
Brad Paisley
Rascal Flatts
Keith Urban
Tim McGraw
Male Vocalist
Kenny Chesney
Brad Paisley
George Strait
Keith Urban
Tim McGraw
Female Vocalist
Carrie Underwood
Miranda Lambert
Martina McBride
Faith Hill
Sara Evans
Vocal Duo
Brooks & Dunn
Big & Rich
Sugarland
Montogomery Gentry
The Wreckers
Vocal Group
Allison Krauss and Union Station Featuring Jerry Douglas
Rascal Flatts
Emerson Drive
Little Big Town
Heartland
Horizon Award
Jason Aldean
Rodney Atkins
Taylor Swift
Little Big Town
Bucky Covington
Single Of The Year
Before He Cheats-Carrie Underwood
Stand-Rascal Flatts
Stupid Boy-Keith Urban
Give It Away-George Strait
If Your Going Through Hell-Rodney Atkins
Album Of The Year
Brad Paisley-5TH Gear
Keith Urban-Love,Pain,and the whole crazy thing
George Strait-It Just Comes Natural
Tim McGraw-Let It Go
Taylor Swift-Taylor Swift
Album Of The Year
Brad Paisley-5TH Gear
Keith Urban-Love,Pain,and the whole crazy thing
George Strait-It Just Comes Natural
Tim McGraw-Let It Go
Taylor Swift-Taylor Swift
why won’t my comments go through right??
okay for some reason i can’t get my predications to go through but every other comment of mine will. so can i email you my predications if i can’t get it to work(i have been trying for 3 hours to get it to go through and it won’t but hey,i am still trying)
Jenny,
Your comments were getting caught in the spam folder, so I approved your earliest posting. That way, you’ll get credit for the earliest time you tried to post!
oh,okay thanks kevin!:)
EOTY: George Strait should get this one. He’s a legend. If not, Kenny will walk away with this award (who I think is overrated). I don’t think Kenny will be around in the next 25 years.
Male Vocalist: George Strait
Female Vocalist: Martina McBride (enough of Carrie)
Singleof the Year: Give it Away
Songof the Year: Give it Away
Album of the Year: It Just Comes Natural, Geo Strait
Top Vocal Group: Rascal Flatts will win.
Top Duo: Sugarland (and it’s about time). Brooks & Dunn are very talented; but let’s move on, CMA.
I always felt that Keith Urban is more rock-n-roll than country. Brad Paisley seems like a nice guy but I think he lacks charisma in his song delivery. Tim McGraw is a sexy, attractive man, but I think he should exclude his wife in his musical endeavors.
Toby is in his own world and doing fine without the CMAs, ACMs, etc. Fans know where to find him. In my opinion, George Strait is still the king and will always retain his throne in country music. He deserves a lot more musical honors.
Carrie is a blah. She has tremendous vocal range but so does Martina. Carrie is having her moment now but she’ll never equal Reba’s versatility. She’s way too overplayed for my money.
Maureen,
Just a heads-up. If you’re looking to participate in this contest, it requires listing your predictions for who/what will be the five nominees in the following 8 categories: Entertainer, Male, Female, Duo, Group, Horizon, Single, Album.
Okay, Kevin:
EOTY: Kenny, Brad, Rascal Flatts, Geo Strait, Tim McGraw
Male Vocalist: Brad, George Strait, Kenny, Tim, Josh turner
Female Vocalist: Martina, Carrie, Miranda Lambert, Faith, Lee ann rimes
Best Duo: B&D, Sugarland, MGentry, Wreckers,
Best Group: LBT, RF, Heartland, Allison kraus,
Horizon: jason aldean, rodney, taylor swift,
Single: Give it Away, I loved her first, what you give away,stupid, before he cheats
Record: Give it Away, I loved her first, what you give away, stupid, before he cheats
Album: Tim McGraw, KUrban, Geo Strait, Vince Gill, brad paisley
Entertainer Of The Year:
Kenny Chesney
Brad Paisley
Rascal Flatts
Keith Urban
Carrie Underwood
Male Vocalist
Kenny Chesney
Brad Paisley
George Strait
Keith Urban
Josh Turner
Female Vocalist
Carrie Underwood
Miranda Lambert
Martina McBride
Taylor Swift
Sara Evans
Vocal Duo
Brooks & Dunn
Big & Rich
Sugarland
Montogomery Gentry
Halfway to Hazard
Vocal Group
Allison Krauss and Union Station Featuring Jerry Douglas
Rascal Flatts
Emerson Drive
Little Big Town
Heartland
Horizon Award
Jason Aldean
Rodney Atkins
Taylor Swift
Little Big Town
Craig Morgan
Single Of The Year
Before He Cheats – Carrie Underwood
Stupid Boy – Keith Urban
If You’re Going Through Hell – Rodney Atkins
Ticks – Brad Paisley
Find Out Who Your Friends Are – Tracy Lawrence
Album Of The Year
Brad Paisley – 5th Gear
Keith Urban – Love,Pain,and the Whole Crazy Thing
Miranda Lambert – Crazy Ex-Girlfriend
Rodney Atkins – If You’re Going Through Hell
George Strait – It Just Comes Natural
Entertainer of the Year
Keith Urban
Kenny Chesney
Carrie Underwood
Rascal Flatts
Brad Paisley
Male Vocalist of the Year
Kenny Chesney
Keith Urban
Brad Paisley
George Strait
Josh Turner
Female Vocalist of the Year
Carrie Underwood
Alison Krauss
Sara Evans
Miranda Lambert
Martina McBride
Vocal Duo of the Year
Sugarland
Big & Rich
Brooks & Dunn
Montgomery Gentry
The Wreckers
Vocal Group of the Year
Emerson Drive
Rascal Flatts
Little Big Town
Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas
Heartland
Horizon Award
Billy Currington
Rodney Atkins
Jason Aldean
Taylor Swift
Little Big Town
Single of the Year
“Before He Cheats” – Carrie Underwood
“If You’re Going Through Hell” – Rodney Atkins
“Find Out Who Your Friends Are” – Tracy Lawrence
“Give it Away” – George Strait
“Ticks” – Brad Paisley
Album of the Year
Keith Urban, Love, Pain & the Whole Crazy Thing
Brad Paisley, 5th Gear
Tim McGraw, Let it Go
George Strait, It Just Comes Natural
Vince Gill, These Days
Entertainer Of The Year:
Kenny Chesney
Brad Paisley
Rascal Flatts
Martina McBride
Tim McGraw
Male Vocalist
Kenny Chesney
Brad Paisley
George Strait
Keith Urban
Tim McGraw
Female Vocalist
Sara Evans
Alison Krause
Miranda Lambert
Martina McBride
Carrie Underwood
Vocal Duo
Big & Rich
Brooks & Dunn
Montogomery Gentry
Sugarland
The Wreckers
Vocal Group
Allison Krauss and Union Station Featuring Jerry Douglas
Emerson Drive
Heartland
Little Big Town
Rascal Flatts
Horizon Award
Jason Aldean
Rodney Atkins
Little Big Town
Kellie Pickler
Taylor Swift
Single Of The Year
Before He Cheats-Carrie Underwood
Anyway- Martina McBride
Ticks -Brad Paisley
Give It Away-George Strait
If Your Going Through Hell-Rodney Atkins
Album Of The Year
Martina McBride- Waking Up Laughing
Tim McGraw-Let It Go
Brad Paisley-5TH Gear
George Strait-It Just Comes Natural
Keith Urban-Love,Pain,and the whole crazy thing
No guesses from me, just a plug for your contest. :) You can read it here: http://www.countrymusicstop.com/do-you-know-country-music-better-than-country-universe/
Alison Krauss is way overrated. She has talent, but many of her songs sound the same.
Entertainer of the Year
Kenny Chesney
Brad Paisley
Rascal Flatts
George Strait
Keith Urban
Male Vocalist of the Year
Kenny Chesney
Brad Paisley
George Strait
Josh Turner
Keith Urban
Female Vocalist of the Year
Sara Evans
Miranda Lambert
Martina McBride
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood
Vocal Duo of the Year
Big & Rich
Brooks & Dunn
Montgomery Gentry
Sugarland
The Wreckers
Vocal Group of the Year
Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas
Emerson Drive
Heartland
Little Big Town
Rascal Flatts
Horizon Award
Jason Aldean
Rodney Atkins
Billy Currington
Little Big Town
Taylor Swift
Single of the Year
“Beer in Mexico” – Kenny Chesney (If “Summertime” made it in last year, well…)
“Before He Cheats” – Carrie Underwood
“Give it Away” – George Strait
“If You’re Going Through Hell” – Rodney Atkins
“Ticks” – Brad Paisley
Album of the Year
Alan Jackson, Like Red on a Rose
Brad Paisley, 5th Gear
George Strait, It Just Comes Natural
Keith Urban, Love, Pain & the Whole Crazy Thing
Vince Gill, These Days
Entertainer of the Year
Kenny Chesney
Brad Paisley
Rascal Flatts
George Strait
Keith Urban
Male Vocalist of the Year
Kenny Chesney
Brad Paisley
George Strait
Josh Turner
Keith Urban
Female Vocalist of the Year
Sara Evans
Miranda Lambert
Martina McBride
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood
Vocal Duo of the Year
Big & Rich
Brooks & Dunn
Montgomery Gentry
Sugarland
The Wreckers
Vocal Group of the Year
Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas
Emerson Drive
Heartland
Little Big Town
Rascal Flatts
Horizon Award
Jason Aldean
Rodney Atkins
Billy Currington
Little Big Town
Taylor Swift
Single of the Year
“Beer in Mexico” – Kenny Chesney (If “Summertime” made it in last year, well…)
“Before He Cheats” – Carrie Underwood
“Give it Away” – George Strait
“If You’re Going Through Hell” – Rodney Atkins
“Ticks” – Brad Paisley
Album of the Year
Alan Jackson, Like Red on a Rose
Brad Paisley, 5th Gear
George Strait, It Just Comes Natural
Keith Urban, Love, Pain & the Whole Crazy Thing
Vince Gill, These Days
Well entertainer of the year should be Kenny Chesney, he was great but his opening acts were terrific too. I saw Keith Urban and his show was you basic concert but he rocked.
Horzion award should be 100% Eric Church every song he wrote on his album is great.
Album of the year should be Keith Urban, Love, Pain and the Whole Crazy thing.
Female vocalist definitely Miranda Lambert, she is great.
Male Vocalist is a hard one, I love George Strait but Keith is great too.
Duo or Group has to be Sugarland –
Song of the Year – my vote would be “If you’re reading this” by Tim McGraw, man that song just makes my heart stop and my eyes tear up everytime I hear it