CMA Awards 2018 Predictions

Alright. I’ll give it a go at predicting the CMA Awards.

A couple years ago the CMAs did something a little unusual when they gave Chris Stapleton just about every award.

Now, don’t get me wrong. That was great. It was just unusual. Not too many regular country fans like myself knew Chris. But that show kind of broke him into the mainstream and he’s been huge ever since.

So I don’t know what will happen at the awards, but these are my best guesses.

Entertainer Of The Year

Nominees

• Eric Church
• Chris Stapleton
• Keith Urban
• Garth Brooks
• Luke Bryan

Should Win: Garth Brooks

So there are a few things for all of these awards from my perspective.

You’ll notice that with my should win selections that I’m kind of basing it on singles. That is the case other than with Entertainer, which I base on the live show reputation.

I’m a big believer that what drives the music industry with the fans is the single. Hit singles are what we remember. Maybe not necessarily a number one or collection of number ones, but memorable singles. Songs that hit home today, mark the time we’re in and that we remember 20 years from now.

Anyway, Garth Brooks has been the best entertainer in country music the last couple years. Ever since he came back. He’s just on another level.

And that’s saying something because everyone on this list and many that aren’t on this list are amazing live performers.

Keith Urban is like a modern rockstar when you see him live.

Will Win: Chris Stapleton

But I think they’re going to give it to Chris Stapleton. Certainly deserving. He’s had a unique impact on country music and that includes his live performances.

Single Of The Year

Nominees

• Body Like A Back Road, Sam Hunt
• Dirt On My Boots, Jon Pardi
• Tin Man, Miranda Lambert
• Better Man, Little Big Town
• Blue Ain’t Your Color, Keith Urban

Should Win: Body Like A Back Road, Sam Hunt

Single is kind of like the best performing song on the charts. Long runs at the top. Lots of sales. All that kind of stuff.

And Sam Hunt had a huge song with Body Like A Back Road. This will be one that we remember. It’ll be one that gets played on radio for the next 20 years plus.

So catchy.

Will Win: Body Like A Back Road, Sam Hunt

And I think they’ll give it to him this year.

Album Of The Year

Nominees

• Heart Break, Lady Antebellum
• The Nashville Sound, Jason Isbell
• The Weight Of These Wings, Miranda Lambert
• The Breaker, Little Big Town
• From A Room: Volume 1, Chris Stapleton

Should Win: The Weight Of These Wings, Miranda Lambert

Always a tough one. I think the single award is probably bigger than album. We don’t always remember albums as much as we remember singles.

But albums are very important. I look at them from an impact stand point and a singles stand point.

That said, none of these albums have a ton of hits. They have one or two and sometimes they don’t really have any hits.

The one that seemed to have the biggest impact, which is saying a lot considering the competition, was Miranda’s.

Will Win: The Weight Of These Wings, Miranda Lambert

She’ll take it home.

Song Of The Year

Nominees

• Body Like A Back Road
• Blue Ain’t Your Color
• Better Man
• Tin Man
• Dirt On My Boots

Should Win: Blue Ain’t Your Color

The Song Of The Year can be a big hit single. But when you breakdown the song it’s more about the lyrics and the melody and the music. More about the song itself. The writing.

All great songs on this list.

But if we’re splitting hairs my vote would be for Keith’s Blue Ain’t Your Color.

It’s so unique. The sound. The lyrics. Such clever lyrics. Almost a sad song in a way, but also a hopeful song and a love song. It’s got everything.

Keith is progressive, but this song at least lyrically is very country.

Will Win: Better Man

But I think they’re going to go with Little Big Town’s Better Man, which was written by Taylor Swift. Country misses Taylor. This was a little step back into the country world for her.

Female Vocalist Of The Year

Nominees

• Reba McEntire
• Maren Morris
• Carrie Underwood
• Kelsea Ballerini
• Miranda Lambert

Should Win: Kelsea Ballerini

This one is pretty tough. I kind of went back and looked at the impact the artists had in the last year with their singles. With that in mind they were all in the running.

Kelsea and Carrie had top three hits in the last year. Maren has had a huge year too.

I would say the most recent history favors Kelsea.

Will Win: Miranda Lambert

I think when most people think of women in country music right now, though, they think Miranda Lambert. That could win out.

Male Vocalist Of The Year

Nominees

• Thomas Rhett
• Chris Stapleton
• Keith Urban
• Dierks Bentley
• Eric Church

Should Win: Thomas Rhett

I almost wrote Luke Bryan’s name on this list until I realized he wasn’t included. Seems nuts. I guess the early part of his year was a little quiet.

Anyway, you can’t go wrong with Thomas Rhett. He’s a superstar and appears to be just getting started. A hit making machine right now.

Will Win: Chris Stapleton

But again…I think they go with Chris. Not a bad choice by any means, but Thomas should probably get it. Maybe even Keith.

And that’s nothing against Dierks or Eric either.

Vocal Group Of The Year

Nominees

• Old Dominion
• Rascal Flatts
• Zac Brown Band
• Lady Antebellum
• Little Big Town

Should Win: Old Dominion

OD has had a crazy good year. How about the comeback that Rascal Flatts has been on with their last two or couple singles.

You really can’t go wrong with this group of nominees, but I think that OD is the best right now.

Will Win: Old Dominion

And I think they pull it off.

Vocal Duo Of The Year

Nominees

• Florida Georgia Line
• Dan + Shay
• Brothers Osborne
• Maddie & Tae
• Locash

Should Win: Florida Georgia Line

They’re still the best duo in the game. Most hits. Innovative sounds. Great collaborations.

Will Win: Locash

Love these guys. And I think just to change things up they pull it off. Kind of like Brothers Osborne did at one of those shows recently.

New Artist Of The Year

Nominees

• Jon Pardi
• Luke Combs
• Old Dominion
• Lauren Alaina
• Brett Young

Should Win: Brett Young

Stacked.

Can’t go wrong with any on the list.

I kind of think of this as a true first album type of deal when it comes to new artist.

Jon had a breakout year. Old Dominion is on their second record. So is Lauren.

That brings it down to Luke and Brett.

Both have had two hits, but Brett is working on his third already. And his second single, In Case You Didn’t Know, had some crossover success so I gotta go with him.

Will Win: Brett Young

And I think he pulls it off.