The nominees have been revealed for the 47th Annual CMA Awards and to my surprise two women lead the pack with six nominations each. Meanwhile a living legend sneaks into one of the night’s biggest categories while two CMA stalwarts were left off the list entirely. ATC is here to sort out the snubs and flubs and compare the categories to our predictions we made earlier this week.
Surprise, surprise! Newcomer Kacey Musgraves and pop-country superstar Taylor Swift nabbed the most nominations this year with six each. Kacey is included in the Album, Single, Song (twice), New Artist, and Female Vocalist races while Taylor nabbed Album, Female Vocalist, and Entertainer nods in addition to Single, Musical Event, and Video nods for her collaboration with Tim McGraw on “Highway Don’t Care.” In other surprising news, hot off the heels of the announcement of the final leg of his Cowboy Rides Away tour, George Strait received a nomination in the Entertainer of the Year category for the first time since 2009. Meanwhile CMA favorites Brad Paisley and Martina McBride were left off the list for the first time since 1999 and 1997, respectively, once again supporting the growing trend of honoring the superstars of today rather than yesterday.
Here’s the rundown of the nominees in each category. The ones in red are the artists I incorrectly predicted while the ones in black I was correct on. I’m shocked there isn’t more red!
Entertainer of the Year
- Jason Aldean
- Luke Bryan
- Blake Shelton
- George Strait
- Taylor Swift
Only missed one in this category as George Strait took the place I thought would go to Kenny Chesney. My pick to win, Luke Bryan!
Female Vocalist of the Year
- Kelly Clarkson
- Miranda Lambert
- Kacey Musgraves
- Taylor Swift
- Carrie Underwood
The first category I predicted all five nominees correctly! (although this one was fairly easy) Tough one to pick a winner but I’m going with Miranda (though Carrie should regain this title).
Male Vocalist of the Year
- Jason Aldean
- Luke Bryan
- Eric Church
- Blake Shelton
- Keith Urban
Four out of five I predicted correctly with the exception of Urban over co-host Brad Paisley. Looking back I should have known Keith would sneak it thanks to his judging stint on American Idol. My pick to walk away a winner…Luke Bryan!
Vocal Group of the Year
- Eli Young Band
- Lady Antebellum
- Little Big Town
- The Band Perry
- Zac Brown Band
Category number two with all five correctly predicted! Score! My pick: Lady Antebellum reached the top of the charts again this year so they’ll take this one back.
Vocal Duo of the Year
- Big & Rich
- Florida Georgia Line
- Love and Theft
- Sugarland
- The Civil Wars
- Thompson Square
I am considering this to be a win for me because I did guess the five nominees that would be nominated…who knew the CMA would add a sixth slot?! I mean was it necessary to make room for Big & Rich? I don’t think so, but it doesn’t matter because FGL has this locked down.
New Artist of the Year
- Lee Brice
- Brett Eldredge
- Florida Georgia Line
- Kip Moore
- Kacey Musgraves
Another four out of five category…I’m on a roll! Would love to see Kacey pull off the upset but it’s hard to compete with a duo that has a triple platinum selling single this year…this one goes to FGL.
Album of the Year
- Based on a True Story – Blake Shelton
- Blown Away – Carrie Underwood
- Red – Taylor Swift
- Same Trailer, Different Park – Kacey Musgraves
- Tornado – Little Big Town
This is the only category out of the ones I made predictions for that has more than two red listings…though I’m ok with it because the Underwood and LBT albums are two of my favorite albums. Kudos to the CMA for recognizing the amazing album that is Same Trailer, Different Park. Tough one to call but I’m rooting for the underdog and going with the Musgraves debut.
Single of the Year
- “Cruise” – Florida Georgia Line
- “Highway Don’t Care” – Tim McGraw with Taylor Swift and Keith Urban
- “Mama’s Broken Heart” – Miranda Lambert
- “Merry Go ‘Round” – Kacey Musgraves
- “Wagon Wheel” – Darius Rucker
This was the category that shocked me the most considering I guessed on three of the five and managed to only miss on song. I’m a bit disappointed that the CMA chose not to excite me by adding a Carrie Underwood single here. My pick is going to be “Cruise” because it’s the best selling single this year…or in a few years I might add.
Song of the Year
- “I Drive Your Truck” – Lee Brice (written by Jessi Alexander, Connie Harrington, and Jimmy Yeary)
- “Mama’s Broken Heart” – Miranda Lambert (written by Brandy Clark, Shane McAnally, and Kacey Musgraves)
- “Merry Go ‘Round” – Kacey Musgraves (written by Shane McAnally, Kacey Musgraves, and Josh Osborne)
- “Pontoon” – Little Big Town (written by Barry Dean, Natalie Hemby, and Luke Laird)
- “Wagon Wheel” – Darius Rucker (written by Bob Dylan and Ketch Secor)
There’s always one surprise in this category and this year it’s “I Drive Your Truck” taking a spot that should have gone to an Underwood hit (either “Blown Away” or “Two Black Cadillacs”). Tough to choose a winner but I’m thinking a Kacey Musgraves tune will snag the win (hopefully “Merry Go ‘Round”).
Musical Event of the Year
- “Boys ‘Round Here” – Blake Shelton featuring Pistol Annies
- “Cruise” – Florida Georgia Line with Nelly
- “Don’t Rush” – Kelly Clarkson featuring Vince Gill
- “Highway Don’t Care” – Tim McGraw with Taylor Swift and Keith Urban
- “The Only Way I Know” – Jason Aldean with Luke Bryan and Eric Church
Last year we were able to call Snoop Dogg a CMA award nominee now this year we can call Nelly the same thing…I don’t get it and it’s pretty unfortunate. I am rooting for the Clarkson and Gill tune to snag the upset but I think this will go to Tim McGraw, Taylor Swift, and Keith Urban’s “Highway Don’t Care.”
Music Video of the Year
- “Blown Away” – Carrie Underwood
- “Boys ‘Round Here” – Blake Shelton featuring Pistol Annies
- “Downtown” – Lady Antebellum
- “Highway Don’t Care” – Tim McGraw with Taylor Swift and Keith Urban
- “Mama’s Broken Heart” – Miranda Lambert
- “Tornado” – Little Big Town
Ohhhhh…so CMA voters did know “Blown Away” was eligible for nominations this year! Why is this the only category it managed to land a nomination in?! Hello!!! I personally think it should win because it was a fantastically directed video that brought life to the song.
There you have it! The entire list of nominations for this year’s CMA awards which will be held live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on November 6. For the sixth time we will see what superstars Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood have up their sleeves as they take hosting duties once again.
All Things Country 
Hi,
I like most of your picks for the awards this year, but I still think that Taylor will pick up an award or two this year. I’m actually surprised that she isn’t nominated for more things from RED. That being said, I think the newbie awards are down to Florida Georgia Line and Kacey Musgraves.
On a slightly different note, I enjoyed looking around your blog and will definitely be following it in the future.
Hi,
Really enjoyed your take on the nominees for this years CMAs. Honestly, I think that Taylor will come away with at least one award this year. She has really been doing well this past year, I think. (Yes, I am a bit biased since I am a big fan!) Anyways, I agree that FGL or Kacey Musgraves will be pretty successful at the awards this year. Although, I still think that there might be a good chance that Blake might win because of the success of The Voice. American Idol doesn’t seem to be doing as well, but I don’t get to watch much since I live in Europe.
I can’t wait to see what you think come awards time!
-Miranda C.