2013 CMA Awards Predictions, Wishes, and Woes

10 years ago Liv Carter Comments Off on 2013 CMA Awards Predictions, Wishes, and Woes
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Just a few days before the 47th Annual CMA Awards we make an attempt at predicting the whims of the CMA voters. I don’t even agree with the nominations this year (where the heck is Brad Paisley??!) so I am ready for plenty of eye-rolls and “seriously?” on Wednesday evening.

Check back on November 6 at 7 pm to see how it all plays out!

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
Jason Aldean
Luke Bryan
Blake Shelton
George Strait
Taylor Swift

Brittany: It’s my hope that Jason Aldean will win Entertainer of the Year. I recently attended the Memphis leg of his Night Train Tour and was completely blown away. I know the words to every single Aldean song and it’s because they’re catchy, but also because he’s just good. He put on an amazing show as well. I adore his band. However, realistically, I feel that Luke Bryan or Taylor Swift have this award in the bag.

Liv: The most striking thing about this category is the absence of Carrie Underwood. It’s depressing how female performers still are invisible to many CMA voters. She absolutely belongs here instead of George Strait. Some might consider it blasphemy but Strait would not have been nominated if he had not announced his retirement from touring. That’s what lifetime achievement awards are for, not this category. This award tends to come down to who has the most industry support. And that might narrow it down to Blake Shelton or Luke Bryan. Given the year he’s had, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Luke Bryan inch out just ahead of Blake Shelton.

Sara: I would *love* to see Jason Aldean or Luke Bryan take the trophy home this year, but if I were a betting woman, my money would be on Taylor Swift.

Adam: If it’s not Strait, I’ll be very surprised. Granted any and all of the others have a pretty good chance, but I think the voters will go with George seeing and how it’s his last go around.

SINGLE OF THE YEAR (Award goes to Artist and Producer(s))
‘Cruise’ – Florida Georgia Line – Produced by Joey Moi – Republic Nashville

‘Highway Don’t Care’ – Tim McGraw with Taylor Swift and Keith Urban – Produced by Byron Gallimore and Tim McGraw – Big Machine Records

‘Mama’s Broken Heart’ – Miranda Lambert – Produced by Frank Liddell, Glenn Worf, and Chuck Ainlay – RCA Nashville

‘Merry Go ‘Round’ – Kacey Musgraves – Produced by Luke Laird, Shane McAnally, and Kacey Musgraves – Mercury Records

‘Wagon Wheel’ – Darius Rucker – Produced by Frank Rogers – Capitol Records Nashville

Brittany: As much as I’d love for Kacey to win single of the year with, ‘Merry Go ‘Round,’ we all know Florida Georgia Line is going to nab this one for ‘Cruise.’ Who are we kidding?! The catchy single’s popularity really soared this summer and it made its way through other music genres due to the remix of the single featuring hip hop artist Nelly. On a road trip from Nashville to Atlanta, I decided to count how many times various radio stations played the song. I kid you not, I got to twenty and stopped counting.

Liv: ‘Cruise.’ That’s it. There is simply no arguing about what was the biggest song on country radio this past year. It’s not the best song on this list, but it absolutely deserves to win this category.

Sara: ‘Merry Go Round’ should receive the honor, but I have a feeling, deep down in the pit of my stomach that ‘Cruise’ will get it.

Adam: All good choices except ‘Wagon Wheel’ in my opinion. But I think it’ll be ‘Cruise.’ None of the other songs have had the impact that one has and that’ll play a part in the decision.

ALBUM OF THE YEAR (Award goes to Artist and Producer(s))

Based on a True Story – Blake Shelton – Produced by Scott Hendricks – Warner Bros. Records

Blown Away – Carrie Underwood – Produced by Mark Bright – 19 Recordings/Arista Nashville

Red – Taylor Swift – Produced by Jeff Bhasker, Scott Borchetta, Nathan Chapman, Dann Huff, Jacknife Lee, Max Martin, Shellback, Taylor Swift, Butch Walker, and Dan Wilson – Big Machine Records

Same Trailer Different Park – Kacey Musgraves – Produced by Luke Laird, Shane McAnally, and Kacey Musgraves – Mercury Records

Tornado – Little Big Town – Produced by Jay Joyce – Capitol Records Nashville

Brittany: I hate being such a cynic, but I feel like Taylor Swift wins everything and will continue to do so. In my opinion, she has really stepped away from country music, but it is what it is. I’ll hold out hope that Kacey Musgraves will win this one for Same Trailer Different Park. I love that girl and the album is excellent. If not Kacey, then please Little Big Town. ‘Pontoon’ and ‘Tornado’ were two of my favorite songs this year.

Liv: As many people, I was incredibly impressed by Kacey Musgraves’ Same Trailer Different Park record. Everything about it, from the songwriting to the production, is stellar. The whole of the Universal label group might just have enough votes, along with those of music aficionados who value quality over success, to bag this award. Taylor Swift’s Red is the big seller here but this record really has no business even being nominated since the record was mainly promoted to pop radio. Tornado shouldn’t be discounted, even though it feels like it’s been nominated a year too late.

Sara: This one will most likely be a toss up between Tornado and Blown Away, personally I think Tornado should get the honor.

Adam: I’d love to see Kacey Musgraves win this but that seems unlikely. Taylor will probably take it with her army of producers in tow (which I was pleasantly surprised to see Butch Walker and Dan Wilson included!)

SONG OF THE YEAR (Award goes to Songwriter(s))

‘I Drive Your Truck’ – Jessi Alexander, Connie Harrington, and Jimmy Yeary

‘Mama’s Broken Heart’ – Brandy Clark, Shane McAnally, and Kacey Musgraves

‘Merry Go ‘Round’ – Kacey Musgraves, Josh Osborne, and Shane McAnally

‘Pontoon’ – Natalie Hemby, Luke Laird, and Barry Dean

‘Wagon Wheel’ – Bob Dylan and Ketch Secor

Brittany: Tough one, I love ‘Pontoon’ with all of my little lake rat heart. However, I really think ‘Wagon Wheel’ will take this award. I’ve always loved the song – in particular, Old Crow Medicine Show’s version, but Darius really brought that song to the forefront and now everyone knows the words.

Liv: As recognition for a great piece of songwriting, I really, really want to see this award go to ‘I Drive Your Truck,’ but I think many voters may have moved on from this song by now. I wouldn’t be upset if either ‘Mama’s Broken Heart’ or ‘Merry Go ‘Round’ scoops this up though. That is, if the two Musgraves nominations don’t split votes too much to let either of those songs win. And part of me thinks it would be kind of funny to see Bob Dylan win a CMA Awards…

Sara: ‘I Drive Your Truck’ deserves the award, but will most likely to go ‘Pontoon.’

Adam: I’m kind of surprised to see that ‘Cruise’ isn’t up here actually. To be honest, they’re all great songs, so no matter which one wins, I’d be happy. I’d like to see Kacey Musgraves take this one though, either for her own song, or for ‘Mama’s Broken Heart.’

FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR

Kelly Clarkson
Miranda Lambert
Kacey Musgraves
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood

Brittany: In my opinion, Kacey Musgraves or Carrie Underwood should take Female Vocalist of the Year. Both are powerful songstresses with raw talent. Can you tell I adore Kacey Musgraves? I’m not a huge fan of Carrie Underwood’s music, but I can appreciate her talent and those pipes are phenomenal.

Liv: There is every chance that Miranda Lambert will retain this title, and I would have no objections, but I am absolutely rooting for Carrie Underwood here. Kacey Musgraves is a good interpretive singer but not really a strong vocalist in the way CMA voters have preferred in the past. And if I may once again point out that nominating Taylor Swift for any ‘vocalist’ category is just plain silly.

Sara: Miranda deserves it, Taylor will get it.

Adam: The usual suspects except for Kacey Musgraves (and what the hell is Kelly Clarkson doing here? Are we going to nominate deadmau5 for “Country Songwriter of the Year” next?) I could see Miranda taking this, but I bet it’ll be Carrie. I’d LIKE to see Kacey win but I don’t think her profile is high enough. I’m pleasantly surprised to see her nominated though.

MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR

Jason Aldean
Luke Bryan
Eric Church
Blake Shelton
Keith Urban

Brittany: I have two words for you: Eric Church. He is, hands down, my favorite male performer. He is just excellent and he deserves Male Vocalist of the Year. Do I think he’ll win? No, but he should.

Liv: Could this be the year that Eric Church nabs his first vocalist award? He certainly deserves to. But as with ‘Entertainer,’ this seems to be a three-horse race between the current triumvirate of country music: Jason Aldean, Blake Shelton, and Luke Bryan.

Sara: Can there be a five way tie for this one?! They all deserve the award for one reason or another. I would love to see Luke Bryan take it home this year, but I think Jason Aldean might get it.

Adam: I’d love to see Eric Church win this as I think he’s a criminally underrated vocalist. As long as Luke Bryan goes home with empty hands on this one, I’ll be happy, mwah ha ha haaa!

VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR

Eli Young Band
Lady Antebellum
Little Big Town
The Band Perry
Zac Brown Band

Brittany: I think this category will come down to either Little Big Town or The Band Perry. Both groups have released some stunning tunes this year and both groups deserve to win.

Liv: Little Big Town or The Band Perry, who has the most industry support? I think the quartet might beat the trio here. I have yet to meet anyone who isn’t glad that LBT found success after year of trying. The Band Perry has worked incredibly hard this past year though, taking their tour to Europe and Australia, and really representing country music internationally, so they are my personal choice to win.

Sara: Little Big Town deserves this one, but it will most likely go to Lady A.

Adam: Eli Young Band deserves this award because they’ve made serious inroads in the last year and are one of the only Texas acts in recent memory to come up to Nashville and actually do well.

VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR

Big & Rich
Florida Georgia Line
Love and Theft
Sugarland
The Civil Wars
Thompson Square

Brittany: First of all, why is Sugarland nominated? I honestly don’t remember them producing any new music this year, but I also despise Sugarland. If Florida Georgia Line is nominated for a category, they’re probably going to win it. I’ll go with good ole’ Tyler and Brian.

Liv: What is up with this category?? Only two acts put out anything of note during the eligibility period: FGL and Thompson Square. Sugarland haven’t been active for over a year, Big & Rich and Love and Theft just kind of moseyed along, and The Civil Wars, well, they don’t even speak to each other anymore these days. Being on a strong label, if FGL can keep up the commercial success, they might be picking up this award for the next couple of years.

Sara: I would **LOVE** to see Love and Theft get this honor, unfortunately, I’m 99% sure that FGL will take it.

Adam: Florida Georgia Line deserves this. They’ve had a bigger year than pretty much anyone in country music, have changed the sound and landscape, and while you may not like what they do with it, they have some talent. I’m kinda surprised Brooks & Dunn and Montgomery Gentry weren’t nominated for the lulz this year.

MUSICAL EVENT OF THE YEAR (Award goes to each artist)

‘Boys ‘Round Here’ – Blake Shelton (featuring Pistol Annies) – Warner Bros. Records

‘Cruise’ – Florida Georgia Line (with Nelly) – Republic Nashville

‘Don’t Rush’ – Kelly Clarkson (featuring Vince Gill) – 19 Recordings/RCA Nashville

‘Highway Don’t Care’ – Tim McGraw (with Taylor Swift and Keith Urban) – Big Machine Records

‘The Only Way I Know’ – Jason Aldean with Luke Bryan and Eric Church – Broken Bow Records

Brittany: I hope Florida Georgia Line wins this one because how hilarious will it be for Nelly to win a CMA? Wait, did he win anything for his past deal featuring Tim McGraw? Seriously though, I’d like to see Kelly Clarkson and Vince Gill win this one because I’m all about some Vince Gill.

Liv: I don’t really care for any of these collaborations, but I think the industry votes that can be rounded up for Tim McGraw, Taylor Swift, and Keith Urban will give ‘Highway Don’t Care’ the edge (or ‘High-a-way Don’t Care’ as Tim insists on singing).

Sara: ‘Only Way I Know’ is my choice for the winner, ‘Highway Don’t Care’ will win.

Adam: I didn’t know Pistol Annies were the voices on ‘Boys Round Here.’ I guess that makes sense though. ‘Don’t Rush’ was a great song, but it’s not a country song no matter how hard Kelly tries and no matter how fucking good Vince was on it (and man, was he ever!) The ‘Cruise’ remix wasn’t as good as the original. ‘The Only Way I Know’ was an event behind a song that wasn’t bad but wasn’t great. So what we’re left with is, ‘Highway Don’t Care’ which has more star power on it than any of the others. If that one doesn’t win, I’ll be very surprised.

MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR

Sam Bush (Mandolin)
Paul Franklin (Steel Guitar)
Dann Huff (Guitar)
Brent Mason (Guitar)
Mac McAnally (Guitar)

Brittany: I’m going with Sam Bush because he’s rockin’ the mandolin and played alongside Emmylou Harris. These are a few of my favorite things!

Liv: As a big Paul Franklin fan I would love to see him win this, but it’s also time for Sam Bush to get this recognition.

Sara: I don’t know a lot about this category, but my guess would be Mac McAnally.

Adam: I’d love to see Paul Franklin win this. But it seems like they just nominate the same people every year. Is Brent Mason even playing sessions anymore?

MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR

‘Blown Away’ – Carrie Underwood – Directed by Randee St. Nicholas

‘Boys ‘Round Here’ – Blake Shelton featuring Pistol Annies – Directed by Trey Fanjoy

‘Downtown’ – Lady Antebellum – Directed by Peter Zavadil

‘Highway Don’t Care’ – Tim McGraw with Taylor Swift and Keith Urban – Directed by Shane Drake

‘Mama’s Broken Heart’ – Miranda Lambert – Directed by Trey Fanjoy

‘Tornado’ – Little Big Town – Directed by Shane Drake

Brittany: Little Big Town should win Music Video of the Year for ‘Tornado.’ That video was fierce. Fierce, I say!

Liv: Music videos don’t interest me much at all and I haven’t even seen each of these nominated videos. From those I did see, ‘Blown Away’ impressed the most.

Sara: ‘Mama’s Broken Heart,’ hands down.

NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Lee Brice
Brett Eldredge
Florida Georgia Line
Kip Moore
Kacey Musgraves

Brittany: Again, I feel Florida Georgia Line is a shoe in. If it were my choice, New Artist of the Year would be the fabulous Kacey Musgraves or Kip Moore. Both artists’ careers have really taken off this past year. Kacey’s album is a hit and I cannot wait for Kip’s new album.

Liv: I will throw a fierce party if Kip Moore walks away with this, but I think this is really between FGL and Musgraves.

Sara: Again, I would **LOVE** to see Kip Moore take this one home, and I’m hopeful that he will, however, I’m afraid it will go to FGL.

Adam: How is Lee Brice still up for this category when he’s had several albums and more than a couple certified hits? This category is rife with great talent so no matter who wins, it’ll be good. I’d like to see Kacey Musgraves win because she could definitely use the profile boost that a win in this category would give her.

 

Liv Carter

Liv Carter

Liv is a career coach for creatives, and the people who work with them.
She holds several certificates from Berklee College of Music, and a certificate in Positive Psychology from UC Berkeley.
Her main influences are coffee, cats, and Alexander Hamilton.
Liv Carter

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