CMA Awards 2011: Predictions and Nominees
The 45th Annual Country Music Association Awards 2011 airs tonight on ABC at 8 p.m., and will feature a slew of nominees looking to capture awards.
TheBoot.com compiled a list of the top awards, and the website is citing all the reasons why they feel a certain artist will take home an award.
Brad Paisley and Blake Shelton, who are the top two candidates for the Entertainer of the Year award, are battling for one of the biggest awards. The odds are for Shelton because he had a big year due to his time on "The Voice" and his marriage to fellow country star Miranda Lambert.
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Brad Paisley won the award last year and could win again because of the success of his "H2o II Wetter and Wilder" world tour.
The New Artist of the Year award appears to be up for grabs with rookies like Luke Bryan, Eric Church, and Chris Young vying for position. All three are powerhouses in their own right and could cancel each other out leaving a victory for the Band Perry with their huge hit "If I Die Young."
Female Vocalist of the Year and Male Vocalist of the Year will likely fall to husband and wife duo, Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton. With the success of Lambert's Revolution album and her Pistol Annies side project, coupled with her marriage to Shelton, the singer has good odds to win.
Album of the Year could go to Brad Paisley and Frank Rogers because critics feel they created a masterpiece with This Is Country Music.
Lady Antebellum is looking for the trifecta for Vocal Group of the Year. AOL said their only real competition is the Zac Brown Band.
Single of the Year will be a fight between the Band Perry or Jason Aldean with Kelly Clarkson and Michael Knox.
The Band Perry had one of the biggest hits of the year in "If I Die Young." However, Aldean and Clarkson created a blockbuster with "Don't You Wanna Stay," produced by Knox.
Taylor Swift will be in the running for Music Video of the Year because critics feel Swift and Director Declan Whitebloom displayed a perfect blend of funny, cute, and a powerful message to the video.
The Full List of Nominees
Entertainer of the Year
Jason Aldean
Brad Paisley
Blake Shelton
Taylor Swift
Keith Urban
Female Vocalist of the Year
Sara Evans
Miranda Lambert
Martina McBride
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood
Male Vocalist of the Year
Jason Aldean
Kenny Chesney
Brad Paisley
Blake Shelton
Keith Urban
New Artist
The Band Perry
Luke Bryan
Eric Church
Thompson Square
Chris Young
Vocal Group
Lady Antebellum
Little Big Town
Rascal Flatts
The Band Perry
Zac Brown Band
Vocal Duo
The Civil Wars
Montgomery Gentry
Steel Magnolia
Sugarland
Thompson Square
Album of the Year
(Award goes to artist and producer)
All About Tonight
Blake Shelton
Produced by Scott Hendricks
My Kinda Party
Jason Aldean
Produced by Michael Knox
Speak Now
Taylor Swift
Produced by Nathan Chapman and Taylor Swift
This Is Country Music
Brad Paisley
Produced by Frank Rogers
You Get What You Give
Zac Brown Band
Produced by Keith Stegall and Zac Brown
Single of the Year
(Award goes to artist and producer)
"A Little Bit Stronger"
Sara Evans
Produced by Tony Brown
"Colder Weather"
Zac Brown Band
Produced by Keith Stegall and Zac Brown
"Don't You Wanna Stay"
Jason Aldean with Kelly Clarkson
Produced by Michael Knox
"Honey Bee"
Blake Shelton
Produced by Scott Hendricks
"If I Die Young"
The Band Perry
Produced by Paul Worley
Song of the Year
(Award goes to songwriters)
"Colder Weather"
Zac Brown, Wyatt Durrette, Levi Lowrey, and Coy Bowles
"Dirt Road Anthem"
Brantley Gilbert and Colt Ford
"If I Die Young"
Kimberly Perry
"Mean"
Taylor Swift
"You and Tequila"
Matraca Berg and Deana Carter
Musical Event of the Year
"As She's Walking Away"
Zac Brown Band featuring Alan Jackson
"Coal Miner's Daughter"
Loretta Lynn, Sheryl Crow, and Miranda Lambert
"Don't You Wanna Stay"
Jason Aldean with Kelly Clarkson
"Old Alabama"
Brad Paisley featuring Alabama
"You and Tequila"
Kenny Chesney featuring Grace Potter
Music Video
(Award goes to artist and director)
"Honey Bee"
Blake Shelton
Directed by Trey Fanjoy
"If I Die Young"
The Band Perry
Directed by David McClister
"Mean"
Taylor Swift
Directed by Declan Whitebloom
"Old Alabama"
Brad Paisley featuring Alabama
Directed by Jim Shea
"You and Tequila"
Kenny Chesney featuring Grace Potter
Directed by Shaun Silva
Musician
Sam Bush - Mandolin
Jerry Douglas - Dobro
Paul Franklin - Steel Guitar
Dann Huff - Guitar
Mac McAnally - Guitar
