48th Annual CMA Awards Complete Preview
(Tune in Wednesday night for Saving Country Music’s LIVE Blog of the CMA Awards)
The 48th ANNUAL CMA AWARDS
” When: 7 PM Central, 8 PM Eastern Wednesday, November 5th 2014 on ABC. Time delayed for the West Coat.
” Where: The Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN.
” Hosts: Brad Paisley & Carrie Underwood (7th consecutive year)
THINGS TO WATCH FOR
” Special Unannounced Country Music Legend
“There’s going to be a surprise guest in one of our performances from one of the biggest legends of country music of all time,” says CMA Executive Producer Robert Deaton. “I’ll just leave it at that. It’s going to be a great moment when people are going to want to get out their phones.”
This may make up for the fact that so far, no tribute to an older artist has been announced at the moment. There has also been no announcement of the recipient of the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award just yet, established two years ago, and given to Kenny Rogers last year.
” George Strait vs. Luke Bryan for Entertainer of the Year
The biggest prize of the night will be the Entertainer of the Year. George Strait won the distinction last year in what some believe was a sympathy vote, or a going away prize for the retiring performer. However the success of his farewell tour which transpired during this year’s eligibility window makes him a strong contender again this year. Luke Bryan is also a clear front runner, and members of his camp were openly angry and disappointed when George Strait was picked over Luke for the ACM Entertainer of the Year in April. Or the votes could get split and a 3rd nominee could walk away with the prize. THere’s been some buzz about it being Miranda Lambert’s year.
” Luke Bryan and/or Miranda Lambert Could Have a Huge Night
Though Miranda Lambert has the most total nominations with nine, Luke Bryan might be poised for the biggest night of all if he walks away with the trifecta of Entertainer of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, and Album of the Year, all of which he has to be considered a top contender for. The absence of Jason Aldean nominations this year really clears the field for Luke to have a huge night. But if Miranda Lambert emerges out of the pack with Entertainer of the Year and picks up some wins for her song nominations, she could have a big night too. Miranda is considered a top contender for Female Vocalist of the Year.
THE PRESENTERS
Artists confirmed to present awards include Garth Brooks, Martina McBride, Brandy Clark, Brantley Gilbert, Darius Rucker, Dan + Shay, Brett Eldredge, Lee Brice, Trisha Yearwood, Kip Moore, and Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler.
Non performers confirmed to be presenting include Connie Britton from ABC’s Nashville, Lucy Hale, and football player Tim Tebow.
THE PERFORMERS
Special Performances & Collaborations
” There will be a special, unannounced performance by “one of the biggest legends of country music of all time.”
” Miranda Lambert and Meghan Trainor will perform a version of Trainor’s hit “All About That Bass.”
” Miranda Lambert will also perform “Smokin’ & Drinkin'” with Little Big Town.
” Little Big Town and Ariana Grande will do a performance of the song “Day Drinking,” and Ariana’s song “Bang Bang.”
” Blake Shelton and Ashley Monroe will perform their duet “Lonely Tonight”
” The Doobie Brothers will perform with Jennifer Nettles, Hunter Hayes, and Hillary Scott of Lady Antebellum.
” The recently retired George Strait will also be performing.
Other Performers
- Dierks Bentley – “Drunk On A Plane”
- Carrie Underwood – “Something In The Water”
- Eric Church
- Florida Georgia Line
- Cole Swindell – “Chillin’ It”
- Keith Urban
- Hunter Hayes
- Kenny Chesney
- Lady Antebellum – “Bartender”
- Jason Aldean
- Luke Bryan
- Brad Paisley – “Perfect Storm”
- The Band Perry
- Thomas Rhett
- Tim McGraw
AWARD NOMINEES
(READ: Saving Country Music’s Picks & Prognostications)
” Two awards were handed out Wednesday morning during Good Morning America. Keith Urban and Miranda Lambert won for Musical Event of the Year for “We Were Us,” and Dierks Bentley won Music Video of the Year for “Drunk On A Plane.”
” Check back as winners will be populated here as they’re announced.
Entertainer of the Year
- Luke Bryan
- Miranda Lambert
- Blake Shelton
- George Strait
- Keith Urban
Male Vocalist of the Year
- Dierks Bentley
- Luke Bryan
- Eric Church
- Blake Shelton
- Keith Urban
Female Vocalist of the Year
- Miranda Lambert
- Martina McBride
- Kacey Musgraves
- Taylor Swift
- Carrie Underwood
Single of the Year
- “Automatic,” Miranda Lambert
- “Drunk On A Plane,” Dierks Bentley
- “Give Me Back My Hometown,” Eric Church
- “Meanwhile Back At Mama’s,” Tim McGraw featuring Faith Hill
- “Mine Would Be You,” Blake Shelton
Album of the Year
- Crash My Party, Luke Bryan
- Fuse, Keith Urban
- Platinum, Miranda Lambert
- Riser, Dierks Bentley
- The Outsiders, Eric Church
Song of the Year
- “Automatic,” Nicolle Galyon, Natalie Hemby, and Miranda Lambert
- “Follow Your Arrow,” Brandy Clark, Shane McAnally, and Kacey Musgraves
- “Give Me Back My Hometown,” Eric Church & Luke Laird
- “I Don’t Dance,” Lee Brice, Dallas Davidson, & Rob Hatch
- “I Hold On,” Dierks Bentley & Brett James
New Artist of the Year
- Brandy Clark
- Brett Eldredge
- Kip Moore
- Thomas Rhett
- Cole Swindell
Vocal Duo of the Year
- Dan+Shay
- Florida Georgia Line
- Love & Theft
- Swon Brothers
- Thompson Square
Vocal Group of the Year
- Eli Young Band
- Lady Antebellum
- Little Big Town
- The Band Perry
- Zac Brown Band
Musical Event of the Year
- “Bakersfield,” Vince Gill & Paul Franklin
- “Meanwhile Back At Mama’s,” Tim McGraw featuring Faith Hill
- “Somethin’ Bad,” Miranda Lambert duet with Carrie Underwood
- “We Were Us,” Keith Urban and Miranda Lambert – WINNER
- “Can’t Make Old Friends,” Dolly Parton & Kenny Rogers
Music Video of the Year
- “Automatic,” Miranda Lambert, directed by Trey Fanjoy
- “Bartender,” Lady Antebellum, directed by Shane Drake
- “Drunk On A Plane,” Dierks Bentley, directed by Wes Edwards – WINNER
- “Follow Your Arrow,” Kacey Musgraves, directed by Honey & Kacey Musgraves
- “Somethin’ Bad,” Miranda Lambert & Carrie Underwood, directed by Trey Fanjoy
Musician of the Year
- Sam Bush, mandolin
- Jerry Douglas, dobro
- Paul Franklin, steel guitar
- Dann Huff, guitar
- Mac MacAnally, guitar
BJones
November 5, 2014 @ 10:13 am
I couldn’t be less interested in this show.
Chris Keesey
November 5, 2014 @ 10:15 am
Wtf? Why is Sturgill Simpson nowhere on this list? New Artist? Think I’d rather have a spiked steel glove shoved up my cornhole than watch this.
Big A
November 5, 2014 @ 10:16 am
The fact that the only two Song of the Year candidates written by women are not about love will blow RD’s mind.
They’re also two of the three decent songs nominated.
Tom
November 5, 2014 @ 10:22 am
Yet another CMA yawnfest. Once again I won’t watch, and once again I will read Facebook comments all evening from friends who are somehow surprised at the lack of actual country music. Same comments from the same friends every year, like they expect something to change.
And I, for one, refuse to be impressed by the “top-secret country music legend performance” marketing scheme. It will probably be Randy Travis waving from the front row. Which would still be more interesting than most of the scheduled musical performances, but not enough to entice me to tune in.
Synthetic Paper
November 5, 2014 @ 1:45 pm
Yep, Randy Travis, that is my guess who it will be.
Mitch N.
November 5, 2014 @ 10:32 am
I look at that list of nominees and all that goes through my mind is “What a load of DRECK.”
Eli Locke
November 5, 2014 @ 10:33 am
tha ms for the write up trig, as others have said, I’m a bit surprised by the lack of sturgill Simpson, the guy is huge right now! I guess it’s hard with no. Industry support…
JC Eldredge
November 5, 2014 @ 10:35 am
I’m betting on Garth as the surprise legend performance. Maybe he will remix Friends In Low Places with Diddy and Pitbull to give the show a more cohesive feel.
Tim
November 5, 2014 @ 10:37 am
That ain’t Country!!! Pop country Sucks!!!Trashville Show puppets!!!
Bomber
November 5, 2014 @ 10:53 am
Dear sweet Lord, those nominations are a damn disgrace. I’m so embarrassed my genre of music is represented in such a shitty way to outsiders.
sir topemhat
November 5, 2014 @ 10:55 am
I’m predicting the legend will either be Garth Brooks or Glen Campbell. Garth because of his “comeback” or Glen as his final appearance on stage.
Tom
November 5, 2014 @ 11:16 am
Glen Campbell is in the final stages of Alzheimer’s, he’s in no condition to do something like this.
Garth is a possibility, though. But not a big surprise given that he’s presenting.
sir topemhat
November 5, 2014 @ 11:19 am
Or maybe the group Shenandoah? Their original lead singer, the INCREDIBLY UNDERRATED Marty Raybon is back in the group, and he sang backup on Miranda Lambert’s new single “Another Sunday In The South” which is a somewhat tribute to the Shenandoah song “Sunday In The South.”
Tom
November 5, 2014 @ 11:56 am
I’d give them props for bringing in a largely-forgotten artist or group such as Shenandoah, but I don’t think they fit the bill as being one of the biggest names in country music ever.
Tunesmiff
November 5, 2014 @ 6:38 pm
What about a holographic Hank? (Senior/Junior, take your pick)
Matthew Begay
November 5, 2014 @ 10:55 am
I’ll just watch it for George Strait, Garth Brooks presenting, and Musician of the Year, I can care less about any other people.
JC
November 5, 2014 @ 11:06 am
My money is on the legend being Garth Brooks…
Albert
November 5, 2014 @ 11:12 am
I’m putting my money for ‘surprise guest performer ‘ on that country legend PRINCE ! He started all this bro stuff with Little Red Corvette ….didn’t he ?
Applejack
November 5, 2014 @ 11:12 am
Well, at least Ashley Monroe and Brandy Clark will be included in the proceedings in some fashion. Obviously they should both be doing solo performances, but what the heck, we all know how this works. Radio play determines who gets nominations and performance slots on these shows, and neither Ashley nor Brandy has had any as solo artists… so far.
It’s nice that Brandy Clark gets to present an award, though. Between signing to WB and participating in the CMAs, it seems like she’s subtly being integrated into the mainstream country music world. In fact, if her next album gets decent sales, maybe she’ll even get a token Female Vocalist nomination next time around. I get the feeling that the establishment probably wants her to succeed to some extent, given that she’s critically acclaimed, female, and gay, at a time when country music is being labeled as particularly backward, stupid, misogynistic, and so forth. (Well, people always say that, but you know what I mean.)
On the whole, I reckon I’ll be rooting for George Strait, Paul Franklin, “Follow Your Arrow,” Brandy Clark, Dierks Bentley (not really a fan but I think he deserves to be recognized), and for Miranda to “win big” rather than Luke. Overall, though the CMAs need to add “traditional” or “roots” categories (as suggested by SCM) as soon as possible and adapt to the changing ‘Nash Icon’ and independent country music times.
Robert
November 5, 2014 @ 11:18 am
Will there be any actual Country music on this show?
Jim Bob
November 5, 2014 @ 12:49 pm
Survey says…not likely.
mystery stu
November 5, 2014 @ 11:22 am
the crappy music awards
Sam Jimenez
November 5, 2014 @ 11:26 am
As long as these shows exist – we all lose.
Mike
November 5, 2014 @ 11:27 am
Welcome to country music’s biggest night…starring Meghan Trainor, Ariana Grande and the Doobie Brothers. That is the problem with country music. They are trying to be pop. Are they ashamed to be country?
sir topemhat
November 5, 2014 @ 11:32 am
The strange thing is that the Doobie Brothers will sound a lot more country tahn the artists who are labeled as country.
Linna
November 5, 2014 @ 11:29 am
I’m betting on that country legend being ‘Hank Williams’ (channeled by Tom Hiddleston).
Mike
November 5, 2014 @ 11:31 am
Could the legend be Connie Smith, Little Jimmy Dickens, Charley Pride, Tom T Hall or Don Williams? Probably not. I’m sure that I won’t be impressed.
Tom
November 5, 2014 @ 11:59 am
My money’s on Shotgun Red.
Applejack
November 5, 2014 @ 12:43 pm
Hahaha. One time I flipped on the TV in the middle of the night and saw Eric Strickland & the B-Sides performing on a variety show hosted by Shotgun Red. I think it was on the RFD-TV network. I thought I was tripping.
Also, unfortunately a lot of the current country music audience has on clue who Tom T. Hall, Don Williams, Connie Smith and other legends are. If Tom T. Hall appeared on stage during the CMA Awards, people would be taking to their Twitter accounts to say things like “Who the #$%$ is this old dude? Is that Luke Bryan’s grandpa?”
Trigger
November 5, 2014 @ 11:47 am
To live up to the hype the producers are making for this “special appearance,” I can’t see it being Garth who they’ve already announced will be there, or even someone like Merle Haggard walking out on stage. It’s going to have to be someone in failing health that rallies to the occasion, or someone who has been disconnected from the public eye for a while.
Pierre
November 5, 2014 @ 11:58 am
I bet it will be Shania Twain.
judd
November 5, 2014 @ 12:08 pm
Dolly? or reba?
Tim
November 5, 2014 @ 12:14 pm
Hey Trigger,
Why does ZBB always kind of get shunned at these? I get the CMAs only care so much about actually good instrumentation and lyrics and whatnot, but they never win vocal group of the year, and never are nominated for Entertainer of the Year, even though they’ve headed-lined their own huge shows for a while now (sold out Fenway for 2 crazy good shows in a row).
I get they have their own label, but they seem to get little love from the CMAs for being not only the “realest” artist but a very very popular one too. (And don’t say it’s because they’re more rock than country, they’re more country than most of the nominees)
Trigger
November 5, 2014 @ 1:44 pm
I wouldn’t say they have been shunned. They’ve had some pretty big performance slots over the years. I remember a few years ago when they played “Devil Went Down to Georgia” it was one of the most talked-about events of the night. Last year they played with Dave Grohl right before they announced their EP with him. Maybe they haven’t won a ton of awards, but I see the CMA love for Zac. He just sort of fits in a strange part of the landscape. I think he’s just happy to be receiving performances and nominations.
Tim
November 5, 2014 @ 2:27 pm
Yea I guess, they don’t seem like the kind of group who would care too too much about winning awards. It’d really just be nice to see a entertainer of the year nomination thrown there way since there’s a decent chance FGL gets one in a year or two (although most people slammed that album so maybe not).
Applejack
November 5, 2014 @ 2:47 pm
Twitter pundit ‘Windmills Country’ says that Zac Brown Band isn’t affiliated with the right “political blocks” when it comes to their agent, PR, and management. I don’t much about the backroom politics of award show nominations, but I guess that could be a factor.
RWP
November 5, 2014 @ 12:18 pm
You say Musican Of The Year is normally a tough one to forecast,but Mac MacAnally has won that thing for like 3 to 5 years in a row.If you see his name,he wins it for some reason.I don’t get it.Nothing against the guy,he’s written some good songs and can play guitar (you notice this mainly when he’s away from Jimmy Bufett and doing his own thing) but nothing on the level of musicianship of say,a Sam Bush,who I hope wins it for once.
tx music jim
November 5, 2014 @ 1:39 pm
Mac is an amazing picker I saw him cover the allman brothers “little Martha” originally cut with 2 guitars and nail it note for note on just the one guitar that feat alone is worth another nod in my mind.
RWP
November 6, 2014 @ 6:44 am
I said he can play guitar.Musician Of The Year for seven years running now? In other words no musician anywhere has been better than him for SEVEN consecutive years? Really?!
Go see Sam Bush in concert sometime.Him and his entire band will make you say Mac who?
TX Music Jim
November 6, 2014 @ 7:41 am
Sam Bush would always be deserving no doubt he has chops a plenty for sure. Just happen to be a huge Mac fan.
RWP
November 7, 2014 @ 6:43 am
Yep,It’s all good.Let’s just be glad actual musicians are being nominated for this one and not people like Luke Bryan or Chase Rice lol
Jack Williams
November 7, 2014 @ 7:11 am
I’m a long time Sam Bush fan. Got all of his albums and have seen him about a half dozen times. Great player and great stage presence. Funny guy, too.
I wish the CMA would throw him a bone one of these years.
CaseyK
November 5, 2014 @ 12:20 pm
Reba is a good guess since she just signed on to do a new record. Shania is another good guess who’s coming out with a new record as well. Alan Jackson just received a big award from ASCAP. It’d be great if it were Dolly or Loretta. Those are my “two cents worth” guesses.
Tom
November 6, 2014 @ 7:00 am
Good call on Loretta.
CaseyK
November 5, 2014 @ 12:21 pm
Oh….and I’m ONLY watching to so I can read along with your live blog tonight!!
Applejack
November 5, 2014 @ 12:48 pm
On a side note:
Hey Trigger, not to spoil the surprise, but when do you think you-know-who from a certain popular 90’s and 00’s country duo is going to quit dropping hints and announce that he’s the next signee to the Nash Icon label?
Trigger
November 5, 2014 @ 1:40 pm
I’m sure the Ronnie Dunn signing will be announced after all the CMA stuff winds down. Right now the news would get buried. Ronnie Dunn is sort of his own Soap Opera these days.
Brian
November 5, 2014 @ 2:13 pm
I heard on the radio this morning, that Garth is performing. They said it’s hard to not let some things out, because they have to do rehearsals. They said his Garth sand a song during the rehearsals. They didn’t say what. His single has not done great on the charts, I am hoping he would sing the second single form the album, especially with the album about to come out.
Kev
November 5, 2014 @ 2:13 pm
Shit, is it really time for this old bollocks already?? Only award of interest for me is musician of the year …..
hoptowntiger94
November 5, 2014 @ 2:33 pm
About 20 years ago (when I was 18) this was the biggest night of the year for me. Today, I’ve only heard 2 of the songs nominated in the Single and Song of the Year categories – “Automatic” and “Follow Your Arrow”. I’ll just youtube Miranda and Strait’s performances in the morning and do something else with my time tonight.
sandra
November 5, 2014 @ 2:38 pm
Why do they still call it female vocalist of the year. I thought they changed it to Miranda Lambert wins again category.
Kevin
November 5, 2014 @ 3:33 pm
Some tweets indicate that the special guest is Loretta:
https://twitter.com/JasontheScott/status/530116294386130944
Troy Turner
November 5, 2014 @ 4:07 pm
I’ll be honest: I’m rooting for the underdog and for anyone to steal an award from Luke Bryan. As for the performers, I’ll just YouTube Carrie Underwoods, George Straits, Hunter Hayes and Dierks Bentleys performances. Everything else is basically what’s extremely popular or bro-country. Not particularly interested or interested at all. I’ll just read your blog instead, Trigger.
Jon D.
November 5, 2014 @ 5:26 pm
The surprise performer appears to be Loretta Lynn doing a song with Kacey Musgraves from what has been gathered from Instagram
jon doe
November 5, 2014 @ 7:29 pm
Maybe Laula Fernandez and Shania twain with the “you’re still the one duet”
Davey Smith
November 7, 2014 @ 7:21 am
Does Sam Bush have the record for consecutive nominations of an awards show? Hes the Frank Yankovic of the CMA’s…