2018 CMA Awards Nominations, Observations, & Predictions
Nominations for the 52nd Annual CMA Awards were announced Tuesday morning (8-28) on Good Morning America between recipe reviews and celebrity gossip. Leading the nomination charge is Chris Stapleton with five nominations, producer Dan Huff who receives four, including for Musician of the Year, and a gaggle of artists all receive at least three nominations, including Jason Aldean, Dierks Bentley, Dan + Shay, Florida Georgia Line, Chris Janson, Miranda Lambert, Midland, Thomas Rhett and Keith Urban.
Once again the CMA Awards will be hosted by Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley, and will air on November 14th on ABC. Make sure to stop by that night for Saving Country Music’s always-scandalous LIVE blog. In the interim, here are some off-the-cuff, knee jerk reactions and wild-eyed predictions on the awards.
Please leave your picks and prognostications in the comments section below.
Entertainer of the Year
Once again a sausage fest, but who is the woman you would nominate here? Miranda Lambert hasn’t released a record in two years, and Carrie Underwood is just entering her album release/tour cycle.
Jason Aldean very well might win this with the continued, and surprising strength of his record Rearview Town. Aldean’s traditionally been snubbed by the CMAs. Now he may walk away with the biggest trophy to go beside his two consecutive ACM Entertainer of the Year Awards. But he’ll have to beat out Luke Bryan to do it (whose What Makes You Country has been selling unusually slow). Touring always plays a role in this award, but all of these dudes are just about evenly matched. Stapleton right now is descending until he releases new music.
Jason Aldean – WINNER
Luke Bryan – Other Potential Winner
Kenny Chesney
Chris Stapleton
Keith Urban
Male Vocalist of the Year
You’re not even nominating Luke Bryan for this award? My how the mighty have fallen. We’re used Jason Aldean getting snubbed by the CMA, but yikes. Blake Shelton also has to be wondering what happened while Thomas Rhett and Luke Combs land nominations. Nonetheless, Chris Stapleton has to be considered a frontrunner. The CMAs love to nominate Keith Urban, but then keep his seat occupied beside Nicole Kidman all night as the couple politely claps for the winners. Dierks Bentley doesn’t have the muscle for this, despite a good new album. Luke Combs’ inclusion here pretty much assures him New Artist of the Year.
Dierks Bentley
Luke Combs
Thomas Rhett
Chris Stapleton – WINNER
Keith Urban
New Artist of the Year
Luke Combs should win this, and likely will win this. He’s the actual “new” artist who’s been making waves in the mainstream who critics and peers respect. They squeeze Lauren Alaina in here because they wanted a woman in the category, but she released her first album SEVEN years ago. It’s a joke to include her here when Ashley McBryde and others would make great picks. Brett Young has been recycled through this category before. Great costumes, but Midland shouldn’t win this.
Lauren Alaina
Luke Combs – WINNER
Chris Janson
Midland
Brett Young
Song of the Year
Folks, this is supposed to be about a song that impacts music and society to some big degree. Kacey Musgraves’ “Follow Your Arrow,” Jamey Johnson’s “In Color,” “Murder on Music Row,” “Sunday Morning Coming Down” are all previous winners. And then this? Why is “Body Like a Back Road” even here? It was nominated LAST YEAR too.
“Drunk Girl” by Chris Janson is the song that should win. “Drowns The Whiskey” is also pretty good, and is spending its 2nd week at #1 on radio as the nominations come out. We know the CMA loves to vote for Stapleton, so don’t rule out “Broken Halos.”
“Body Like A Back Road,” Sam Hunt
“Broken Halos,” Chris Stapleton – Other Potential Winner
“Drowns The Whiskey,” Jason Aldean w/Miranda Lambert – Other Potential Winner
“Drunk Girl,” Chris Janson – SHOULD win
“Tequila,” Dan+Shay
Single of the Year
Gonna be hard to deny “Meant To Be” this for it’s supposed “record-setting” run on top of the charts. Though it’s all due to fixed numbers and fuzzy math, that’s just the ugly reality. The CMAs sure really like Dan + Shay’s “Tequila,” but I just don’t see the star power behind it. “Drowns The Whiskey” would be the runner up, but voters will likely throw their weight behind it as the “Musical Event” as opposed to this.
“Broken Halos,” Chris Stapleton
“Drinkin’ Problem,” Midland
“Drowns The Whiskey,” Jason Aldean & Miranda Lambert
“Meant To Be,” Florida Georgia Line and Bebe Rexha – WINNER
“Tequila,” Dan+Shay
Vocal Duo of the Year
For whatever reason, the hip thing to do over the last few award show cycles has been to deny Florida Georgia Line what is rightfully theirs commercially, and give this thing to Brothers Osborne instead. Hey, I’m not complaining, and with a well-received new record out there, hard to see Brothers Osborne not holding serve, even with FGL’s involvement with the monster Bebe Rexha single, “Meant To Be.” Maddie & Tae and Sugarland have no chance. Sorry Big Machine. Once again Dan+Shay sit in the offing as the curious golden boys of the 2018 CMAs, but hard to see them winning.
Brothers Osborne – WINNER
Dan+Shay
Florida Georgia Line
Maddie & Tae
Sugarland
Female Vocalist of the Year
Carrie Underwood should win, and Carrie Underwood probably will win. It’s an off album year for Miranda, and with the tabloid headlines (fair or not), some voters will be leery to check the box beside her name. Maren Morris is the dark horse here, and could slide in since Carrie is just starting her album cycle as opposed to being right in the thick of it. But since Carrie’s new album will be delivered right as voting ballots are mailed, she will be top-of-mind.
Kelsea Ballerini
Miranda Lambert
Maren Morris
Kacey Musgraves
Carrie Underwood – WINNER
Album of the Year
Very hard category to pick. We know CMA voters love Chris Stapleton, but it’s about time for that whole thread to start to fatigue. Also, Vol. 2 has been the weakest performing of all of his records. Golden Hour will be the critical favorite, but will it have the muscle to win? This leaves the door open for just about anybody, including Keith Urban’s godawful Grafitti U, or Thomas Rhett, who would win on commercial prowess alone. Dierks would be a fine pick, but it’s hard to see it winning unless votes are spit up so much, it ends up as the last man standing. Very hard to call here.
Chris Stapleton, From A Room: Vol. 2
Kacey Musgraves, Golden Hour
Keith Urban, Graffiti U
Thomas Rhett, Life Changes
Dierks Bentley, The Mountain
Vocal Group of the Year
Ugh. We know how much awards shows love Little Big Town. And Big Machine has to win something, and Midland is a hot name.
Lady Antebellum
LANCO
Little Big Town – Potential Winner
Midland – Potential Winner
Old Dominion
Musical Event of the Year
“Dear Hate” will be the sympathy pick. “Drowns The Whiskey” is probably the best song.
“Burning Man,” Dierks Bentley ft. Brothers Osborne
“Dear Hate,” Maren Morris ft. Vince Gill
“Drowns The Whiskey,” Jason Aldean ft. Miranda Lambert
“Everything’s Gonna Be Alright,” David Lee Murphy and Kenny Chesney
“Meant To Be,” Bebe Rexha and Florida Georgia Line
Music Video of the Year
“Drunk Girl” should be the big competitor here, and this may be a good consolation prize if it doesn’t win Song of the Year. “Cry Pretty” should also be a contender, but this award annually is anyone’s guess, going to whomever they want to give a 2nd tier CMA Award to as opposed to who deserves it.
“Babe,” Sugarland ft. Taylor Swift
“Cry Pretty,” Carrie Underwood
“Drunk girl,” Chris Janson – Should win
“Marry Me,” Thomas Rhett
“Tequila,” Dan+Shay
Musician of the Year
Jerry Douglas – Dobro
Paul Franklin – Steel Guitar
Dann Huff – Guitar
Mac McAnally – Guitar
Derek Wells – Guitar
August 28, 2018 @ 8:08 am
What’s with all the recycled nominees? “Body Like a Backroad” was nominated last year, and 3 of the 5 New Artists were as well.
No Carly Pearce or Ashley McBryde for New Artist, but Lauren is nominated again? Really? I like Lauren, but I didn’t think she’d be up again this year.
I feel like people would roll their eyes if Stapleton won Album again. My vote’s on “Golden Hour”.
Honestly, if I had to describe these nominees in one word, I would use “uninteresting”. The Entertainer category is basically the same as it’s always been. Nothing is really exciting on any of the lists. Can we please stop nominating the same people over and over?
August 28, 2018 @ 9:10 am
I agree. They feel like very ho hum, recycled nominations. At least last year they threw Jason Isbell in there to make it it interesting. Glad they included Kacey Musgraves to keep things spicy, but otherwise this is pretty flat. Anyone REALLY looking forward to November now?
August 28, 2018 @ 9:37 am
Yes, I’m seeing Tyler Childers in November!!! Can’t wait!
August 28, 2018 @ 8:10 am
Also, “Meant to Be”? Really? Really???
August 28, 2018 @ 8:20 am
Entertainer of the Year is a joke. Where’s Carrie? Miranda? Eric Church? Garth?
I know I sound like a total bitch, but I honest to God don’t understand the appeal of Luke Combs. He’s so generic and basic… and boring aside from When It Rains It Pours. Jon Pardi and Eric Church are so much more interesting and better choices for male vocalist.
And really…Dan + Shay…seriously?? How lame.
August 28, 2018 @ 9:27 am
If they stick to taking touring numbers into account for EOTY the only woman we will ever see nominated is Carrie. No other woman can compete with the men in numbers. She didn’t do anything this past year so no sense in nominating her.
I agree about Luke Combs.
August 28, 2018 @ 9:53 am
Agreed. Carrie will be nominated the next two years most likely based off of her touring schedule, but next year is probably her main shot to win.
August 28, 2018 @ 10:09 am
Please..Just because Carrie tours doesn’t mean she should be nominated for Entertainer. You can blast me or say whatever you want but Miranda should have been nominated. She kills it on stage and her energy and vocals are amazing. She is just S good as the ones nominated. Her tour thus who’d year has been absolutely phenomenal. I don’t dislike Chris but sorry he is a vocalist but not an Entertainer. Tired of all these men every year..
August 28, 2018 @ 10:12 am
Maybe you missed where I brought up tour numbers? There are tons of good artists putting on amazing tours but unfortunately they don’t meet the requirements.
August 28, 2018 @ 10:38 am
Well just what are the requirements? You have to a male artist?
August 28, 2018 @ 10:57 am
Yes male and sell more than 60% of the tickets at your show.
August 28, 2018 @ 2:33 pm
I just mentioned Carrie because she is one hell of a great entertainer. She and Miranda ALWAYS kill it, both of them. There is absolutely no reason at all why Miranda shouldn’t be nominated.
August 28, 2018 @ 8:26 am
Same old same old. People complain about radio play yet country awards keep pushing the same artists every award season because god forbid actually rewarding people for their actual talent and output. In the female categories especially. How would people actually know there are other women in country when it’s the same nominees every year? Can’t blame it on country radio because labels and agencies, well WME is behind it and the people who vote for them are complicit.
August 28, 2018 @ 8:27 am
Trig – can you give some insight on the CMA’s nomination rules about eligibility? How can Brett Young be nominated for new artist twice? How can Lauren be new? How can Body Like a Backroad be nominated for the same thing two years in a row? I’m assuming that one has to do with the amount of impact something has in one year, but I’m especially confused on the others.
August 28, 2018 @ 10:32 am
From the CMA’s official voting criteria guidelines:
Best New Artist: This Award goes to the artist. The Award is to the artist, whether individual or a group, who is known primarily as a Country artist, who has for the first time demonstrated the most significant creative growth and development in overall chart or sales activity, live performance, professionalism and/or national media recognition related to the
launch of their career. Any artist who has previously won a CMA Award (except Song of the Year, Musical Event of the Year and Music Video of the Year) or who has twice been a final nominee for the Horizon Award or New Artist of the Year Award is ineligible for nomination.
Song:
Award goes to the songwriter(s) and is for artistic achievement in songwriting. Any Country Music song with original words and music is eligible based upon the song’s Country singles chart activity during the eligibility period. In this category, the Second Ballot will contain the eligible nominations from the First Ballot and the Top 5 songs from the combined tabulation of the Country Singles Charts from Billboard’s Country Airplay Chart, Billboard’s Hot
Country Songs Chart, and Country Aircheck Chart. The 2017 Winner is ineligible for nomination in 2018.
August 28, 2018 @ 10:41 am
They may have to update this criteria…
September 16, 2018 @ 5:54 am
You should’t be able to be nominated twice for Best New Artist. Key words in the requirements are first time. If you get nominated a second year in a row this would then be the second time you have demonstrated significant creative growth and development in overall chart or sales activity, live performance, professionalism and/ or national media recognition related to the launch of your career.
August 28, 2018 @ 11:11 am
Since “Body Like A Back Road” charted for so long, it bisected two different eligibility periods. That said, it already lost, and feels like such ancient history now, why bother nominating it? But ultimately it is up to CMA voters, and if they nominate it, it will still appear.
A few years ago I busted the chops of the ACMs after they clearly went beyond their own stated rules to nominate and award Justin Moore. Ultimately what “Ne Artist” is these days is the “best” artist in the 2nd tier of mainstream country music. It has noting to do with “new.”
August 28, 2018 @ 1:02 pm
I think Body should be punished for charting so long, much like athletes who reach milestones because they hung around for 20+ years don’t go into the Hall of Fame. I feel much of Body’s longevity was because Hunt didn’t release another single. Most performers will release another single after their previous single reaches No. 1. Of course, most performers also put out albums. The fact that Hunt only releases a single every couple of years and doesn’t put out albums should disqualify him from winning single or song of the year.
August 28, 2018 @ 8:51 am
Sarah Shook for album of the year!
August 28, 2018 @ 1:45 pm
I know you’re kidding but I’ve grown to love the album as well. So I’ll give you a bump.
August 28, 2018 @ 8:57 am
Jason Aldean is only entertaining to dudes who wear wife-beaters and don’t have degrees, or women who think jobless dudes on parole make good boyfriends.
Sadly I think that Stapleton is no great performer, and as a result we just have to spend the rest of our lives doing our best to invalidate Jason Al-hasn’t-read-a-book-since-high-school-thinks-songwriterly-is-a-word-get-over-my-affair-probably-can’t-spell-entertainer-looks-like-a-biggest-loser-competitor-had-one-good-song-twenty-years-ago-dean’s awards at every opportunity to people to try and use his awards to validate his wax-museum-of-trashy-white-dudes-soundtrack music.
Brothers Osborne don’t actually do anything except tick me off that they’ve drug the name of the Osborne Brothers through the mud.
I’m not Stapleton’s biggest fan but I always root for him at awards shows for no other reason than to see the pop-“Country” fans cry and whine like colossal babies when they’re Miley Cyrus imitators lose.
Can we all just put a revolving door to get into these events and people like Jason Aldean would just get trapped in them and not perform?
August 28, 2018 @ 10:17 am
WIN TRIGGER TASTS TAKILLYA FUZZY HE STILL SEES YA TYPIN UP A COMENT N A FLORADA T SHURT THR SAME WUN YA WORE WIN YALL WUR SKI HI N CALLARADO
August 28, 2018 @ 11:28 pm
Word.
August 29, 2018 @ 4:53 am
I dont evan no u boy now piss off befor I relly get mad stupid yankee
August 28, 2018 @ 9:02 am
Depressing.
August 28, 2018 @ 9:13 am
Makes me even more glad I don’t watch the award shows.
The only time I watch the award shows is if Loretta is on,and that’s it! Otherwise,I don’t watch the award shows.
August 28, 2018 @ 9:31 am
As everyone else has stated, it feels like the same awards show three years in a row. I love Chris but his nominations even feel the same. Sad. And they’ve ignored Kacey Musgraves even though Golden Hour should be all over these.
August 28, 2018 @ 9:31 am
Sorry
I’ll be enjoying real entertainment by Sarah Borges and the Bottle Rockets that night, already have tics.
August 30, 2018 @ 5:37 pm
I’m sorry to hear that. You should get tested for Lyme disease.
Just teasing. Sorry, couldn’t resist.
August 28, 2018 @ 9:48 am
Wow. I wouldn’t have nominated ANY of those people/groups/songs/albums in ANY of those categories (excluding musician of the year). What a shitshow.
August 28, 2018 @ 9:49 am
Who’ll win Blackwell’s Worst Dressed award?
August 28, 2018 @ 3:05 pm
FGL of course! They always look like clowns.
August 28, 2018 @ 9:51 am
Why not Eric Church and “Why Not Me?” for Musical Event? What even makes the listed songs “events”? Does “ft.” somehow turn a song into an “event”?
August 28, 2018 @ 10:23 am
Musical Event refers to when two or more artists team up for a song.
August 28, 2018 @ 2:24 pm
Also a lot of folks complaining Eric Church didn’t receive more nominations, but he won Album of the Year last year and this period is out of his release cycle. Next year we’ll see him considered for more awards, unless the new album is a dud.
August 29, 2018 @ 11:01 am
I just thought it strange that “Musical Event” didn’t seem to mean an actual event. IMO, a dude in tears singing a song he wrote the day before after a massive tragedy is more of an “event”, if we’re using the word correctly, than an unholy alliance between two random corporate tools. I suppose Carrie Underwood’s performance at the 2017 CMAs should also qualify as an “event”.
August 28, 2018 @ 9:53 am
Graffiti U is Keith’s worst album ever… Its Pop.
Luke Combs up for New Artist & Male vocalist is odd… But refreshing.
Literally always the same Female vocalist noms since we don’t have many… Carrie U has been in hiding for most of the year anyway. Hopefully Keksea or Lacey win.
Song of the Year should go to lyrically moving songs… Not any Sam Hunt crap.
Single of the Year should be based on radio spins & downloads..
Its sad that Bebe Rectum is nominated for anything country when most women are shut out of Nashville.
August 28, 2018 @ 10:14 am
Miranda should absolutely be nominated fir r Entertainer. When I go to a show I want feel the energy and have fun and enjoy the singing and so forth. Miranda killed it this year. Her show was amazing.. Carrie shouldn’t be nominated just because she tours. Cmon people and Chris is no entertainer, vocalist yes but not an entertainer. Same old males every time. What a joke..and Chris album wasn’t all that and neither is Keith urban. I guess we all like who we like but sometimes it becomes a joke!!!
August 28, 2018 @ 10:24 am
“When I go to a show I want feel the energy and have fun and enjoy the singing and so forth.”
That’s how I feel when I go to a Chris Stapleton show.
August 28, 2018 @ 10:39 am
I don’t totally understand understand your point. Every artist nominated in EOTY, and countless others who weren’t, put on shows that are fun and enjoyable for their fans, even if we don’t like them. That includes Miranda and Stapleton. No one is saying Carrie should be nominated in the future “just because she’s she tours.” But people are rightfully pointing out that she tours and sells tickets on a scale that no other female can compete with right now, and is therefore the only female that can compete tourwise with the bigger men. That absolutely plays into EOTY nominations. It is what it is.
Miranda’s issue isn’t that she isn’t a great artist or doesn’t put on a great show. It’s that she no longer gets much radio play and her music sales aren’t great. On top of that, she is co-headlining a tour with LBT in fairly small venues. Now, don’t take this as me dragging Miranda; I am a fan. It’s just just why I don’t think EOTY is in her near future.
September 1, 2018 @ 6:59 pm
Miranda still sells music. Her last album (double cd) went certified platinum. She got some decent airplay with Vice and Tin Man so you’re a bit off on that comment as well. The fact that Blake keeps getting screwed over and that Carley and Ashley weren’t nominated for New Artist is bullshit.
August 28, 2018 @ 10:44 am
Jon Pardi should of been up for Male vocalist instead of Luke Combs…
And why has CMA shunned Blake Shelton since 2014 in every category… Its odd. They haven’t supported him since the divorce.
August 28, 2018 @ 10:46 am
I completely agree with your picks for Vocal Duo, Song of The Year, and Male Vocalist 🙂
I struggled and agonized over what to say about the inclusion of Graffiti U. The best I could come up with is: Uuuuuggggggg…
And out of pure laziness, I’ll apply the same observation to the inclusion of Meant To Be. As a fan of FGL, it pains me to despise one of their songs as much as I do this one. Please, make it go away…
August 28, 2018 @ 10:59 am
You are a fan of FLG?? I hope Tyler Hubbard goes solo one day. He has a great voice and he’s a good songwriter
August 28, 2018 @ 11:18 am
Yup, I’m an FGL fan 🙂
Hubbard is definitely a much stronger and more distinctive vocalist than Kelly, and I’d love to hear a solo album from him, especially if it was a real country album. He’s got the voice for it, for sure.
August 28, 2018 @ 10:47 am
Bebe Rexha is now Bebe Rectum in my books.
She is the Country movement of the year… Bowel movement.
Florida Georgia Flush.
August 28, 2018 @ 10:52 am
In the year 2035,
Album of the Year… “From G Room Vol. 14”, Chris Stapleton.
Country Song of the Year…. “Fast & Easy”, Nicki Minaj ft. Beyonce & Florida Georgia Line.
The ICON Generation Award… Thomas Rhett.
August 29, 2018 @ 7:29 am
More like 2020
August 28, 2018 @ 11:25 am
Would have liked to have seen Ashley McBride in the running for New Artist. She’s been working hard.
I agree with most of your picks. It seems pretty straight forward. I probably won’t be watching to see which shit floats to the top this year.
August 28, 2018 @ 11:32 am
Single of the Year is where the CMA’s usually like to upset the apple cart and reward something they deem more country. I would not be shocked to see “Drinkin’ Problem” win in that category.
Also- “Tequila” for song of the year? Dan n Shay are awful and a waste of everyone’s time.
August 28, 2018 @ 1:28 pm
I was so disappointed that Five More Minutes by Scotty McCreery lost this. This song was in the second run.
August 28, 2018 @ 11:48 am
Arena & Stadium Artist Of The Year: a guy called Jason or Luke or Kenny
Male Vocalist Of The Year: Luke Combs
Horizo…New Artist Of The Year: Luke Combs
Song Of The Year: “Drowns The Whiskey”
Single Of The Year: “Tequila”
Vocal Duo Of The Year: Dan & his Shay
Female Vocalist Of The Year: Dan & his….oops…Kacey Musgraves
Album Of The Year: The Mountain or Golden Hour
Vocal Group Of The Year: Old Dominion
Musical Event Of The Year: “Dear Hate”
Music Video Of The Year: “the who cares award goes to”…
Musician Of The Year: a couple of CMA-member should remember what a steel guitar or a dobro is…but i don’t have a lot of hope
August 28, 2018 @ 12:13 pm
This may not be everyone’s opinion but Jason Aldean makes me want to puke. He can’t sing,he is a boring performer, he has said and done some of the most ignorant things I have ever seen a national artist do ( blackface on Halloween), and I don’t believe you deserve a nomination because you survived a murderer’s bullet. There I said it. I know some of you will find that disgusting. I weep for those people lost that night, and I am glad he wasn’t one. But one night doesn’t change your lousy artistic output or your obtuse racist bullshit.
August 28, 2018 @ 2:31 pm
I disagree with some of this, but I do believe that Jason Aldean becoming the face of the Las Vegas tragedy has really helped him commercially. I’m pretty blown away how well his current album continues to sell, while Luke Bryan appears to be on the wane.
It’s also fair to point out that people can change. A lot of what you’re blaming him for happened in the pretty distant past now, and perhaps being a part of a major tragedy has changed Aldean’s perspective on life. One of the reasons he’s been snubbed for CMAs in the past is because of his personal life. But if he’s turned a corner, no reason to hold past trespasses against him. I still don’t like much of his music, but everyone has a right to a second chance.
August 28, 2018 @ 5:47 pm
To be frank, Trigger, and I love you to death and I have tremendous respect for you and your work and I value your opinions on things
but That’s a rather absurd thing to think or to say.
I could understand hearing this about… literally anyone else, Swindell, Hunt, ETC.
But Aldean? The guy who admits to not reading books, has affairs, is obviously a racist, criticizes other people while defending himself?
At least Luke Bryan is probably a fairly decent dude…
Jason Aldean seems intent on setting new lows at every turn
and so far as I know has done very little concerning the las vegas event other than to capitalize on it to sell records and get sympathy.
if he organized a charity? that’s one thing but I doubt he can even spell charity.
It’s one thing to forgive people who actually make amends, but to just let it go because it was years ago the way everyone forgot Old Farts and Jackasses (for which we never got a true apology) isn’t improvement, it’s what the other guy wants so that he doesn’t have to be held responsible.
I agree with Craig above. And I hate that we’re arguing like children over the commercial effects of a tragedy,
August 28, 2018 @ 12:15 pm
Good to see Kacey get a little recognition, especially in AOTY (I finally got around to picking up ‘Golden Hour’ last week)… 🙂
August 28, 2018 @ 1:23 pm
I have nothing much to add. These nominations are so ridiculously predictable. As I’ve said for years, I get satisfaction out of watching Keith Urban lose over and over. Apart from the very rare occasion of him actually winning, he just sits there with his stupid jean jacket and ripped jeans and midlife-crisis hair cut…okay, he’s always had a goofy hair cut, even when he was young.
August 28, 2018 @ 1:57 pm
Hang in there Ashley…
Apparently in 6 or 7 more years and they will recognize you for the “New Artist” category..
August 28, 2018 @ 3:08 pm
How many times do we have to explain it to you. It’s based on tour sales numbers. Miranda doesn’t have them. Doesn’t matter if she is entertaining on stage. Trig pointed out at the beginning of this article. No new music going on 2 years. Streaming numbers are abysmal. Only 4 songs out 24 were released. Carrie wasn’t going to get nominated for this either. It’s not whether someone is entertaining on stage. There is a criteria they look at. You can read the rules. Complaining every 3rd comment isnt going to change the fact.
September 1, 2018 @ 7:07 pm
Wrong…Miranda has great album sales…especially by today’s standards. Double cd certified platinum.
September 16, 2018 @ 6:25 am
You do realize that the comment you replied to is about Ashley McBride not Miranda Lambert or Carrie Underwood
August 28, 2018 @ 2:15 pm
So, Chris Gaines wins EOTY the last two years but isn’t nominated this year. What is going on? I mean he is clearly killing it on radio again this year…am I right? Don’t tell me we are saturated on Garth. We could never be saturated on Garth could we? I love it.
August 28, 2018 @ 2:32 pm
He wasn’t touring this year. Yet another sign “Entertainer of the Year” has become a touring award, which I’m not sure was its original intent, or healthy for the CMAs.
August 28, 2018 @ 2:18 pm
As far as the “women should get EOTY noms”…to me it’s going too far to say “a woman should be nominated over a man just because she is a woman.” If she had one of the best years great, nominate her. However, that hasn’t happened, thus, that is why they’re not nominated. I don’t think it’s right to give a pity nomination.
Miranda Lambert hasn’t done anything in years. In other words she is a lock to win Female Voc again this year.
August 28, 2018 @ 2:35 pm
Don’t blame the CMA Entertainer of the Year category for mainstream country music’s inability to develop women. I agree it’s a shame to see no woman there. But you’re right, which woman would you put here that wouldn’t feel simply like a token? That’s why trying to restore at least a semblance of balance starts at the bottom, not the top. Ashley McBryde and Caitlyn Smith being excluded from New Artist of the Year is a much bigger travesty, because they actually deserve to be there.
August 28, 2018 @ 3:27 pm
I actually think CMA should have nominated Carly Pearce for New Artist over Ashley McBryde. Ashley McBryde is talented but Carly Pearce has had more impact than her this year and unlike Lauren Alaina is actually new!
August 28, 2018 @ 6:32 pm
She Calls me Raymond… She thinks I’m her son. Can’t believe its already 1943. She calls me Raymond. And that’s all right by me.
Everybody Loves You, Raymond
August 28, 2018 @ 4:42 pm
My two cents:
It is crazy the same people who will not play Kacey Musgraves vote to give her a nod. Carly Pearce has at least on radio, much more than Kacey and Karen this year. “I Hate Love Songs” seems to have lost Kelsea some momentum, considering everything she has released went to number one.
I was surprised not to see Luke Combs announced more than Male Vocalist. His songs (like them or love them) are more country than anything out there. I was also surprised to see Jon Pardi’s name not on the list. I think Thomas Rhett is likable enough and I even like a few of his songs. But, I do not think we will look back on his work and think he is a great vocalist. Likable does NOT equal a great singer.
My biggest disappointment was Ashley McBryde did not sneak into a few categories so she would have been given a slot to perform on the show. If she would have played “American Scandal,” it could have been potentially a career-making performance much like Stapleton/Timberlake.
Lauren Alaina has been around too long to still be considered “new.” “Road Less Traveled” was two years ago and wasn’t she on the charts after American Idol?
I do not like the rule that a song can be nominated two years in a row. This is taking a slot away from someone who rightfully deserves to be there.
I think Dan + Shay have a shot with the momentum of “Tequila.”
Biggest wish: Chris Janson wins for “Drunk Girl” in the Song of the Year category.
August 28, 2018 @ 4:44 pm
Does anybody here actually know anybody who really cares about the CMAs? Even the preppy girls I know who are always playing the latest Kane Brown or FGL singles seem to care little about who does or doesn’t win these awards. Thankfully, it seems like award shows are on a downward trend in our culture, and that may soon extend to the country music world.
August 28, 2018 @ 5:23 pm
I care because it’s part of the history of country music, and I believe it’s important that the best people get nominated and win. That said, awards shows are slowly becoming part of the old media model stuck in TV time, and with unimpressive and boring nominations lists like this one, they’re not doing themselves any favors.
August 28, 2018 @ 8:56 pm
CMA viewership has been down. Just like all TV shows. 12-14 million is like the average now , but back in the day it was prob 20 plus million viewers.
ACM awards now do about 10 million.
August 29, 2018 @ 9:01 am
The best people are not getting nominated or winning. That’s the issue here. Your history is being written by who WME/Livenation wants to push this year.
August 28, 2018 @ 5:35 pm
It comes as no great shock that once again, Chris Stapleton is virtually the only artist worth a damn up for any awards. Just think, in 1975 Waylon Jennings was the Male Vocalist of the year, and in 1976 he won the Single of the Year and the Outlaws album won album of the year.
What
The
Hell
Happened
August 28, 2018 @ 5:52 pm
in all honesty, why does anyone care about who gets a trophy outside of nashville.,? it’s all about tv ratings and further pushing that ‘nashville sound’ on the rest of the country.,. silliness at its finest
August 28, 2018 @ 7:12 pm
I understand the contempt for the fake backstory, but what is the problem with Midland musically? If all mainstream country sounded like them from a purely musical standpoint then country radio would be a lot more listenable.
August 28, 2018 @ 7:23 pm
There is no problem with Midland musically. Or at least, as you say, they are way more listenable and country than most of the mainstream.
August 29, 2018 @ 7:29 am
Ya know at the outset I was a staunch supporter of the Midland boys and their music even though Trigger brought it to our attention the manufacturing and fakeness of them.
I enjoyed them opening for Pardi twice and still love the songs/album but after seeing Whitey and The 78’s twice and watching vids and listening to the whole Cody catalog including Lifers I totally see and understand the difference. I’m not sure Midland is worthy of any award they’re up for but I still hope their next album good and of course I’ll go see them at Joe’s when they come back here to headline in December.
August 28, 2018 @ 7:21 pm
It seemed to me that in the last two (or maybe three) years the CMA had done a more decent job of awarding artists based on merit instead of sales so much, so as to distinguish it from the joke that is the ACM’s. But this year, the nominations feel… flat. I hope Midland gets some silverware as Kacey for female vocalist. Hopefully Stapleton also wins Entertainer of the Year, otherwise what a boring night it will be.
August 28, 2018 @ 9:54 pm
If more undiscovered talent would make it through the “loop holes”, we would not be having these issues. RADIO… LET THEM IN!
August 28, 2018 @ 10:54 pm
Disagree with female vocals pic, trigger. CARRIE has been quiet most of the year as was Kelsea. Any of the other 3 would be better as they toured heavily, though I dont like Marens pop crossover. I say kacey or miranda.
August 28, 2018 @ 11:27 pm
What?? Bebe Rexha not nominated for Female Vocalist and New Artist? I can’t even.
/Just kidding
August 29, 2018 @ 5:13 am
Yay Kacey! Also I honestly wish Shania would have been nominated for ETOY
August 29, 2018 @ 12:29 pm
I was more interested in Shania “live,” until a pal in the industry indicated that a most generous portion of her show is, as they used to see in ads, “memorex.”
August 29, 2018 @ 7:48 am
Not that I would have watched it anyway, but fortunately the Missus and me will be somewhere out in the Atlantic Ocean on a cruise with no access to television.
August 29, 2018 @ 8:36 am
So Ashley McBryde didn’t get ANY nod’s? Or am I blind and just missing her name? Kacey Musgraves got nominations for that steaming pile of shit she put out but Ashley didn’t get NOTHING? I bet we see her name at the Grammys.
August 29, 2018 @ 1:08 pm
Ashley McBride wasn’t nominated because she is far too sophisticated for the CMA’s. Has Brandy Clark ever been nominated? I wonder. Ashley will be recognized at the Grammys for sure.
And I don’t know how people can say that Golden Hour can win for Album of the Year and then not give her Vocalist too. Does the album sing itself? And if you wanna go all Carrie Underwood on me (who has a great set of pipes and I am a fan) Kacey has no less a vocal range than Miranda who has won many times- she definitely has a stronger voice than her so technical ability shouldn’t be the issue.
August 29, 2018 @ 2:35 pm
I don’t agree for female vocalist. For me, Kacey is favorite. And it would be deserved! I like Carrie Underwood, but she wasn’t so present this year.
August 29, 2018 @ 4:40 pm
Am I the only person who thinks Golden Hour isnt country? It sounds like pop, slow psychodelic musings. I like some of the songs and I like her voice, but not country to me. Just my opinion…
August 29, 2018 @ 6:36 pm
These nominations are a joke announced in advance of the real nominations, right?
In what universe does Jason Aldean deserve *a* nomination? Of course, we know that EOTY is worthless given that GARTH!!! won it from one of the other 12 “country” music award groups.
August 30, 2018 @ 6:11 pm
I haven’t watched the CMA’s for a few years, it’s fun to look forward to seeing them, knowing the results will be discussed here.
EOTY–I know last year but thinking of Eric Church, no Garth this time and the award is probably his, a shame he missed the chance this time, with the type of tour he had and performances he gave.
I didn’t know it was an award based on album releases. Thought on touring first, benefit if album also but I thought okay if no album if enough touring/appearances were done. Miranda’s last release was 2016, she doesn’t have tours headlining large arenas but she tours often. Carrie has the large stadium sell-out tours, the only female Country Artist who does now but she only tours following an album, not like Miranda thru each year, though opening act or smaller venues. I have thought the reason Carrie was nominated only once for EOTY at CMA’s is just that– while other Artists seem to always be on the road (whether promoting an Album or not) she has set the months for touring following Album release, though reaching the most fans in large venues, it’s limited in amount of time on the road over the years, and times between with very limited amt of performances.
I need to listen to the nominations more before saying anything else about other categories.
One comment about AOTY—surprised Keith Urban for Graffiti U. I agree with earlier review, not Country sounding, way too Pop, even taking Pop in a different direction. Hard to believe a nomination here.
Trigger I find I agree with you a lot on this site, but very surprised with pick for Female Vocalist. Carrie released the Album’s single in April, no tour this summer, limited appearances, the release date 5 months later to the Album in September. Not seeing why she should get Top Vocalist. She has actually been the most inactive of all the nominees this past year. Not liking if the reason she wins is as shallow as her Album release coinciding with the Award show, to win because of that. I actually thought your pick would be Kacey Musgraves.
August 30, 2018 @ 6:21 pm
A lot of people surmise that Entertainer of the Year is based on touring, but that’s not the original intent of the award, and I feel like assuming so or allowing it to morph into such is a unhealthy thing. It should be an award that takes in the wide scope of impact in country music, from touring, radio play, sales, and overall cultural impact.
I am not picking Carrie Underwood as the person I want to win necessarily. I am predicting who I think will win. Perhaps Carrie Underwood won’t. But this category is a traditionally weak field, leaving Miranda the last artist standing year after year. This year Miranda is out of her release cycle, and has seen unsavory headlines splattered all over tabloid covers, fair or not. The way the CMA discounted Jason Aldean for the same thing I think may hurt Miranda. Also, Carrie Underwood is very early in her release cycle, but she has a single doing well on radio and will release her new record RIGHT as CMA voters will be casting their ballots. I just think it sets up for Carrie to do well. But I could be completely wrong.
August 31, 2018 @ 5:01 pm
Thanks Trigger for replying. I agree the headlines unfortunately could play a part. I can imagine a voter gazing at a headline while at a store with a picture of Miranda under ‘Homewrecker’ (stupid term, imo) and maybe they can’t get past how they think about it. It’s a shame that junk written can affect voters. It’s also hard for fans to see someone whose music has meant a lot, who has been so liked, get their name drug thru the dirt like it has, esp some msg boards/comment sites. There were neg articles of Carrie also, after the accident criticizing her being ‘too vain’ with how she handled it. Not the same impact, that prob wasn’t enough to change someone’s vote. It’s easy to get turned off to award shows for this, how subjective and also political they can be. The movie awards, same thing. If Hollywood doesn’t like someone, they probably aren’t winning an award, no matter how deserved.
I am a fan of Carrie, have enjoyed the albums from the first and am looking forward to the release next month. I hope it’s her best yet and wins awards. It’s appreciated that her itinerary when touring is very ‘fan-friendly’. Esp in this Mid-Atlantic area, Country fans can feel a little neglected at times. The ‘big’ names will of course come but not everyone, or not as regularly it seems as other areas of the U.S. She has a large fan base here and we are a definite stop, and to even more than one large venue in the surrounding area. I wanted to say these things since it can seem fans can be for one and against the other (A lot of comments on other sites show this). I think it’s bec. they are very different people, and what a fan likes about one can be the reason they dislike the other.
September 1, 2018 @ 7:19 pm
Hey Trigger,
Without including your own personal opinion of Blake, why do you think the CMA’s keep shutting out Blake Shelton for Male Vocalist category or EOTY or even song. I lived It seems like it would have been a great song for him. Do they have an issue with Blake??
September 1, 2018 @ 11:40 pm
Wow …from the nominees you’d think the world stood still 2 or 3 years ago for these award manipulators . C’mon…….there are so many great artists and songs around OUTSIDE mainstream and yet we get recycled recycled recycled year after year . The whole thing is like a bizarre parallel music universe thing …..or some glitch in the computer tabulations that keeps spitting out the same data / names / songs . WTF ?
September 5, 2018 @ 6:40 pm
Trigger, do labels have anything to do with awards? How political is it? Just curious….might not be at all……I just hear so many bad things about Nashville . Sounds like Harper Valley…..