2019 CMA Awards Nominees and Predictions
The 2019 CMA Award nominees were announced Wednesday (8-28) morning, and those hoping for country music to have it’s “woke” moment with multiple women nominated for Entertainer of the Year, and Lil Nas X dominating everything else will be sorely disappointed. However the nominations did have some surprising moments, including Luke Bryan, Kane Brown, and Jason Aldean not being nominated for anything, and some quality up-and-coming names getting some recognition. Maren Morris also was the most nominated with 6 total nods, so this helps with the concerns of country’s women being overshadowed, even if she is a true contender for only one or two of them.
As for the snubs, Bro-Country is out, and the controversy swirling around Kane Brown about just how he came up can’t be shaken. Some will claim racism, but his second record has also done very surprisingly poorly.
Here are some knee jerk reactions. ALSO NOTE: The winners picked are NOT Saving Country Music’s choices, they are simply predictions. See descriptions for more detailed opinions. The awards will be on November 13th on ABC.
Entertainer of the Year
Carrie Underwood breaks the male-dominated monopoly on this category over the last few years, as she should. Since this has basically become a touring award, she deserves to be right up there with the rest after the numbers she’s tallied behind her Cry Pretty Tour 360. Eric Church also gets his due as a nominee, even if you would only give him an outside chance to win unless voters deem it is “his year.” For the love of God, don’t let Keith Urban 2-peat here. What an abomination of the country music record books he somehow won last year. Everyone is tired of giving Stapleton awards, though he deserved the nomination. But if you consider it as a touring award, it’s Garth’s to lose.
Garth Brooks – Potential winner
Eric Church
Chris Stapleton
Carrie Underwood – Potential winner
Keith Urban
Album of the Year
Holy hell what a weak field. If you’re an independent music fan, fall to your knees and be thankful a list like this does not represent your top tier of listening habits. In the current “climate,” there will be a desire by some to vote for Maren Morris, but Cry Pretty would be the more solid choice if we simply want to award a woman. But Eric Church has been a favorite of this category over the years. This is the award he wants, and he’ll trade all his Entertainer votes to get it if he can. And out of this field, he probably deserves it. His latest single “Monsters” proves that.
Center Point Road, Thomas Rhett
Cry Pretty, Carrie Underwood – Other Potential Winner
Dan + Shay, Dan + Shay
Desperate Man, Eric Church – Winner
Girl, Maren Morris
New Artist of the Year
This is arguably the strongest New Artist field in the last 15+ years. All of these artist could, and probably should get it, including Morgan Wallen and his mullet. Cody Johnson has arrived. Ashley McBryde deserves any award she’s nominated for, though is probably an outlier due to lack of commercial performance. Midland is good, but is better to compete in the group category. Carly Pearce doesn’t feel new at all, but wouldn’t be a bad pick here either. This is a toss up.
Cody Johnson
Ashley McBryde
Midland
Carly Pearce
Morgan Wallen
Single of the Year
This is “God’s Country” to lose. It’s the mammoth country single of 2019, like it or not. Lord don’t just give it to Stapleton just because he’s Stapleton. It will hurt his reputation due to the backlash more than it will help. “Girl” would be the “woke” option, but is a bland, monotone, non-country song that doesn’t deserve it.
“Burning Man” – Dierks Bentley and Brothers Osborne
“Girl” – Maren Morris
“God’s Country” – Blake Shelton – Winner
“Millionaire” – Chris Stapleton
“Speechless” – Dan + Shay
Song of the Year
“Rainbow” is the best song in the field by a long shot. Voters love Musgraves as they’ve evidenced over the years. But it’s taken us this long to get to a Luke Combs nomination, and the tear he’s on, he’s bound to win something. And once again, “God’s Country” is the big song of 2019. Competition is tough here.
“Beautiful Crazy” – Luke Combs – Potential winner
“Girl” – Maren Morris
“God’s Country” – Blake Shelton – Potential winner
“Rainbow” – Kacey Musgraves – Should win
“Tequila” – Dan + Shay
Female Vocalist of the Year
If Carrie Underwood is up for Entertainer of the Year, then this should be hers to lose. But with the attention Maren Morris receives, and the love voters have for Kacey Musgraves, they could emerge as dark horses. It’s a reset year for Miranda, so fans shouldn’t be mad if she’s not a contender here. And Ballerini? Few people can name you two songs from her still.
Kelsea Ballerini
Miranda Lambert
Maren Morris – Other Potential Winner
Kacey Musgraves
Carrie Underwood – Winner
Male Vocalist of the Year
Luke Combs is far and away the biggest country music artist at the moment, and arguably the biggest breakout star in the history of the genre. Truth be told, he probably also deserves Entertainer of the Year too.
Dierks Bentley
Luke Combs – Winner
Thomas Rhett
Chris Stapleton
Keith Urban
Vocal Group of the Year
Midland has a real good shot at this. Lady Antebellum is struggling with their relaunch, Zac Brown is struggling even harder with his, and Little Big Town isn’t doing anything relevant at the moment. Old Dominion is the only other one with a shot.
Lady Antebellum
Little Big Town
Midland – Potential Winner
Old Dominion – Potential Winner
Zac Brown Band
Vocal Duo of the Year
Sweet to see Brooks & Dunn nominated here, but they won’t win. Neither will Maddie & Tae, though they deserve it most simply from the strength of “Die From A Broken Heart.” Florida Georgia Line are has been’s. Award shows love Brother’s Osborne, but have they done enough in 2019? (hasn’t hurt them in previous years.) Unfortunately, it looks like this is Dan+Shay’s to lose.
Brooks & Dunn
Brothers Osborne
Dan+Shay – Winner
Florida Georgia Line
Maddie & Tae – Should win
Musical Event of the Year
“Old Town Road” will win this, if for no other reason than to get the rest of the world off of country music’s back. Should it win? The song has been a monster, so whatever. This is the CMA’s “also ran” category, so people shouldn’t consternate too much one way or the other. The other thing going for “Old Town Road” is it’s a pretty weak field. That “Brand New Man” remake was a banger and did well, but in no way defined 2019. The controversy around “Old Town Road” did.
“All My Favorite People”- Maren Morris and Brothers Osborne
“Brand New Man” – Brooks & Dunn and Luke Combs
“Dive Bar” – Garth Brooks and Blake Shelton
“Old Town Road (Remix)” – Lil Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus – Winner
“What Happens In A Small Town” – Brantley Gilbert and Lindsay Ell
Video of the Year
Video of the Year rarely has anything to do with the actual video, and is usually treated as a secondary song category for ones the CMAs want to highlight, but not for Song of the Year or Single of the Year. Under this premise, expect it to go to Kacey Musgraves for “Rainbow,” or perhaps Maren Morris with the emphasis on women.
Eric Church – “Some Of It”
Blake Shelton – “God’s Country”
Maren Morris – “GIRL” – Other Potential Winner
Kacey Musgraves – “Rainbow” – WINNER
Dierks Bentley & Brothers Osborne – “Burning Man”
Musician of the Year
Paul Franklin played all that badass steel guitar on the new Midland record. Cool to see Jenee Fleenor get a nomination here. Mac McAnally usually wins this by default.
Jenee Fleenor
Paul Franklin
Mac McAnally
Illya Toshinsky
Derek Wells
Andrew
August 28, 2019 @ 8:33 am
Jenee Fleenor getting a musician of the year nod is a pretty big deal given that category’s history.
Trigger
August 28, 2019 @ 8:44 am
Yes, cool nomination.
For the Birds
August 28, 2019 @ 10:06 am
That nom put a big smile on my face.
hoptowntiger94
August 28, 2019 @ 8:38 am
Oh, no! Brooks & Dunn just became The Bellamy Brothers!!
Sir Adam the Great
August 28, 2019 @ 5:07 pm
So funny and so true. Underrated comment.
hoptowntiger94
August 28, 2019 @ 5:31 pm
I looked it up today; the Bellamy Brothers were still getting nominated for Duo of the Year in 1998! All I knew of them growing up was the same still photo (because they never attended) and an 8 second clip of “Let Your Love Flow”…. year in and year out.
Gabe
August 28, 2019 @ 8:45 am
In a perfect world, this would have been the nominees for album: Ain’t Nothin’ To It, Desperate Man, Honky Tonk Time Machine, Interstate Gospel, Magnolia, Stronger Than the Truth
Tyler Wayne
August 28, 2019 @ 8:56 am
Yes Interstate Gospel deserves better
For the Birds
August 28, 2019 @ 10:11 am
I’m gutted that they snubbed the Annies. Interstate Gospel was the best album released last year. If Miranda had released it as a solo record it would have won all the country AOTY awards.
Sherry
August 28, 2019 @ 7:31 pm
I really believe the voters have screwed over Miranda Lambert again..interstate gospel was the best album and all the touring and all the helping out other female artist, she is one of a kind.Salad throwing ,husband stealing hard drinking ball of fire and she should be nominated for entertainer of the year…this year and for the last 5..
Trigger
August 28, 2019 @ 9:19 am
So many great albums emanating from the mainstream in 2019, including the ones you mentioned, and yet this is the mess we get? I get that an album like Randy Houser’s “Magnolia” hasn’t had the commercial performance to be seriously considered here. But George Strait’s “Honky Tonk Time Machine” has done very well, and even had a decent-charting radio single. Reba’s “Stronger Than The Truth” could have been a good selection if we’re serious about supporting country women, same for the Pistol Annies’ “Interstate Gospel.” Surprised that at least not one of them got a nomination, and would give actual country fans something to root for.
OlaR
August 28, 2019 @ 8:51 am
What a weak field.
Not a lot of “country” for a “country” music award show.
Sorry…but Dolly & Reba are not enough to watch the CMA block-voting-party.
Sam Cody
August 28, 2019 @ 8:51 am
The McAnaly sounds like the shittiest combo meal ever.
Janice Brooks
August 28, 2019 @ 8:54 am
except for the instrumentalist I have not programed anyone on this list.
Blake
August 28, 2019 @ 9:01 am
Getting Ebola > Watching this train wreck of a show
Thass
August 28, 2019 @ 9:17 am
CoJo being called a “new artist” will never not make me laugh
Daniel Cooper
August 28, 2019 @ 9:22 am
Gabe, that would have been a perfect Album of the Year category! If we’re just looking at mainstream albums, those have been the best
Tony Kepuska
August 28, 2019 @ 9:23 am
not a fan of his, but Luke Combs has absolutely dominated the year and is not up for Entertainer of the Year?? shows that these awards shows are meaningless
Trigger
August 28, 2019 @ 1:19 pm
I understand they’re letting Combs pay some dues before nominating him for the biggest award in the industry. But if we were being equal, and considering touring as the main component, he should still be a contender. He’ll be there in the years to come.
Rachel
August 28, 2019 @ 9:44 am
Not my favorite year of nominations, but not the worst either. I have to imagine EOTY is a 2 way race between Carrie and Eric, and I’ll be beyond annoyed with anyone else to be honest. But with Carrie’s album sales and touring numbers, I wonder if this is the year they finally give it to her. At some point you’d think she’s be rewarded for pretty much being the face of country music for the better part of the last 15 years. Eric would absolutely be deserving as well this year though.
I’m definitely confused by the album noms. That could’ve been one of the strongest categories. Should be between Eric and Carrie as well. Eric has the critical acclaim (with no shortage of sales), and Carrie has the record breaking and sales. Could definitely go either way, and Girl shouldn’t be anywhere near AOTY. But just my opinion.
Also wish Runaway June could’ve gotten a nom
In there somewhere. Old Town Road is going to win, and that’s a damn travesty.
Nadia Lockheart
August 28, 2019 @ 10:45 am
I wouldn’t consider Carrie Underwood THE face of country music for the past fifteen years. A force, yes. But even among women, Miranda Lambert has been the one who is more likely to inspire water cooler conversation and intrigue and critical acclaim.
Also this past year, Carrie Underwood has been at a commercial nadir with both “Cry Pretty” ad “Love Wins” being her first career singles to miss the Top Five (the latter the first to miss the Top Ten). “Southbound” is proving a radio and sales rebound, but is a track like that really enough to covet the EOTY category?
I think Eric Church is overdue for the title this go-round.
Rachel
August 28, 2019 @ 12:24 pm
I didn’t mean it in the sense of her being the face for each of the last 15 years. But she has arguably (and I do think it’s a genuine argument to make) been the most consistent representative of country music for that entire timeframe. Now, if you want to say only recognition within purely country aspects counts, sure, there’s probably arguments for many more artists. But in terms of actually positively representing the country genre in the broader music and entertainment industries, I think you’d be hard pressed to make an argument for more than a couple other country artists having more of an overall presence in the last 15 years. But I digress, although I do think it’s an important factor for EOTY.
And I don’t disagree singles-wise the first two are her worst performing to date. But she still has three top ten singles (Cry Pretty peaked at 9) in the last year, more than any other female. I mean, her worst performing are still top 10s and that’s going to be the deciding factor? I mean, Eric only has one number 1 and I think like an 8 or 9 peak for Desperate Man, right? His radio success isn’t really any greater.
I haven’t seen Eric’s sales of “Desperate Man” lately, but I’m pretty sure “Cry Pretty” sold the majority of Eric’s total in her first week, and broke a whole bunch of records and sales streaks at the same time.
Like I said, Eric obviously has a really strong case due to the critical acclaim and his tour. But Carrie is well-overdue for an EOTY win, and should probably have at least a couple under her belt for her tours and sales while they dwarfed everyone in the early and middle stages of her career. But everyone always said it was too early for her to win them and then it took forever to even be nominated.
I just think on the heels of a very well-selling and record breaking album, some level of radio consistency, a critically acclaimed tour with numbers far above any other woman, and an overall significant representation of country music in the general entertainment world, she’s more than deserving of a win this year. It’s not to take away from Eric’s success at all, I just think it’s her time.
Trigger
August 28, 2019 @ 1:20 pm
It’s a Nadia Lockheart sighting!
Lynn
August 28, 2019 @ 6:07 pm
I so agree with you on Carrie. I don’t get all the hype on her. Cry pretty was not a big selling album and the songs have done pretty much nothing . All of a sudden she returns and is awarded a EOTY nomination. Why because her tour is a bunch of fireworks and hydraulic stages. Not for me, honestly Miranda deserved a nomination and win in this category for years and never got it, I will go for Eric church here
Chad
September 22, 2019 @ 9:15 pm
You must be an IDIOT living under a rock. CRY PRETTY had the highest selling debut for a country album this year. FOOL
Trigger
September 22, 2019 @ 9:49 pm
Hey Chad,
I appreciate your passion for Carrie Underwood and your opinion she deserves CMA love. But please don’t roll up up and down my comments section insulting other commenters.
Thanks!
Kristen
September 23, 2019 @ 2:17 pm
Well , this idiot will come out from under the rock and say I will take Miranda Lambert a million times and every day over Carrie .
kiwicountry
August 28, 2019 @ 7:22 pm
Sorry I have to agree with what Rachel said as someone from NZ they play her songs here and she’s actually toured here. She’s one artist that if I mention her name to people who don’t listen to country they know who she is, they would have no idea who Miranda Lambert is unless they actually listen to country. She is commercially the most recognizable country artist.
Carrie has been touring with two children, one a newborn. Yes she’s had people on hand to help including her husband but any parent especially mothers know how big a job it is to raise children & doing that everyday while kicking ass on tour & maintaining her status as a country queen is just incredible. Her commitment to continue supporting country music and representing the genre while raising her newborn & toddler is huge!! I am so tired of that level of effort being overlooked, it shows a complete lack of understanding about what the women in this genre go through and deal with. None of those guys had to walk of stage and then breastfeed their newborn, or get up through the night to take care of him, get out their breast pumps and express – and then she did it all over the next night. Only difference between 2016 and now is she has 2 children, she deserved it in 2016 and she sure as hell deserves it now.
Marko
August 28, 2019 @ 8:56 pm
Hahaha on those saying Miranda Lambert. Her numbers aren’t even as close for nomination consideration. Hyped up by critics but completely lacking in commercial appeal. CARRIE UNDERWOOD SHOULD WIN and WILL WIN.
Jenny Barksdale
October 8, 2019 @ 11:15 am
Pistol Annie’s deserved it!!! Interstate Gospel!!!!
Luke
September 22, 2019 @ 9:17 pm
MIRANDA Lambert has horrible touring numbers and album sales. Carrie Underwoods first album has outsold Lamberts entrire disography.
Sue
October 3, 2019 @ 7:59 am
I disagree with some of you. Carrie deserves this award. Long overdue. Perfect role model. Down to earth. Great vocalist and EXCELLENT entertainer. Her Cry Pretty album has been out for a year and it has been in the top 5 country selling albums almost every week of the whole year. So her album has done really well. She has been consistently great for 15 years. Her show is AWESOME and she can sing like an angel and sing ANYTHING. I LOVE Miranda Lambert but I’ve seen her too in concert and she just doesn’t compare to Carrie….not right now anyway. This is just my opinion. I just think Carrie is really deserving of the Entertainer of the Year award. And we should all be happy for her if she wins….fan or no fan because facts are facts yall. She ranks high on all of them.
Lola
September 13, 2019 @ 5:56 am
I’m completely with you on Maren Morris’ girl. It doesn’t belong in country muy.
AT
August 28, 2019 @ 10:04 am
This is Eric’s third Entertainer of the Year nomination (2015 and 2017) and should rightfully be his to win. Just for his acoustic 30-minute set at CMA Fest this summer, he should win this alone…since he did a continuous medley of his catalog, as opposed to complete songs or even his latest single,…he lost a prime spot on the ABC special that aired earlier this month.
Some of the nominees that did make it to the second ballot, but not the final, were super deserving of album of the year: Magnolia/Randy Houser, Interstate Gospel/Pistol Annies, George, and Reba.
wayne
August 28, 2019 @ 10:46 am
Church should win Entertainer of the Year. Regardless if one likes him or not.
As with all music awards shows recently, this one will be a “statement”. One should see this from a mile away. Therefore, more females will win than usual even though comparative statistics would not support it. Again, it will be a political statement.
And with all the awards shows, this one will be no different. Lower viewership. Mainly due to making politically correct statements rather than furthering their respective music genres.
INDK
August 28, 2019 @ 10:48 am
I’m curious, what are comparable ratings numbers to the CMA’s? A non-playoff baseball game? A Seinfeld rerun? Or are they still doing big numbers and people over 40 just don’t watch anymore?
North Woods Country
August 28, 2019 @ 11:07 am
The “Brand New Man” remake had a fucking clap track. Dear god it better not win.
Dobe Daddy
August 28, 2019 @ 11:18 am
“Just add it to the pile.”
–Paul Franklin, probably
Loretta Twitty
August 28, 2019 @ 11:43 am
::sigh:: Lack Luster CMAs. We have Lil Nas. We have Maren trying to be Kasey, but doing it all wrong. #MurderOnMusicRow I am honestly hoping for a resurgence of decent mainstream COUNTRY music w/ Midland, Pardi, & others for the next award season.
Chris
August 28, 2019 @ 11:44 am
If Maren Morris is the woke option… well, wake me when it’s over.
And to hell with Old Town Road. That’s not country and it’s become an attack on country, more than anything, by this point, even if that wasn’t Lil Nas X’s intention.
Give an award to Cody Johnson or Ashley McBride and I’ll be happy. Eric Church is a deserving pick, also Combs and Underwood.
Derek Sullivan
August 28, 2019 @ 11:46 am
I love Eric Church and would love to see him win, but to be honest it kind of feels like Combs should be the entertainer of the year. His show in Omaha sold out in five minutes. His shows are some of the hardest tickets to buy. His songs all go to No. 1. The fact that he didn’t get nominated is really dumb.
For the Birds
August 28, 2019 @ 11:54 am
I’m really really disappointed that The Annies didn’t get any nominations! Interstate Gospel was on so many year-end lists. It’s a gorgeous record and it’s much better than anything nominated for album. I also like it far more than any of 16 tinny songs we’ve heard so far from Wildcard. I’ve often wondered how IG would have fared had it been a Miranda solo album. I obsessively played TWOTW for two years, but this feels like Miranda’s actual breakup record and her voice has never sounded better. (“I was looking forward to / staying here forever cause you asked me too” still gives me goosebumps sometimes.)
I’m really happy that Kacey got three nominations but sad that I have to be happy about that. I do think that after winning AOTY at the Grammys she *absolutely* deserved to be nominated for Entertainer. I’m pretty sure Taylor won EOTY the same year that Fearless won an AOTY at the Grammys. Oh, and if they were going to nominate something from Reboot (which I’m happy they did!) I would have preferred to see Kacey’s Neon Moon nab it. I’m hoping that’s the sonic direction her next album takes.
Happy for Ashley McBryde and I hope she wins.
Tyler Wayne
August 28, 2019 @ 3:07 pm
Nail on head
Ray
August 28, 2019 @ 1:10 pm
I try to base opinions on mainstream success rather than who should have been nominated. In a perfect world, Yola and Ashley McBryde would be in the Female Vocalist of the Year. Unfortunately, voters seem to pick the “tried and true’ choices. I was hoping someone would be nominated that was relatively unknown and have another “Chris Stapleton moment.”
The Entertainer category is odd to me because it I would have bet my house Luke Combs would have been one of the five finalist. I assume voters assume he is not enough of a household name to give it to someone that is still relatively new. But, the guy has six straight numbers ones, a sold out arena tour and two nights at Bridgestone Arena that have left people begging for tickets. I agree with most it is between Eric and Carrie. If Carrie does not win this year, I fear the window is closing that she ever will win the big prize.
The rules for New Artist of the Year needs to be changed. Is Carly Pearce, Cody Johnson and Midland really “new.” Again, I would love to see Ashley McBryde win, perform “American Scandal” and knock the socks off of voters.
I am not sure why voters love Miranda so much this year in the Female category, but skipped the Pistol Annies in the very weak Vocal Group of the Year. At least the Annies had NEW music, whether it is your cup of coffee or not. I am still not on the Midland train and believe it will be Old Dominion winning again.
“God’s Country” seems like the song that I will remember most in 2019. “Tequila” seems too old for the Song category. I am not a big fan of “Rainbow” after hearing it two million times. The one song that seems slighted is “Beer Never Broke My Heart.” The only reason I think it is not in the mix is that Luke Combs split the vote with “Beautiful Crazy.”
It is interesting that “Girl” is described for its monotone sound. I think all Kane Brown songs have that same feel. I wish Maren would have released “Bones” in time to be nominated. A great song!
Doesn’t it seem certain artists are on the radio, but have never received any attention? I thought this might be the year for “Down at the Honky Tonk” by Jake Owen or a breakthrough year for Chris Young. Others that come to mind are Brett Eldridge, Cole Swindell and Dustin Lynch. Have these guys ever received a nomination (whether you like them or not).
Jack
August 28, 2019 @ 2:06 pm
Very upset and confused as to why Reba, George Strait and the Pistol Annies haven’t received any nominations. Reba should’ve taken Kelsea Ballerini’s spot in the Female Vocalist category, George should’ve replaced Keith Urban as he hasn’t released a new album this cycle. Strait and Reba should both be up for Album of the Year and maybe even Entertainer as well. The Annies should replace Little Big Town (who haven’t released a record since 2017) and probably should’ve won Group of the Year.
It was a long shot but I was hoping to maybe see some love for Brandi Carlile.
kiwicountry
August 28, 2019 @ 7:03 pm
I agree, and nothing for album either – I loved her latest album. And nothing for The Highwomen either or is it too early? Their version of The Chain was awesome.
Benjamin
August 28, 2019 @ 3:26 pm
Eric Church deserves to win ETOY with his Double Down tour. Two nights in city arenas, playing to massive crowds, and performing well in album sales/criticism, and just scoring another #1 single.
If he doesn’t win then I will never watch the CMA’s again
Tracy
August 28, 2019 @ 3:36 pm
If the CMA were sincere in giving women a fair and equal shot, Runaway June and Pistol Annies would be nominated in there somewhere. Instead, we have Maren Morris as window dressing. On another note, I see the “snub” of bro country as a positive. Maybe Nashville is finally seeing the light on this? I am also hopeful that Brothers Osborne will 4-peat. I am already sick to my stomach thinking Dan+Shay could win Duo. I have no idea when voting takes place, but with their Live at the Ryman album coming out in October I hope the Bros can pull off another Duo win.
jbear123
August 28, 2019 @ 6:56 pm
Carrie Underwood deserved EOTY in 2016 that was sooo bad by the CMA voters. She was robbed, I can still see Brad Paisley’s face when Garth’s name was read out, he was gutted cause he knew that she should have won. She toured her ass off, took country music all over the world including the UK, Australia and NZ whilst starting a fashion line, hosting the damn awards show, all the interviews, singing at the hockey and other performances all while raising her first child. Yeah her husband was there to support her when he had the time but a baby depends so much on it’s mother, any mother can tell you this. Damn it she’s an inspiration to women everywhere and it’s time she got rewarded for all the hard work she’s put in touring over the years. She’s done it all again with this tour and this time two children. Give the women what she deserves. I will pray like hell this is not another sausage fest!
Jimmy
August 28, 2019 @ 11:19 pm
Unfortunately they don’t take starting fashion lines, hosting ‘damn’ awards shows, doing interviews, singing at hockey games and being a mother into consideration when voting.
Chad
September 22, 2019 @ 9:21 pm
Are u a MORON? The woman had the highest selling country album and all genre by a female when it debuted. Underwood.deserves the award
Corncaster
August 28, 2019 @ 7:04 pm
Repulsively bloated, probably corrupt, and irrelevant to the things worth caring about.
Phooey.
Hooray for Ashley, Luke, and the musicians, tho.
tt31
August 28, 2019 @ 10:32 pm
“Luke Combs is far and away the biggest country music artist at the moment, and arguably the biggest breakout star in the history of the genre.”
Let’s not forget that Billy Ray Cyrus started his career with two number one albums. Yet he fell flat on his face soon after.
Tracy
August 29, 2019 @ 2:45 am
Luke already has 6 number ones and is selling out stadiums. Also, he’s not a one hit wonder, as in he wasn’t propelled to the top with one huge Achy Break Heart type hit. I am by far not Luke’s biggest fan, but I don’t see him falling flat and burning out any time soon.
PSU Mike
August 29, 2019 @ 8:26 am
Three things:
1. As everyone has said, the AOTY nominees suck really hard this year. You essentially have three bad pop albums, one straight up pop album that at least has a few good songs (Underwood), and one blues/rock album that has a few good country songs (Church). I wouldn’t go to bat for any of them, but I’d imagine Church takes it, b/c he is the critical darling, and at least that album is stylistically different from the other nominees. I honestly cannot get behind any of the choices, as there were better options that have been listed in other comments (particularly in Strait and the Annies).
2. On a better note, I am somewhat pleasantly surprised by the New Artist nominees. Not huge on Morgan Wallen, but any of the other four winning would be a nice result.
3. EOTY is going to be really, really interesting. It really feels like it’s set up to be a coronation for Carrie Underwood, especially considering they’re honoring female country artists, and are having Underwood host with two previous Female EOTY winners. It just has that storybook ending feel. Underwood is absolutely deserving (and should’ve won years prior), and I’d be happy for her if she won. But the CMA’s have almost boxed themselves into a corner here with going all out with this ceremony. I think if Carrie doesn’t win it, there’s going to be a huge backlash within the media, especially if they go with a previous winner in Urban or Garth. It’s not really fair to Carrie (or Church/Stapleton/any of the nominees) to put them in this position.
It’s great they want to honor women, but…if you really want to honor them, start playing more quality music that they are making on radio. I think if the country music industry did this, it would make “honoring female country artists” (which is a good thing) at the ceremony mean more than the window dressing that some are going to view it as. Now, if Carrie wins…you’re going to have some people making claims that it’s “because the CMA wanted to honor a woman as a token due to the ceremony” (and there will be some that say that, unfair as it may be). If she loses, you’ll have others saying it’s more evidence of the “bias in country music against woman”. It just puts all of the nominees in a rough spot, and again…the problem isn’t what the CMA’s are doing with the ceremony. I’m sure there will be a few cool moments as a result of it. The problem is that they didn’t fully address the issues they were having, post-tomatogate, and have allowed things to escalate to where they are now. And the worst part is, it didn’t have to be this way.
Calvin.
September 8, 2019 @ 1:58 pm
Everyone is an expert come awards time. I live in New Zealand and the only Country music I hear is what I buy from the record store.There is no country radio here. My all time favorite is Garth Brooks. who is nominated for EOT so he is also my pick to win. Keith and Carrie I am a huge fan of. History has proven that when Garth tours he normally wins
Lola
September 13, 2019 @ 6:11 am
I want to know who in the hell have all these Country music awards nominations to Maren Morris? She does not belying, even a detriment. her music isn’t just not country, it’s actual crap thats no good in any genre. If you want an example of how the Nashville machine packages up an artist that only have average talent at best and then pushes them out to country radio.and hown our throats, she’s it. Just watch her perform and it’s obvious she more concerned with the way she looks.every year these award shows get worse every year.
Tucker Morgan
November 13, 2019 @ 7:44 pm
What has happened to country music. The CMA awards are certainly not a reprensation of what country “music” used to be!!! What Johnny and June Cash, HanK Williams, Merle Haggard, Patsy Cline, Tammy Wynette, and many other great artist, were the real country. So sad this is going by the wayside, as Elvis, Beach Music, The Beatles and many others, have gone. They are gone, but not forgotten, by the Baby Boomer Generation!!!!!! I even miss Lawrence Welk!!!!!!!