The 2019 CMA Awards Complete Preview
(Tune in Wednesday night for Saving Country Music’s LIVE Blog of the CMA Awards)
The 53rd ANNUAL CMA AWARDS
When: 7 p.m. Central, 8 p.m. Eastern Wednesday, November 13th, 2019 on ABC.
Where: The Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN.
Hosts: Carrie Underwood, Dolly Parton, and Reba McEntire.
THINGS TO WATCH FOR
• The 2019 CMA Awards will have a strong focus on the women of country music, with Carrie Underwood, Reba McEntire, and Dolly Parton hosting, a massive collaborative performance involving 13 total performers to open the show, a 8-woman performance later, and many other women attending as performers and presenters. It’s a fair question to ask just how much individual face time the women involved in these collaborative medleys will be afforded, and if this is the best way to present women as opposed to giving them more individual performance slots to shine. But it is better than no time at all. The biggest moment for the women of country could be if Carrie Underwood wins Entertainer of the Year at the end of the night. Look for this to be the crowning moment of the 2019 CMA Awards if it comes to fruition, as the cameras fade with Carrie Underwood “crying pretty.”
• Kris Kristofferson will be paid tribute, though he won’t be there. Instead he’s elected to keep his gig Wednesday night in Davenport, Iowa. The lineup the CMAs have fielded to pay tribute to Kristofferson is also a little mild, with Dierks Bentley, Sheryl Crow, Chris Janson, and John Osborne set to do the honors. At least they’re paying attention to the songwriting legend.
• There will be a lot of country legends on hand, including Willie Nelson who will perform with Kacey Musgraves, Crystal Gayle, Reba McEntire, Brooks & Dunn, Tanya Tucker, Janie Fricke, Kathy Mattea, Pam Tillis, Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, and more. Some of these legends will only get small snippets of screen time in collaborations or presentations, but as a whole, it’s more legends than we normally see on an awards show.
• Maren Morris leads all nominees with six, but may not win any, or just one or two. The big drama will be for Entertainer of the Year and Album of the Year, which will likely see Eric Church and Carrie Underwood going toe to toe for the night’s two top prizes.
THE PRESENTERS
• As part of the CMA’s focus on women, they are bringing in multiple former Female Vocalist of the Year winners as presenters, including Janie Fricke (1982, 1983), Kathy Mattea (1989, 1990), Pam Tillis (1994), Trisha Yearwood (1997,1998), and Martina McBride (1999, 20002, 2003, 2004).
• Other artist presenters include Craig Morgan, Jennifer Nettles, Morgan Wallen, Midland, Blanco Brown, Kristin Chenoweth, and Deana Carter.
• Non-performer presenters include DJ Bobby Bones, reality TV contestant Hannah Brown, and comedian Jim Gaffigan.
UPDATE: Jimmie Allen, Cody Johnson, actress Reese Witherspoon, and Good Morning America personality Lara Spencer have been added as presenters.
PERFORMERS & PERFORMANCES
• Terri Clark, Sara Evans, Crystal Gayle, The Highwomen, Martina McBride, Reba McEntire, Jennifer Nettles, Dolly Parton, Tanya Tucker, Carrie Underwood, and Gretchen Wilson will all participate in a “history-making” performance to open the show.
• Kelsea Ballerini, Lindsay Ell, Ashley McBryde, Carly Pearce, Little Big Town, Maddie & Tae, and Runaway June will also perform in a collaborative “special performance.”
• Dierks Bentley, Sheryl Crow, Chris Janson, and John Osborne will perform a tribute to Kris Kristofferson. UPDATE: Joe Walsh has also been added to the tribute.
• Willie Nelson and Kacey Musgraves will collaborate on a rendition of “Rainbow Connection.”
• Garth Brooks and Blake Shelton will perform their duet “Dive Bar.”
• Brooks & Dunn will team up with Brothers Osborne on their song “Hard Workin’ Man.”
• Chris Stapleton and Pink will perform Pink’s current single “Love Me Anyway.”
• Dolly Parton will perform with For King & Country, Zach Williams, and a local Christ Church choir on a medley of “God Only Knows,” “There Was Jesus,” and “Faith.”
• Eric Church will sing “Some Of It.”
• Miranda Lambert will perform “It All Comes Out in the Wash.”
• Lady Antebellum will team up with Halsey on a surprise song.
• Carrie Underwood will sing her new single “Drinking Alone.”
• Maren Morris will perform “GIRL.”
• Luke Combs will sing “Beer Never Broke My Heart.”
• Keith Urban will perform “We Were” co-written by Eric Church.
• Dan + Shay (“Speechless”), Reba McEntire (“Fancy”), Old Dominion (“One Man Band”), Thomas Rhett (“Remember You Young”), and Blake Shelton (“God’s Country”) will also perform. +songs added/updated.
AWARD NOMINEES & PREDICTIONS
Winners already announced:
- Video of the Year: Kacey Musgraves – “Rainbow”
- Musical Event of the Year – Lil Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus – “Old Town Road”
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 – 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
Already won by Billy Ray Cyrus and Lil Nas X for “Old Town Road”
“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
Already won by Kacey Musgraves for “Rainbow”
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
Trigger
November 13, 2019 @ 9:17 am
Just a reminder, I will be once again launching the always-snarky LIVE blog during the presentation, so to by if you wish.
Also, just want to point out that so far I am 2 and 0 with my predictions so far. 🙂
63Guild
November 13, 2019 @ 9:38 am
The best part of the CMAs is the live blog here
Michael Roy
November 13, 2019 @ 9:28 am
I’m watching strictly to see Brooks & Dunn and Brothers Osborne who are two of my most favorite duos ever. All the others I could really care less about.
hoptowntiger94
November 13, 2019 @ 9:41 am
Once we turn the clocks back, I’m usually in bed by 10 pm eastern (if not 9), so it’s on you Trig to keep me up with your blog. I’m probably most excited to see Willie Nelson perform with Musgraves.
Brian Powers
November 13, 2019 @ 10:01 am
Anyone know of a site to bet on these awards?
OlaR
November 13, 2019 @ 10:19 am
The weakest (?!) field ever.
Entertainer: Carrie Underwood (Dark Horse: Garth Brooks)
Album: Eric Church (Dark Horse: Dan PLUS Shay)
Horizon: Morgan Wallen (Dark Horse: Midland)
Single: “God’s Country” (Dark Horse: “Girl”)
Song: “Beautiful Crazy” (Dark Horses: “Girl” & “God’s Country”)
Female: Maren Morris (Dark Horse: Carrie Underwood)
Male: Luke Combs (Dark Horse: Dierks Bentley)
Group: Old Dominion
Duo: Dan PLUS Shay
Musician: ?
Other Predictions:
Bebe Rexha will storm the stage because she is the real queen of country music.
Beyonce is a surprise guest singing the old country standard “Single Ladies”. Her fans demand the EotY award 2020 & beyond for Beyonce.
Justin Bieber declares his love for country music & his next album will be a honky tonk album produced by PooPoo Bear, Marshmellow & Blanco Clown.
Alan Jackson will leave early.
Michelle
November 13, 2019 @ 10:20 am
I really hate stunts. So women can’t be recognized as great artists without bombarding the audience with scores of them?
Di Harris
November 13, 2019 @ 1:00 pm
Amen, Michelle
Ken
November 13, 2019 @ 10:22 am
Usually agree with everything you say here Trigger but i just can’t go with you on Carrie Underwood. The support for her seems to be because she’s been around for a good few years and “it’s her turn now.” Doesn’t wash with me one little bit that arguement. Maybe someone directing me to the country music songs that she has sung would work better but I can’t find the country content in her repertoire. Anyone able to direct me towards it?
Trigger
November 13, 2019 @ 10:30 am
Ken,
I am not saying that I want Carrie Underwood to win. I am saying that I believe she will win.
But at the same time, honestly, I am okay with it. Do I consider Carrie Underwood a true country artist? Of course not. But there are many worse. And if the CMA wants to give her this trophy as a symbolic support for all the women of country, so be it. It’s better than Keith Urban. Garth has won it many times already, and Eric Church and Chris Stapleton will have their fair shots in the future.
Melissa W
November 13, 2019 @ 10:32 am
There is a time frame that is looked at to become nominated for awards including for Entertainer of the yr. It’s not ones entire repertoire. Of those who are nominated for EOTY who has released a country album or song in the time frame that made then elig to be nominated?
I don’t care who wins but let’s be fair. If you’re going based on country content within the elig time frame of being nominated then none of these singers should’ve been nominated
jbear123
November 13, 2019 @ 3:11 pm
I think Trigger has pointed out somewhere already that she could have or should have got this award a few years ago on her own merit and giving it to her now is overdue because of that. As for her music, that’s her sound, she’s had the same sound since the begining of her career. It’s Country fused with rock and pop, that’s who she’s always been, but she’s a country girl and has always been respectful to the genre. She doesn’t swear in her songs or go on stage mostly naked and she always shows up the the Opry. She’s true to her faith and has given a lot back to the community. As for the sound of coutnry music which is always a hot debate, lets all be honest here, country music from the 60’s is completley different to country music of the 90s just like how pop music has changed over time. I mean From This Moment by Shania Twain is not 100% country is it? It’s a country pop ballad. Music evolves and changes. Someone on here talked about the Eagles being a rock band that turned country, never happened. They fused rock with country and created their sound that was unique to them. I mean it really depends on what you are comparing her to or expecting, cause every artist has their own sound, they talk about it constantly on these singing shows “finding your own sound”, Katy Perry’s sound is nothing like Ariana Grande yet both are pop stars. Clearly she’s doing something right because she’s still making albums, having massive tours and winning awards.
wayne
November 13, 2019 @ 10:28 am
Thankfully I have other commitments tonight so I will not be watching. But I will check the blog afterward for some good entertainment reading.
Jack Eden
November 13, 2019 @ 10:50 am
I’d love the “history making” opening performance to be on the same level as the one that opened the 50th CMAs with Dwight, Clint, Alan, Reba, Charley etc. Love all of the performers involved in it so it will be interesting to see what they come up with. No idea what the other big collab performance with Little Big Town is about.
Very curious about this Lady Antebellum and Halsey collaboration too as it’s literally came from nowhere. Pink and Stapleton are always good and I’m excited for Kacey and Willie. I’m also looking forward to the Kristofferson performance although it’s a shame he won’t be there to give a speech. I was half expecting Sheryl Crow, Stevie Nicks and Maren Morris to perform Crow’s “Prove You Wrong” as it would surely be a huge talking point having all three of them together.
Aaron
November 13, 2019 @ 11:21 am
I enjoy making fun of a few things about these CMA shows, but overall I find them significantly more true and respectful to the genre than the ACMs. The CMAs at least try to give the awards to songs and artists that deserve them (in terms of the mainstream).
Trigger
November 13, 2019 @ 11:52 am
No Florida Georgia Line, no Sam Hunt, no Luke Bryan this year. There’s not going to be a ton to make fun of.
Ryan
November 13, 2019 @ 11:41 am
Really wish eric church was performing monsters instead of some of it. Not that some of it is bad, monsters is his new single and just a really good song.
Trigger
November 13, 2019 @ 11:50 am
Was a strange decision. I guess they thought “Monsters” wasn’t fit for primetime. Though I will say he was seen in rehearsals practicing with both an acoustic and electric. So we may see him twice, or he may do a switcheroo or something.
MitchP
November 13, 2019 @ 12:24 pm
Looking forward to the live blog Trigger! Maybe less to make fun of this year, but there’s always some trash surprises.
Hey Arnold
November 13, 2019 @ 12:29 pm
Are we placing out our predictions?? No, just me? Ok
Entertainer= Should be Eric / Will be Carrie
Male = Luke Combs
Female =Carrie or Maren
Album = Desperate Man,
Song = Rainbow
Single = God’s Country
Duo = Dan and Shay or Bros Osborne
Group = Old Dominion
New Artist = Midland
Musician = Jenee Fleenor
Hey Arnold
November 13, 2019 @ 12:42 pm
Looking forward to the Cat Fight between Miranda and Gwen Stefani in the Front Row!!
Revolution
November 13, 2019 @ 3:33 pm
I want Hot Cop Husband Brendon to throw a salad on Blake!
Loretta Twitty
November 13, 2019 @ 1:00 pm
Halsey on the CMAs, gag. ::clutching my invisible pearls::
Loretta Twitty
November 13, 2019 @ 1:01 pm
P.S. Paul Franklin deserves a win.
Officer McLoughlin
November 13, 2019 @ 3:40 pm
I don’t think it will happen, but I would *LOVE* for Kacey to win Female Vocalist. It’s the least they owe her after snubbing her in Entertainer. Who has better represented the genre than the Grammy AOTY winner?
THE REAL CMAS
November 13, 2019 @ 3:53 pm
My personal CMAs: (post yours too)
Entertainer: Kacey Musgraves
Album: interstate Gospel
Male Vocalist: Tyler Childers
Female Vocalist: Pistol Annies
Group: Turnpike Troubadours
Person in Country Music Id most like to bone: Sturgill Simpson
Hey Arnold
November 13, 2019 @ 5:13 pm
My personal CMAs
Entertainer : Garth Brooks
Album: HonkyTonk Time Machine
Male Vocalist : Jon Pardi
Female Vocalist: Ashley McBride
Group : Midland
Single : Heartache Medication
Song : God and Country Music
New Artist : Riley Green
Patrick is here
November 13, 2019 @ 5:42 pm
Cool idea for a blog post: go through the history of the awards and pick what *should* have won in each category, alongside what actually won. And also what *should* have been nominated.