Everything You Need To Know For TONIGHT’s CMA Awards + My Predictions!

Nov 8, 2017 | 9:01 AM Marcus Gordon

Tonight the 51st Annual CMA Awards are taking place in Nashville. They’ll be on ABC at 7 o’clock our time, and Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood return to host for their 10th straight year!

Here’s who’s performing, nominated and presenting the awards.

Solo Performers: Garth Brooks, Brothers Osborne, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Old Dominion, Jon Pardi, Chris Stapleton, Keith Urban, Thomas Rhett, Pink, Carrie Underwood and Alan Jackson

Collaborative Performances: Kelsea Ballerini & Reba McEntire; Dierks Bentley & Rascal Flatts; Maren Morris & Niall Horan; Brad Paisley & Kane Brown; Tim McGraw & Faith Hill; Eric Church, Lady Antebellum, Darius Rucker & Keith Urban

Presenters: Dustin Lynch, Lauren Alaina, Luke Combs, Brett Young, Trisha Yearwood, Bobby Bones, Jimmie Johnson, Karlie Kloss, Lea Michele, Michelle Monaghan, Tyler Perry, Jason Ritter, JoAnna Garcia Swisher, Ruby Rose, Brittany Snow

Nominees: (my predictions in Bold/Italics)

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR (Award goes to the artist)

Garth Brooks
Luke Bryan
Eric Church
Chris Stapleton
Keith Urban

Everyone in this category deserves it. Over the last year or two I’ve been lucky enough to see every single one of these people in concert…but I’m going with Garth. His tour has been phenomenal, and he continues to sell out show after show in every city he goes to, performing double headers on multiple nights.

SINGLE OF THE YEAR (Award goes to the artist, producer, and mix engineer)

“Better Man” – Little Big Town; Producer: Jay Joyce; Mix Engineer: Jason Hall, Jay Joyce
“Blue Ain’t Your Color” – Keith Urban; Producer: Dann Huff, Keith Urban; Mix Engineer: Chris Lord-Alge
“Body Like A Back Road” – Sam Hunt; Producer: Zach Crowell; Mix Engineer: Zach Crowell
“Dirt On My Boots” – Jon Pardi; Producer: Bart Butler, Jon Pardi; Mix Engineer: Ryan Gore
“Tin Man” – Miranda Lambert; Producer: Frank Liddell, Eric Masse, Glenn Worf; Mix Engineer: Eric Masse

Body Like A Back Road was #1 for like a billion weeks, so I think Sam Hunt will walk away with it.

ALBUM OF THE YEAR (Award goes to the artist and producer)

The Breaker – Little Big Town; Producer: Jay Joyce
From A Room: Volume 1 – Chris Stapleton; Producer: Dave Cobb, Chris Stapleton
Heart Break – Lady Antebellum; Producer: busbee
The Nashville Sound – Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit; Producer: Dave Cobb
The Weight of These Wings – Miranda Lambert; Producer: Frank Liddell, Glenn Worf, Eric Masse

Such a strong category! So many great albums this year, but I’m going to give it to Miranda.

SONG OF THE YEAR (Award goes to the songwriter)

“Better Man” — Songwriter: Taylor Swift
“Blue Ain’t Your Color” — Songwriter: Clint Lagerberg, Hillary Lindsey, Steven Olsen
“Body Like A Back Road” — Songwriter: Zach Crowell, Sam Hunt, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne
“Dirt On My Boots” — Songwriter: Rhett Akins, Jesse Frasure, Ashley Gorley
“Tin Man” — Songwriter: Jack Ingram, Miranda Lambert, Jon Randall

Even though Taylor isn’t country any more, I think Better Man will get her another CMA.

FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR (Award goes to the artist)

Kelsea Ballerini
Miranda Lambert
Reba McEntire
Maren Morris
Carrie Underwood

In the last decade only Carrie Underwood, Miranda Lambert and Taylor Swift have won this award, but I’m predicting a changing of the guard for female vocalist of the year.

MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR (Award goes to the artist)

Dierks Bentley
Eric Church
Thomas Rhett
Chris Stapleton
Keith Urban

Chris Stapleton has won male vocalist the last two years in the row, but I think Thomas Rhett pulls through this year.

VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR (Award goes to the group)

Lady Antebellum
Little Big Town
Old Dominion
Rascal Flatts
Zac Brown Band

Little Big Town has 5 straight wins in this category, Lady Antebellum won it the 3 years before them. And before Lady A it was 6 years of Rascal Flatts. I’m thinking Old Dominion will break through this year and pick up the trophy.

VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR (Award goes to the duo)

Dan + Shay
Florida Georgia Line
LOCASH
Maddie & Tae
Brothers Osborne

Florida Georgia Line had won 3 straight CMA’s for vocal duo before the Brothers Osborne won last year. I’m thinking Florida Georgia Line takes it back this year.

MUSICAL EVENT OF THE YEAR (Award goes to each artist)

“Craving You” – Thomas Rhett (feat. Maren Morris)
“Funny How Time Slips Away” – Glen Campbell with Willie Nelson
“Kill a Word” – Eric Church (feat. Rhiannon Giddens)
“Setting the World on Fire” – Kenny Chesney (with P!nk)
“Speak to a Girl” – Tim McGraw & Faith Hill

Since I picked Thomas to win male vocalist, and Maren to win female vocalist, it’s only fitting that they would win vocal event together.

MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR (Award goes to the artist and director)

“Better Man” – Little Big Town; Director: Becky Fluke and Reid Long
“Blue Ain’t Your Color” – Keith Urban; Director: Carter Smith
“Craving You” – Thomas Rhett (feat. Maren Morris); Director: TK McKamy
“Vice” – Miranda Lambert; Director: Trey Fanjoy
“It Ain’t My Fault” – Brothers Osborne; Director: Wes Edwards and Ryan Silver

Such a fun video, the Brothers Osborne need to win it! If you haven’t seen the video take a look.