CMA Awards Predictions: Who Will Win in Each Category

CMA Awards Predictions: Who Will Win in Each Category

Before the 52nd CMA Awards kick off at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Nov. 14 at 7 p.m. CT on ABC, we asked 10 people around the Nash Country Daily office to predict which artists will be taking home trophies.

There was no back-and-forth debate, no who “should” win, and no waffling. Each panelist was simply asked: Who WILL win in each category?

Panel

  1. Ty Bentli, co-host Ty, Kelly & Chuck
  2. Glenn Johnson, executive producer Ty, Kelly & Chuck
  3. Bryan Webb, digital coordinator Ty, Kelly & Chuck
  4. Elaina Smith, co-host Nash Nights Live
  5. Shawn Parr, co-host Nash Nights Live
  6. Blair Garner, host Blair Garner Show
  7. Eric Garner, producer Blair Garner Show
  8. Nikita Palmer, producer Nash Network
  9. Lonnie Napier, producer American Country Countdown
  10. Jim Casey, editor in chief Nash Country Daily

Here’s who we think WILL win each award . . . but seriously, what do we know?

Each ♦ represents one vote.

Entertainer of the Year

  • Jason Aldean ♦
  • Luke Bryan ♦♦♦♦
  • Kenny Chesney♦
  • Chris Stapleton ♦
  • Keith Urban ♦♦♦
AFF-USA.com

Female Vocalist of the Year

  • Kelsea Ballerini
  • Miranda Lambert
  • Maren Morris ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦
  • Kacey Musgraves ♦
  • Carrie Underwood ♦
AFF-USA.com

Male Vocalist of the Year

  • Dierks Bentley ♦
  • Luke Combs ♦♦♦
  • Thomas Rhett ♦
  • Chris Stapleton ♦♦♦♦♦
  • Keith Urban
AFF-USA.com

Vocal Duo of the Year

  • Brothers Osborne
  • Dan + Shay ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦
  • Florida Georgia Line ♦♦♦
  • Maddie & Tae
  • Sugarland
AFF-USA.com

New Artist of the Year

  • Lauren Alaina
  • Luke Combs ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦
  • Chris Janson
  • Midland
  • Brett Young ♦
AFF-USA.com

Vocal Group of the Year

  • Lady Antebellum ♦
  • LANCO
  • Little Big Town ♦
  • Midland
  • Old Dominion ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦
AFF-USA.com

Album of the Year

  • From A Room: Volume 2 – Chris Stapleton; Producers: Dave Cobb, Chris Stapleton ♦♦
  • Golden Hour – Kacey Musgraves; Producers: Ian Fitchuk, Daniel Tashian, Kacey Musgraves ♦♦
  • Graffiti U – Keith Urban; Producers: Keith Urban, Dan McCarroll, J.R. Rotem, Josh Kerr, Jason Evigan, Greg Wells, Benny Blanco, Ed Sheeran, Johnny McDaid, Jesse Shatkin, Jimmy Robbins, Oscar Holter, Matt Rad, Eric Valentine, Ian Kirkpatrick, Mike Elizondo, Captain Cuts, Ross Copperman, Dann Huff, Peter Karlsson
  • Life Changes – Thomas Rhett; Producers: Julian Bunetta, Jesse Frasure, Dann Huff, Joe London, Thomas Rhett ♦♦♦♦♦
  • The Mountain – Dierks Bentley; Producers: Ross Copperman, Jon Randall Stewart, Arturo Buenahora Jr. ♦
AFF-USA.com

Single of the Year (Awarded to Singer, Producer and Engineer)

  • “Broken Halos” – Chris Stapleton; Producers: Dave Cobb, Chris Stapleton; Mix Engineer: Vance Powell
  • “Drinkin’ Problem” – Midland; Producers: Dann Huff, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne; Mix Engineer: Justin Niebank
  • “Drowns the Whiskey” – Jason Aldean (Feat. Miranda Lambert); Producer: Michael Knox; Mix Engineer: Jeff Braun
  • “Meant to Be” – Bebe Rexha & Florida Georgia Line; Producer: Willshire; Mix Engineer: Serban Ghenea ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦
  • “Tequila” – Dan + Shay; Producers: Scott Hendricks, Dan Smyers; Mix Engineer: Jeff Juliano ♦♦♦
AFF-USA.com

Song of the Year (Awarded to Songwriters)

  • “Body Like A Back Road” – Zach Crowell, Sam Hunt, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne ♦
  • “Broken Halos” – Songwriters: Mike Henderson, Chris Stapleton ♦♦
  • “Drowns the Whiskey” – Songwriter: Brandon Kinney, Jeff Middleton, Josh Thompson
  • “Drunk Girl” – Songwriter: Scooter Carusoe, Tom Douglas, Chris Janson ♦♦♦♦
  • “Tequila” – Songwriter: Nicolle Galyon, Jordan Reynolds, Dan Smyers ♦♦♦
AFF-USA.com

Musical Event of the Year

  • “Burning Man” – Dierks Bentley feat. Brothers Osborne
  • “Dear Hate” – Maren Morris (Feat. Vince Gill)
  • “Drowns the Whiskey” – Jason Aldean (Feat. Miranda Lambert) ♦♦♦
  • “Everything’s Gonna Be Alright” – David Lee Murphy (with Kenny Chesney)
  • “Meant to Be” – Bebe Rexha & Florida Georgia Line ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦
AFF-USA.com

Music Video of the Year (Awarded to Artist & Director)

  • “Babe” – Sugarland (Featuring Taylor Swift); Director: Anthony Mandler ♦♦
  • “Cry Pretty” – Carrie Underwood; Director: Randee St. Nicholas ♦♦
  • “Drunk Girl” – Chris Janson; Director: Jeff Venable ♦
  • “Marry Me” – Thomas Rhett; Director: TK McKamy ♦♦♦
  • “Tequila” – Dan + Shay; Director: Patrick Tracy ♦♦
AFF-USA.com

photos by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com

Blogs

Eric Church Announces 2025 Free The Machine North American Tour

On Wednesday (April 30), Eric Church announced the dates and details of his 2025 Free The Machine Tour of North America. The 22-date arena tour starts in Pittsburgh on September 12 and finishes in Los Angeles on November 15, hitting cities like Philadelphia, Boston, Detroit, and Seattle along the way. Church will be joined by…

Eric Church Announces 2025 Free The Machine North American Tour

On Wednesday (April 30), Eric Church announced the dates and details of his 2025 Free The Machine Tour of North America. The 22-date arena tour starts in Pittsburgh on September 12 and finishes in Los Angeles on November 15, hitting cities like Philadelphia, Boston, Detroit, and Seattle along the way. Church will be joined by…

Jessi Alexander Shares Her Journey From Fledgling Artist To Hit Country Songwriter

Prior to being honored during Variety’s Power of Women: Nashville event, Jessi Alexander spoke with the publication about her journey from fledgling artist to blockbuster country songwriter. Alexander broke gender stereotypes in the Music Row writers' rooms by penning chart-topping hits like Lee Brice’s “I Drive Your Truck,” Miranda Lambert’s “Things That Break,” Blake Shelton’s…

Jessi Alexander Shares Her Journey From Fledgling Artist To Hit Country Songwriter

Prior to being honored during Variety’s Power of Women: Nashville event, Jessi Alexander spoke with the publication about her journey from fledgling artist to blockbuster country songwriter. Alexander broke gender stereotypes in the Music Row writers’ rooms by penning chart-topping hits like Lee Brice’s “I Drive Your Truck,” Miranda Lambert’s “Things That Break,” Blake Shelton’s…

Minority Stake In Morgan Wallen’s Catalog Sold By Big Loud For $200 Million

Nashville-based label Big Loud, home to Morgan Wallen, has reportedly sold a minority stake in the country superstar’s master recordings to Chord Music Partners for over $200 million. The deal is for a minority holding in Wallen’s first three studio albums, which includes his blockbuster 2023 double album, One Thing at a Time. The deal…

Minority Stake In Morgan Wallen’s Catalog Sold By Big Loud For $200 Million

Nashville-based label Big Loud, home to Morgan Wallen, has reportedly sold a minority stake in the country superstar’s master recordings to Chord Music Partners for over $200 million. The deal is for a minority holding in Wallen’s first three studio albums, which includes his blockbuster 2023 double album, One Thing at a Time. The deal…

2025 ACM Awards Will Open With 12-Minute “Songs Of The Decades’ Medley, With Special Collaborations Planned During Ceremony

The 2025 ACM Awards will begin with a 12-minute music showcase honoring ACM Award-winning Songs of the Year over six decades. The segment will feature Clint Black, Dan + Shay, Wynonna Judd, Reba McEntire, LeAnn Rimes, and Sugarland, and will likely include hit songs like “Tequila,” “Why Not Me,” “Blue,” and “Stay” in the medley.…

2025 ACM Awards Will Open With 12-Minute “Songs Of The Decades’ Medley, With Special Collaborations Planned During Ceremony

The 2025 ACM Awards will begin with a 12-minute music showcase honoring ACM Award-winning Songs of the Year over six decades. The segment will feature Clint Black, Dan + Shay, Wynonna Judd, Reba McEntire, LeAnn Rimes, and Sugarland, and will likely include hit songs like “Tequila,” “Why Not Me,” “Blue,” and “Stay” in the medley.…

Lainey Wilson Set To Make Feature Film Debut In Colleen Hoover’s ‘Reminders Of Him’

Lainey Wilson will make her feature film debut in the Universal adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s best-selling novel, Reminders of Him. The Grammy-winning country superstar will join a star-studded cast that includes Maika Monroe, Tyriq Withers, Rudy Pankow, and Lauren Graham, with the film set to be directed by Vanessa Caswill. This won’t be Wilson’s first…

Lainey Wilson Set To Make Feature Film Debut In Colleen Hoover’s ‘Reminders Of Him’

Lainey Wilson will make her feature film debut in the Universal adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s best-selling novel, Reminders of Him. The Grammy-winning country superstar will join a star-studded cast that includes Maika Monroe, Tyriq Withers, Rudy Pankow, and Lauren Graham, with the film set to be directed by Vanessa Caswill. This won’t be Wilson’s first…