Picks For the 37th Annual Country Music Association Awards
Have you got your cowboy hats, chaps and boots ready for Wednesday night? Nashville
will be a who's who of country music on November 5th and some of the biggest starts in
the industry aren't even up for awards. Shania and Faith are sitting this one out as well
as Keith Urban and Garth Brooks. Plus the women of country have been shuffled to the
background for this event. It definitely is going to be a man's world this time around.
And let's see what kind of tribute they give to Johnny and June Carter Cash. It should be
a memorable event. So let's get down to it and I'll tell you who I think should walk away
with the awards.
Song - Without a doubt it has to be 'Have You Forgotten?'. I'm even picking this one over
'Beer For My Horses'.
Video - Has to be 'Hurt'. The video takes on an ethereal tone after the 'Man In Black'
left us on September 12th.
Album - Joe Nichols won't win it. The Dixie Chicks have been too outspoken as of late
as has Toby Keith. Tim McGraw could walk away with it but I'm going with Johnny Cash and
'American IV: The Man Comes Around'.
Vocal Event - 'Beer For My Horses' will probably win it but I'm pulling for 'It's Five
O'Clock Somewhere'.
Single - Another one that will probably go to 'Beer For My Horses' but I think Brad
Paisley had more fun with 'Celebrity'.
Vocal Duo - I have to go with Montgomery Gentry in this category. Brooks and Dunn are
the only other duo that could walk away with it and the majority of their music isn't
as fresh as four or five years ago.
Vocal Group - Let's go out on a limb here. Rascal Flatts will win this award, but the
Dixie Chicks should give them some stiff competition. If it wasn't for those remarks
during the summer in England who knows what kind of race this would have been.
Horizon Award - Buddy Jewel is the only true new artist who is up for the award. The
others have all had more than one hit on the charts. So let's think like the industry
and give it to Gary Allan.
Male Vocalist - I'd like to see Alan Jackson walk away with it but Tim McGraw will more
than likely take it away from the rest of the talent. Sorry Brad, Toby, Keith and George.
Female Vocalist - There is no competition in this category whatsoever. Congratulations
Martina on another award for your mantel.
Entertainer - So this is the biggie of the night. The one everybody waits for. Brooks
and Dunn don't deserve it. Stop living on your laurels and give us better material
next time. Toby Keith will probably be shut out this year from the award. Maybe he
should have let the feud with the Chicks subside and let the women have the last word.
They usually do anyway. If there was an award for showman of the year, Tim McGraw would
have walked away with it by now. But flash doesn't get you the top entertainer. Kenny
Chesney is the black horse in this race. He could come out of nowhere and swipe the award.
Especially with those Jimmy Buffett stylings on 'No Shirt, No Shoes, No Problem'. But I
think the award will go to the man who would rather sing with Buffett than sound like
Buffett...Alan Jackson.
And if my picks don't win...hey, it's five o'clock somewhere...Care to join me?
- Richard Blaine
* Richard Blaine's views and opinions do not necessarily
reflect the views and opinions of the staff at Twin-Music.