My Predictions for the Winners of the Academy of Country Music Awards

It's another big night in the country music business where the big stars will all be converging on Las Vegas and the Academy of Country Music Awards. This year's award show will be hosted once again by Reba McEntire and carried live at 8:00 Eastern Time on the CBS network.

Since I had so much fun picking the winners last go around for the CMT Awards, I thought I would give this another chance. Besides, I think there will be a lot of upsets this time! So here goes starting with the big one--Entertainer of the Year:

Nominated for the Top Entertainer of the Year Award:

Kenny Chesney

Toby Keith

Brad Paisley

George Strait

Taylor Swift

Carrie Underwood

Keith Urban

Zac Brown Band

My prediction for the winner is Taylor Swift. The reasoning behind this choice is that this is a fan-voted category and Taylor Swift is very popular in both country music and pop venues. She is also very active on the internet and will gather a ton of votes from fans.

My personal choice would be Carrie Underwood but going with statistics here. I think that Carrie has really bumped up her live performances in the "Play On' tour and appeals to a broader audience.

Nominated for the Top Male Vocalist of the Year Award:

Kenny Chesney

Brad Paisley

Darius Rucker

George Strait

Keith Urban

My prediction for the winner is Darius Rucker. Rucker took country music by the horns when he switched over to the country side and is still going. He is the underdog here going up against all the seasoned artists. I predict an upset here with Rucker taking home this award.

Nominated for the Top Female Vocalist of the Year Award:

Miranda Lambert

Reba McEntire

Taylor Swift

Carrie Underwood

Lee Ann Womack

My prediction for the winner is Miranda Lambert. This girl has gotten everyone's attention with her music and showed us this past year that she isn't going anywhere but to the top. Miranda's energy on stage and popularity has sky-rocketed this past year and why I choose her to win this award. Get ready for another upset.

Nominated for the Top Vocal Group of the Year Award:

Lady Antebellum

Little Big Town

Randy Rogers Band (and just who are they?)

Rascal Flatts

Zac Brown Band

My prediction for the winner is Lady Antebellum. Lady A has proven that they are a group to reckon with. As they entered the country music scene, Sugarland was hot and now Lady A is the dominating force. Rascal Flatts will end their winning streak this year with Lady A taking home the award.

Nominated for Top Vocal Duo Award:

Brooks & Dunn

Joey + Rory (another who is this?)

Montgomery Gentry

Steel Magnolia

Sugarland

My prediction for the winner is Brooks & Dunn. Come on--it's their last year performing together and they will go out in style.

Nominated for Top New Solo Vocalist of the Year:

Luke Bryan

Jamey Johnson

Chris Young

My prediction for the winner is Luke Bryan. This one is hard and I wouldn't be surprised if Jamey Johnson wins this award. I picked Luke because he has been around longer that JJ.

Nominated for the Top New Vocal Duo of the Year:

Bomshel

Joey + Rory

Steel Magnolia

My prediction for the winner is Bomshel. These two gals have been everywhere, including my hometown of Baton Rogue, LA. They are great performers and will go a long way in the country music business.

Nominated for Album of the Year:

American Saturday Night- Brad Paisley

Lady Antebellum- Lady Antebellum

Play On- Carrie Underwood

Revolution- Miranda Lambert

The Foundation- Zac Brown Band

My prediction for the winner of Album of the Year is Lady Antebellum. They are hot!

Nominated for Single Record of the Year:

Need You Now- Lady Antebellum

People Are Crazy- Billy Currington

Red Light- David Nail

Toes- Zac Brown Band

White Liar- Miranda Lambert

My prediction for the winner of Single Record of the Year is Billy Currington with People Are Crazy. It was just a FUN song!

Nominated for Song of the Year:

Cowboy Casanova- Carrie Underwood

Need You Now- Lady Antebellum

People Are Crazy- Billy Currington

White Liar- Miranda Lambert

You Belong With Me- Taylor Swift

My prediction for the Song of the Year is White Liar by Miranda Lambert. I'm going with Miranda on this one because of her rise in popularity over the past year.

Video of the Year:

Awarded Saturday night to Miranda Lambert for White Liar

Vocal Event of the Year:

Awarded Saturday night to Blake Shelton and Trace Adkins for Hillbilly Bone

There you have it! My predictions and thoughts as to why I've chosen each winner. Expect an upset or two, as this year there is lots of new talent on the playing field.

Tune in tonight to watch the Academy of Country Music Awards on CBS at 8:00 pm Eastern Time. Watch the stars walk the orange carpet, see who wins awards and watch some great performances!

Source:

Academy of Country Music Nominees