2014 CMA Awards Nominees, Picks, & Prognostications
On Wednesday morning (9-3), the nominees for the 48th Annual CMA Awards were announced on ABC’s Good Morning America and through a CMA Live stream. The 2014 CMA Awards will happen on Wednesday November 5th on ABC, and will be hosted by Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood.
Leading all nominees with nine is Miranda Lambert. Dierks Bentely also turns in a strong showing with five considerations. And amongst the critic’s favorites, Brandy Clark comes in with two nominations, including for New Artist of the Year, and steel guitarist Paul Franklin also receives two nominations.
Though Taylor Swift has officially declared herself pop, she still rounds out the Female Vocalist category with a nomination. And despite officially retiring from touring this year, reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year George Strait shows up once again for the distinction.
The other curious takeaway from the nominations is Jason Aldean isn’t nominated for anything. After the year he’s had, this is nothing short of astounding. There is a story here somewhere, maybe doing with his infidelity, or with his label Broken Bow. The exclusion of Jason Aldean could set up as a big night for Luke Bryan.
Entertainer of the Year
Whether Taylor Swift would be included in this category was one of the biggest questions heading into these nominations. She’s been a perennial Entertainer nominee for the last half decade. There also seemed to be a slight chance we could see Florida Georgia Line here with the huge year they have had. In the end, Big Machine Records gets shut out, Miranda Lambert is the female representative, and King George shows up yet again, challenging the notion that last year’s win was a parting gift.
This is a two horse race. Luke Bryan has put together an incredible year, and has to be considered the front runner, but George Strait with his touring success can’t be ruled out. Remember at the ACM Awards earlier in 2014 when George got picked over Luke, members of the Luke camp erupted. This duel will be the big drama of the night.
Keith Urban and Miranda Lambert have no chance. Blake Shelton would be the dark horse.
- Luke Bryan – Winner
- Miranda Lambert
- Blake Shelton
- George Strait – Another Potential Winner
- Keith Urban
Male Vocalist of the Year
Blake Shelton has been a shoe-in for this distinction the last few years, just as his wife Miranda Lambert has been the shoe-in for the females. But Luke Bryan has to be considered the strongest in the field. If Luke gets locked out of the Entertainer of the Year, the pressure may be to give Luke Bryan Male Vocalist as a consolation prize. Eric Church and Keith Urban are not contenders. Keith is simply the name the CMA’s are using to fill out the lists this year. Dierks has put together a great run with Riser, and would be both the dark horse, and the critical favorite.
- Dierks Bentley
- Luke Bryan – Winner
- Eric Church
- Blake Shelton – Other Potential Winner
- Keith Urban
Female Vocalist of the Year
Of course the CMA nominates Taylor Swift in this category despite her not considering herself country anymore, though hypothetically this is for the year that just passed—before Taylor made her pop declaration. And lacking any real candidates because of the exclusiveness of mainstream country music, the CMA taps Martina McBride again to fill the 5th spot. Country music is not developing female talent, and perusing this category annually proves this.
Miranda runs away with it.
- Miranda Lambert – Winner
- Martina McBride
- Kacey Musgraves
- Taylor Swift
- Carrie Underwood
Album of the Year
Since Eric Church’s last album Chief swept this category at the award shows two years ago, he has to be considered a contender. But you just don’t feel the same momentum for The Outsiders. If label politics win out however, he may walk away with it. This is the award the Eric Church camp will be lobbying heaviest for.
But this all feels like it is setting up to be a big night for Luke Bryan, and Crash My Party is a front runner. Keep an eye out for Dierks Bentley too. This would be considered the critical favorite of the bunch. Sorry Keith, you’ve got no chance.
- Crash My Party, Luke Bryan – Winner
- Fuse, Keith Urban
- Platinum, Miranda Lambert
- Riser, Dierks Bentley – Other Potential Winner
- The Outsiders, Eric Church – Other Potential Winner
Song of the Year
“Follow Your Arrow” would be the winner that would have the media agog over its liberal message in what’s considered a conservative environment, but that subplot may never have a chance to materialize. Fairly wide open field here, but let’s all hope Dallas Davidson doesn’t walk away with any hardware. “Automatic” and “I Hold On” would be the two songs that balance the critical and commercial success a Song of the Year usually needs to win, but if the CMA wants to make a statement, “Follow Your Arrow” may just prevail. There weren’t five better songs out there in country music?
- “Automatic,” Nicolle Galyon, Natalie Hemby, and Miranda Lambert
- “Follow Your Arrow,” Brandy Clark, Shane McAnally, and Kacey Musgraves
- “Give Me Back My Hometown,” Eric Church & Luke Laird
- “I Don’t Dance,” Lee Brice, Dallas Davidson, & Rob Hatch
- “I Hold On,” Dierks Bentley & Brett James
Single of the Year
Boy, the CMA’s and mainstream country music are really showing just how bereft they are by these song nominations.
- “Automatic,” Miranda Lambert
- “Drunk On A Plane,” Dierks Bentley
- “Give Me Back My Hometown,” Eric Church
- “Meanwhile Back At Mama’s,” Tim McGraw featuring Faith Hill
- “Mine Would Be You,” Blake Shelton
New Artist of the Year
Very cool to see Brandy Clark’s name here, and simply her nomination has to be considered a victory. But she has no chance. Thomas Rhett has been pegged as one of the next country superstars for a few years now, and his pedigree may be enough to best Kip Moore and Cole Swindell, who are the other strong contenders.
- Brandy Clark
- Brett Eldredge
- Kip Moore
- Thomas Rhett – Winner
- Cole Swindell – Other Potential Winner
Vocal Duo of the Year
Who, who, and who? Once again mainstream country proves how top heavy their talent is, and how terrible they are at developing new acts when it comes to trying to round out these categories with artists that are deserving of such a distinction. The world will end before anyone but Florida Georgia Line walks away with this.
- Dan+Shay
- Florida Georgia Line – Winner
- Love & Theft
- Swon Brothers
- Thompson Square
Vocal Group of the Year
Good to see the Texas scene represented here (at least to some degree) with Eli Young Band. Zac Brown should win it, Lady Antebellum doesn’t have a chance since it’s an off-year for them. Little Big Town is the reigning champion, and there seems to be a lot of energy behind them lately.
- Eli Young Band
- Lady Antebellum
- Little Big Town – Winner
- The Band Perry – Other Potential Winner
- Zac Brown Band – Other Potential Winner
Event of the Year
Cool to see names like Vince Gill, Paul Franklin, Dolly Parton, and Kenny Rogers show up, but in the end there’s probably only two strong contenders. “We Were Us” would be a dark horse, but its rise and fall on the singles charts was pretty fast. “Somethin’ Bad” shouldn’t be nominated for anything and would be an embarrassment if it won, which it very well might.
- “Bakersfield,” Vince Gill & Paul Franklin
- “Meanwhile Back At Mama’s,” Tim McGraw featuring Faith Hill – Winner
- “Somethin’ Bad,” Miranda Lambert duet with Carrie Underwood – Other Potential Winner
- “We Were Us,” Keith Urban and Miranda Lambert
- “Can’t Make Old Friends,” Dolly Parton & Kenny Rogers
Music Video of the Year
So, so blah. So many great videos out there, and we’re nominating “Somethin’ Bad” and “Drunk On A Plane”?
- “Automatic,” Miranda Lambert, directed by Trey Fanjoy
- “Bartender,” Lady Antebellum, directed by Shane Drake
- “Drunk On A Plane,” Dierks Bentley, directed by Wes Edwards
- “Follow Your Arrow,” Kacey Musgraves, directed by Honey & Kacey Musgraves
- “Somethin’ Bad,” Miranda Lambert & Carrie Underwood, directed by Trey Fanjoy
Musician of the Year
Good to see Paul Franklin land two nominations this year. Normally this is the hardest category to forecast, but you have to feel like Franklin is the front runner for 2014.
- Sam Bush, mandolin
- Jerry Douglas, dobro
- Paul Franklin, steel guitar – Winner
- Dann Huff, guitar
- Mac MacAnally, guitar
September 3, 2014 @ 9:26 am
I can safely say that I have not heard of any of the songs mentioned, or heard any of the albums. I’ve hardly heard of many of the nominees either !
Don’t think I’m missing much !!
September 3, 2014 @ 9:40 am
Brandy. Freaking. Clark.
She also should have got a Female Vocalist nomination.
September 3, 2014 @ 10:02 am
Go Brandy! 🙂
Nice to see Dolly and Kenny’s duet up for something, too…
September 3, 2014 @ 10:36 am
Man, the nominations for the best Song and Single really stink this year, probably a sign that the genre isn’t releasing deep or meaningful songs anymore as singles.
Good thing Jason Aldean isn’t nominated though.
September 3, 2014 @ 11:02 am
Brett Eldredge can sing circles around Thomas Rhett any day of the week. (And he has a pretty awesome last name)
September 3, 2014 @ 1:15 pm
And you just described why he’ll lose.
September 3, 2014 @ 6:03 pm
That’s sad. Brett is amazing live. His couch sessions on YouTube are great too.
September 4, 2014 @ 1:51 pm
Brett Eldredge is one of the few mainstream country acts I would call myself a big fan of. He has a great voice and really digs into his songs to sell them. I would love to see him live. “Beat of the Music” was just an easy, feel-good song but it worked really nicely largely do to his great performance.
His album includes the song “One Mississippi” which is one of m favorite songs to from a mainstream country album in years. If you haven’t heard it, definitely check it out. Also check out an acoustic version he played at a radio station. You can find it on Youtube.
September 4, 2014 @ 1:53 pm
Here’s the link to that acoustic version I mentioned.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ko5odBi9aWk
September 3, 2014 @ 11:22 am
I could see “Hometown” winning Song.
OT: Just heard the new Garth song…
Thought it sounded like Charlie Worsham at the start, but Charlie doesn’t sound like he’s straining for the higher notes.
Overall, maybe a 6? Not much country to it, but should crossover nicely.
September 3, 2014 @ 11:44 am
I’ve heard it, too; nice tune, but I thought it sounded more Adult Contemporary than anything. Also, it sounds like it might have decent message in there, but what’s the point if half the lyrics are practically buried in the mix?
Meanwhile, Trisha Yearwood’s single “Prizefighter” was apparently released a few days ago; unfortunately, I didn’t get to hear it, as it seems to have already been pulled from the Internet already…
September 3, 2014 @ 1:13 pm
When you have a song that is based around the lyrics but you bury them in the mix to where you can’t understand them, you have a problem.
September 3, 2014 @ 4:31 pm
Damn it! I can’t find Prizefighter anywhere. I love me some YTrisha Yearwood but I really hope she hasn’t let Garth control her output in the media sphere. But I am VERY excited for this album.
I wonder if Trisha and Garth will do a double headline tour?
September 3, 2014 @ 1:38 pm
Advertising the CMA’s on this site is contradictory to what it stands for. Not complaining – just wish these bogus award shows would go away (at least on this site).
September 3, 2014 @ 2:30 pm
I’m not advertising the CMA’s any more than I advertise Sturgill Simpson, Jason Isbell, or any of the independent and real country artists I tout here. Advertisers and promoters get paid by the people or companies they’re advertising. Nobody pays me. I am a journalist and a critic and it is my job to report the news and give my opinion on it.
This idea that just because you talk about something is somehow a ringing endorsement or an element of promotion is diseased. And that doesn’t just go for the negative stuff, but the positive stuff as well. I’m not here to wave pom poms for anyone, and that never works anyway because it’s not rooted in honesty.
September 3, 2014 @ 2:42 pm
I’ll respectfully disagree that reporting it isn’t advertising it. If this is the forum to express discontent about the state of Country Music and to find solutions to the dumbing down of the art form we all care about – then consider not giving credence to the awards show(s) that clearly do not award anything justifiably. You can certainly provide a report about the CMAs and in what respect Saving Country Music has an interest in (perhaps a specific scheduled performance), but to do the “who will win” breakdown is beneath this site.
September 3, 2014 @ 3:42 pm
There is a prevailing and misguided sentiment amongst independent music that if you don’t talk about something, it will go away, and if you only talk about positive things, the music will be elevated and everybody will win. This theory is the seat of vanity, and it truth, the exact opposite of the reality of things.
I refuse to fall back into an elitist stance and not talk about the institutions that are at the root of country music’s problems. Instead I am going to engage with them directly, bring the fight to their front door, and make them answer to our grievances. Though you may think an article like this does not do that, I respectfully disagree.
This Spring I directly engaged the ACM over their nomination of Justin Moore for New Artist of the Year. I covered the story so much, people were complaining I was obsessed with it. But eventually both Justin Moore, and the ACM’s President Bob Romeo were forced to directly address the issue in public.
https://savingcountrymusic.com/acms-respond-to-justin-moores-new-artist-ineligibility
https://savingcountrymusic.com/justin-moore-responds-to-acm-eligibility-controversy
If I refuse to talk about these institutions, then these instances would never exist. It is my opinion we are making dramatic progress in country music, and part of the reason is because we are engaging directly with entities like the CMA, ACM, Clear Channel, & Cumulus Media. Look at these nominations. Brady Clark was nominated for more CMA’s than Jason Aldean or Taylor Swift. How did that happen? She’s not even on a major label. It happened because the CMA is recognizing there is growing dissent, and they must begin representing the genre more fairly. There are still tons of battles to fight, but in many sectors of the industry, things are changing.
And by the way, I don’t see how picking who I believe are going to be the winners in any way materially could be taken as advertisement or endorsement. It’s simply sport. And I have been doing this for years, so writing articles like this doesn’t materially change what Saving Country Music is or has been in the past.
I appreciate your concern though Blackwater.
September 3, 2014 @ 6:26 pm
I understand your points and I can’t say they’re not valid. It’s just a matter of perspective. As a SCM fan, I think I’d rather see a “CMA nominated New Artist of the Year vs. SCM’s New Artist of the Year”. Kind of a “this is what the record companies want you to buy, but here is truly the nominees for the category if money wasn’t in play”.
September 4, 2014 @ 10:29 pm
I was thinking the same thing. The only time I want to hear about these people is when Trigger’s bashing them.
September 3, 2014 @ 2:19 pm
Looks like another Miranda show for the fifth year, enough already, she’s not that special just overexposed. Why couldn’t Dolly have been nominated for album and vocalist?
For the first time since the early 70’s (12 years old) I will not be watching these awards, othe than George I don’t care about these people or their music, I tried the past few years but not anymore.
September 3, 2014 @ 2:32 pm
Miranda has a monopoly on nominations because she is really the only woman left in mainstream country, especially now that Taylor Swift left, and Carrie Underwood is about to go on maternity leave.
September 3, 2014 @ 2:56 pm
Carrie isn’t going on maternity leave. She is almost done with album #5 so I don’t see her being pregnant slowing her down any. If anything it will just delay her next tour. Not that her releasing music will factor in on Miranda Lambert winning every year. I’d honestly rather the cma/acm awards be a Miranda show every year than some of the alternatives so no complaints there.
September 3, 2014 @ 11:54 pm
Trigger, just curious about your thoughts on this. Do you think Taylor will show up at this year’s CMAs?
September 3, 2014 @ 11:58 pm
Just a thought here – I question if gender is still the best way to define the CMA vocalist award categories. I’m thinking it would be better to have unisex award categories for sub-genres or musical styles, for example “Best Traditional Vocalist” and “Best Contemporary Vocalist”. There could be additional categories e.g. “Best Bluegrass Artist”, “Best Americana Artist”, etc. This would encourage more artistic diversity in the genre.
September 3, 2014 @ 3:04 pm
I have to disagree with you Trigger about Eli Young Band representing the Texas scene. I just saw them a few weeks ago and they have completely sold out to Nashville and are even rapping now. It’s sad too because they were good before they sold out. Now . . . they are just like everyone else (not country and terrible).
September 4, 2014 @ 10:19 am
That’s why I put “(to some degree)”. They’re on Rolling Stone Country patting themselves on the back about how this is “validation” for “Red Dirt,” which is an even greater aberration of a term. But they are from Texas, were and are part of the Texas scene, and are still probably slightly better than most of what Nashville is peddling. So, you know, saying they’re from Texas is sort of true.
September 4, 2014 @ 10:46 am
They”™re on Rolling Stone Country patting themselves on the back about how this is “validation” for “Red Dirt,”
There is so much I could say to this, but here’s what my answer bills down to:
To the extent a CMA award nomination would serve as a “validation” of Texas and Red Dirt music, it would do much, MUCH more so if it went to, say, Jason Boland and the Stragglers album Dark and Dirty Mile or the Josh Abbott Band song “I’ll Sing About Mine.”
September 3, 2014 @ 3:59 pm
Does anyone, outside of 5 dudes in Nashville, really follow this crap?
September 3, 2014 @ 4:49 pm
Yes. The CMA Awards are far and away the most followed event in country music in the entire year.
September 7, 2014 @ 4:23 pm
hey man, country music is getting screwed because people like you don’t want to embrace the fight between good country music and bad country music! If you say everyone of them is bad you’re totally out of track!
Dierks Bentley for example is a pretty good one. his new album riser has some amazing true country. kacey musgraves rocks too! brad paisley is another great one and King George is up for entertainer of the year. We should hold on to them and bash the true crap (aldean, bryan and fgl)
September 3, 2014 @ 4:36 pm
At least there is no Hunter Hayes to be found. But man these guys are OUT TO LUNCH. They could have easily nominated plenty of older acts with new work that was better than anything by Eric Church. Jim Lauderdale, Don Williams, Willie Nelson, Billy Joe Shaver… I get that this is a popularity contest in most cases but I WOULD LOVE to see them just say “fuck it” and nominate people who deserve it old or new even if the public hasn’t heard of them. Just to see the viewers reaction when the give best new artist to Kelsey Waldon or someone like that. Just one year PLEASE!!!
September 4, 2014 @ 1:10 pm
don’t you have to be 21 to be nominated? is Hunter Hayes even old enough to drive or vote yet?
September 5, 2014 @ 11:34 pm
Not a Hunter Hayes fan, but just to make it clear, Hunter Hayes is 22 and therefore meets all of your age criteria.
For the record, Taylor Swift won Best New Artist (then called the Horizon Award) at the age of 17, and Entertainer of the Year at the age of 19.
September 4, 2014 @ 5:03 am
Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood hosting seems so inbred.
Surely there are a couple Kardashians available.
September 4, 2014 @ 7:09 am
If George Strait wins EotY again, MCA selling their soul to all of those terrible artists to support and prop up “Give It All We Got Tonight” and go on tour with George will have been worth it I guess. It would have been criminal for George Strait to retire from touring with only 2 CMA EotY wins. 4 would be much better.
I hope “Follow Your Arrow” wins. The rest, I couldn’t care less about.
September 4, 2014 @ 12:04 pm
I want to see George win again just to see the Luke Bryan fans’ heads explode. 😀
September 4, 2014 @ 7:37 am
So I know we were kind of getting away from the whole, “let’s hate Bobby Bones” thing but then I read this.
http://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/133084/bobby-bones-i-got-beat-by-a-nascar-show
I once again really hate Bobby Bones. His arrogance is unusual even compared to the pop music world.
September 4, 2014 @ 7:43 am
Nauseating. If anything is keeping Bobby Bones from being nominated for industry awards, it might be ego-centric rants like that.
September 4, 2014 @ 8:04 am
Yes, I’ve been trying to avoid his weekly soap opera, but I’ve got something coming up on this shortly.
September 4, 2014 @ 8:59 am
— The term “vocalist” really needs to be redefined in country. I’m the biggest Kacey Musgraves fan and do like Taylor Swift, but neither is even a good vocalist – let alone one of the best five female singers in the game.
They’re great singer-songwriters with pleasant voices, but they’re not “vocalists” in the vein of a Carrie Underwood or Martina McBride.
— The video rant is weird. Kacey Musgraves’ video is so bland and unimaginative – all that works about it is that she looks hot (although the shorts are unflattering since she has no butt). The Dierks Bentley video is one of the only ones that received any sort of buzz and attention – so I don’t see the case against nominating it.
— While I’m happy Brandy Clark is nominated, it kind of feels like a disingenuous attempt to pander to the critics. She received critical acclaim and is obviously talented, but her biggest contribution to the genre has been as a songwriter – she made no impact whatsoever on country culture or the country marketplace as an artist.
And while I know popularity shouldn’t define awards, it clearly does define these awards. You can’t actually tell me Thomas Rhett is a good “artist” – but he’s there because he emerged as a big star.
So it seems kind of inconsistent to go with mediocre talents who are stars in some cases and phenomenal talents who are not stars in other cases.
At least Kacey Musgraves had something of a mild hit in “Merry Go Round” when she started to pick up nominations. Brandy Clark doesn’t have that.
September 4, 2014 @ 11:19 am
Totally agree with you about the vocalist thing.
September 4, 2014 @ 12:00 pm
The “Vocalist” thing is simply to delineate performers who are primarily singers, and performers who are primarily musicians. Just like the “Song of the Year” is given out to the songwriters more than the performers. When musicians and songwriters were given much more credit by these types of institutions, this was a much more important delineation. These people sing primarily, so that is why they are considered vocalists. Though I get the irony when it comes to many of these artists being called “vocalists.”
September 4, 2014 @ 10:28 am
I don’t know. I could see “I Hold On” winning for song of the year. It’s got the nostalgia feel that Song of the Year winners usually do. Either that or Give Me Back My Hometown. Neither are outstanding, but I’ll take Dierks over Church any day.
September 4, 2014 @ 11:56 pm
Just let Strait win every award and these no talents can carry his bags for him.
September 7, 2014 @ 4:47 pm
The only thing I’m interested in is the entertainer of the year award, it will be between Luke Bryan and George Strait. I fully expect George to come away with it, the final tour was a big success, but most of all, you can’t forget the record setting attendance for the last show, close to 105,000 in attendance to see a true country music singer in his mid 60’s. Very very few artists (no matter the music genre) can pull that off. Luke Bryan is successful, but not that successful.
I did see the second last Strait show in Foxborough, Mass. About 60,000 in attendance, George still has it in spades.
September 7, 2014 @ 8:36 pm
As long as a bunch of Nashville robots are properly honored by themselves, I’m happy. It’s been too many weeks since the last self-honoring. I’d like to see it become a weekly thing perhaps.
November 5, 2014 @ 4:57 pm
I would love it if the Dixie Chicks were the surprise act tonight.