2017 CMA Award Predictions

It's country's biggest night. The CMA Awards take place in Nashville tonight and Tad and Polly predict this year's winners.

Polly's Predictions

I expected a few surprises this year including Miranda Lambert losing her female vocalist of the year title for the first time in 8 years.
The CMA tends to lean towards traditional country music and Miranda's divorce scandal may have an impact this year. I predict Maren Morris is the new female vocalist this year. But Miranda won't get shut out. Her album 'Weight of These Wings' was so raw and honest, it'd be hard to believe it won't take home Album and Song of the Year, for Tin Man trophies.
If Keith Urban doesn't win Male Vocalist, an award he's long overdue for, I'll cry. 'Blue Ain't Your Color' should take home a few honors too. Since Keith didn't have a full blown tour this year, I don't anticipate he'll win the big honor of the night. Entertainer of the Year should go to Garth Brooks, who performed to millions of fans and puts on one of the best concerts I've ever seen.
Little Big Town should win the group honor again this year but the duo award may just go to Brother's Osborne instead of Florida Georgia Line. The new artist is a tough one. Jon Pardi is traditional country but Brett Young and Luke Combs both had amazing years. I'm going with Brett on this one.

Tadpole's Predictions

It's the CMA Awards and there are no surprises because it's all surprises. No one knew Christ Stapleton a couple of years ago and he won everything. So we should expect Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit to win Album of the Year, even though I didn't pick it.
I don't know how anyone could challenge Garth for Entertainer. Eric Church is my pick for Male Artist based on his Opry performance following the Vegas shooting. It's Carrie Underwood's turn in the Female category, she's hosted the darn thing for 10 years. I'm giving the nod to Jon Pardi in a crowded new artists category.  The traditional sound usually carries a lot of weight at the CMA's.  The rest of my picks are guesses at best.

Entertainer of the Year

Garth Brooks - Polly's pick - Tad's pick
Luke Bryan
Eric Church
Chris Stapleton
Keith Urban

Female Vocalist of the Year

Kelsea Ballerini
Miranda Lambert
Reba McEntire
Maren Morris - Polly's pick
Carrie Underwood - Tad's pick

Male Vocalist of the Year

Dierks Bentley
Eric Church - Tad's pick
Thomas Rhett 
Chris Stapleton
Keith Urban - Polly's pick

Album of the Year

Little Big Town, The Breaker
Chris Stapleton, From A Room: Vol. 1 - Tad's pick
Lady Antebellum, Heart Break
Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, The Nashville Sound
Miranda Lambert, The Weight of These Wings - Polly's pick

New Artist of the Year

Luke Combs
Old Dominion
Brett Young - Polly's pick
Jon Pardi - Tad's pick
Lauren Alaina

Song of the Year (Awarded to Songwriters)

“Body Like a Back Road,” Sam Hunt (Zach Crowell, Sam Hunt, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne)
“Tin Man,” Miranda Lambert (Jack Ingram, Miranda Lambert, Jon Randall) - Polly's pick
“Better Man,” Little Big Town (Taylor Swift)
“Dirt on My Boots,” Jon Pardi (Rhett Akins, Jesse Frasure, Ashley Gorley)
“Blue Ain’t Your Color,” Keith Urban (Clint Lagerberg, Hillary Lindsey, Steven Lee Olsen) - Tad's pick

Single of the Year

Little Big Town, "Better Man"
Keith Urban, "Blue Ain't Your Color " - Polly's pick
Sam Hunt, "Body Like a Back Road 
Jon Pardi, "Dirt on My Boots" - Tad's pick
Miranda Lambert, "Tin Man"

Vocal Group of the Year

Lady Antebellum
Little Big Town - Polly's pick
Old Dominion - Tad's pick
Rascal Flatts
Zac Brown Band

Vocal Duo of the Year

Dan + Shay
Florida Georgia Line
LoCash
Maddie & Tae
Brothers Osborne - Polly's pick - Tad's pick

Musical Event of the Year
Thomas Rhett feat. Maren Morris, "Craving You" - Polly's pick
Glen Campbell with Willie Nelson, "Funny How Time Slips Away" - Tad's pick
Eric Church feat. Rhiannon Giddens, "Kill a Word"
Kenny Chesney with Pink, "Setting the World on Fire"
Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, "Speak to a Girl"

Music Video of the Year

“Better Man,” Little Big Town
“Blue Ain’t Your Color,” Keith Urban - Polly's pick
“Craving You,” Thomas Rhett feat. Maren Morris
“Vice,” Miranda Lambert
“It Ain’t My Fault,” Brothers Osborne - Tad's pick

BONUS VIDEO