After all that build-up, the multiple announcements strung together over a short period of time, the 2011 CMA Awards, aka The 45th Annual CMA Awards have come to a close. Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood once again did a good job with the telecast with the opening “duo”logue showing us quite a bit on how
Entertainer of the Year
Jason Aldean
Brad Paisley
Blake Shelton
Taylor Swift - Winner
Keith Urban
Winner: Taylor Swift
Prediction: Taylor, Blake or Aldean.
We thought this one was too close to call and well, at least we didn’t get it wrong (by giving ourselves a 60% chance of not getting it wrong). We thought that all three artists had the biggest year so it was a three-way-tie in our book. So obviously we don’t disagree with the results.
Female Vocalist of the Year
Sara Evans
Miranda Lambert - Winner
Martina McBride
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood
Prediction: Miranda Lambert
Sara Evans never had a shot, neither did Carrie or Martina. It really was gonna be between Miranda and Taylor. And it was easy to see Miranda taking it home. And she did. Fans who really dislike Taylor (Carrie fans being the leaders of this pack) will certainly be glad she didn’t win. But she did deserve to be here and we wouldn’t have been upset if she won. Miranda also won last year.
Male Vocalist of the Year
Jason Aldean
Kenny Chesney
Brad Paisley
Blake Shelton - Winner
Keith Urban
Like the women, this was always a two horse race between Blake and Jason. Although we could’ve made a case for Kenny Chesney, given his fantastic year of hit after hit after hit and another platinum album and, of course, the massive Stadium tour he put on (with a few arena dates sprinkled in for good measure). Still, we predicted Blake, and that’s who won.
Vocal Group
Lady Antebellum - Winner
Little Big Town
Rascal Flatts
The Band Perry
Zac Brown Band
Prediction: Zac Brown Band
Well, we got that wrong. We figured that ZBB would win on the strength of their year and Lady Antebellum’s ‘in between’ year, we thought wrong.
Vocal Duo
The Civil Wars
Montgomery Gentry
Steel Magnolia
Sugarland - Winner
Thompson Square
Prediction: Sugarland
We stand by our thoughts that Thompson Square deserved this award last night but we really like sugarland too so how can we argue with them getting the award? We just thought T2’s year was a bigger one than Sugarlands (other than touring) and their album sales have been on par with Sugarland and The Civil Wars (who have immense talent and could’ve been a dark-horse surprise winner).
New Artist
The Band Perry Winner
Luke Bryan
Eric Church
Thompson Square
Chris Young
Prediction: The Band Perry
We predicted that TBP would win here – they had a great first year with a Platinum album, a triple platinum cross-over success in an album – but we thought that Eric Church should’ve won this award. Oh well, we can’t really argue with who won. All these artists are bound to be nominated in the vocalist category at some point as well.
Album of the Year
(Award goes to artist and producer)
'All About Tonight'
Blake Shelton
Produced by Scott Hendricks
'My Kinda Party' - Winner
Jason Aldean
Produced by Michael Knox
'Speak Now'
Taylor Swift
Produced by Nathan Chapman and Taylor Swift
'This Is Country Music'
Brad Paisley
Produced by Frank Rogers
'You Get What You Give'
Zac Brown Band
Produced by Keith Stegall and Zac Brown
Prediction: “Speak Now” – Taylor Swift
We figured that Taylor Swift would walk away and we had said “You Get What You Give” from the Zac Brown Band should’ve won but we figured this would be a two-horse race between Taylor and Aldean and Aldean ended up taking home the award. We like the album so we’re not upset.
Single of the Year
(Award goes to artist and producer)
'A Little Bit Stronger'
Sara Evans
Produced by Tony Brown
'Colder Weather'
Zac Brown Band
Produced by Keith Stegall and Zac Brown
'Don't You Wanna Stay'
Jason Aldean with Kelly Clarkson
Produced by Michael Knox
'Honey Bee'
Blake Shelton
Produced by Scott Hendricks
'If I Die Young' - Winner
The Band Perry
Produced by Paul Worley
Prediction: “Honey Bee” – Blake Shelton
We really thought that song should’ve won this award but how can anyone argue with “If I Die Young” taking the award home. It is a fantastic song, perhaps the most ‘country’ sounding song here (unless you hear the pop remix) and then it also sold 3 million (so far) singles digitally. It WAS the single of the year in the minds of fans everywhere.
Song of the Year
(Award goes to songwriters)
'Colder Weather'
Zac Brown, Wyatt Durrette, Levi Lowrey, and Coy Bowles
'Dirt Road Anthem'
Brantley Gilbert and Colt Ford
'If I Die Young' - Winner
Kimberly Perry
'Mean'
Taylor Swift
'You and Tequila'
Matraca Berg and Deana Carter
Prediction: “If I Die Young”
Well, we predicted it to win, even though we also very much loved “You and Tequila” and “Colder Weather.” In fact each song here was well-written.
Musical Event of the Year
'As She's Walking Away'
Zac Brown Band featuring Alan Jackson
'Coal Miner's Daughter'
Loretta Lynn, Sheryl Crow, and Miranda Lambert
'Don't You Wanna Stay' - Winner
Jason Aldean with Kelly Clarkson
'Old Alabama'
Brad Paisley featuring Alabama
'You and Tequila'
Kenny Chesney featuring Grace Potter
We precicted “Old Alabama” to win but said “Don’t You Wanna Stay” should win.
We should’ve kept with our hearts and not our gut on this one as Jason and Kelly totally took home the award for their mega smash, multi-chart hit. We only chose Brad because he’d won this category 4 other times and the CMA had to give him something, right?
Music Video
(Award goes to artist and director)
'Honey Bee'
Blake Shelton
Directed by Trey Fanjoy
'If I Die Young'
The Band Perry
Directed by David McClister
'Mean'
Taylor Swift
Directed by Declan Whitebloom
'Old Alabama'
Brad Paisley featuring Alabama
Directed by Jim Shea
'You and Tequila' - Winner
Kenny Chesney featuring Grace Potter
Directed by Shaun Silva
Prediction: "Mean"
We figured the creative Taylor video would win but how can anyone argue with the fantastic “You And Tequila” getting the win here?
The musician of the year award went to who we predicted would win, Mac McAnally, it’s his 4th year in a row.
Total Predictions Correct: 6 out of 11
Final 2011 CMA Awards Winner List
Entertainer: Taylor Swift
Female Vocalist: Miranda Lambert
Male Vocalist: Blake Shelton
New Artist: The Band Perry
Vocal Group: Lady Antebellum
Vocal Duo: Sugarland
Song: “If I Die Young” – Kimberly Perry
Single: The Band Perry, “If I Die Young”
Music Video: Kenny Chesney and Grace Potter, “You and Tequila”
Musical Event: Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson, “Don’t You Wanna Stay”
Musician: Mac McAnally
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