Life offers precious few guarantees – although there are a number of "givens." The sun rising in the east is a given. Someone, somewhere winning the lottery is one, too. And when you tune into the 48th annual CMA Awards tomorrow night (Nov. 5) at 8 p.m. EST on ABC, there will be enough givens to fill a rodeo. And that's a good thing.
Here are some of the things you can count on seeing tomorrow night:
• The show will kick off with a whiz-bang production number that showcases stunning visuals, high-tech bells and whistles, plus attention-grabbing sound and fury from one country's most dynamic performers. It could well be Kenny Chesney and his mega-hit "American Kids" making that musical splash (and, yes, that's a blatant Chesney-related beach reference).
• Brad Paisley, co-hosting with Carrie Underwood for the seventh time, will deftly and affably attune his wit to Underwood's previously-announced pregnancy. Her baby bump. Changing diapers. Being a first-time parent. All those things will be in the mix of jokes.
• The CMA Awards producers highlight the show's inclusiveness by having pop stars perform with country stars. Miranda Lambert will team up with Megahn Trainor and Little Big Town and Ariana Grande will blend their voices. And rock stars will be there, too. You're gonna love the Doobie Brothers.
• Garth Brooks – taking a night off from his Garth Brooks World Tour to show that he's back in the country music world – is a presenter. So is Tim Tebow. "Nashville" star Connie Britton and Lucy Hale of "Pretty Little Liars" are too.
• Keep an eye out for supermodel Lily Aldridge – as if you could miss her.
• And get ready for performances-from touching and poignant to rafter-shaking and full-out rockin.' You're going to see Blake Shelton, Jason Aldean, Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, Chesney, Eric Church, Florida Georgia Line, Lady Antebellum, Lambert, Little Big Town, Tim McGraw, Kacey Musgraves, Paisley, George Strait, The Band Perry, Underwood andKeith Urban.
Beyond the "givens," there are also the guesses. So, the HNGN staff members channeled their inner country music genie and, after much consternation and gnashing of teeth, we're ready to climb out-way out-on that proverbial limb and deliver our picks for the winners of the 48th annual CMA Awards. So, drum roll, please...
Entertainer of the Year
Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert, Blake Shelton, George Strait, Keith Urban. All of the contenders were at the peak of their games this year, so that makes this a really tough call. Lambert is right up there at the top of the list. Strait wrapped up his two-year-long The Cowboy Rides Away tour this past June, signifying his declared retirement from touring. Even so, Strait hasn't retired from winning this coveted award and the cowboy from Texas will ride away with it one more time.
Female Vocalist of the Year
Miranda Lambert, Martina McBride, Kacey Musgraves, Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood. With Swift clearly aiming for accolades beyond the world of country music, she would be the dark horse in this race. Underwood is always in the running. However, we think it's a virtual toss-up between Lambert and Musgraves. But, when it's all said and done and etched into the CMA record books, Lambert takes this one, this time.
Male Vocalist of the Year
Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Blake Shelton, Keith Urban. In this pack of super talented guys, Shelton and Bryan seem like clear front-runners. Keep an eye on Bryan as he pulls ahead in the straight away and ends up in the victory circle.
Vocal Group of the Year
The Band Perry, Eli Young Band, Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, Zac Brown Band. This is a tight competition, with Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town and the Zac Brown Band locked up at the top of the category. But we're bettin' (figuratively, of course) on there being a repeat of last year when Little Big Town won this award.
Vocal Duo of the Year
Dan + Shay, Florida Georgia Line, Love & Theft, The Swon Brothers, Thompson Square. This should be – and will be – a slam dunk for Florida Georgia Line.
New Artist of the Year
Brandy Clark, Brett Eldredge, Kip Moore, Thomas Rhett, Cole Swindell. Clark and Moore are at the top of this competition. But mega-talented singer-songwriter Clark, who just inked a deal with Warner Bros. Records, is on her way to being a big time star. And she'll have this award on her mantle.
Album of the Year
"Crash My Party,'' Luke Bryan; "Fuse,'' Keith Urban; "The Outsiders,'' Eric Church; "Platinum,'' Miranda Lambert; "Riser,'' Dierks Bentley. Church, Bentley and Lambert will duke it out in a musical cage match bout, but Lambert will take down the guys.
Single of the Year
"Automatic,'' Miranda Lambert; "Drunk on a Plane,'' Dierks Bentley; "Give Me Back My Hometown,'' Eric Church; "Meanwhile Back at Mama's,'' Tim McGraw and Faith Hill; "Mine Would Be You,'' Blake Shelton. This might be the tightest contest of the night. All great singles delivered by great singers. But it will be "The Voice" coach, Shelton, who win this with his own voice.
Song of the Year
"Automatic" written by Nicolle Galyon, Natalie Hemby and Miranda Lambert
Performed by Miranda Lambert
"Follow Your Arrow" written by Kacey Musgraves, Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally.
Performed by Kacey Musgraves
"Give Me Back My Hometown" written by Eric Church ad Luke Laird
Performed by Eric Church
"I Don't Dance" written by Lee Brice, Rob Hatch and Dallas Davidson
Performed by Lee Brice
"I Hold On" written by Brett James and Dierks Bentley
Performed by Dierks Bentley
"Follow Your Arrow" the handiwork of Musgraves, Clark and McAnally-is heading right for a bulls-eye in this category.
Musical Event of the Year
"Meanwhile Back at Mama's" Tim McGraw featuring Faith Hill
"Somethin' Bad" Miranda Lambert and Carrie Underwood
"We Were Us" Keith Urban featuring Miranda Lambert
"You Can't Make Old Friends" Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton
"Bakersfield" Vince Gill and Paul Franklin
This category showcases some memorable collaborations. But Lambert and Underwood are going to transform "Somethin' Bad" into something downright awesome – a winner.
Music Video of the Year:
"Automatic,'' Miranda Lambert; "Bartender,'' Lady Antebellum; "Drunk on a Plane,'' Dierks Bentley; "Follow Your Arrow,'' Kacey Musgraves; "Something Bad,'' Miranda Lambert and Carrie Underwood. This prediction is about as automatic as it gets – Lambert's "Automatic" takes this one.
Musician of the Year
Dan Huff, guitar; Jerry Douglas, dobro; Mac McAnally, guitar; Paul Franklin, steel guitar; Sam Bush, mandolin. Although all these guys are true virtuosos with their respective instruments, we think McAnally will make CMA history when he parlays his previous six consecutive wins in this category into his seventh win – a CMA record.
Now it's your turn to prognosticate – or guess. Take our CMA poll below.
