Bobby Guy Picks the 2016 CMA Awards Winners

The 2016 CMA Awards go down on November 2nd in Nashville- here are my picks for the winners.

2016 CMA Awards Nominees:

Entertainer of the Year
Garth Brooks
Luke Bryan
Chris Stapleton
Carrie Underwood
Keith Urban

Luke Bryan has won this award the last 2 years but I think it's time for Keith Urban to be honored with the CMA's most coveted trophy.

Female Vocalist of the Year
Kelsea Ballerini
Miranda Lambert
Maren Morris
Kacey Musgraves
Carrie Underwood

The sentimental vote may go to Miranda Lambert after the year she has had but I am betting on Maren Morris being the Chris Stapleton of 2016.

Male Vocalist of the Year
Eric Church
Tim McGraw
Chris Stapleton
Dierks Bentley
Keith Urban

Blake Shelton's 5-in-a-row streak was interrupted last year by Chris Stapleton and Blake is not nominated in any category this year. Although Dierks Bentley had one of his strongest years, I'm betting on Chief.

Album of the Year
Hero, Maren Morris
Mr. Misunderstood, Eric Church
Storyteller, Carrie Underwood
Black, Dierks Bentley
Ripcord, Keith Urban

A tough category with great efforts by Maren Morris and Keith Urban. Eric Church may be the pick with his surprise album Mr. Misunderstood but I'm thinking Carrie Underwood's strongest album yet will give the award to the CMA Awards co-host.

New Artist of the Year
Kelsea Balerini
Brothers Osborne
Maren Morris
Old Dominion
Cole Swindell

Maren Morris is money.

Song of the Year
“Die a Happy Man,” Thomas Rhett
“Humble and Kind,” Tim McGraw
“My Church,” Maren Morris
“Record Year,” Eric Church
“Burning House,” Cam

Song of the Year generally goes to a well-written song; something with an interesting twist or a great lyric ("Girl Crush" won in 2015 and "Follow Your Arrow" in 2014). All of these songs have that but I suspect "Humble and Kind" may be a sentimental favorite. If I keep thinking about it I will talk myself into choosing "Burning House."

Single of the Year
“Die a Happy Man,” Thomas Rhett
“Humble and Kind,” Tim McGraw
“My Church,” Maren Morris
“Record Year,” Eric Church
“Nobody to Blame,” Chris Stapleton

Single of the Year may lean more toward the performance a singer gives on record. This may be the most competitive category with Thomas Rhett, Maren Morris and Chris Stapleton at the top of the list. I'm picking Maren Morris for her debut "My Church.:

Vocal Group of the Year
Lady Antebellum
Little Big Town
Old Dominion
Rascal Flatts
Zac Brown Band

For me there are no standouts in this category. For the past 13 years the award has gone to Rascal Flatts, Lady Antebellum or Little Big Town. With Lady A on the sidelines for most of the year and a strong comeback in "I Like the Sound of That" I'm picking Rascal Faltts to be back at the podium.

Vocal Duo of the Year
Brothers Osborne
Dan + Shay
Florida Georgia Line
Joey + Rory
Maddie & Tae

No doubt FGL had a big year once again and "H.O.L.Y." was completely overlooked but I'm thinking it is time to get out the tissues as Joey + Rory will be honored.

Musical Event of the Year
Dierks Bentley feat. Elle King, “Different For Girls”
Luke Bryan feat. Karen Fairchild, “Home Alone Tonight”
Keith Urban feat. Carrie Underwood, “The Fighter”
Chris Young with Cassadee Pope, “Think Of You”
Morgane Stapleton with Chris Stapleton, “You Are My Sunshine”

Another fiercely competitive category with some remarkable songs. Chris Young was overlooked in all other categories and I'm betting he and Cassadee Pope will share this award with a song that dominated radio this year.

Music Video of the Year
“Fire Away,” Chris Stapleton
“Humble and Kind,” Tim McGraw
“Record Year,” Eric Church
“Somewhere on a Beach,” Dierks Bentley
“Burning House,” Cam

Tough for me to make a pick here as I haven't seen any of these- I work in radio, my music doesn't have pictures. Cam hasn't made my pics yet and I don't think she'll go home empty-handed.

Musician of the Year
Jerry Douglas
Paul Franklin
Dann Huff
Brent Mason
Derek Wells

Does anybody watch this one? Who are these people, anyway?

Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley will host the CMA Awards on ABC-TV live from Nashville on November 2nd.