In the lead-up to the CMA Awards on Nov. 2, Nash Country Daily will be conducting its own election to let you—the readers—decide who should win each of the 12 categories at this year’s show. We’re taking politics out of the equation and letting the popular vote speak for itself.
The good news is there is no voter registration. The bad news is we aren’t giving out any trophies. It’s just for bragging rights.
Every two or three days, we will provide a new ballot for one of the 12 categories and allow fans to vote until the next category is announced. Along the way, we’ll post our winners.
Female Vocalist of the Year: Oct 12 – WINNER Carrie Underwood
(Looks like you missed your opportunity to vote on this poll. Vote for Male Vocalist now!)
- Carrie Underwood: 58%
- Miranda Lambert: 24%
- Kelsea Ballerini: 8%
- Maren Morris: 5%
- Kacey Musgraves: 5%
Entertainer of the Year: Oct. 10 – WINNER Carrie Underwood
- Carrie Underwood: 34%
- Keith Urban: 32%
- Luke Bryan: 19%
- Garth Brooks: 9%
- Chris Stapleton: 6%
Male Vocalist of the Year: Oct. 14
- Dierks Bentley
- Eric Church
- Tim McGraw
- Chris Stapleton
- Keith Urban
Album of the Year: Oct. 17
- Black – Dierks Bentley
- Hero – Maren Morris
- Mr. Misunderstood – Eric Church
- Ripcord – Keith Urban
- Storyteller – Carrie Underwood
Vocal Group of the Year: Oct. 19
- Lady Antebellum
- Little Big Town
- Old Dominion
- Rascal Flatts
- Zac Brown Band
Vocal Duo of the Year: Oct. 21
- Brothers Osborne
- Dan + Shay
- Florida Georgia Line
- Joey + Rory
- Maddie & Tae
New Artist of the Year: Oct. 24
- Kelsea Ballerini
- Brothers Osborne
- Maren Morris
- Old Dominion
- Cole Swindell
Song of the Year (Awarded to Songwriters): Oct. 26
- “Burning House” – Cam, Tyler Johnson, Jeff Bhasker
- “Die a Happy Man” – Sean Douglas, Thomas Rhett, Joe Spargur
- “Humble and Kind” – Lori McKenna
- “Record Year” – Eric Church, Jeff Hyde
- “My Church” – busbee, Maren Morris
Single of the Year: Oct. 28
- “Die a Happy Man” – Thomas Rhett
- “Humble and Kind” – Tim McGraw
- “My Church” – Maren Morris
- “Nobody to Blame” – Chris Stapleton
- “Record Year” – Eric Church
Musical Event of the Year: Oct. 28
- “Different for Girls” – Dierks Bentley feat. Elle King
- “Home Alone Tonight” – Luke Bryan feat. Karen Fairchild
- “The Fighter” – Keith Urban feat. Carrie Underwood)
- “Think of You” – Chris Young with Cassadee Pope
- “You Are My Sunshine” – Morgane Stapleton with Chris Stapleton
Video of the Year: Oct. 31
- “Burning House” – Cam, directed by Trey Fanjoy
- “Fire Away” – Chris Stapleton, directed by Tim Mattia
- “Humble and Kind” – Tim McGraw, directed by Wes Edwards
- “Record Year” – Eric Church, directed by Jon Peets and Reid Long
- “Somewhere on a Beach” – Dierks Bentley, directed by Wes Edwards
Musician of the Year: Oct. 31
- Jerry Douglas – Dobro/Lap Steel Guitar
- Paul Franklin – Steel Guitar
- Dan Huff – Guitar
- Brent Mason – Guitar
- Derek Wells – Guitar
Hosted by Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood, The 50th annual CMA Awards will air live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 2, at 7 p.m. CT on ABC.
Kacey Musgraves by Kelly Christine Sutton/UMG; Maren Morris by LeAnn Mueller/Sony Music Nashville; Miranda Lambert courtesy Sony Music Nashville; Kelsea Ballerini by Joseph Llanes/Sweet Talk Publicity; Carrie Underwood by Randee St. Nicholas/Schmidt Relations;