I am not expert on these country music award shows.  My favorites never win.  In fact, I had QYK listeners vote on Entertainer of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year and Female Vocalist of the Year ahead of tonight’s ceremonies.  You all literally put my favorites (Dierks Bentley, Chris Stapleton and Kacey Musgraves) in DEAD LAST place in all 3 categories.  So here’s who I think should win and who will probably win tonight.  And chances are, I’m wrong and this episode of The Other 59 Minutes will be a complete waste of your time. 

The 2018 CMA Awards Nominees:

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
Jason Aldean
Luke Bryan
Kenny Chesney
Chris Stapleton
Keith Urban

ALBUM OF THE YEAR
From a Room, Vol. 2, Chris Stapleton
Golden Hour, Kacey Musgraves
Graffiti U, Keith Urban
Life Changes, Thomas Rhett
The Mountain, Dierks Bentley

SINGLE OF THE YEAR
“Broken Halos,” Chris Stapleton
“Drinkin’ Problem,” Midland
“Drowns the Whiskey,” Jason Aldean feat. Miranda Lambert
“Meant to Be,” Bebe Rexha & Florida Georgia Line
“Tequila,” Dan + Shay

SONG OF THE YEAR (awarded to songwriters)
“Body like a Back Road,” Sam Hunt (written by Sam Hunt, Zach Crowell, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne)
“Broken Halos,” Chris Stapleton (written by Chris Stapleton, Mike Henderson)
“Drowns the Whiskey,” Jason Aldean feat. Miranda Lambert (written by Brandon Kinney, Jeff Middleton, Josh Thompson)
“Drunk Girl,” Chris Janson (written by Chris Janson, Scooter Carusoe, Tom Douglas)
“Tequila,” Dan + Shay (written by Dan Smyers, Nicolle Galyon, Jordan Reynolds)

FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Kelsea Ballerini
Miranda Lambert
Maren Morris
Kacey Musgraves
Carrie Underwood

MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Dierks Bentley
Luke Combs
Thomas Rhett
Chris Stapleton
Keith Urban

NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Lauren Alaina
Luke Combs
Chris Janson
Midland
Brett Young

VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
Lady Antebellum
LANCO
Little Big Town
Midland
Old Dominion

VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR
Brothers Osborne
Dan + Shay
Florida Georgia Line
Maddie & Tae
Sugarland

MUSICAL EVENT OF THE YEAR
“Burning Man,” Dierks Bentley feat. Brothers Osborne
“Dear Hate,” Maren Morris feat. Vince Gill
“Drowns the Whiskey,” Jason Aldean feat. Miranda Lambert
“Everything’s Gonna Be Alright,” David Lee Murphy with Kenny Chesney
“Meant to Be,” Bebe Rexha and Florida Georgia Line

MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR
“Babe,” Sugarland (feat. Taylor Swift)
“Cry Pretty,” Carrie Underwood
“Drunk Girl,” Chris Janson
“Marry Me,” Thomas Rhett
“Tequila,” Dan + Shay