Jess Predicts CMA Award Winners

***UPDATE: As of 9am Wednesday morning Lil Nas X & Billy Ray Cyrus' Old Town Road was named Musical Event of the Year winner and Kacey Musgraves Rainbow won Music Video of the Year. ***

It's finally here! The CMA's will air live tonight on ABC starting at 8pm and if you can't catch the show on TV we'll be airing it live here on The Wolf.

I love award shows, but country music's biggest night holds a special place in my heart. So, I have gathered all the information and have made my predictions for the evening.

Female Vocalist of the Year
Kelsea Ballerini
Miranda Lambert
Maren Morris
Kacey Musgraves
Carrie Underwood
JESS' PICK: Kasey Musgraves - This is a tough one because Carrie and Miranda has a strong year, but they really didn't have the whirlwind year that Kasey had. Golden Hour shot to the top of every chart there's no denying it is a masterpiece.

Male Vocalist of the Year
Dierks Bentley
Luke Combs
Thomas Rhett
Chris Stapleton
Keith Urban
JESS' PICK: Luke Combs- Luke broke basically every chart record there was in country music this year. It seemed like every month he released a new song and immediately went to #1. Luke was grinding this year and is the most deserving of the honor for sure.

Album of the Year (Awarded to Artist(s) and Producer(s))
Center Point Road, Thomas Rhett
Cry Pretty, Carrie Underwood
Dan + Shay, Dan + Shay
Desperate Man, Eric Church
Girl, Maren Morris
JESS' PICK: Eric Church- I don't know how this album is still eligible in this category because it feels like it's been out forever, but it's definitely the best quality country music album on this list. Plus Eric Church is the man.

New Artist of the Year
Cody Johnson
Midland
Carly Pearce
Ashley McBryde
Morgan Wallen
JESS' PICK- Ashley McBryde. I have so much love for all the artists in the category. They really are so good and changing the game in country music. But man. Ashley McBryde is a hell of an artist. Her 'Girl Going Nowhere' album is perfect from being to end and her latest release "One Night Standards" needs to be shown a little more respect from country radio.

Song of the Year (Awarded to Songwriters)
"Beautiful Crazy," Luke Combs
"Girl," Maren Morris
"God's Country," Blake Shelton
"Rainbow," Kacey Musgraves
"Tequila," Dan + Shay
JESS' PICK- Tequila. My forehead is on the line with this one. But if we're going by how much we've heard the song all year then Dan + Shay 100% have this one in the bag. Everywhere you turned you heard Tequila. My non-country music friends bumped this one all year. If I was going with my heart it would be with Beautiful Crazy or Rainbow. Naturally, I'm going with my head so Tequila is the pick and I have a soft spot for Dan + Shay.

Single of the Year (Awarded to Artist(s), Producer(s) and Mix Engineer(s))
"Burning Man," Dierks Bentley feat. Brothers Osborne
"Girl," Maren Morris
"God's Country,"
"Millionaire,"
"Speechless,"
JESS' PICK- Burning Man- Love this one from Dierks and Brothers Osborne. It truly deserves to win, but I think Dan + Shay are taking this one too.

Vocal Group of the Year
Lady Antebellum
Little Big Town
Midland
Old Dominion
Zac Brown Band
JESS' PICK- Midland- Another tough category. It's really a toss-up between Midland/Old Dominion/Little Big Town. I would be shocked if anyone else wins. Lady A will have a great year coming up, but

Vocal Duo of the Year
Brooks & Dunn
Brothers Osborne
Dan + Shay
Florida Georgia Line
Maddie & Tae
JESS' PICK: Brooks & Dunn- With the Reboot album and all the collaborations, it would be ridiculous if it went to anyone else. (Love that Maddie and Tae were nominated! They're having a great comeback year. Can't wait to see what they come up with for next year.)

Musical Event of the Year
Maren Morris and Brothers Osborne, "All My Favorite People"
Brooks & Dunn and Luke Combs, "Brand New Man"
Garth Brooks and Blake Shelton, "Dive Bar"
Lil Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus, "Old Town Road (Remix)"
Brantley Gilbert and Lindsay Ell, "What Happens in a Small Town"
JESS' PICK: Brand New Man- The Brooks & Dunn/Luke Combs collab took country radio by storm. It was definitely one of my most played over the summer. I also wouldn't be surprised if Brantley and Lindsay took this one home.

Music Video of the Year (Awarded to Artist(s) and Director(s)
"Burning Man," Dierks Bentley Feat. Brothers Osborne
"Girl," Maren Morris
"God's Country," Blake Shelton
"Rainbow," Kacey Musgraves
"Some of It," Eric Church
JESS' PICK: Rainbow- This was the only music video I actually went out of my way to watch and I cried. So my heart is making this pick. Go, Kacey, go!

Who are your top picks tonight? Don't forget the CMA's air on ABC and on The Wolf starting at 8pm tonight.

Listen to the Wakin' Up With CJ and Jess Show weekday mornings from 6AM to 10AM on The Wolf. Stream us live through the website, Alexa-enabled device, Google Home or The Wolf mobile app.