Beth Christy Picks the CMA Winners

This probably isn't a good idea, but that's never stopped me before, so why start now. We've been talking about the 50th CMA Awards for over a month, the nominees, performers, presenters, and more. Everyone has their favorites and so do I.

Every year, while I watch the show and talk with all of you live on the Wolf Facebook page, I am secretly keeping count of how many I get right. This year, I've decided that it won't be a secret. Today, I am revealing my picks for the winners of this year's CMA awards.

This could either be really fun or a miserable and embarrassing showing on my part, but what the heck, I'm going for it. Here's who I think will take home awards tonight.

New Artist of the Year: Kelsea Ballerini, Brothers Osborne, Maren Morris, Old Dominion, and Cole Swindell.
My pick is Maren Morris, she doesn't sound like anyone else, has a bit of an edge-which I think is great for Country music right now.

Musician of the Year: Jerry Douglas, Paul Franklin, Dann Huff, Brent Mason, and Derek Wells.
This is a tough category, the musicians in Nashville have amazing reputations and I think that Country is the only genre who actually recognize the studio musicians who help every song sound great. I am throwing a dart blindfolded here, but my pick is Jerry Douglas.

Music Video: “Fire Away,” Chris Stapleton; “Humble and Kind,” Tim McGraw; “Record Year,” Eric Church; “Somewhere on a Beach,” Dierks Bentley; and “Burning House,” Cam.
My pick is an emotional one in this category. The first time I saw this video, I couldn't keep from crying and I wanted all of my family and friends to see it. My pick is 'Fire Away', Chris Stapleton.

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”;  and Morgane Stapleton with Chris Stapleton, “You Are My Sunshine”.
I have a tie for this category. It's a toss-up between  Dierks with Elle King, “Different For Girls” and Chris Young with Cassadee Pope on “Think Of You”. Here goes, I'm choosing 'Different for Girls.

Vocal Duo of the Year: Brothers Osborne, Dan + Shay, Florida Georgia Line, Joey + Rory, and Maddie & Tae.
I think Florida Georgia Line will win, but I think it should go to Brothers Osborne.

Vocal Group of the Year: Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, Old Dominion, Rascal Flatts, and Zac Brown Band.
Little Big Town has my vote on this one, their harmonies are simply amazing.

Single of the Year: “Die a Happy Man,” Thomas Rhett; “Humble and Kind,” Tim McGraw; “My Church,” Maren Morris; “Record Year,” Eric Church; and “Nobody to Blame,” Chris Stapleton.
Here's the catogory where things start to get tough. I love each of these songs but I'm going with Tim McGraw and "Humble and Kind'.

Song of the year (Songwriter's award): “Die a Happy Man,” Thomas Rhett; “Humble and Kind,” Tim McGraw; “My Church,” Maren Morris; “Record Year,” Eric Church; and “Burning House,” Cam.
This is all about the lyrics, again I love each of these songs, but I am picking Eric Church and 'Record Year'.

Album of the year: Hero, Maren Morris; Mr. Misunderstood, Eric Church; Storyteller, Carrie Underwood; Black, Dierks Bentley; and Ripcord, Keith Urban.
Okay, I have heard each of these albums, but the one that I play over and over and over is 'Mr. Misunderstood, by Eric Church, so that's who I'm going with.

Male Vocalist of the Year: Eric Church, Tim McGraw, Chris Stapleton, Dierks Bentley, and Keith Urban.
Did I mention that this is getting harder and harder? I am going with an artist who I think has helped take Country music in a great direction with songwriting that is off the charts and a delivery that is all his own, Chris Stapleton.

Female Vocalist of the Year: Kelsea Ballerini, Miranda Lambert, Maren Morris, Kacey Musgraves, and Carrie Underwood.
This artist has hit the road this year with new music, energy, and her amazing talent. My vote goes to Carrie Underwood.

Entertainer of the Year: Garth Brooks, Luke Bryan, Chris Stapleton, Carrie Underwood, and Keith Urban.
This is the big one, the most coveted award in Country Music. It has helped propel artists into legends and welcomed legends back to the stage. I have spent more time debating this than any other category. Once again I find myself torn between two artists, Garth and Carrie. It's time to make my decision, my pick is Garth Brooks.

Who do you think will win? I hope you'll join me live on the Wolf Facebook page tonight for the show and we'll watch together, and see who gets the most right.