Photo Credit: Michael Benford
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR: Garth Brooks; Luke Bryan; Eric Church; Chris Stapleton; Keith Urban
WHO WE THINK WILL WIN: Garth Brooks is such a legend who has been headlining tours for YEARS. His upcoming show in Mercedes-Benz Stadium sold out in just 67 minutes! Tickets are well worth the dollar spent as he puts on one heck of a memorable show. If our prediction is correct, this won’t be the first time Garth will take home Entertainer of The Year.
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SINGLE OF THE YEAR (Award goes to Artist, Producer(s), and Mix Engineer(s)): “Better Man” – Little Big Town // Producer: Jay Joyce // Mix Engineers: Jason Hall, Jay Joyce; “Blue Ain’t Your Color” – Keith Urban // Producers: Dann Huff, Keith Urban // Mix Engineer: Chris Lord-Alge; “Body Like A Back Road” – Sam Hunt // Producer: Zach Crowell // Mix Engineer: Zach Crowell; “Dirt On My Boots” – Jon Pardi // Producers: Bart Butler, Jon Pardi // Mix Engineer: Ryan Gore; “Tin Man” – Miranda Lambert // Producers: Frank Liddell, Eric Masse, Glenn Worf // Mix Engineer: Eric Masse
WHO WE THINK WILL WIN: This is a tough one. In fact, it might just be the most anticipated category! Each of these singles dominated country radio for several weeks in 2017, however, we are simply choosing “Body Like a Back Road” because it broke the record for the most weeks atop country charts.
ALBUM OF THE YEAR (Award goes to Artist and Producer(s)): The Breaker – Little Big Town // Producer: Jay Joyce; From A Room: Volume 1 – Chris Stapleton // Producers: Dave Cobb, Chris Stapleton; Heart Break – Lady Antebellum // Producer: busbee; The Nashville Sound – Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit // Producer: Dave Cobb; The Weight of These Wings – Miranda Lambert // Producers: Frank Liddell, Glenn Worf, Eric Masse
WHO WE THINK WILL WIN: This year was a big year for Miranda Lambert. After a public heartache, she put her heart and soul into each and every track on The Weight of These Wings. Fans connected with the artist in a way they hadn’t before. The album expresses the feelings of heartbreak but explores the beauty in the journey of finding your way. She killed it, and we believe that the Country Music Association will give her this award to recognize all of her hard work.
