To be honest, I think Carrie’s fans going around saying Taylor did “nothing” during the voting period kind of hurt Taylor. They likely just threw both of them of the window for new blood.

Seeing as Kenny did absolutely NOTHING during the eligibilty period (he stated back in 2009 that 2010 was going to be his year off), he won’t get a nod.

Sorry to burst your bubble, but expect Carrie and Taylor to be in the final round this year.

-Zac Brown Band
-Taylor Swift
-Carrie Underwood
-Lady Antebellum
-Miranda Lambert or Brad Paisley
I really can’t decide between the last two. They’ve each had equally successful years, and I love them both. I’d rather see Miranda get the nod, though. This really was her ultimate breakout year. “Revolution” has done new wonders for her career.

The winner should be and will be Carrie Underwood. She’s been on top of the world in 2010. Lady A seems like the only other stiff competitor for Carrie. Miranda has had a great year, but not as big as Lady A and Carrie. ZBB has been pretty level with Miranda in terms of success this past year. They haven’t done anything standout like Carrie or Lady A. Taylor Swift may have a slight chance because she’s the reigning champ, but she hasn’t done anything spectacular to earn the title a second year in a row. The last big things she did was sell out Gillette Stadium and win 4 Grammys. Yes, those are both huge milestones, but when you put those 2 milestones into perspective with the things Carrie has done (Superbowl National Anthem, sold out Lavell Stadium, 13 #1s, 2-time ACM EOTY, How I Met Your Mother, Soul Surfer (new movie), etc.), she doesn’t have the momentum to live up to the status. Plus, her past two singles, “Fifteen” and “Fearless”, tanked on the charts (for Taylor, at least).

Carrie Underwood is the clear nominee and the clear winner. Let’s just hope that Swift isn’t awarded the vocalist award again — what a mistake THAT was.

I think this is the perfect list, Kevin.

Lady Antebellum, I’d be surprised if they WEREN’T on here. They seem to be cleaning up in country music, everyone loves them. haha.

Miranda Lambert’s gotten REALLY big really fast, kind of like Lady A., and country music critics and fans and radio really loves her new album, plus like I previously mentioned: her tour spots and such. Plus she’s getting all these awards lately, she’s definitely on country music fans’ minds.

Taylor Swift. She’s Taylor Swift. She’s had a relatively quiet year this year, with her last two singles not hitting the top of the charts, but she’s had a successful tour and movie roles and album sales. I think last year was her YEAR, and when her new CD comes out, she’ll start winning more awards. As a big Swift fan, I’m pulling for her, but I can understand her not taking it this year.

Carrie Underwood, country radio loves her. Tabloids love her. Country fans love her. Radio loves her. Critics love her. “Undo It” and “Temporary Home” were big hits this year, and her tour was reasonably successful. She’s like country music’s golden woman at the moment, so I think she has a spot here. Plus with “Some Hearts” just getting that huge award for all its sales…

Zac Brown Band, they’re getting big fast too. I think they might be the ones snubbed, and substituted with one of the favorites (Brad, Keith, George), but I think they deserve the nomination more than any of those three.

Furthermore, She just hasn’t headlined a big arena tour yet.

Well, Pete she actually has headlined a tour. It was her Roadside Bars & Pink Guitars Tour, and she is even headlining again this fall with the Revolution Tour: CMT On Tour. Now, EOTY nomination would be awesome but I believe next year, she will have a better and stronger chance of getting nominated for entertainer.