Country Universe – A Country Music Blog

CMA Noms ’09

Wednesday, September 9th, 2009

It’s that time of year again! For each major category, we’ll look at who’s broken in since last year, who’s been booted out, plus some initial thoughts. As always, we invite you to share your own opinions in the comments. Without further ado:

Entertainer

• Kenny Chesney
• Brad Paisley
• George Strait
• Taylor Swift
• Keith Urban

Who’s In: Taylor Swift

Who’s Out: Sugarland

Snap Judgment: With Carrie Underwood and Sugarland a little out of the spotlight recently, it’s no shock to see the regular foursome of Chesney, Paisley, Strait and Urban prevail. Swift was a logical inclusion given her across-the-board dominance, but I gotta say that I’m surprised to see her acknowledged for it by the historically traditional-leaning CMA.

Male Vocalist

• Kenny Chesney
• Brad Paisley
• Darius Rucker
• George Strait
• Keith Urban

Who’s In: Darius Rucker

Who’s Out: Alan Jackson

Snap Judgment: Pretty predicable. Rucker has shown he can get serious spins at radio, which is probably what won him this slot over Jamey Johnson.

Female Vocalist

• Miranda Lambert
• Martina McBride
• Reba McEntire
• Taylor Swift
• Carrie Underwood

Who’s In: Reba McEntire

Who’s Out: Alison Krauss

Snap Judgment: Again, no big surprises. Martina always hangs in there somehow, doesn’t she?

Vocal Duo

• Big & Rich
• Brooks & Dunn
• Joey + Rory
• Montgomery Gentry
• Sugarland

Who’s In: Joey + Rory

Who’s Out: The Wreckers (finally!), oddly not Big & Rich

Snap Judgment: I guess there has to be at least one defunct act in this category every year, huh?

Vocal Group

• Eagles
• Lady Antebellum
• Little Big Town
• Rascal Flatts
• Zac Brown Band

Who’s In: Zac Brown Band

Who’s Out: Emerson Drive

Snap Judgment: I’m baffled to see the Eagles still here. I expect there will be a lot more shake-up in this category next year, with Love and Theft, Eli Young Band and The Lost Trailers all experiencing a rise in profile recently.

New Artist

• Randy Houser
• Jamey Johnson
• Jake Owen
• Darius Rucker
• Zac Brown Band

Who’s In: Completely new line-up!

Snap Judgment: A strong group. Johnson, Rucker and Zac Brown Band are selling better than many of the veteran acts, so they’re the serious contenders this year, but all five nominees show great artistic potential.

Album

• Brad Paisley, American Saturday Night
  
• Jamey Johnson, That Lonesome Song
  
• Sugarland, Love On The Inside
  
• Taylor Swift, Fearless
• Keith Urban, Defying Gravity
  

Snap Judgment: Probably as good a line-up as you could’ve hoped for. Never thought I’d live to see a CMA category where I thought Keith Urban had the weakest offering!

Single

• “Chicken Fried” – Zac Brown Band
• “I Run To You” – Lady Antebellum
• “In Color” – Jamey Johnson
• “People Are Crazy” – Billy Currington
• “Then” – Brad Paisley

Snap Judgment: Sigh.

Song

• “Chicken Fried” – Zac Brown & Wyatt Durette
• “I Told You So” – Randy Travis
• “In Color” – Jamey Johnson, Lee Thomas Miller & James Otto
• “People Are Crazy” – Bobby Braddock & Troy Jones
• “Then” – Brad Paisley, Chris DuBois and Ashley Gorley

Snap Judgment: I mean, it’s not like Randy Travis ever had his own hit with “I Told You So” or anything.

Musical Event

• “Cowgirls Don’t Cry” – Brooks & Dunn featuring Reba McEntire
• “Down The Road” – Kenny Chesney with Mac McAnally
• “Everything But Quits” – Lee Ann Womack with George Strait
• “I Told You So” – Carrie Underwood featuring Randy Travis
• “Old Enough” – The Raconteurs featuring Ricky Skaggs and Ashley Monroe
• “Start A Band” – Brad Paisley with Keith Urban

Snap Judgment: How in the world did that Raconteurs record sneak in there? Props, CMA!

Music Video

• “Boots On” – Randy Houser
• “Love Story” – Taylor Swift
• “People Are Crazy” – Billy Currington
• “Start A Band” – Brad Paisley with Keith Urban
• “Troubadour” – George Strait

Snap Judgment: Not bad. Houser’s doesn’t have much, but the only one I outright dislike is Currington’s. It’s just another excuse for him to sit around looking scruffy on a beach.

Musician

• Eddie Bayers
• Paul Franklin
• Dann Huff
• Brent Mason
• Mac McAnally