In the lead-up to the CMA Awards on Nov. 2, Nash Country Daily will be conducting its own election to let you—the readers—decide who should win each of the 12 categories at this year’s show. We’re taking politics out of the equation and letting the popular vote speak for itself.
The good news is there is no voter registration. The bad news is we aren’t giving out any trophies. It’s just for bragging rights.
Every two or three days, we will provide a new ballot for one of the 12 categories and allow fans to vote until the next category is announced. Along the way, we’ll post our winners.
Video of the Year: Oct. 31 – WINNER “Humble and Kind” – Tim McGraw, directed by Wes Edwards
- “Humble and Kind” – Tim McGraw, directed by Wes Edwards: 38%
- “Burning House” – Cam, directed by Trey Fanjoy: 17%
- “Record Year” – Eric Church, directed by Jon Peets and Reid Long: 17%
- “Somewhere on a Beach” – Dierks Bentley, directed by Wes Edwards: 17%
- “Fire Away” – Chris Stapleton, directed by Tim Mattia: 11%
Musician of the Year: Oct. 31 – WINNER Dan Huff – Guitar
- Dan Huff – Guitar: 31%
- Jerry Douglas – Dobro/Lap Steel Guitar: 26%
- Paul Franklin – Steel Guitar: 22%
- Derek Wells – Guitar: 11%
- Brent Mason – Guitar: 9%
Entertainer of the Year: Oct. 10 – WINNER Carrie Underwood
- Carrie Underwood: 34%
- Keith Urban: 32%
- Luke Bryan: 19%
- Garth Brooks: 9%
- Chris Stapleton: 6%
Female Vocalist of the Year: Oct. 12 – WINNER Carrie Underwood
- Carrie Underwood: 58%
- Miranda Lambert: 24%
- Kelsea Ballerini: 8%
- Maren Morris: 5%
- Kacey Musgraves: 5%
Male Vocalist of the Year: Oct. 14 – WINNER Keith Urban
- Keith Urban: 40%
- Eric Church: 20%
- Tim McGraw: 17%
- Dierks Bentley: 14%
- Chris Stapleton: 9%
Album of the Year: Oct. 17 – WINNER Storyteller – Carrie Underwood
- Storyteller – Carrie Underwood 41%
- Ripcord – Keith Urban 27%
- Mr. Misunderstood – Eric Church 18%
- Black – Dierks Bentley 10%
- Hero – Maren Morris 4%
Vocal Group of the Year: Oct. 19 – WINNER Little Big Town
- Little Big Town 47%
- Old Dominion 15%
- Zac Brown Band 15%
- Lady Antebellum 14%
- Rascal Flatts 9%
Vocal Duo of the Year: Oct. 21 – WINNER Joey + Rory
- Joey + Rory: 60%
- Florida Georgia Line: 17%
- Brothers Osborne: 9%
- Dan + Shay: 8%
- Maddie & Tae: 6%
New Artist of the Year: Oct. 24 – WINNER Cole Swindell
- Cole Swindell: 37%
- Kelsea Ballerini: 32%
- Maren Morris: 14%
- Old Dominion: 9%
- Brothers Osborne: 8%
Song of the Year (Awarded to Songwriters): Oct. 26
– WINNER “Record Year” – Eric Church, Jeff Hyde
- “Record Year” – Eric Church, Jeff Hyde: 33%
- “Humble and Kind” – Lori McKenna: 27%
- “Die a Happy Man” – Sean Douglas, Thomas Rhett, Joe Spargur: 21%
- “Burning House” – Cam, Tyler Johnson, Jeff Bhasker: 9%
- “My Church” – busbee, Maren Morris: 9%
Single of the Year: Oct. 28 – WINNER “Humble and Kind” – Tim McGraw
- “Humble and Kind” – Tim McGraw: 37%
- “Die a Happy Man” – Thomas Rhett: 28%
- “Record Year” – Eric Church: 15%
- “My Church” – Maren Morris: 10%
- “Nobody to Blame” – Chris Stapleton: 9%
Musical Event of the Year: Oct. 28 – WINNER “Think of You” – Chris Young with Cassadee Pope
- “Think of You” – Chris Young with Cassadee Pope: 40%
- “The Fighter” – Keith Urban feat. Carrie Underwood: 27%
- “Different for Girls” – Dierks Bentley feat. Elle King: 14%
- “Home Alone Tonight” – Luke Bryan feat. Karen Fairchild: 13%
- “You Are My Sunshine” – Morgane Stapleton with Chris Stapleton: 6%
Hosted by Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood, The 50th annual CMA Awards will air live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 2, at 7 p.m. CT on ABC.
