2022 CMA Awards Predictions

I’ve always loved the CMA Awards and one of these days, I’m going to actually attend (and walk the red carpet – putting that out into the universe!). When I was working as a music journalist, part of my CMA coverage was to write a prediction piece on who would win the CMA Awards (and live tweet the event, recap the event, write best dressed pieces… the whole package!). Now that I’m back in Nashville (and perhaps considering getting back into the freelance journalist game), I’m going to bring back those CMA prediction pieces. I was quite good at picking the winners in previous years, but I’m a little rusty. Let’s see how we do. 

Here are my predictions for the 2022 CMA Awards. 

Entertainer of the Year

The coveted trophy. The one every artist wants. Who should win it? Morgan Wallen. A massive tour, sold out dates, multiple dates in some cities… But he’s had quite a bit of scandal and we’ll see if he’s redeemed himself in the voters’ eyes. My prediction on who will win? Luke Combs.

Luke Combs
Miranda Lambert
Chris Stapleton
Carrie Underwood
Morgan Wallen

Single of the Year

I’ll be honest. I don’t love a lot of the Single or Song of the Year nominees this year. They’re great songs. I have several of them saved on my various Spotify playlists. But I do think there were better songs this year that aren’t nominated. That said, I’m going with “half of my hometown” for this one.

“Buy Dirt” – Jordan Davis featuring Luke Bryan
“half of my hometown” – Kelsea Ballerini (feat. Kenny Chesney)
“Never Wanted to Be That Girl” – Carly Pearce and Ashley McBryde
“’Til You Can’t” – Cody Johnson
“You Should Probably Leave” – Chris Stapleton

Album of the Year

This is a tough category for me to call. My favorite of these is Humble Quest and it has a decent shot at winning. I say ultimately, it will come down to Palomino or Sayin’ What I’m Thinkin’ and I would love to see Lainey Wilson be the one to bring it home, so I’ll choose Sayin’ What I’m Thinkin. Wouldn’t be surprised if this went to Luke Combs, however.

Growin’ Up – Luke Combs
Humble Quest – Maren Morris
Palomino – Miranda Lambert
Sayin’ What I’m Thinkin’ – Lainey Wilson
Time, Tequila & Therapy – Old Dominion

Song of the Year

As mentioned above, I think there were better songs this year, but alas, here are our choices. My prediction is “Never Wanted to Be That Girl,” but I wouldn’t be surprised to see “You Should Probably Leave” or “Sand in My Boots” to take the crown.

“Buy Dirt” — songwriters: Jacob Davis, Jordan Davis, Josh Jenkins, Matt Jenkins
“Never Wanted to Be That Girl” –songwriters: Shane McAnally, Ashley McBryde, Carly Pearce
“Sand in My Boots” — songwriters: Ashley Gorley, Michael Hardy, Josh Osborne
“Things a Man Oughta Know” — songwriters: Jason Nix, Jonathan Singleton, Lainey Wilson
“You Should Probably Leave” — songwriters: Chris DuBois, Ashley Gorley, Chris Stapleton

Female Vocalist of the Year

The fact that neither Maren Morris or Kelsea Ballerini is nominated is mind-blowing, but I digress. I’d be thrilled if Ashley McBryde picked up this award, or even Lainey Wilson, but my prediction goes to Carly Pearce.

Miranda Lambert
Ashley McBryde
Carly Pearce
Carrie Underwood
Lainey Wilson

Male Vocalist of the Year

Another one with several surprising names missing, but I’ll be shocked if anyone other than Luke Combs wins this one. I’m always happy for Eric Church to win it, and there’s a strong argument for Morgan Wallen to win, but I think this one is Luke all day.

Eric Church
Luke Combs
Cody Johnson
Chris Stapleton
Morgan Wallen

Vocal Group of the Year

This is one category where it is usually as clear as day who will win, but this year, it’s a little muddy in my opinion. I’m going to pick Old Dominion to pick it up, but Little Big Town has a solid case to win the award, as does Zac Brown Band.

Lady A
Little Big Town
Midland
Old Dominion
Zac Brown Band

Vocal Duo of the Year

This is between Brothers Osborne and Dan + Shay. I’m going to go Dan + Shay by a hair here, but my love for Brothers Osborne is deep and wide.

Brooks & Dunn
Brothers Osborne
Dan + Shay
LOCASH
Maddie & Tae

New Artist of the Year

Passing right over what constitutes “new artist” at the CMA Awards… This is a tight category. Commercially, Walker Hayes wins. But any one of these artists has a reason to be picked as the favorite. Because I have to pick, I’m going to say Lainey Wilson wins this one. But I won’t be the least bit surprised if Hardy, Cody Johnson, or Walker wins. Parker, unfortunately, is the long shot.

HARDY
Walker Hayes
Cody Johnson
Parker McCollum
Lainey Wilson

Musical Event of the Year

I’ll be honest – I am so tired of hearing “If I Didn’t Love You” on the radio here in Nashville. I hear it nearly every time I’m in the car. Will it win the CMA Award? Maybe. It’s got the big names attached. But my pick for winner? “Never Wanted to Be That Girl.”

“Beers on Me” – Dierks Bentley with BRELAND & HARDY
“If I Didn’t Love You” – Jason Aldean & Carrie Underwood
“Longneck Way to Go” – Midland (featuring Jon Pardi)
“Never Say Never” – Cole Swindell (with Lainey Wilson)
“Never Wanted to Be That Girl” – Carly Pearce and Ashley McBryde

Music Video of the Year

Confession: I don’t really watch music videos. Does anyone, honestly? I’ve only seen one of these, so I’m going to cop out and pick it as my choice to win: “I Bet You Think About Me.”

“I Bet You Think About Me” (Taylor’s Version) (From the Vault) – Taylor Swift (featuring Chris Stapleton)
“Longneck Way to Go” – Midland (featuring Jon Pardi)
“Never Say Never” – Cole Swindell (with Lainey Wilson)
“Never Wanted to Be That Girl” – Carly Pearce and Ashley McBryde
“’Til You Can’t” – Cody Johnson

There we have it – my CMA Awards predictions. Like I said, I’m rusty. We’ll see how I do. Check back tomorrow for a recap and some of my favorite looks from the night!