Throughout the past 8 years or so, we've been predicting with strong success who will win these awards (we got all but "Best New Artist" right last year). This year is more of a mixed bag in terms of predictions but it's not hard for me to envision the night belonging to the ladies as you'll find out why below.

2016 CMA AWARDS NOMINEES

Entertainer of the Year

Garth Brooks
Luke Bryan
Chris Stapleton
Carrie Underwood
Keith Urban

I've been fortunate enough to see everyone except Garth Brooks in person and this year. Even had two tries to catch a GB Show (Ryman Auditorium and Ascend Amphitheater) but didn't get there. That being said, he's a front-runner for this award, in my eyes, with Carrie Underwood and last year's CMA darling, Chris Stapleton. All three reach beyond Country Music (all 5 do really). I honestly am Surprised that Stapleton arrived here so soon but if you've seen a Stapleton show, you get why he's a contender -- he also had the best sales of any artist the past calendar year (a lot due to last year's 'wow' moment at the 49th CMA Awards). Carrie Underwood's show REALLY impressed me. Add in a stellar year for her album Storyteller and I'm wanting to give her this award. It just feels like her year to finally win. (and to give a top woman the top award too, why not?)

Male Vocalist of the Year

Dierks Bentley
Eric Church
Tim McGraw
Chris Stapleton
Keith Urban

What an interesting collection of nominees. There's no Blake Shelton (quite a surprise). Stapleton, last year's winner is here and he's the clear front-runner but I can totally see anyone else listed here winning (McGraw and Urban are past winners). That being said, if it's not gonna be Stapleton, it'd be cool to see Church or Bentley win. Both are long time stars and worthy of the accolades. But, at the end of the day, until he loses, I'm not picking anyone other than Stapleton for this award.

Female Vocalist of the Year

Kelsea Ballerini
Miranda Lambert
Maren Morris
Kacey Musgraves
Carrie Underwood

Miranda has won this for a gazillion years in a row, Carrie won this years ago and young guns Kacey Musgraves, Kelsea Ballerini and Maren Morris are all worthy of placement here. Ballerini could steal this but so could Maren Morris, who -- as one of the most-nominated artists -- may be in line for her own "Stapleton moment." I'm certainly not as comfortable picking her as I was Stapleton last year. I just can't imagine the quiet year for Miranda overtaking the huge year that Carrie got. So, I'm going with Carrie.

Album of the Year

Black, Dierks Bentley
Hero, Maren Morris
Mr. Misunderstood, Eric Church
Ripcord, Keith Urban
Storyteller, Carrie Underwood

Honestly, this one is where Maren Morris has the chance to 'steal' an award away. All really good records, I have a gut feeling that this one will be the hardest one to predict. Look for Dierks Bentley, Eric Church Or Keith Urban to be the front runners with Maren Morris to be the sleeper. Sadly, that means that Carrie's strong project isn't likely to win (she can't win 'em all can she?). I'm gonna go with Mr. Misunderstood as the winner simply because of the unique way Church dropped it right around last year's CMA awards show.

Single of the Year

"Die A Happy Man", Thomas Rhett
"Humble and Kind", Tim McGraw
"My Church", Maren Morris
"Nobody To Blame", Chris Stapleton
"Record Year", Eric Church

In my eyes there are three choices here "Nobody To Blame," "Record Year" and "Humble And Kind." That being said, I have a feeling that "My Church" will replace "Humble And Kind."  I think there's not a real obvious one of the actual top three contenders which proves that 2016 has been a good year for country music and a strong list of choices here. Maren Morris is clearly a CMA voting group favorite based on those nominations mentioned above and for that reason alone, I think she wins "Single of the Year" for the great "My Church."

Song of the Year

(*This is a songwriter award)
"Burning House", Cam
"Die A Happy Man", Thomas Rhett
"Humble and Kind", Tim McGraw
"My Church", Maren Morris
"Record Year", Eric Church

It's interesting that 4/5 of this list were in the Single of the Year category and while Cam's "Burning House" is brilliant, I think this is a two horse show between "Record Year" and "Humble And Kind." Lori McKenna won for "Girl Crush" last year and I think she'll take this one home in a photo finish.

Vocal Group of the Year

Lady Antebellum
Little Big Town
Old Dominion
Rascal Flatts
Zac Brown Band

Zac Brown Band may actually win this one this year. Lady A, Rascal Flatts and Little Big Town all had quieter years and that leaves ZBB and Old Dominion. I LOVE Old Dominion but Zac Brown Band has to win this award at some point, don't they? If 2016 isn't their year, they'll always be a bridesmade and never a bride. That being said I think Old Dominion may very well take this one home.

Vocal Duo of the Year

Brothers Osborne
Dan + Shay
Florida Georgia Line
Joey + Rory
Maddie & Tae

My heart hopes that Joey+Rory win this one but I suspect that the obvious will happen and it'll go to Florida Georgia Line. Yeah, that's likely to happen. Like the easiest one to pick.

New Artist of the Year

Kelsea Ballerini
Brothers Osborne
Maren Morris
Old Dominion
Cole Swindell

Based on nominations alone, this is Maren Morris' award to lose. Kelsea or Old Dominion or Cole Swindell could steal it and Brothers Osborne is the only new act from UMG's roster here which helps them out. That being said, look for this one to go to Maren Morris.

Musical Event of the Year

"Different For Girls", Dierks Bentley/Elle King
"Home Alone Tonight", Luke Bryan/Karen Fairchild
"The Fighter", Keith Urban/Carrie Underwood
"Think of You", Chris Young/Cassadee Pope
"You Are My Sunshine", Chris Stapleton/Morgane Stapleton

There are some good chices here. The duets are all strong but given how hard it'll be to give Stapleton major awards this year (outside of vocals), voters may give him something here. They could reward the under-the-radar hit from Chris Young and Cassadee Pope or go for the pop country of Keith Urban and Carrie Underwood's not yet a hit single. In the end, It's hard to vote for anyone but The Stapletons.

Edit to add as results pour in: Lost this one as Dierks Bentley and Elle King take the award with the most 'current' single on this chart.

Music Video of the Year

"Burning House", Cam
"Fire Away", Chris Stapleton
"Humble and Kind", Tim McGraw
"Record Year", Eric Church
"Somewhere On A Beach", Dierks Bentley

Again, strong video choices. The production of each video is stellar with visuals unrivaled. Stapleton's impactful video could sneak out and take this out but I keep coming to Eric Church's "Record Year."

Edit To Add as Results pour in. I guess I'm 50/50 here. lol. I love the Stapleton video but figured EC would get it. Oh well. Congrats to Chris and his video production team.

Musician of the Year

Jerry Douglas
Paul Franklin
Dann Huff
Brett Mason
Derek Wells

The biggest shock here is that there's no 8 time winner Mac McAnally here. So it's really up in the air. Derek Wells is the newcomer here and Douglas and Franklin play in actual bands and aren't newcomers and Huff could get a win as he's produced 2/3 of everything the past 20 years -- it seems. I'm gonna go with dobro virtuoso Jerry Douglas just because he's so damn good.