Album of the Year
Felix: “Whirlwind” by Lainey Wilson
Lainey Wilson is loved by the CMA voters so it is very likely she will win some awards tonight. This award makes sense for her as her competition has a weakness. “Am I Okay” and “Cold Beer & Country Music” are great, but haven’t had many songs reach the top. “F-1 Trillion” was also another good one, but it seems to have faded away from listeners. “I’m the Problem” by Morgan Wallen isn’t probably going to win because of the CMAs being salty with Wallen’s absence last year and their poor relationship. It just seems everything is going right for Wilson in this category.
Vincent: “I’m the Problem” by Morgan Wallen
Though Felix makes good points for both the voters’ love of Wilson and sourness towards Wallen, the voting should be of the quality of the music and consumption by audiences. And the other albums up for the award this year cower compared to Wallen’s fourth studio album. “I’m the Problem” ranked first on the Billboard 200 for 12 weeks this year, including eight consecutive weeks following its release. The success of the album withto the public should lead to the award heading back to “God’s country” with Wallen.
Other Nominees: “Am I Okay” by Megan Moroney, “Cold Beer and Country Music” by Zach Top, “F-1 Trillion” by Post Malone
Female Vocalist of the Year
Felix: Lainey Wilson
Speaking of Wilson, she is going to win another award. This category has only two real competitors. Of course, Wilson and then the rise of Ella Langley. She is another female artist who is climbing the ranks and making a name for herself. People are really into her, and most importantly, country media/awards are interested in her a lot. She is very talented but still new to the scene. Langley will have her time, but this year is not the right time.
Vincent: Lainey Wilson
There isn’t much that needs to be said that Felix didn’t already hit on. Wilson has cemented herself as the best female country artist today. Langley will most definitely give Wilson a good run this year and for years to come, but there’s more she has to do to be on the same level as Wilson. She won the award a year ago, to which it was predicted, and the result will remain.
Other Nominees: Kelsea Ballerini, Miranda Lambert, Ella Langley, Megan Moroney
Male Vocalist of the Year
Felix: Chris Stapleton
This category is stacked and can go many ways. It is nice to see Zach Top in this section, as he is relatively new. He definitely will win one of these in the future, but is still making a name for himself, similarly to Langley. Stapleton has dominated this category for a decade, winning eight out of the 10 years. He has won the last four years and will make it five at the end of the night.
Vincent: Cody Johnson
This category might be the most loaded and most difficult to predict. Four of the five nominees remained the same from last year, with Top replacing Jelly Roll for the final spot. Though Stapleton was the pick last year and will always give himself a great shot, Cody Johnson has that “due” factor. He won Album of the Year for “Leather” last year, but he hasis yet to win a CMA that encapsulates all of his work. This will be the year.
Other Nominees: Luke Combs, Zach Top, Morgan Wallen
Vocal Group of the Year
Felix: Old Dominion
Similar to Stapleton, this is also an award dominated by a single group. Old Dominion has won this award seven straight years and doesn’t look like they are slowing down yet. It would be nice to see Red Clay Strays win this award, as they are extremely talented. We both picked them to win last year after their breakout year, but of course, they came up short. The voters love Old Dominion, so it will be eight years of awards.
Vincent: The Red Clay Strays
This was the pick a year ago. Maybe the definition of insanity is in effect here, but I don’t think Old Dominion will repeat. One would think voter fatigue would set in, especially when Old Dominion has won seven straight Vocal Group of the Year awards. The continued growth in popularity for The Red Clay Strays gives the group the chance to snap the streak and bring the group its first CMA award win.
Other Nominees: Lady A, Little Big Town, Rascal Flatts.
Vocal Duo of the Year
Felix: Brooks & Dunn
When looking through the duos, I didn’t really find much that stood out. However, Brooks and Dunn released “Reboot II” last November and had tons of artists on it. They also won the award last year for the first time since 2006. Brothers Osburne and Dan + Shay could also win, but it seems Brooks & Dunn will win their 16th award in this category.
Vincent: Brooks & Dunn
Felix and I missed our shot on Brothers Osburne last year for Brooks & Dunn. Maybe it’s taking the safe option, but “Reboot II” brought some of the brightest names in the genre to pair with the duo to do covers of the best of Brooks & Dunn’s best songs. And it thrived. This fact will lead to back-to-back wins for Brooks & Dunn.
Other nominees: Brothers Osborne, Dan + Shay, Maddie & Tae, The War And Treaty
New Artist of the Year
Felix: Ella Langley
Out of everyone nominated, it is clear that Langley has the edge. I already talked about her rise and how everyone is becoming a fan of hers. She is releasing a lot of good music and being featured on other artists’ tracks. Wetmore and Top both released new albums this year, so they are definitely in the conversation. However, neither one has the hype and love Langley is getting right now.
Vincent: Tucker Wetmore
Originally drawing comparisons to Morgan Wallen’s style, Wetmore has carved out a solid 2025 year, headlined by his first studio album, “What Not To.” The album peaked at fourth in U.S. Country and 15th in all US albums. He kicks off his “The ‘Brunette World Tour’” in February 2026 and will get to boast his first CMA award, while traveling to eight different countries.
Other nominees: Shaboozey, Zach Top, Stephen Wilson Jr.
Single of the Year
Felix: “you look like you love me”
This category is absolutely stacked. I can see every single possibly winning, but I have to go into the minds of the voters. Of course, they love Wilson and might pick “4x4xU.” However, she had so many other chances to win, and the song wasn’t as big as the others. “Ain’t No Love in Oklahoma” had its peak but died down after the movie “Twisters.” “Am I Okay” and “I Never Lie” seem to be better contenders for the song of the year. Finally, “you look like you love me” is the final pick. There was a time when every country station had this song playing, and you couldn’t escape it. For good reason, too, this single was fantastic. It was a great collaboration with Riley Green and Langley. Of all the singles peaks, “you look like you love me” was the best.
Vincent: “you look like you love me” by Ella Langley and Riley Green Had “Ain’t No Love in Oklahoma” been in the bunch last year, Luke Combs would’ve definitely won the award. But to Felix’s point, the song has since lost the wild winds of popularity as the movie it was made for. “you look like you love me” is easily the best of the bunch in this year’s class. Anytime Wilson’s hat is in the ring, she usually has the strongest chance to win. However, Langley will get this award, while Wilson will claim the Album and Female Vocalist of the Year awards.
Other nominees: “4x4xU” by Lainey Wilson, “Ain’t No Love In Oklahoma” by Luke Combs, “Am I Okay?” by Megan Moroney, “I Never Lie” by Zach Top
Song of the Year
Felix: “I Never Lie”
Another category that most of the songs can win. The voters might double down and pick Langley again or pick Wilson to win another category she probably shouldn’t have. The real winner should be Top with “I Never Lie.” This song was massive and helped start his career. It is another song that has been playing on a lot of stations and for a long time, too. The voters will probably play favorites again, but I truly believe “I Never Lie” was the song of the year.
Vincent: “you look like you love me” by Ella Langley and Riley Green
As was the case last year, the Single of the Year will win Song of the Year, too. There are three overlaps between the two awards, including Wilson’s “4x4xU” and Top’s “I Never Lie.” SimilarSimilarly to the point of Single of the Year, Langley and Green’s duet is the best of the bunch for this year.
Other nominees: 4x4xU” by Lainey Wilson, “Texas” by Blake Shelton, “Am I Okay?” by Megan Moroney, “I Never Lie” by Zach Top
Musical Event of the Year
Felix: “I’m Gonna to Love You”
I can’t see the CMA awards without Cody Johnson winning a category. Johnson teamed up with Carrie Underwood for the first time to make a song. Neither has won this section besides Underwood having nine and Johnson having two CMA awards. They don’t have much competition this year, so things should go in their favor.
Vincent: “Don’t Mind if I Do” Ella Langley and Riley Green
The chemistry that Green and Langley have is second to none in the genre. That’s the reason “you look like you love me” won this award last year, and “Don’t Mind if I Do” will win this year. That’s not even taking into account that last year’s nominees were also significantly better. The only duo that could take this award away from Green and Langley is Johnson and Underwood.
Other nominees: “Hard Fought Hallelujah” by Brandon Lake with Jelly Roll, “Pour Me A Drink” by Post Malone (feat. Blake Shelton), “You Had To Be There” by Megan Moroney (feat. Kenny Chesney)
Music Video of the Year
Felix: “Somewhere Over Laredo” by Lainey Wilson
Last year, we both picked amazing music videos by Johnson to win this award. However, the voters decided to pick the video with the cringy effects and not the best. That, of course, was Wilson’s “Wildflowers and Wild Horses.” Once again, she has another music video with horrible effects and weird things going on. We can see Wilson free-falling out of a plane, fields folding on one another and clouds changing shapes into different things. It really is bad, but knowing how the voters work, this is going to win.
Vincent: “I’m Gonna Love You” by Cody Johnson and Carey Underwood
At point blank, this year’s class of music videos is significantly weaker than last year’s. However, a winner has to be crowned and given the voting from last year, the visual effects play a large role in the decision-makingdecision making. Of the five videos up for the award, Johnson and Underwood’s duet had the best effects of the bunch this year. Though both of his videos up for this award last year are better put together than this year’s nomination, he’ll get the award he should’ve won a year ago.
Other nominees: “Am I Okay?” by Megan Moroney, “Think I’m In Love With You” by Chris Stapleton, “you look like you love me” by Ella Langley & Riley Green
Entertainer of the Year
Felix: Luke Combs
This award can really go to anyone here. Out of everyone, though, I see Combs winning. There is no question that he is a great entertainer and never disappoints. He won the award in 2021 and 2022. Wilson and Wallen won the years following. It has been a few years since his reign, and it looks like he will regain it that night.
Vincent: Luke Combs
All five of these nominees are worthy of the award. Wallen won it last year, but truly it could’ve gone any which way then. And that is the case again. Combs won this award in 2022 and has only gotten better since then.
Other nominees: Cody Johnson, Chris Stapleton, Morgan Wallen, Lainey Wilson
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