ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR

PEOPLE'S PICK
KENNY CHESNEY

Call it the clash of the titans: Oddsmaker John Avello at the Wynn Hotel Las Vegas gives a slight edge here to Brooks & Dunn, while Minneapolis radio program director Gregg Swedborg thinks Brad Paisley or last year's winner, Keith Urban, should take this based on "sheer musicianship." But most industry experts think 2004 winner Kenny Chesney will take home the trophy again. Says Billboard's Wade Jessen: "This should be Rascal Flatts'year to win, but there is simply no hotter act in town at the moment than Kenny Chesney." PEOPLE music critic Chuck Arnold agrees: "Kenny is the consummate performer," he says. "And he had another huge year on the road and on the radio."

BEST FEMALE VOCALIST

PEOPLE'S PICK
CARRIE UNDERWOOD

It's the vets against the newcomer. Martina McBride has "the best real voice" in the pack, says Nashville music professor E. Michael Harrington. But, says PEOPLE's Arnold: "Carrie has earned her Nashville cred after Idol. She proved she's the real deal."

FAITH HILL

MARTINA McBRIDE

SARA EVANS

GRETCHEN WILSON

BEST MALE VOCALIST

PEOPLE'S PICK
KEITH URBAN

It's a tight race: Music writer Michael McCall likes "Brad Paisley's amazing consistency and depth," and oddsmaker Avello likes Alan Jackson. But PEOPLE's Arnold picks Keith Urban: "He's a true country heartthrob. He's got the looks, and the voice to match."

ALAN JACKSON

KENNY CHESNEY

BRAD PAISLEY

DIERKS BENTLEY

THE OTHER RACES

VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR

SUGARLAND
ALISON KRAUSS & UNION STATION, FEATURING JERRY DOUGLAS
LONESTAR
LITTLE BIG TOWN
RASCAL FLATTS

"They're a phenomenon that can't be denied," says PEOPLE critic Chuck Arnold.

VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR

MONTGOMERY GENTRY
BIG & RICH
THE WRECKERS
VAN ZANT
BROOKS & DUNN

"The champs won't be unseated."

ALBUM OF THE YEAR

ME AND MY GANG, RASCAL FLATTS
HILLBILLY DELUXE, BROOKS & DUNN
PRECIOUS MEMORIES, ALAN JACKSON
TIME WELL WASTED, BRAD PAISLEY
THE ROAD AND THE RADIO, KENNY CHESNEY

"It's between Chesney and Rascal Flatts. I go with Kenny."

SINGLE OF THE YEAR

"SUMMERTIME," KENNY CHESNEY
"JESUS TAKE THE WHEEL," CARRIE UNDERWOOD
"BELIEVE," BROOKS & DUNN
"WHEN I GET WHERE I'M GOING," BRAD PAISLEY
"BETTER LIFE," KEITH URBAN

"Urban's big year will only get better."

HORIZON AWARD

LITTLE BIG TOWN
MIRANDA LAMBERT
SUGARLAND
JOSH TURNER
CARRIE UNDERWOOD

"She's the success story of the year."