The 42nd Country Music Association Awards will air live from Nashville Nov. 12 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC. Here, our inside take on the top categories.
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
* Kenny Chesney
Brad Paisley
George Strait
Sugarland
Keith Urban
Bet on Chesney to lasso his third in a row (and fourth overall) in this category.
FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Alison Krauss
Miranda Lambert
Martina McBride
Taylor Swift
*Carrie Underwood
The American Idol has more chops than Swift and more clout than Lambert.
MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Kenny Chesney
Alan Jackson
* Brad Paisley
George Strait
Keith Urban
It's a toss-up with Jackson and Urban, but smells like Paisley, last year's winner, will repeat.
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Carrie Underwood, Carnival Ride
Brooks & Dunn, Cowboy Town
* Alan Jackson, Good Time
Kenny Chesney, Just Who I Am: Poets & Pirates
George Strait, Troubadour
In a battle of vets, Jackson edges Strait.
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