2019 CMT Awards: The nominees and our predictions!
So last week we found out the nominations for this year's CMT Awards. The awards show as we know it today has been running since 2002 but has actually been running much longer, since the late sixties. Loretta Lynn and Carrie Underwood are amongst the awards biggest winners and once again Carrie is nominated for a couple of awards. So here at The Writers Room we decided to each predict the video we think is going to win and why in each category. So read on for a full list of nominees and let's see which one of us gets the most right come awards night!
Video of the Year
"Cry Pretty," Carrie Underwood "Drunk Girl," Chris Janson "Break Up in the End," Cole Swindell "Speechless," Dan + Shay "Burning Man," Dierks Bentley feat. Brothers Osborne "Desperate Man," Eric Church "Simple," Florida Georgia Line "Rainbow," Kacey Musgraves "Good as You," Kane Brown "Coming Home," Keith Urban feat. Julia Michaels "Miss Me More," Kelsea Ballerini "She Got the Best of Me," Luke Combs "Girl," Maren Morris "Someone I Used to Know," Zac Brown Band
Zoe: I think Speechless is going to take the top prize this year, it's such a personal video, using their wedding videos, it's unique plus even though the focus is on the video it's the only song on that list that got to number one on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart. However it's a strong category and there are a lot of videos here that share important messages - Drunk Girl, Someone I Used To Know, Girl - it'd be a more meaningful victory if one of these won.
Sue: I think Rainbow by Kacey Musgraves will win. She's had a really successful year and both the song and video hold a positive message.
Angie: "Desperate Man," Eric Church – The video has a 1970’s vibe which fits nicely with the style of the song which for me has a 70’s old school feel. The switch from get-away driver and shady drug deals of a family man to what I interpret as his ever encompassing desire to get his music into the hands of his true fans whilst sticking two fingers up to the industry politics is, in my opinion, pure genius that perhaps can only be truly appreciated by a fan of Eric. Is he likely to actually win this category (given he is constantly overlooked by the CMA at awards despite his undeniable talent, a reflection perhaps of his up yours attitude to the industry politics) – time will tell but in my opinion he deserves every accolade.
Female Video of the Year
"The Joke," Brandi Carlile "Love Wins," Carrie Underwood "Space Cowboy," Kacey Musgraves "Miss Me More," Kelsea Ballerini "Girl," Maren Morris "Keeper of the Flame," Miranda Lambert "Closer to You," Carly Pearce
Zoe: Kacey Musgraves is going to take this one, this is partly my own bias towards her but I love the imagery in this video, the loneliness of the lyrics is captured in every scene, I particularly like the clouds at the end, it has a big effect when that key change kicks in plus this lady won four Grammy's, including the top prize for album of the year across all genres, she should win a CMT as well!
Sue: I think Miss Me More by Kelsea Ballerini might win this award, I like the empowering message of being a strong independent female finding herself again after a break up and the video captures this strength well.
Angie: “Space Cowboy” Kacey Musgraves – Not a personal favourite artist of mine but Kacey seems to be taking the awards like candy from a baby and not even I can deny the pull of this haunting melody. The video for Space Cowboy fits nicely with the haunting ballad telling the story of a love lost. The imagery of broken windows and empty rooms representative of a broken heart slowly transforms into an empowering imagery of bright golden rays of sunshine whilst the “cowboy” ex-boyfriend is shrouded in dark imagery. A good representation of every girls heartbreak that will resonate with any girl out there that has been left broken hearted and gone on to pick themselves up and move on to better times.
Male Video of the Year
"Break Up in the End," Cole Swindell "Desperate Man," Eric Church "Drowns the Whiskey," Jason Aldean and Miranda Lambert "Lose It," Kane Brown "Get Along," Kenny Chesney "Sunrise, Sunburn, Sunset," Luke Bryan "Life Changes," Thomas Rhett
Zoe: I really like Break Up In The End, I like how the whole video is back to front but Jason Aldean has the most views on youtube at 26 million.
Sue: I think Jason Aldean ft Miranda Lambert on Drowns The Whiskey deserves this one, who doesn't love a close up shot of Whiskey being poured into a glass. The mood of the song is quite chilled despite its somber tone and that's reflected in the way the video progresses.
Andrea: Eric Church - Desperate Man for the same reasons as Video of the Year.
Duo Video of the Year
"I Don't Remember Me (Before You)," Brothers Osborne "Speechless," Dan + Shay "Simple," Florida Georgia Line "Feels Like a Party," LoCash "Friends Don't," Maddie & Tae "Babe," Sugarland feat. Taylor Swift
Zoe: What I'd really really like to happen is Babe by Sugarland and Taylor Swift to win, this would be a nice encouragement for Taylor to show her the door is still wide open for her in Country music but again I think Dan and Shay might snatch this one.
Sue: Babe by Sugarland and Taylor Swift should win this one. I like the flashbacks at the beginning and then how the story switches between Jennifer and Taylor's involvement with this man and the ending is very satisfying.
Angie: I Don’t Remember Me (Before You) – Brothers Osborne – The video tells the emotional story of a bull rider fighting substance abuse and the effect this has on his life and relationships. I defy anyone not to feel the tug og the heartstrings as visual story unfolds to a happy ending. Not Brothers Osborne’s usual offering but truly inspirational and well deserving of this award.
Group Video of the Year
"Love Ain't," Eli Young Band "Born to Love You," Lanco "Summer Fever," Little Big Town "Burn Out," Midland "Hotel Key," Old Dominion "Someone I Used to Know," Zac Brown Band
Zoe: The Zac Brown Band win this category for me, the video is so well thought out and has such a powerful and important message, I'd like to see it rewarded for that!
Sue: Summer Fever by Little Big Town is a summer anthem and it has that feel good factor about it, I'd like to see it win, it brings a smile to your face.
Angie: The jury's still out on this one, I can't decide!
Breakthrough Video of the Year
"Girl Goin' Nowhere (at Marathon Music Works)," Ashley McBryde "Best Shot," Jimmie Allen "Take It From Me," Jordan Davis "Drunk Me," Mitchell Tenpenny "Whiskey Glasses," Morgan Wallen "Buy My Own Drinks," Runaway June "Somebody's Daughter," Tenille Townes
Zoe: This is my favourite category, it's literally anyone's and there's so much talent coming through there. Whiskey Glasses has just got to number one on the Hot Country Songs chart this week but I think Ashley McBryde is going to take this one, she's come really good, really fast but congrats to Tenille Townes on her nomination, another worthy winner there with a powerful song and message.
Sue: Somebody's Daughter by Tenille Townes should win this, it's such a thought provoking song that has already made people stop, think and take action and the video acts as an added motivator to really think about the message of the song.
Angie: “Buy My Own Drinks” – Runaway June – Sure to be a big hit with every female out there. This video is an empowering representation that no matter how old or young women are they are strong and independent. This ladies is the reason we burnt our bra’s and although we still have a long way to go towards total equality this video and song is the epiphany of what a modern woman wants, and a whole lot of fun to watch too.
Collaborative Video of the Year
"What Happens in a Small Town," Brantley Gilbert and Lindsay Ell "Straight to Hell," Darius Rucker feat. Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan and Charles Kelley "Burning Man," Dierks Bentley feat. Brothers Osborne "Drowns the Whiskey," Jason Aldean and Miranda Lambert "Coming Home," Keith Urban feat. Julia Michaels "Babe," Sugarland feat. Taylor Swift
Zoe: Another one here where I'm being biased, come on Taylor! Oh yeah... and Sugarland!
Sue: I'm with Zoe on this one, Babe gets my vote. It was such a great collaboration between Sugarland and Taylor Swift but like Zoe I might be a little bias here!
CMT Performance of the Year
"Motownphilly" (from CMT Crossroads), Boyz II Men and Brett Young "Beautiful Crazy" (from CMT Crossroads), Luke Combs and Leon Bridges "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" (from 2018 CMT Artists of the Year), Maren Morris and Brandi Carlile “Let You Be Right" (From CMT Crossroads), Brett Eldredge and Meghan Trainor "I Can't Make You Love Me" and "Help Me Make It Through the Night” (from 2018 CMT Artists of the Year), Karen Fairchild, Kimberly Schlapman and Gladys Knight “Keep Me in Mind" (From CMT Crossroads), Zac Brown Band and Shawn Mendes
Zoe: I think Luke Combs has this one in the bag, what a year he's had, he's gone from strength to strength and that song lasted 11 consecutive weeks at number 1. The addition of Leon Bridges though took it to a whole new level despite receiving mixed reviews from Luke's die hard fans.
Sue: I Can't Make You Love Me and Help Me Make It Through The Night, I mean three beautiful women's voices coming together to create something special!
So we'll bring you all the news on the night of the 5th June, we'll be breaking the news as it happens over in Nashville, who will win big on the night? Sue, Angie, or myself?
