CMA Awards set for Nov. 11

Not happy that "American Idol"-turned country star Carrie Underwood bested Kenny Chesney for entertainer of the year at the Academy of Country Music Awards? Stressed out because it's been a few weeks without seeing Taylor Swift win an award?

Then mark your calendar for Nov. 11, when the County Music Assn. Awards will be broadcast live on ABC from Nashville. The awards will once again be held on a Wednesday night, which worked well for the network in 2008. The CMAs brought in 15.9 million total viewers, just a little bit ahead of the rival ACM Awards last month.

The eligibility period for the CMAs runs from July 1, 2008, to June 30, 2009. Nominees will be revealed in early September.

-- Todd Martens

Photo: Taylor Swift. Credit: Associated Press

There was no changing of the guard at the 42nd annual Country Music Assn. Awards Wednesday night at the Sommet Center in Nashville.

Kenny Chesney repeated as entertainer of the year, winning the top prize for the fourth time in five years. Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood also repeated in the male and female vocalist of the year categories.

Chesney kept his lock on the top prize. In addition to his CMA triumphs, he's been named entertainer of the year at the Academy of Country Music Awards four years in row. His new Island-flavored album is called "Lucky Old Sun."

Read more Chesney, Paisley win at CMA Awards

Most lukewarm pairing

Country Ken dolls Brad Paisley and Keith Urban kicked off the show with their new duet, "Start a Band." They aimed for playfulness, but both country stars shine brighter as frontmen than as one half of a duo.

Read more Best & Worst of the CMA Awards

--Stephanie Lysaght

Pop & Hiss brings you instant reviews, typos and all, of all the performances at the Country Music Assn. Awards, for which Kenny Chesney won entertainer of the year for the third year in a row, and the fourth time in five years.

The winners are here, and the reviews are below:

Performance No. 21: The Eagles, "Busy Being Fabulous": The CMAs are building to the anticipation of the entertainer of the year award with some snoozy classic rock. Take off those cowboy boots, throw on your slippers and pull out a cigar for this breezy, boring lullaby. The one and only one of the evening: F

Twentieth performance (20th!): Trace Adkins, "You're Gonna Miss This": Someday, maybe, but not today. Gonna have to take Adkins on his word here, as he sings his heart out on this slow-burner but seems more angry than wistful. C-

Nineteenth performance: Kenny Chesney with the Wailers, "Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven" and "Three Little Birds": How long before Chesney and Jimmy Buffet are playing Wrigley Field? The sure-to-be entertainer of the year went all island, but he's better when he's not looking ahead to his retirement. C-

Eighteenth performance: James Otto's "Just Got Started Lovin' You": Otto played the role of salesman, breaking off after the final verse to thank country radio for making it one of the most-played songs of the year. He's clearly a better pitchman than songwriter. This is smooth, comfortable and mainstream country-by-the-numbers: D

Seventeenth performance: Sugarland's "Love": Animated fireworks! Performing in front of a set that Paisley says was left over from the Beijing Olympics, Sugarland's "Love" was built for the closing credits of a big-budget romantic comedy. Kristian Bush adds a bit of gruff to Jennifer Nettles' grand vocals, as the subtle, shifting notes eventually explode into comfort-food balladry. B

Live coverage of the CMA Awards has begun. Stay tuned for performance reviews and a recap of the show.

For now, click here for the latest from the red carpet.

And we're off.

The music award season officially begins tonight, with the Country Music Assn. Awards, live from Nashville. Pop & Hiss will be blogging with performance reviews -- as fast as we can update -- and updating a winners list as they're announced.

In the meantime, here are some predictions, utilizing the handy-grid available on the official CMA Awards Web page.

Entertainer of the year:

Who will win: Kenny Chesney

As noted in an earlier post, Chesney rules country radio and touring these days and has done so for the last few years. He's been a virtual lock on this category, and without a new album from Keith Urban, expect him to take home the prize again.

Who should win: Sugarland. The duo had a breakout year in 2008, scoring its first ever No. 1 album. While not the touring powerhouse that Chesney is, the act's honest, easy-to-relate-to tales would be a welcome change of pace.

Female vocalist of the year:

Who will win: Taylor Swift. Granted, it's hard to bet against an "Idol" (Carrie Underwood) and a legend (Alison Krauss), but Swift has been christened as country's future. Like it or not, it's her time.

Who should win: Miranda Lambert. Tune in tonight. Her performance will be the highlight. And if it's not, watch her performance of "Gunpowder and Lead" from last year. It will probably be better than anything that happens tonight.

When the Academy Awards air in February of next year, there will be debates and arguments about the nominated films. As they do nearly every year, fan and critics will scrutinize the fine print in multiple categories, wondering why a certain foreign film or documentary was barred from consideration.

But this much will be certain: The nominated films will have been released in 2008. As specified in the rules from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, recognized films will have been released between Jan. 1 2008, and Dec. 31, 2008.

This is hardly the case with music award galas. As we head into the Country Music Assn. Awards this Wednesday evening, whose eligibility period stretches from July 1, 2007, to June 30, 2008, consider these tidbits:

If there is a constant in country music these days, it is this: Kenny Chesney is entertainer No. 1. At least that's what we've gleamed from country's two top award shows, the Academy of Country Music Awards and the Country Music Assn. Awards, the latter of which is set to air Wednesday night (Nov. 12).

At the ACMs, held earlier this year, Chesney was named entertainer of the year for the fourth year running. Over at the CMAs, he's had a similar -- if not quite as potent -- dynasty. Chesney has taken home top honors at the CMAs for the last two years, and the last three of four, losing out in 2005 to his closest competitor, perhaps in both music and the live entertainment factor, Keith Urban.

Urban and Chesney will vie for the prize again at this year awards, which will be broadcast live for East Coast viewers on ABC at 8 p.m. It would, perhaps, be unwise to be against the man, who recently scored his fifth No. 1 album on the U.S. pop charts with the release of his "Lucky Old Sun."

After all, touring success and mainstream appeal figures heavily into the prize, and Chesney, according to Pollstar, had the second-highest-grossing tour of 2007, behind only the Police. In July, Billboard speculated Chesney would be near the top again when 2008 figures were tallied. We are, after all, talking about a man who continued to tour after breaking his foot.

So shall we go ahead and give Chesney the award? A breakdown of the pro's and con's of this years nominees follows.

Carrie, Chesney, Paisley win at CMA Awards

There was no changing of the guard at the 42nd annual Country Music Assn. Awards Wednesday night at the Sommet Center in Nashville.

Kenny Chesney repeated as entertainer of the year, winning the top prize for the fourth time in five years. Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood also repeated in the male and female vocalist of the year categories.

Chesney kept his lock on the top prize. In addition to his CMA triumphs, he's been named entertainer of the year at the Academy of Country Music Awards four years in row. His new Island-flavored album is called "Lucky Old Sun."

Read more Chesney, Paisley win at CMA Awards

Most lukewarm pairing

Country Ken dolls Brad Paisley and Keith Urban kicked off the show with their new duet, "Start a Band." They aimed for playfulness, but both country stars shine brighter as frontmen than as one half of a duo.

Read more Best & Worst of the CMA Awards

--Stephanie Lysaght

Pop & Hiss brings you instant reviews, typos and all, of all the performances at the Country Music Assn. Awards, for which Kenny Chesney won entertainer of the year for the third year in a row, and the fourth time in five years.

The winners are here, and the reviews are below:

Performance No. 21: The Eagles, "Busy Being Fabulous": The CMAs are building to the anticipation of the entertainer of the year award with some snoozy classic rock. Take off those cowboy boots, throw on your slippers and pull out a cigar for this breezy, boring lullaby. The one and only one of the evening: F

Twentieth performance (20th!): Trace Adkins, "You're Gonna Miss This": Someday, maybe, but not today. Gonna have to take Adkins on his word here, as he sings his heart out on this slow-burner but seems more angry than wistful. C-

Nineteenth performance: Kenny Chesney with the Wailers, "Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven" and "Three Little Birds": How long before Chesney and Jimmy Buffet are playing Wrigley Field? The sure-to-be entertainer of the year went all island, but he's better when he's not looking ahead to his retirement. C-

Eighteenth performance: James Otto's "Just Got Started Lovin' You": Otto played the role of salesman, breaking off after the final verse to thank country radio for making it one of the most-played songs of the year. He's clearly a better pitchman than songwriter. This is smooth, comfortable and mainstream country-by-the-numbers: D

Seventeenth performance: Sugarland's "Love": Animated fireworks! Performing in front of a set that Paisley says was left over from the Beijing Olympics, Sugarland's "Love" was built for the closing credits of a big-budget romantic comedy. Kristian Bush adds a bit of gruff to Jennifer Nettles' grand vocals, as the subtle, shifting notes eventually explode into comfort-food balladry. B

Live coverage of the CMA Awards has begun. Stay tuned for performance reviews and a recap of the show.

For now, click here for the latest from the red carpet.

And we're off.

The music award season officially begins tonight, with the Country Music Assn. Awards, live from Nashville. Pop & Hiss will be blogging with performance reviews -- as fast as we can update -- and updating a winners list as they're announced.

In the meantime, here are some predictions, utilizing the handy-grid available on the official CMA Awards Web page.

Entertainer of the year:

Who will win: Kenny Chesney

As noted in an earlier post, Chesney rules country radio and touring these days and has done so for the last few years. He's been a virtual lock on this category, and without a new album from Keith Urban, expect him to take home the prize again.

Who should win: Sugarland. The duo had a breakout year in 2008, scoring its first ever No. 1 album. While not the touring powerhouse that Chesney is, the act's honest, easy-to-relate-to tales would be a welcome change of pace.

Female vocalist of the year:

Who will win: Taylor Swift. Granted, it's hard to bet against an "Idol" (Carrie Underwood) and a legend (Alison Krauss), but Swift has been christened as country's future. Like it or not, it's her time.

Who should win: Miranda Lambert. Tune in tonight. Her performance will be the highlight. And if it's not, watch her performance of "Gunpowder and Lead" from last year. It will probably be better than anything that happens tonight.

When the Academy Awards air in February of next year, there will be debates and arguments about the nominated films. As they do nearly every year, fan and critics will scrutinize the fine print in multiple categories, wondering why a certain foreign film or documentary was barred from consideration.

But this much will be certain: The nominated films will have been released in 2008. As specified in the rules from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, recognized films will have been released between Jan. 1 2008, and Dec. 31, 2008.

This is hardly the case with music award galas. As we head into the Country Music Assn. Awards this Wednesday evening, whose eligibility period stretches from July 1, 2007, to June 30, 2008, consider these tidbits:

If there is a constant in country music these days, it is this: Kenny Chesney is entertainer No. 1. At least that's what we've gleamed from country's two top award shows, the Academy of Country Music Awards and the Country Music Assn. Awards, the latter of which is set to air Wednesday night (Nov. 12).

At the ACMs, held earlier this year, Chesney was named entertainer of the year for the fourth year running. Over at the CMAs, he's had a similar -- if not quite as potent -- dynasty. Chesney has taken home top honors at the CMAs for the last two years, and the last three of four, losing out in 2005 to his closest competitor, perhaps in both music and the live entertainment factor, Keith Urban.

Urban and Chesney will vie for the prize again at this year awards, which will be broadcast live for East Coast viewers on ABC at 8 p.m. It would, perhaps, be unwise to be against the man, who recently scored his fifth No. 1 album on the U.S. pop charts with the release of his "Lucky Old Sun."

After all, touring success and mainstream appeal figures heavily into the prize, and Chesney, according to Pollstar, had the second-highest-grossing tour of 2007, behind only the Police. In July, Billboard speculated Chesney would be near the top again when 2008 figures were tallied. We are, after all, talking about a man who continued to tour after breaking his foot.

So shall we go ahead and give Chesney the award? A breakdown of the pro's and con's of this years nominees follows.

Best & Worst of the CMA Awards

Most lukewarm pairing

Country Ken dolls Brad Paisley and Keith Urban kicked off the show with their new duet, "Start a Band." They aimed for playfulness, but both country stars shine brighter as frontmen than as one half of a duo.

Read more Best & Worst of the CMA Awards

--Stephanie Lysaght

Pop & Hiss brings you instant reviews, typos and all, of all the performances at the Country Music Assn. Awards, for which Kenny Chesney won entertainer of the year for the third year in a row, and the fourth time in five years.

The winners are here, and the reviews are below:

Performance No. 21: The Eagles, "Busy Being Fabulous": The CMAs are building to the anticipation of the entertainer of the year award with some snoozy classic rock. Take off those cowboy boots, throw on your slippers and pull out a cigar for this breezy, boring lullaby. The one and only one of the evening: F

Twentieth performance (20th!): Trace Adkins, "You're Gonna Miss This": Someday, maybe, but not today. Gonna have to take Adkins on his word here, as he sings his heart out on this slow-burner but seems more angry than wistful. C-

Nineteenth performance: Kenny Chesney with the Wailers, "Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven" and "Three Little Birds": How long before Chesney and Jimmy Buffet are playing Wrigley Field? The sure-to-be entertainer of the year went all island, but he's better when he's not looking ahead to his retirement. C-

Eighteenth performance: James Otto's "Just Got Started Lovin' You": Otto played the role of salesman, breaking off after the final verse to thank country radio for making it one of the most-played songs of the year. He's clearly a better pitchman than songwriter. This is smooth, comfortable and mainstream country-by-the-numbers: D

Seventeenth performance: Sugarland's "Love": Animated fireworks! Performing in front of a set that Paisley says was left over from the Beijing Olympics, Sugarland's "Love" was built for the closing credits of a big-budget romantic comedy. Kristian Bush adds a bit of gruff to Jennifer Nettles' grand vocals, as the subtle, shifting notes eventually explode into comfort-food balladry. B

Live coverage of the CMA Awards has begun. Stay tuned for performance reviews and a recap of the show.

For now, click here for the latest from the red carpet.

And we're off.

The music award season officially begins tonight, with the Country Music Assn. Awards, live from Nashville. Pop & Hiss will be blogging with performance reviews -- as fast as we can update -- and updating a winners list as they're announced.

In the meantime, here are some predictions, utilizing the handy-grid available on the official CMA Awards Web page.

Entertainer of the year:

Who will win: Kenny Chesney

As noted in an earlier post, Chesney rules country radio and touring these days and has done so for the last few years. He's been a virtual lock on this category, and without a new album from Keith Urban, expect him to take home the prize again.

Who should win: Sugarland. The duo had a breakout year in 2008, scoring its first ever No. 1 album. While not the touring powerhouse that Chesney is, the act's honest, easy-to-relate-to tales would be a welcome change of pace.

Female vocalist of the year:

Who will win: Taylor Swift. Granted, it's hard to bet against an "Idol" (Carrie Underwood) and a legend (Alison Krauss), but Swift has been christened as country's future. Like it or not, it's her time.

Who should win: Miranda Lambert. Tune in tonight. Her performance will be the highlight. And if it's not, watch her performance of "Gunpowder and Lead" from last year. It will probably be better than anything that happens tonight.

When the Academy Awards air in February of next year, there will be debates and arguments about the nominated films. As they do nearly every year, fan and critics will scrutinize the fine print in multiple categories, wondering why a certain foreign film or documentary was barred from consideration.

But this much will be certain: The nominated films will have been released in 2008. As specified in the rules from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, recognized films will have been released between Jan. 1 2008, and Dec. 31, 2008.

This is hardly the case with music award galas. As we head into the Country Music Assn. Awards this Wednesday evening, whose eligibility period stretches from July 1, 2007, to June 30, 2008, consider these tidbits:

If there is a constant in country music these days, it is this: Kenny Chesney is entertainer No. 1. At least that's what we've gleamed from country's two top award shows, the Academy of Country Music Awards and the Country Music Assn. Awards, the latter of which is set to air Wednesday night (Nov. 12).

At the ACMs, held earlier this year, Chesney was named entertainer of the year for the fourth year running. Over at the CMAs, he's had a similar -- if not quite as potent -- dynasty. Chesney has taken home top honors at the CMAs for the last two years, and the last three of four, losing out in 2005 to his closest competitor, perhaps in both music and the live entertainment factor, Keith Urban.

Urban and Chesney will vie for the prize again at this year awards, which will be broadcast live for East Coast viewers on ABC at 8 p.m. It would, perhaps, be unwise to be against the man, who recently scored his fifth No. 1 album on the U.S. pop charts with the release of his "Lucky Old Sun."

After all, touring success and mainstream appeal figures heavily into the prize, and Chesney, according to Pollstar, had the second-highest-grossing tour of 2007, behind only the Police. In July, Billboard speculated Chesney would be near the top again when 2008 figures were tallied. We are, after all, talking about a man who continued to tour after breaking his foot.

So shall we go ahead and give Chesney the award? A breakdown of the pro's and con's of this years nominees follows.

CMA Awards live: All the performances, as they happen

Pop & Hiss brings you instant reviews, typos and all, of all the performances at the Country Music Assn. Awards, for which Kenny Chesney won entertainer of the year for the third year in a row, and the fourth time in five years.

The winners are here, and the reviews are below:

Performance No. 21: The Eagles, "Busy Being Fabulous": The CMAs are building to the anticipation of the entertainer of the year award with some snoozy classic rock. Take off those cowboy boots, throw on your slippers and pull out a cigar for this breezy, boring lullaby. The one and only one of the evening: F

Twentieth performance (20th!): Trace Adkins, "You're Gonna Miss This": Someday, maybe, but not today. Gonna have to take Adkins on his word here, as he sings his heart out on this slow-burner but seems more angry than wistful. C-

Nineteenth performance: Kenny Chesney with the Wailers, "Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven" and "Three Little Birds": How long before Chesney and Jimmy Buffet are playing Wrigley Field? The sure-to-be entertainer of the year went all island, but he's better when he's not looking ahead to his retirement. C-

Eighteenth performance: James Otto's "Just Got Started Lovin' You": Otto played the role of salesman, breaking off after the final verse to thank country radio for making it one of the most-played songs of the year. He's clearly a better pitchman than songwriter. This is smooth, comfortable and mainstream country-by-the-numbers: D

Seventeenth performance: Sugarland's "Love": Animated fireworks! Performing in front of a set that Paisley says was left over from the Beijing Olympics, Sugarland's "Love" was built for the closing credits of a big-budget romantic comedy. Kristian Bush adds a bit of gruff to Jennifer Nettles' grand vocals, as the subtle, shifting notes eventually explode into comfort-food balladry. B

Live coverage of the CMA Awards has begun. Stay tuned for performance reviews and a recap of the show.

For now, click here for the latest from the red carpet.

And we're off.

The music award season officially begins tonight, with the Country Music Assn. Awards, live from Nashville. Pop & Hiss will be blogging with performance reviews -- as fast as we can update -- and updating a winners list as they're announced.

In the meantime, here are some predictions, utilizing the handy-grid available on the official CMA Awards Web page.

Entertainer of the year:

Who will win: Kenny Chesney

As noted in an earlier post, Chesney rules country radio and touring these days and has done so for the last few years. He's been a virtual lock on this category, and without a new album from Keith Urban, expect him to take home the prize again.

Who should win: Sugarland. The duo had a breakout year in 2008, scoring its first ever No. 1 album. While not the touring powerhouse that Chesney is, the act's honest, easy-to-relate-to tales would be a welcome change of pace.

Female vocalist of the year:

Who will win: Taylor Swift. Granted, it's hard to bet against an "Idol" (Carrie Underwood) and a legend (Alison Krauss), but Swift has been christened as country's future. Like it or not, it's her time.

Who should win: Miranda Lambert. Tune in tonight. Her performance will be the highlight. And if it's not, watch her performance of "Gunpowder and Lead" from last year. It will probably be better than anything that happens tonight.

When the Academy Awards air in February of next year, there will be debates and arguments about the nominated films. As they do nearly every year, fan and critics will scrutinize the fine print in multiple categories, wondering why a certain foreign film or documentary was barred from consideration.

But this much will be certain: The nominated films will have been released in 2008. As specified in the rules from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, recognized films will have been released between Jan. 1 2008, and Dec. 31, 2008.

This is hardly the case with music award galas. As we head into the Country Music Assn. Awards this Wednesday evening, whose eligibility period stretches from July 1, 2007, to June 30, 2008, consider these tidbits:

If there is a constant in country music these days, it is this: Kenny Chesney is entertainer No. 1. At least that's what we've gleamed from country's two top award shows, the Academy of Country Music Awards and the Country Music Assn. Awards, the latter of which is set to air Wednesday night (Nov. 12).

At the ACMs, held earlier this year, Chesney was named entertainer of the year for the fourth year running. Over at the CMAs, he's had a similar -- if not quite as potent -- dynasty. Chesney has taken home top honors at the CMAs for the last two years, and the last three of four, losing out in 2005 to his closest competitor, perhaps in both music and the live entertainment factor, Keith Urban.

Urban and Chesney will vie for the prize again at this year awards, which will be broadcast live for East Coast viewers on ABC at 8 p.m. It would, perhaps, be unwise to be against the man, who recently scored his fifth No. 1 album on the U.S. pop charts with the release of his "Lucky Old Sun."

After all, touring success and mainstream appeal figures heavily into the prize, and Chesney, according to Pollstar, had the second-highest-grossing tour of 2007, behind only the Police. In July, Billboard speculated Chesney would be near the top again when 2008 figures were tallied. We are, after all, talking about a man who continued to tour after breaking his foot.

So shall we go ahead and give Chesney the award? A breakdown of the pro's and con's of this years nominees follows.

CMA Awards: Red carpet arrivals

Live coverage of the CMA Awards has begun. Stay tuned for performance reviews and a recap of the show.

For now, click here for the latest from the red carpet.

And we're off.

The music award season officially begins tonight, with the Country Music Assn. Awards, live from Nashville. Pop & Hiss will be blogging with performance reviews -- as fast as we can update -- and updating a winners list as they're announced.

In the meantime, here are some predictions, utilizing the handy-grid available on the official CMA Awards Web page.

Entertainer of the year:

Who will win: Kenny Chesney

As noted in an earlier post, Chesney rules country radio and touring these days and has done so for the last few years. He's been a virtual lock on this category, and without a new album from Keith Urban, expect him to take home the prize again.

Who should win: Sugarland. The duo had a breakout year in 2008, scoring its first ever No. 1 album. While not the touring powerhouse that Chesney is, the act's honest, easy-to-relate-to tales would be a welcome change of pace.

Female vocalist of the year:

Who will win: Taylor Swift. Granted, it's hard to bet against an "Idol" (Carrie Underwood) and a legend (Alison Krauss), but Swift has been christened as country's future. Like it or not, it's her time.

Who should win: Miranda Lambert. Tune in tonight. Her performance will be the highlight. And if it's not, watch her performance of "Gunpowder and Lead" from last year. It will probably be better than anything that happens tonight.

When the Academy Awards air in February of next year, there will be debates and arguments about the nominated films. As they do nearly every year, fan and critics will scrutinize the fine print in multiple categories, wondering why a certain foreign film or documentary was barred from consideration.

But this much will be certain: The nominated films will have been released in 2008. As specified in the rules from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, recognized films will have been released between Jan. 1 2008, and Dec. 31, 2008.

This is hardly the case with music award galas. As we head into the Country Music Assn. Awards this Wednesday evening, whose eligibility period stretches from July 1, 2007, to June 30, 2008, consider these tidbits:

If there is a constant in country music these days, it is this: Kenny Chesney is entertainer No. 1. At least that's what we've gleamed from country's two top award shows, the Academy of Country Music Awards and the Country Music Assn. Awards, the latter of which is set to air Wednesday night (Nov. 12).

At the ACMs, held earlier this year, Chesney was named entertainer of the year for the fourth year running. Over at the CMAs, he's had a similar -- if not quite as potent -- dynasty. Chesney has taken home top honors at the CMAs for the last two years, and the last three of four, losing out in 2005 to his closest competitor, perhaps in both music and the live entertainment factor, Keith Urban.

Urban and Chesney will vie for the prize again at this year awards, which will be broadcast live for East Coast viewers on ABC at 8 p.m. It would, perhaps, be unwise to be against the man, who recently scored his fifth No. 1 album on the U.S. pop charts with the release of his "Lucky Old Sun."

After all, touring success and mainstream appeal figures heavily into the prize, and Chesney, according to Pollstar, had the second-highest-grossing tour of 2007, behind only the Police. In July, Billboard speculated Chesney would be near the top again when 2008 figures were tallied. We are, after all, talking about a man who continued to tour after breaking his foot.

So shall we go ahead and give Chesney the award? A breakdown of the pro's and con's of this years nominees follows.

CMA Award countdown begins: Final predix

And we're off.

The music award season officially begins tonight, with the Country Music Assn. Awards, live from Nashville. Pop & Hiss will be blogging with performance reviews -- as fast as we can update -- and updating a winners list as they're announced.

In the meantime, here are some predictions, utilizing the handy-grid available on the official CMA Awards Web page.

Entertainer of the year:

Who will win: Kenny Chesney

As noted in an earlier post, Chesney rules country radio and touring these days and has done so for the last few years. He's been a virtual lock on this category, and without a new album from Keith Urban, expect him to take home the prize again.

Who should win: Sugarland. The duo had a breakout year in 2008, scoring its first ever No. 1 album. While not the touring powerhouse that Chesney is, the act's honest, easy-to-relate-to tales would be a welcome change of pace.

Female vocalist of the year:

Who will win: Taylor Swift. Granted, it's hard to bet against an "Idol" (Carrie Underwood) and a legend (Alison Krauss), but Swift has been christened as country's future. Like it or not, it's her time.

Who should win: Miranda Lambert. Tune in tonight. Her performance will be the highlight. And if it's not, watch her performance of "Gunpowder and Lead" from last year. It will probably be better than anything that happens tonight.

When the Academy Awards air in February of next year, there will be debates and arguments about the nominated films. As they do nearly every year, fan and critics will scrutinize the fine print in multiple categories, wondering why a certain foreign film or documentary was barred from consideration.

But this much will be certain: The nominated films will have been released in 2008. As specified in the rules from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, recognized films will have been released between Jan. 1 2008, and Dec. 31, 2008.

This is hardly the case with music award galas. As we head into the Country Music Assn. Awards this Wednesday evening, whose eligibility period stretches from July 1, 2007, to June 30, 2008, consider these tidbits:

If there is a constant in country music these days, it is this: Kenny Chesney is entertainer No. 1. At least that's what we've gleamed from country's two top award shows, the Academy of Country Music Awards and the Country Music Assn. Awards, the latter of which is set to air Wednesday night (Nov. 12).

At the ACMs, held earlier this year, Chesney was named entertainer of the year for the fourth year running. Over at the CMAs, he's had a similar -- if not quite as potent -- dynasty. Chesney has taken home top honors at the CMAs for the last two years, and the last three of four, losing out in 2005 to his closest competitor, perhaps in both music and the live entertainment factor, Keith Urban.

Urban and Chesney will vie for the prize again at this year awards, which will be broadcast live for East Coast viewers on ABC at 8 p.m. It would, perhaps, be unwise to be against the man, who recently scored his fifth No. 1 album on the U.S. pop charts with the release of his "Lucky Old Sun."

After all, touring success and mainstream appeal figures heavily into the prize, and Chesney, according to Pollstar, had the second-highest-grossing tour of 2007, behind only the Police. In July, Billboard speculated Chesney would be near the top again when 2008 figures were tallied. We are, after all, talking about a man who continued to tour after breaking his foot.

So shall we go ahead and give Chesney the award? A breakdown of the pro's and con's of this years nominees follows.

CMA Awards preview: Remember these? Do award shows need to pick up the pace?

When the Academy Awards air in February of next year, there will be debates and arguments about the nominated films. As they do nearly every year, fan and critics will scrutinize the fine print in multiple categories, wondering why a certain foreign film or documentary was barred from consideration.

But this much will be certain: The nominated films will have been released in 2008. As specified in the rules from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, recognized films will have been released between Jan. 1 2008, and Dec. 31, 2008.

This is hardly the case with music award galas. As we head into the Country Music Assn. Awards this Wednesday evening, whose eligibility period stretches from July 1, 2007, to June 30, 2008, consider these tidbits:

If there is a constant in country music these days, it is this: Kenny Chesney is entertainer No. 1. At least that's what we've gleamed from country's two top award shows, the Academy of Country Music Awards and the Country Music Assn. Awards, the latter of which is set to air Wednesday night (Nov. 12).

At the ACMs, held earlier this year, Chesney was named entertainer of the year for the fourth year running. Over at the CMAs, he's had a similar -- if not quite as potent -- dynasty. Chesney has taken home top honors at the CMAs for the last two years, and the last three of four, losing out in 2005 to his closest competitor, perhaps in both music and the live entertainment factor, Keith Urban.

Urban and Chesney will vie for the prize again at this year awards, which will be broadcast live for East Coast viewers on ABC at 8 p.m. It would, perhaps, be unwise to be against the man, who recently scored his fifth No. 1 album on the U.S. pop charts with the release of his "Lucky Old Sun."

After all, touring success and mainstream appeal figures heavily into the prize, and Chesney, according to Pollstar, had the second-highest-grossing tour of 2007, behind only the Police. In July, Billboard speculated Chesney would be near the top again when 2008 figures were tallied. We are, after all, talking about a man who continued to tour after breaking his foot.

So shall we go ahead and give Chesney the award? A breakdown of the pro's and con's of this years nominees follows.

CMA Awards preview: Can Kenny Chesney be dethroned?

If there is a constant in country music these days, it is this: Kenny Chesney is entertainer No. 1. At least that's what we've gleamed from country's two top award shows, the Academy of Country Music Awards and the Country Music Assn. Awards, the latter of which is set to air Wednesday night (Nov. 12).

At the ACMs, held earlier this year, Chesney was named entertainer of the year for the fourth year running. Over at the CMAs, he's had a similar -- if not quite as potent -- dynasty. Chesney has taken home top honors at the CMAs for the last two years, and the last three of four, losing out in 2005 to his closest competitor, perhaps in both music and the live entertainment factor, Keith Urban.

Urban and Chesney will vie for the prize again at this year awards, which will be broadcast live for East Coast viewers on ABC at 8 p.m. It would, perhaps, be unwise to be against the man, who recently scored his fifth No. 1 album on the U.S. pop charts with the release of his "Lucky Old Sun."

After all, touring success and mainstream appeal figures heavily into the prize, and Chesney, according to Pollstar, had the second-highest-grossing tour of 2007, behind only the Police. In July, Billboard speculated Chesney would be near the top again when 2008 figures were tallied. We are, after all, talking about a man who continued to tour after breaking his foot.

So shall we go ahead and give Chesney the award? A breakdown of the pro's and con's of this years nominees follows.