CMA New Artist of the Year Nominee & "a pretty big pincher" Brett Eldredge visits The Chew and talks music & jumping out of planes all while baking pumpkin brownies.

Dierks Bentley released the video for his touching song, "I Hold On" today. We cannot officially post the video until tomorrow, but if you have not had a chance to watch it yet, click here. The song is the story of who Dierks is and what he values. The video portrays this truthfully and touchingly. For our review of the song, check out the Reviews section.

It had previously been announced that Brad Paisley would headline one night of the Taste of Country Festival which is held at Hunter Mountain in NY. Today we learned that Dierks Bentley and Brantley were added to the festival as well. The festival will be held June 13-15th. Tickets will go on sale November 8th. For more information click here.

On the day after Thanksgiving, November 29th, when you are still in your tryptophan coma, let AXS TV entertain you. Darius Rucker will host their Kickin' It Country Music Marathon. The marathon will begin at 530pm and continue for 10 hours. Darius will host and headline the event. Others appearing include Dierks Bentley (in a previously taped performance), Travis Tritt, Tim McGraw, Kenny Chesney and more. The highlight of the lineup is the television premiere of Rucker’s True Believers Tour concert, filmed at  Colorado’s legendary Red Rocks Amphitheatre in June. Rucker performs hits from his recently released third solo country album, True Believers, as well as fan  favorites. The set list  includes his 6th No.1 country single "Wagon Wheel" which recently received a  CMA Award nomination for Song of the Year. 
 

It's that time of year again....CMA Awards season. It seems everywhere one looks on twitter/facebook/social media one can find someone's predictions for CMA Award winners. So why not give it the old college try? Our list is more of a reflection of who I think the voters will give the award to, not necessarily who I want to win it. Feel free to leave your comments below whether you agree or not.

Entertainer of the Year:
Aldean
Bryan
Shelton
Strait
Swift

In my opinion, Aldean and Shelton leave much to be desired. George Strait, although a living legend, is not really "entertainer" material either. However, he might get the award as a reward for The Cowboy Rides Away being his last tour. Taylor Swift is an entertainer. I went to her show this year wanting to hate it. The openers, except for Joel Crouse, were not great, but Taylor...she blew me away. She gave 110% for almost two hours. She was energetic, funny, engaging and put on a musical style show. That being said, she is too much of a cross over artist to be named EOTY. I believe the award will go to Luke Bryan. Yes there is the backlash against "bro-country," (by some) but disregard that for a minute and think about a Luke Bryan show: he entertains. He is an artist who puts on a good show, interacts with his audience, is funny & really performs for everyone in the room. I have seen him in a small venue to an arena and although he is not my favorite cup of tea, he delivers. I'll put my money on Luke.

Male Vocalist
Aldean
Bryan
Church
Shelton
Urban

One question: where's Dierks Bentley? Now, are any of these guys top notch vocalists? Not really. Eric Church has my vote, but he was not really in the public eye this year with new material. I'll say it will go to Bryan, not because he deserves it, but he's riding a wave and it's not looking to break anytime soon.

Female Vocalist
Clarkson
Lambert
Musgraves
Swift
Underwood

More questions: why is Kelly even nominated in this category? Although a critical darling, Kacey is too new, Taylor is too pop. That whittles it down to Carrie and Miranda. I think this one goes to Miranda Lambert. Again, not because I think she is the strongest vocalist, but she is still on fire this year with her tour and 'Four The Record' still producing singles.

Vocal Group
Eli Young Band
Lady Antebellum
Little Big Town
The Band Perry
Zac Brown Band

I truly think ZBB is one of the best acts live anywhere, hands down, but I don't see them winning this. I think the battle here is between LBT and TBP . Either way I will be happy.

Vocal Duo
Big & Rich
FGL
Love and Theft
Sugarland
The Civil Wars
Thompson Square

Oy! More mysteries of the universe. Why on earth are Sugarland still being nominated? And Big & Rich? I would cast my vote for The Civil Wars, but seeing how they own the country universe right now, I would say the win goes to FGL.

New Artist
Lee Brice
Brett Eldredge
FGL
Kip Moore
Kacey Musgraves

This category is actually pretty tough. There are a group of talented people here. I am hoping the voters give it to either Kip or Kacey, but popular opinion tells me FGL might walk away with this one.

Album of the Year
Blake Shelton Based On A True Story
Carrie Underwood Blown Away
Taylor Swift Red
Kacey Musgraves Same Trailer Different Park
Little Big Town Tornado

My vote goes to Kacey Musgraves whose album should be in everyone's collection. But seeing LBT in this category makes me think they are going to walk away with the trophy, which wouldn't bother me at all because 'Tornado' is a terrific album as well.

Song of the Year (awarded to the writer)
Lee Brice I Drive Your Truck---Jessie Alexander, Connie Harrington & Jimmy Yeary
Miranda Lambert Mamas Broken Heart--Brandy Clark, Shane McAnallay & Kacey Musgraves
Kacey Musgraves Merry Go Round-- Shane McAnallay, Kacey Musgraves & Josh Osborne
Little Big Town Pontoon--Barry Dean, Natalie Hemby & Luke Laird
Darius Rucker Wagon Wheel--Bob Dylan & Ketch Secor

Another tough category. Awards shows love songs that tug at the heartstrings, so I think they will vote "I Drive Your Truck" the winner. Although my personal favorite is "Mama's Broken Heart."

Single of the Year
Cruise
Highway Don't Care
Mamas Broken Heart
Merry Go Round
Wagon Wheel

Surprisingly, "I Drive Your Truck" is not nominated here. But we have substituted another tug at the heartstrings song "Highway Don't Care." However, never discount those FGL boys to take this one as "Cruise" is probably the biggest country song ever.

Musical Event of the Year
Boys Round Here-Blake Shelton featuring the Pistol Annies
Cruise-FGL with Nelly
Don't Rush-Kelly Clarkson featuring Vince Gill
Highway Don't Care-Tim McGraw with Taylor Swift and Keith Urban
Only Way I Know-Jason Aldean with Luke Bryan and Eric Church

Here's one I don't think Aldean/Bryan/Church will win. I am going to discount Kelly Clarkson here too. Boys Round Here..an event?? That leaves us with two. Cruise featuring Nelly sure had everyone talking and got played a ton on the radio, but what could be more of an event than Swift/McGraw and Urban? I think they will walk away with this one.

Music Video of the Year
Blown Away-Carrie Underwood
Boys Round Here-Blake Shelton featuring the Pistol Annies
Downtown-Lady Antebellum
Highway Don't Care-Tim McGraw featuring Taylor Swift and Keith Urban
Mama's Broken Heart-Miranda Lambert

I like Miranda for the win, but think that it will go to "Highway Don't Care." Don't voters love videos with PSAs?

Musician of the Year
Sam Bush
Paul Franklin
Dann Huff
Brent Mason
Mac McAnally

Seriously, they are all superb musicians, cant we give them all the award?

Tune into the CMA Awards on ABC on November 6th.

The Texas music scene is so different than what we find on mainstream country radio. They have some of the best bands and songs that you have not heard. On such band, Whiskey Myers, will be playing at Hill Country BBQ on November 18th. Listen to their latest single and come out to the show, it's free and a can't miss chance to hear good music! For more information visit www.whiskeymyers.com

Jimmy Fallon devoted this past week to Pearl Jam covers. On Wednesday Dierks Bentley, along with Mike McCready, performed Alive. Many reviews were not kind to Dierks. What do you think?

Nashville really is Music City. This documentary tells the story of the city through the eyes of the musicians, songwriters, artists and producers who are this city. I, for one, cannot wait to watch. From the website "This
is a film rooted in authenticity. A story filled with passion and truth. A film made simply for the love of music."
It premieres Sunday, November 3rd at 2pm/CST on ABC. 

Nashville based artist Sonia Leigh has turned to Kickstarter to assist in making her new record. From her page: Please check out my rewards packages and be a part of making my new record come
to life! I am over the moon about starting this record and am excited to share
the experience with the people who are the reason I get to play music for a
living: YOU! Watch the video below and head on over to Kickstarter to make a pledge!

You can probably tell we really like Sam Hunt's music. This song, to me, showcases how versatile he is with the type of music he puts out....from up-tempo rap tinged songs to ballads with many different influences. Check out our interview with him on the Features page.