Lisa, Jim and friends-of-the-show Elaina Doré Smith and John Shomby sit down to discuss their picks for this year’s CMA Awards winners.

Show Participants

• Lisa Konicki, Editor in Chief
• Jim Casey, Managing Editor
• Elaina Doré Smith, co-host of Nash Nights Live
• John Shomby, Nash Director of Programming at Cumulus Media

Show Links & Notes

• 2016 CMA Awards Nominees
• CMA Awards History

The Writers Room’s 2016 CMA Awards Winner Picks

Entertainer of the Year

• Elaina: Garth Brooks
• Jim: Carrie Underwood
• John: Luke Bryan
• Lisa: Keith Urban
• NCD Reader Poll: Carrie Underwood

Female Vocalist of the Year

• Elaina: Carrie Underwood
• Jim: Carrie Underwood
• John: Carrie Underwood
• Lisa: Carrie Underwood
• NCD Reader Poll: Carrie Underwood

Male Vocalist of the Year

• Elaina: Keith Urban
• Jim: Chris Stapleton
• John: Chris Stapleton
• Lisa: Keith Urban
• NCD Reader Poll: Keith Urban

Album of the Year

• Elaina: Ripcord, Keith Urban
• Jim: Ripcord, Keith Urban
• John: Ripcord, Keith Urban
• Lisa: Ripcord, Keith Urban
• NCD Reader Poll: Storyteller, Carrie Underwood

Vocal Group of the Year

• Elaina: Little Big Town
• Jim: Zac Brown Band
• John: Little Big Town
• Lisa: Little Big Town
• NCD Reader Poll: Little Big Town

Vocal Duo of the Year

• Elaina: Florida Georgia Line
• Jim: Florida Georgia Line
• John: Florida Georgia Line
• Lisa: Florida Georgia Line
• NCD Reader Poll: Joey + Rory

New Artist of the Year

• Elaina: Kelsea Ballerini
• Jim: Kelsea Ballerini
• John: Kelsea Ballerini
• Lisa: Kelsea Ballerini
• NCD Reader Poll: Cole Swindell

Single of the Year

• Elaina: “Die a Happy Man,” Thomas Rhett
• Jim: “Die a Happy Man,” Thomas Rhett
• John: “Die a Happy Man,” Thomas Rhett
• Lisa: “Die a Happy Man,” Thomas Rhett
• NCD Reader Poll: “Humbe and Kind,” Tim McGraw

Song of the Year (Awarded to Songwriter)

• Elaina: “Humble and Kind,” Lori McKenna
• Jim: “Humble and Kind,” Lori McKenna
• John: “Burning House,” Cam, Tyler Johnson, Jeff Bhasker
• Lisa: “Humble and Kind,” Lori McKenna
• NCD Reader Poll: “Record Year,” Eric Church, Jeff Hyde

Musical Event of the Year

• Elaina: “Different for Girls,” Dierks Bentley feat. Elle King
• Jim: “Different for Girls,” Dierks Bentley feat. Elle King
• John: “Different for Girls,” Dierks Bentley feat. Elle King
• Lisa: “Different for Girls,” Dierks Bentley feat. Elle King
• NCD Reader Poll: “Think of You,” Chris Young with Cassadee Pope

Video of the Year

• Elaina: “Somewhere on a Beach,” Dierks Bentley, directed by Wes Edwards
• Jim: “Somewhere on a Beach,” Dierks Bentley, directed by Wes Edwards
• John: “Humble and Kind,” Tim McGraw, directed by Wes Edwards
• Lisa: “Burning House,” Cam, directed by Trey Fanjoy
• NCD Reader Poll: Vote Now!

Musician of the Year

• Elaina: Dan Huff, Guitar
• Jim: Dan Huff, Guitar
• John: Dan Huff, Guitar
• Lisa: Paul Franklin, Steel Guitar
• NCD Reader Poll: Vote Now!