Are they serious? Really though….are they? I find that each year that passes the Country Music Association moves farther and farther away from the fans of the artists that are in country music!

Here are your nominees in the top categories for the 42nd Annual Awards:

Entertainer of the Year

Kenny Chesney
Brad Paisley
George Strait
Sugarland
Keith Urban

Female Vocalist

Alison Krauss
Miranda Lambert
Martina McBride
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood

Male Vocalist

Kenny Chesney
Alan Jackson
Brad Paisley
George Strait
Keith Urban

New Artist

Jason Aldean
Rodney Atkins
Lady Antebellum
James Otto
Kellie Pickler

Vocal Group

Eagles
Emerson Drive
Lady Antebellum
Little Big Town
Rascal Flatts

Vocal Duo

Big & Rich
Brooks & Dunn
Montgomery Gentry
Sugarland
The Wreckers

Single of the Year (Award goes to artist and producer.)

“Don’t Blink”
Kenny ChesneyProducers: Buddy Cannon and Kenny Chesney
BNA Records

“Gunpowder & Lead”
Miranda LambertProducers: Frank Liddell and Mike Wrucke
Columbia Records

“I Saw God Today”
George StraitProducers: Tony Brown and George Strait
MCA Nashville

“Stay”
SugarlandProducers: Byron Gallimore, Kristian Bush and Jennifer Nettles
Mercury Nashville

“You’re Gonna Miss This”
Trace AdkinsProducer: Frank Rogers
Capitol Records Nashville

Now I am sure that you will find as this blog matures that I have my own personal favorites in country music. You will also find that I sometimes will play a little bias towards my favorites but I must stop right there any say…..

Country Music Association – you have way stepped past what I call civilized by passing up Rascal Flatts this year for a nomination for Entertainer of the Year! What were you thinking?

They have one of the largest fan bases in country music, they are selling out venues that no one else can and they have sold over 17 million records! Really – what were you thinking?

I supposed my guess is that Kenny Chesney will win it again this year – hell, he is leading the nominations with seven, but you could have at least rewarded their hard work, rigorous tour schedule and adoring fans with a nomination.