CMA Awards: Who’ll win entertainer of the year?

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

Last year, Brad Paisley finally won a top prize that had been long denied him at the Country Music Assn. Awards: entertainer of the year. Paisley had won best album (‘Time Well Wasted,’ 2006) and best male vocalist three times (2007-2009), but the entertainer trophy had been elusive. Now, can he repeat?

Sometimes winners take the prize for consecutive years like Kenny Chesney (2006-08) and Alan Jackson (2002-2003), but Paisley faces stiff competition from Jason Aldean, Blake Shelton, Taylor Swift and Keith Urban. Paisley may have an edge. He’s now such a CMA darling that he’s back as cohost of the kudofest with Carrie Underwood Nov. 9 (8 p.m. CBS).

But beware of Swift, who has a strong advantage of her own: She’s the only woman in the category. That could help. Plus, she pulled off a shocking upset to win this category in 2009 and she’s also a CMA darling, having won best female vocalist (2009) and best album (‘Fearless,’ 2009).

-- Tom O’Neil

RELATED:

CMA Awards: Will Taylor Swift or Carrie Underwood reign? [Poll]