Predicting winners of the 54th Academy of Country Music Awards

Perhaps the ACM's most unique category, this features some of country's — and pop's — biggest names including Jason Aldean, Miranda Lambert, Kenny Chesney and Kelly Clarkson. Expect a tight race, as the star power for this award is almost overwhelming.

Winner: "Meant To Be," Bebe Rexha featuring Florida Georgia Line (Scott Hendricks and Dan Smyers, producers; Warner Music Nashville). We should be used to hearing Rexha's name thanks to the talented pop singer/songwriter's crossover smash. She's the real star; FGL is just along for the ride. It should edge "Everything's Gonna Be Alright" by David Lee Murphy and Chesney.

One would think this could be a three-horse race between Ross Copperman, Shane McAnally and Josh Osborne, but not so fast. It's good to see Ashley Gorley has a stellar resume and Chase McGill also did well for himself in 2018.

Winner: Osborne. He had a huge 2018, penning such hits as Blake Shelton's "Turnin' Me On." His overall body of work of late should be rewarded.

The best thing about country songs is that the music videos are like mini three- to four-minute movies. A few of the finalists in this category fall in line with that notion. It also helps if the viewer takes something out of it.

Winner: "Tequila," Dan + Shay. That's what these breakthrough stars did with their hit ballad. Their Breckenridge-set story about new love and alcohol does the job over a short time. Actor Nyle DiMarco ("Dancing with the Stars"), who is deaf, is quite the leading man.

Chris Stapleton's "Broken Halos" won at November's Country Music Association Awards. However, Dan + Shay's "Tequila" and "Space Cowboy" by Kacey Musgraves have tons of crossover appeal, which is good for business.

Winner: "Space Cowboy," Musgraves. The country starlet earned five nominations, but this seems like a category that she really deserves to win — mostly, because it's one of her best works, and she helped write it.

There's always one artist in store for a big night at most award shows. Sometimes it's someone or some people we expect; others can be a surprise. It seems like this could come down to two serious contenders: "Meant to Be" from Bebe Rexha with Florida Georgia Line and "Tequila" by Dan + Shay.

Winner: "Tequila," Dan + Shay. It just feels like it's going to be their night. A victory in this category should make up for the fact they didn't win at the CMAs.

This one seems like a slam dunk in most circles. While Dan + Shay's self-titled release and "From A Room: Volume 2" from Chris Stapleton are certainly worthy of serious consideration for this award, Kacey Musgraves' "Golden Hour" is just too good not to take home another award.

Winner: "Golden Hour," Musgraves. It won Grammy Awards for Album of the Year and Best Country Album and the latter at the CMAs. If she does not win here, there should be an investigation.

All three candidates — High Valley, LANCO and Runaway June — enjoyed banner years and were well-worthy of being nominated. The girls of Runaway June might be the millennial's version of the Dixie Chicks but perhaps more politically correct.

Winner: LANCO. The band's critically acclaimed debut, "Hallelujah Nights," was too good not to receive love from the Academy — not after spending time atop the U.S. country charts.

This is another category that features a clear-cut winner. Jimmie Allen, Jordan Davis, Michael Ray and Mitchell Tenpenny all likely have bright futures ahead of them, but that guy named Luke trumped them all.

Winner: Luke Combs. Yes, Combs is still considered a new artist and continues to put out smash songs that country fans eat up.

This seemed like it would be the tightest race of any category because one can make strong cases for Danielle Bradbery, Lindsay Ell, Ashley McBryde and Carly Pearce to bring home the award.

Winner: McBryde. She walked away with the award, which is a good choice. The edgier, most country-rooted performer of the group was rewarded for her overall talent. 

There's a nice mix of nominees for the Group category. We've got the wily veterans (Lady Antebellum and Little Big Town), the up-and-comers (LANCO, Midland) and a rising force (Old Dominion).

Winner: Old Dominion. The Nashville-based, five-piece band is quickly becoming the gold standard of country music groups. It won the same category at the CMAs, and we fans should be surprised if that's not case this time around.

Again, there is plenty of talent — Brothers Osborne, Dan + Shay, LOCASH and Maddie & Tae — in this field, or at least popular acts (see Florida Georgia Line). However, once again it seems to be all about one in particular.

Winner: Dan + Shay. It's their country world, and we're all just trying to gain residence in it. Two No. 1 singles, "Tequila" and "Speechless," in 2018 and another No. 1 album make for a special night for this pair.

It's certainly the best of the best with Dierks Bentley, Luke Combs, Thomas Rhett, Chris Stapleton and Keith Urban. The thinking is that the Entertainer of the Year, New Male Artist of the Year and this award won't go to the same person. That being said...

Winner: Stapleton. This has been Stapleton's award (winning it in 2016 and '18), and since there's a chance he won't take home anything else, he'll be a repeat winner.

This could be fun. Miranda Lambert, Carrie Underwood and Kacey Musgraves are the superstars of this category, while Ashley McBryde and Maren Morris should be regulars here for years to come. However, one of the five is having too good of a year to be thwarted.

Winner: Musgraves. Since she's not nominated for Entertainer of the Year, Musgraves will have to settle for the next best thing. It will cap a great a run of success for the current queen of country music.

The buzz surrounding this category is not so much for who is nominated, but who is not. No women make up the five-person field for the ACM's most prestigious honor. What we do have is a star-studded group of country heavyweights in Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Kenny Chesney, Chris Stapleton and Keith Urban.

Winner: Urban. He won the same category at the CMA's in November, even though his 2018 "Graffiti U" album is not one of his best. However, his tour for the record was tough to beat.