A Look at the Musical Collaborations Nominated for the CMA Awards—Who Will Win?

The CMA awards are rapidly approaching. Country heavyweights and newcomers alike are vying to take home this coveted award. The nominees in each category are stacked, but the award for Musical Collaboration is particularly so.

It’s really anyone’s game in the collaboration—or as they call it “Musical Event”—category this year. From Lainey Wilson and HARDY to Carly Pearce and Chris Stapleton, any one of the five partnerships would be worthy of this award.

That being said, let’s dissect this category and make an educated prediction on who will be the frontrunner.

[RELATED: 2023 CMA Awards: Lainey Wilson Tops the List With 9 Nominations]

A Look at the Nominees

“Save Me” – Jelly Roll and Lainey Wilson

Both Jelly Roll and Wilson have had stellar years. Both were considered relatively up-and-coming artists at the beginning of 2023, but now they are certified superstars. Few musicians in recent memory have had such meteoric rises to the top. Their star power mixed with the emotional message behind this track gives “Save Me” a pretty good chance of winning this category. We will call it the first runner-up, as there might be another song with even better odds—see, below.

“She Had Me At Heads Carolina (Remix)” – Cole Swindell and Jo Dee Messina

Now it can’t be denied that “She Had Me At Heads Carolina” by Cole Swindell was everywhere this year. Nevertheless, we don’t see this one taking the cake. While the addition of country legend Jo Dee Messina in the remix gives it an edge, it lacks the same grit as some of the other songs on this list. It really depends on whether the members of the CMA want to go in a blithe route or a weighty one.

“Thank God” – Kane Brown and Katelyn Brown

We love a family affair. Kane and Katelyn Brown gave us a much-needed dose of heartwarming love with “Thank God.” It’s insatiably catchy and impossible to forget. Nevertheless, it doesn’t feel like it got as much traction as the other duets in this category. Thus, we don’t see this husband and wife pair taking home the prize.

“We Don’t Fight Anymore” – Carly Pearce and Chris Stapleton

Individually, Pearce and Stapleton always wow us with their top-notch vocals. As a pair, they leave us speechless. This emotionally charged track is the perfect antidote for a breakup, but we don’t foresee it beating out their other contenders.

Who Will Win?

“wait in the truck” – HARDY and Lainey Wilson

We have to give this one to HARDY and Wilson for their soul-touching “wait in the truck.” Not only has it been a big winner in the awards circuit this year already, but it’s also one of the biggest, most memorable collaborations of the past few years. HARDY plays a man seeking revenge while Wilson takes on the role of a battered woman. Their acting chops shine through here, delivering a murder ballad in the classic country, storytellin’ spirit.

Photo by Terry Wyatt/WireImage