2021 CMA Awards: Who should win 'Female Vocalist of the Year'?

Gabby Barrett hit the ground running after her third-place finish on season 16 of American Idol, and hasn’t stopped since. The 21-year-old is not only nominated in the Female Vocalist of the Year category, but also New Artist of the Year, Single of the Year (“The Good Ones”) and Song of the Year (“The Good Ones”). With two nominations at last year’s CMA Awards, Barrett is at a total of 6 CMA nominations an incredible accomplishment for any artist! Will Gabby take home her first CMA win (or four) this year? Tell us what you think!

A 55-time CMA nominee and 14-time winner, there is absolutely nothing stopping Miranda Lambert from adding to her long list of CMA accolades. Her Country sass and “do what I want” attitude have propelled her to succeed in Country music and beyond. A well known name in the genre for many years, she’s a pro at keeping fans engaged and guessing with what she’ll come up with next. This year was a prime example as she released her good-time anthem “Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home)” with Elle King and crossed new boundaries with a Telemitry remix of her song “Tequila Does.”

Anyone who believed she was a “Girl Goin’ Nowhere,” is so wrong it hurts. Ashley McBryde has an overall total of seven CMA Award nominations with three being from this year alone. Also receiving love in the Single of the Year and Song of the Year categories with “One Night Standards,” the Arkansas native has clearly found her stride and continues to gain momentum along the way. She is as authentic as they come and speaks the raw truth through her music that captivates audiences all over.

Already a six-time nominee in the CMA Female Vocalist of the Year, there’s no doubt Maren Morris is one of the leading ladies of Country music. She provides hit after hit and no one can seem to get enough. The GRAMMY winner has a unique gift of stretching across the boundaries of the format, captivating listeners who may not have originally given country music a try. While vying for the CMA Female Vocalist of the Year trophy, she also hopes to rack up wins in the celebrating her nomination in this category, she is up for trophies in the Musical Event of the Year category as well as Music Video of the Year.

The Kentucky native and self-proclaimed Dolly Parton fanatic has found her musical stride and there’s no stopping her now. Never afraid to tell her side of the story, Carly Pearce has found a direct connection to fans through the real-life experiences she shares through her music. A regular performer at the Grand Ole Opry, it’s no secret Carly treasures the charm of traditional Country music, and works to keep it alive in her own music.