The 2012 CMA Awards are on the horizon, and the countdown begins today with predictions on each of the nine major categories. You also have a chance to choose a winner for each award in a daily readers poll. Who do you predict to win the Single of the Year award at the 2012 CMAs?

The Single of the Year award goes to both the artist and his or her producer. It's the song fully produced, with consideration given to instrumentation, arrangement, effects and impact of elements other than lyrics. The five nominees all reached No. 1 with their song, and four of the five went platinum for one million units sold. Below is a case for each song, as well as our prediction. Be sure to vote and leave your opinions in the comments section below.

Blake Shelton, 'God Gave Me You': Blake Shelton's second single from 'Red River Blue' reached No. 1, and is closing in on double-platinum certification for two million singles sold. It's the only pure love ballad of the five nominees, which could help come voting time.

Dierks Bentley, 'Home': The title track to Dierks Bentley's new album is also the second single released from the project. It reached No. 1, but was not a big seller in comparison to the others up for the award. However, Single of the Year takes in to account production value, and this song is as unique as any on this list, with the exception of maybe 'Pontoon.' It's an inspiring lyric, perhaps Bentley's most meaningful.

Eric Church, 'Springsteen': Eric Church seems like the man to beat at the 2012 CMA Awards, with 'Springsteen' being one of the best songs of the decade. Critics and fans love it, and it's closing in on two million downloads much faster than Shelton's hit. Will the singer's bad-boy persona rub voters the wrong way?

Jason Aldean, 'Dirt Road Anthem': No one took a bigger chance that Jason Aldean did with his country-rap song 'Dirt Road Anthem.' The No. 1 hit was a huge commercial success, and one as important to his career as any song he's released. It's sold over three million singles to date.

Little Big Town, 'Pontoon': LBT's 'Pontoon' was the buzz song of the summer, with artists and fans tweeting about it throughout June, July and August. Fans soaked it up like SPF 30, and it became a quick radio and sales hit. In fact, it's still among the Top 10 most downloaded songs every week.

Our Prediction: Little Big Town, Church and Bentley are all part of the same record label group, and since the CMA Awards are an industry-voted awards show, this could split votes crucial to their song's success, unless there is a decision to fully support one artist or the other.

It feels like 'Pontoon' should win this award, as it's one of the most unique songs to find success at country radio in over a decade. We're going to trust our head over our heart, however, and predict 'God Gave Me You' will earn a trophy for Shelton and producer Scott Hendricks.

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