Love and Theft

This is the rare category at the 2012 CMA Awards where every nominee has a fair shot at winning. The Vocal Duo of the Year award goes to the two-person group who had the best recording, touring and otherwise year, but in many ways, all is equal amongst these five acts. Who do you think will win the Vocal Duo of the Year award at the 2012 CMAs?

The five nominees for the 2012 CMA New Artist of the Year award reached their current levels of fame in very different ways. Thompson Square might be the only true "new artist," meaning an act that was previously unheard of before releasing a smash debut album. The others are no less deserving, however. This is an interesting category that will be fun to watch on Nov. 1. Who do you think

Brantley Gilbert's nation of fans put the singer's new song in a place he's plenty familiar with -- the winner's circle. 'More Than Miles,' a sweet new ballad about leaving a lover behind to chase a dream, topped the new single from Kristy Lee Cook on Tuesday and Tuesday night on Taste of Country Nights radio. Today's competition will be twice as stiff.

The difference between country newcomer and country star can be one irresistible single, and 'Runnin' Out of Air' is that song for Love and Theft. Sure, 'Angel Eyes' was a No. 1 gold hit, but the new track from the duo's self-titled album is like a busted piñata that just keeps giving sweet goodness.

Jake Owen has been named the headliner of the this year's CMT on Tour package, which will also feature rising stars Love and Theft and Florida Georgia Line as supporting acts. The 2012 CMT on Tour: The Summer Never Ends trek is set to kick off on Oct. 10 in New York City and wrap on Dec. 15 in Owen's hometown of Vero Beach, Fla.

After dancing around the No. 1 position on the country singles chart over the past few weeks, Love and Theft finally have locked in the top slot with their hit song, 'Angel Eyes.'

Love and Theft are on the brink of scoring their very first No. 1 single with 'Angel Eyes,' but the celebration has already started. The tune, which was written by Love and Theft's Eric Gunderson (along with Eric Paslay and Jeff Coplan), has been certified gold for digital downloads exceeding 500,000 copies sold.

Rumors started when: Taylor Swift recorded a song called 'Hey Stephen' on her 2008 'Fearless' album and openly admitted it was about he Love and Theft singer. "Can't help I if I wanna kiss you in the rain so / Come feel this magic I've been feeling since I met you," Swift sings. ...

Love and Theft's self-titled new album is now in stores, but Taste of Country wants to give you something even cooler. Enter to win a limited edition signed copy of the new CD from Stephen Barker Liles and Eric Gunderson, or get your hands on a guitar, also signed by the duo.

Love and Theft may have to change their name to Assault & Battery after Eric Gunderson's run-in with an attempted robber. Gunderson was arrested in March of 2012 after trying to carry a hunting knife through security at the airport, and while doing his community service, had a close call with a criminal.