Lee Brice, CMA Awards: Best New Artist Nominee Talks 'Sickening' Competition

Posted Oct 18th 2012 1:50PM by Erin Duvall
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Taylor Hill, Getty Images

With the 46th Annual CMA Awards in exactly two weeks, the competition is getting fierce. Lee Brice, who is facing off against Hunter Hayes, Brantley Gilbert, Thompson Square and Love and Theft in the Best New Artist category, is speaking out (or at least joking) about which fellow nominee he'd hate to lose to.

"If I had to pick one, I'd have to say Hunter Hayes because he's so dang talented, it's sickening," Lee tells The Boot with a laugh. "But I'm all for everybody. I really think the whole format is doing great. It's just good to see everybody succeeding."

Speaking of success, if Lee had to choose another artist than himself, of course, to take home a trophy, who would it be? "It's good to see Brantley nominated for some stuff, because he's a great guy," the singer-songwriter admits. "He's been working hard, he deserves it. I'm really just happy to be there and be a part of it."

Lee predicts surprises in several categories, especially for the night's top honor, Entertainer of the Year. "I'm a big fan of all those artists, but Jason Aldean is rocking and so is Blake Shelton," the "Hard to Love" singer says. "These are the guys that are going to be the future of country music and they deserve some recognition here."

As for what he's going to wear, the South Carolina native isn't quite prepared. "I have no idea," he admits. "I was supposed to go shopping while I was in Chicago last week, but I didn't have any time. I may end up wearing jeans and a t-shirt, I don't know. [laughs]"

There is one very important accessory the country star will have on his arm, though: his fiancee Sara. "She goes to as many (shows) as she can," he explains. "We have our son Takoda now, so we have to pick and choose. We like for somebody to be there with him. But she loves coming and I love having her there."

The CMA Awards air live from Nashville, Nov. 1 at 8:00 PM ET on ABC.

See a Report on This Year's CMA Awards Nominees