Country music’s biggest night is almost here! The Country Music Association has officially announced the nominees for “The 59th Annual CMA Awards,” celebrating the artists, songwriters, producers, and musicians who have shaped the genre this past year.
In a thrilling announcement, Lainey Wilson, Megan Moroney, and Ella Langley are leading the pack, each earning an impressive six nominations. They are followed by Zach Top with five and Riley Green and Cody Johnson with four nominations each.
Top Contenders for the Night
These three artists are the ones to watch, earning a whopping six nominations each across some of the most competitive categories.
- Ella Langley: The newcomer is making a huge splash with six nominations, including Female Vocalist of the Year and New Artist of the Year. Her collaboration with Riley Green, “you look like you love me,” earned nominations for both Single and Song of the Year.
- Megan Moroney: The reigning New Artist of the Year is a force this year, with nominations for Female Vocalist and Album of the Year for her standout project, Am I Okay? Her hit title track also landed nominations for Single and Song of the Year.
- Lainey Wilson: A fan favorite and a powerhouse in country music, Lainey continues her winning streak with six nominations, including the coveted Entertainer of the Year and Female Vocalist of the Year.
The Night’s Highest Honor: Entertainer of the Year
The race for the top prize is packed with heavy hitters. This year’s nominees for Entertainer of the Year are:
- Luke Combs
- Cody Johnson
- Chris Stapleton
- Morgan Wallen
- Lainey Wilson
Other Major Nominees
- Zach Top earned five nominations, including Male Vocalist and New Artist of the Year.
- Riley Green landed four nominations for his work on “you look like you love me” and his musical event with Ella Langley.
- Cody Johnson received his first-ever Entertainer of the Year nomination, along with three other nods.
A number of other artists also secured multiple nominations, including Luke Combs, Chris Stapleton, and Morgan Wallen with three each.
A Warm Welcome to the First-Timers
This year’s list also includes an exciting group of first-time nominees, shining a light on the genre’s rising talent. Newcomers include Tucker Wetmore, Stephen Wilson Jr., and Jessie Jo Dillon, among others.
2025 CMA Awards Nominees
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
- Luke Combs
- Cody Johnson
- Chris Stapleton
- Morgan Wallen
- Lainey Wilson
SINGLE OF THE YEAR
Award goes to Artist(s), Producer(s) and Mix Engineer(s)
- “4x4xU” – Lainey Wilson
- Producer: Jay Joyce
- Mix Engineers: Jason Hall, Jay Joyce
- “Ain’t No Love In Oklahoma” – Luke Combs
- Producers: Luke Combs, Chip Matthews, Jonathan Singleton
- Mix Engineer: Chip Matthews
- “Am I Okay?” – Megan Moroney
- Producer: Kristian Bush
- Mix Engineer: Justin Niebank
- “I Never Lie” – Zach Top
- Producer: Carson Chamberlain
- Mix Engineer: Matt Rovey
- “you look like you love me” – Ella Langley & Riley Green
- Producer: Will Bundy
- Mix Engineer: Jim Cooley
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Award goes to Artist, Producer(s) and Mix Engineer(s)- Am I Okay? – Megan Moroney
- Producer: Kristian Bush
- Mix Engineer: Justin Niebank
- Cold Beer & Country Music – Zach Top
- Producer: Carson Chamberlain
- Mix Engineer: Matt Rovey
- F-1 Trillion – Post Malone
- Producers: Louis Bell, Charlie Handsome, Hoskins
- Mix Engineer: Ryan Gore
- I’m The Problem – Morgan Wallen
- Producers: Jacob Durrett, Charlie Handsome, Joey Moi
- Mix Engineers: Charlie Handsome, Joey Moi
- Whirlwind – Lainey Wilson
- Producer: Jay Joyce
- Mix Engineers: Jason Hall, Jay Joyce
SONG OF THE YEAR
Award goes to Songwriter(s)- “4x4xU”
- Songwriters: Jon Decious, Aaron Raitiere, Lainey Wilson
- “Am I Okay?”
- Songwriters: Jessie Jo Dillon, Luke Laird, Megan Moroney
- “I Never Lie”
- Songwriters: Carson Chamberlain, Tim Nichols, Zach Top
- “Texas”
- Songwriters: Johnny Clawson, Josh Dorr, Lalo Guzman, Kyle Sturrock
- “you look like you love me”
- Songwriters: Riley Green, Ella Langley, Aaron Raitiere
FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
- Kelsea Ballerini
- Miranda Lambert
- Ella Langley
- Megan Moroney
- Lainey Wilson
MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
- Luke Combs
- Cody Johnson
- Chris Stapleton
- Zach Top
- Morgan Wallen
VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
- Lady A
- Little Big Town
- Old Dominion
- Rascal Flatts
- The Red Clay Strays
VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR
- Brooks & Dunn
- Brothers Osborne
- Dan + Shay
- Maddie & Tae
- The War And Treaty
MUSICAL EVENT OF THE YEAR
Award goes to Artists and Producer(s)- “Don’t Mind If I Do” – Riley Green (featuring Ella Langley)
- Producers: Scott Borchetta, Jimmy Harnen, Dann Huff
- “Hard Fought Hallelujah” – Brandon Lake with Jelly Roll
- Producer: Micah Nichols
- “I’m Gonna Love You” – Cody Johnson (with Carrie Underwood)
- Producer: Trent Willmon
- “Pour Me A Drink” – Post Malone (feat. Blake Shelton)
- Producers: Louis Bell, Charlie Handsome
- “You Had To Be There” – Megan Moroney (feat. Kenny Chesney)
- Producer: Kristian Bush
MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR
- Jenee Fleenor – Fiddle
- Paul Franklin – Steel Guitar
- Brent Mason – Guitar
- Rob McNelley – Guitar
- Derek Wells – Guitar
MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Award goes to Artist(s) and Director(s)- “Am I Okay?” – Megan Moroney
- Directors: Alexandra Gavillet, Megan Moroney
- “I’m Gonna Love You” – Cody Johnson (with Carrie Underwood)
- Director: Dustin Haney
- “Somewhere Over Laredo” – Lainey Wilson
- Director: TK McKamy
- “Think I’m In Love With You” – Chris Stapleton
- Director: Running Bear
- “you look like you love me” – Ella Langley & Riley Green
- Directors: Ella Langley, John Park, Wales Toney
NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
- Ella Langley
- Shaboozey
- Zach Top
- Tucker Wetmore
- Stephen Wilson Jr.
How to Watch
You can watch Country Music’s Biggest Night live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, November 19, at 8:00 PM/EST on ABC. You can also catch it the next day on Hulu.
Who do you think will take home the awards this year? Let us know your predictions in the comments!
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