The Country Music Association Announces Nominees For “The 56th Annual CMA Awards”

Lainey Wilson Tops the List with Six Nominations

Other Top Nominees Include Ashley McBryde, Carly Pearce, Chris Stapleton and Songwriter/Producer Shane McAnally with Five Nominations Each; Cody Johnson and Songwriter/Producer Josh Osborne with Four Nominations Each; and
Luke Combs, HARDY, Miranda Lambert, Midland and Carrie Underwood
with Three Nominations Each

Lambert Continues Reign as Most Nominated Female of All Time
With 61 Nominations and Becomes Third in Overall Nominations Ever

Finalists for CMA Broadcast Awards Announced

Country Music’s Biggest Night™ Airs LIVE Wednesday, Nov. 9 on ABC

NASHVILLE—The Country Music Association has announced nominees for “The 56th Annual CMA Awards,” with first-time nominee Lainey Wilson topping the list at six nominations. Other top nominees include Ashley McBryde, Carly Pearce, and Chris Stapleton, along with songwriter and producer Shane McAnally, each with five nominations. Cody Johnson and songwriter/producer Josh Osborne collect four nominations each. Luke Combs, HARDY, Miranda Lambert, Midland, and Carrie Underwood secure three nominations apiece. Vying for the night’s highest honor, reigning Entertainer of the Year Combs is nominated again in the category alongside Lambert, Stapleton, Underwood, and Morgan Wallen. Don’t miss “The 56th Annual CMA Awards,” hosted by Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning LIVE from Nashville Wednesday, Nov. 9 (8:00 – 11:00 PM/EST) on ABC.

First-time CMA Awards nominees include BRELAND, Alexa Campbell, Jack Clarke, Dan Grech-Marguerat, Jacob Davis, Dustin Haney, Walker Hayes, Josh Jenkins, Matt Jenkins, Jason Lehning, Blake Lively, Chip Matthews, Parker McCollum, Michael Monaco, Jason Nix, Mikey Reaves, Harper Smith, Trent Willmon, and Wilson.

“It’s thrilling to celebrate these deserving nominees while our industry is returning to live music,” says Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “This year’s slate is impressive, with some nominees logging historic milestones while others are just getting started. No matter what stage in their career, they each bring a unique voice and unforgettable story to life, showing that Country Music is stronger than ever! We look forward to honoring them this November.”

LAINEY WILSON – SIX NOMINATIONS
Album of the Year (Sayin’ What I’m Thinkin’), Female Vocalist of the Year, Music Video of the Year (“Never Say Never”), Musical Event of the Year (“Never Say Never”), New Artist of the Year,
Song of the Year (“Things A Man Oughta Know”)

Wilson scores a historic debut on the CMA Awards final ballot with six nominations as a first-time nominee. She is the fourth artist in CMA Awards history to achieve this milestone. (Glen Campbell, 1968; Brad Paisley, 2000; and Kacey Musgraves, 2013) Her six nods include Album, Female Vocalist, Music Video, Musical Event, New Artist and Song of the Year. Sayin’ What I’m Thinkin’ was produced by Jay Joyce and mixed by F. Reid Shippen. Wilson joins Cole Swindell on “Never Say Never,” produced by Zach Crowell. The video was directed by Monaco. Wilson’s co-writers on “Things A Man Oughta Know” are Jason Nix and Jonathan Singleton.

SHANE McANALLY – FIVE NOMINATIONS
Album of the Year (Time, Tequila & Therapy), Musical Event of the Year (“Longneck Way To Go”), Musical Event of the Year (“Never Wanted To Be That Girl”), Single of the Year (“Never Wanted To Be That Girl”), Song of the Year (“Never Wanted To Be That Girl”)

McAnally’s five nominations bring his career total to 21. He is a first-time nominee in Musical Event of the Year, collecting two nods in the category for producing “Longneck Way To Go” performed by Midland featuring Jon Pardi and “Never Wanted To Be That Girl” performed by Pearce and McBryde, which also earns his fourth career nomination in Single of the Year and 10th nomination for Song of the Year. He is now tied for all-time nominations for Song of the Year with Country Music Hall of Famer Alan Jackson. He won the category in 2014 for co-writing “Follow Your Arrow.” Producing Old Dominion’s Time, Tequila & Therapy garners McAnally his fifth nomination for Album of the Year.

ASHLEY McBRYDE – FIVE NOMINATIONS
Female Vocalist of the Year, Music Video of the Year (“Never Wanted To Be That Girl”), Musical Event of the Year (“Never Wanted To Be That Girl”), Single of the Year (“Never Wanted To Be That Girl”),
Song of the Year (“Never Wanted To Be That Girl”)

With seven prior nominations, McBryde’s career nominations now total 12. She earns her third consecutive nomination for Female Vocalist. “Never Wanted To Be That Girl” collects McBryde her first nomination in Music Video of the Year and her second nominations across three categories – Musical Event, Single, and Song of the Year. The video was directed by Alexa Campbell. The single was produced by McAnally and Osborne and mixed by Ryan Gore. McBryde co-wrote the song with McAnally and Pearce.

CARLY PEARCE – FIVE NOMINATIONS
Female Vocalist of the Year, Music Video of the Year (“Never Wanted To Be That Girl”), Musical Event of the Year (“Never Wanted To Be That Girl”), Single of the Year (“Never Wanted To Be That Girl”),
Song of the Year (“Never Wanted To Be That Girl”)

Pearce adds five nominations to her prior seven. She is the reigning Female Vocalist of the Year, returning to vie for her second win in the category. “Never Wanted To Be That Girl” earns Pearce her first nomination in Single of the Year and her second nominations in Music Video, Musical Event, and Song of the Year categories.

CHRIS STAPLETON – FIVE NOMINATIONS 
Entertainer of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, Music Video of the Year (“I Bet You Think About Me (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault)”), Single of the Year (“You Should Probably Leave”), Song of the Year (“You Should Probably Leave”)

With this year’s five nods, Stapleton has amassed 39 career nominations. He is a six-time nominee for Entertainer of the Year and an eight-time nominee for Male Vocalist, a category he has won five times. “I Bet You Think About Me (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault)” collects Stapleton his third nomination for Music Video, a category he won in 2016. The video is directed by Lively and is performed with 27-time nominee Taylor Swift. “You Should Probably Leave” marks Stapleton’s fifth nomination for Single of the Year and third nomination for Song. He is a two-time winner in both categories, claiming both trophies in 2018 and 2021. Stapleton co-produced the single with Dave Cobb and it was mixed by Vance Powell. He co-wrote the song with Chris DuBois and Ashley Gorley.

CODY JOHNSON – FOUR NOMINATIONS
Male Vocalist of the Year, Music Video of the Year (“’Til You Can’t”), New Artist of the Year, Single of the Year (“’Til You Can’t”)

Johnson tallies four nominations this year, bringing his overall nods to five. He debuted in the New Artist of the Year category in 2019 and returns for his second nomination this year. He is a first-time nominee across three other categories – Male Vocalist, Music Video and Single of the Year. “’Til You Can’t” was directed by Haney, produced by Willmon and mixed by Clarke.

JOSH OSBORNE – FOUR NOMINATIONS
Musical Event of the Year (“Longneck Way To Go”), Musical Event of the Year (“Never Wanted To Be That Girl”), Single of the Year (“Never Wanted To Be That Girl”), Song of the Year (“Sand In My Boots”)

Osborne earns four nominations, collecting 10 career nods in total. He is a first-time nominee in Musical Event of the Year, collecting two nods in the category for producing “Longneck Way To Go” performed by Midland featuring Pardi and “Never Wanted To Be That Girl,” performed by Pearce and McBryde. The latter earns his second nomination for Single of the Year. “Sand In My Boots,” co-written with Gorley and Michael Hardy (also known as HARDY), marks Osborne’s fifth nomination for Song of the Year.

LUKE COMBS – THREE NOMINATIONS
Album of the Year (Growin’ Up), Entertainer of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year

Reigning Entertainer of the Year Combs returns with his third consecutive nomination for the night’s highest honor. This year marks his fifth nomination for Male Vocalist, a trophy he’s claimed twice. Growin’ Up earns Combs his second nomination for Album of the Year, which he co-produced with Matthews and Singleton. The album was mixed by Jim Cooley and Matthews. Combs won Album of the Year in 2020. With this year’s nods, he has received 18 total nominations since 2017.

HARDY – THREE NOMINATIONS 
Musical Event of the Year (“Beers On Me”), New Artist of the Year, Song of the Year (“Sand In My Boots”)

HARDY, also known as Michael Hardy for songwriting purposes, collects three nominations this year. He is a first-time nominee for Musical Event of the Year with “Beers On Me,” a collaboration with Dierks Bentley and BRELAND, produced by Bentley and Ross Copperman. He receives his second nomination in both New Artist and Song of the Year for “Sand In My Boots,” which he co-wrote with Gorley and Osborne. He now has five career nominations.

MIRANDA LAMBERT – THREE NOMINATIONS 
Album of the Year (Palomino), Entertainer of the Year, Female Vocalist of the Year

With this year’s nominations, Lambert has secured 61 career nominations – remaining the most nominated female artist in CMA Awards history. She now becomes the third most-nominated artist, following George Strait (83) and Alan Jackson (81). Lambert has the longest consecutive streak of nominations for Female Vocalist, collecting her 16th nomination since 2007. She is a seven-time winner in the Female Vocalist category. She earns her sixth nomination for Album of the Year, a category she’s won twice – 2010 and 2014. Lambert co-produced Palomino with Luke Dick, Jon Randall, and Reaves. The album was mixed by Lehning. Lambert garners her sixth nomination for the evening’s top prize, Entertainer of the Year.

MIDLAND – THREE NOMINATIONS
Music Video of the Year (“Longneck Way To Go”), Musical Event of the Year (“Longneck Way To Go”), Vocal Group of the Year

Midland’s three nods earn the group 10 total career nominations. “Longneck Way To Go” collects first-time nominations for them in two categories – Music Video and Musical Event of the Year. The video was directed by Smith and the collaboration was produced by Dann Huff, McAnally, and Osborne. This is their fifth consecutive nomination for Vocal Group of the Year.

CARRIE UNDERWOOD – THREE NOMINATIONS 
Entertainer of the Year, Female Vocalist of the Year, Musical Event of the Year (“If I Didn’t Love You”)

With this year’s nominations, Underwood has garnered 40 career nods since 2006. This year marks her 16th nomination for Female Vocalist, a trophy she’s claimed five times. She is a four-time nominee for Musical Event, earning a nod this year for “If I Didn’t Love You,” a duet with Jason Aldean produced by Michael Knox. She collects her fifth nomination for the night’s most coveted trophy, Entertainer of the Year.

Media assets for all CMA Awards categories and nominees are available now at CMApress.com. The CMA Awards media credential application is also now available on CMApress.com. The application deadline is Friday, Oct. 7.

Winners of “The 56th Annual CMA Awards” will be determined in a Final Round of voting by eligible voting CMA members. The third and Final Ballot will be emailed to CMA members Monday, Oct. 3. Voting for the CMA Awards Final Ballot ends Friday, Oct. 28 (6:00 PM/CT). CMA Broadcast Awards winners will be determined by a final round of judging this month. Entries are judged by a panel of distinguished broadcast professionals, representing all market sizes and regions. The winners will be revealed in October and recipients will be honored at the CMA Awards. All balloting is tabulated by the professional services organization, Deloitte.

“The 56th Annual CMA Awards” is a production of the Country Music Association. Robert Deaton is the Executive Producer, Alan Carter is the Director and Jon Macks is the Head Writer.

“THE 56th ANNUAL CMA AWARDS” – FINAL NOMINEES (by ballot category order):   

• Luke Combs
• Miranda Lambert
• Chris Stapleton
• Carrie Underwood
• Morgan Wallen

• “Buy Dirt” – Jordan Davis featuring Luke Bryan
  Producer: Paul DiGiovanni
  Mix Engineer: Jim Cooley
• “half of my hometown” – Kelsea Ballerini (feat. Kenny Chesney)
  Producers: Kelsea Ballerini, Ross Copperman, Jimmy Robbins
  Mix Engineer: Dan Grech-Marguerat
• “Never Wanted To Be That Girl” – Carly Pearce and Ashley McBryde
  Producers: Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne
  Mix Engineer: Ryan Gore
• “’Til You Can’t” – Cody Johnson
  Producer: Trent Willmon
  Mix Engineer: Jack Clarke
• “You Should Probably Leave” – Chris Stapleton
  Producers: Dave Cobb, Chris Stapleton
  Mix Engineer: Vance Powell

• Growin’ Up – Luke Combs
  Producers: Luke Combs, Chip Matthews, Jonathan Singleton
  Mix Engineers: Jim Cooley, Chip Matthews
• Humble Quest – Maren Morris
  Producer: Greg Kurstin
  Mix Engineer: Serban Ghenea
• Palomino – Miranda Lambert
  Producers: Luke Dick, Miranda Lambert, Jon Randall, Mikey Reaves
  Mix Engineer: Jason Lehning
• Sayin’ What I’m Thinkin’ – Lainey Wilson
  Producer: Jay Joyce
  Mix Engineer: F. Reid Shippen
• Time, Tequila & Therapy – Old Dominion
  Producers: Shane McAnally, Old Dominion
  Mix Engineer: Justin Niebank

• “Buy Dirt”
  Songwriters: Jacob Davis, Jordan Davis, Josh Jenkins, Matt Jenkins
• “Never Wanted To Be That Girl”
  Songwriters: Shane McAnally, Ashley McBryde, Carly Pearce
• “Sand In My Boots”
  Songwriters: Ashley Gorley, Michael Hardy, Josh Osborne
• “Things A Man Oughta Know”
  Songwriters: Jason Nix, Jonathan Singleton, Lainey Wilson
• “You Should Probably Leave”
  Songwriters: Chris DuBois, Ashley Gorley, Chris Stapleton

• Miranda Lambert
• Ashley McBryde
• Carly Pearce
• Carrie Underwood
• Lainey Wilson

• Eric Church
• Luke Combs
• Cody Johnson
• Chris Stapleton
• Morgan Wallen

• Lady A
• Little Big Town
• Midland
• Old Dominion
• Zac Brown Band

• Brooks & Dunn
• Brothers Osborne
• Dan + Shay
• LOCASH
• Maddie & Tae

• “Beers On Me” – Dierks Bentley with BRELAND & HARDY
  Producers: Dierks Bentley, Ross Copperman
• “If I Didn’t Love You” – Jason Aldean & Carrie Underwood
  Producer: Michael Knox
• “Longneck Way To Go” – Midland (featuring Jon Pardi)
  Producers: Dann Huff, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne
• “Never Say Never” – Cole Swindell (with Lainey Wilson)
  Producer: Zach Crowell
• “Never Wanted To Be That Girl” – Carly Pearce and Ashley McBryde
  Producers: Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne

• Jenee Fleenor, Fiddle
• Paul Franklin, Steel guitar
• Brent Mason, Guitar
• Ilya Toshinskiy, Banjo
• Derek Wells, Guitar

• “I Bet You Think About Me” (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault) – Taylor Swift (featuring Chris Stapleton)
  Director: Blake Lively
• “Longneck Way To Go” – Midland (featuring Jon Pardi)
  Director: Harper Smith
• “Never Say Never” – Cole Swindell (with Lainey Wilson)
  Director: Michael Monaco
• “Never Wanted To Be That Girl” – Carly Pearce and Ashley McBryde
  Director: Alexa Campbell
• “’Til You Can’t” – Cody Johnson
  Director: Dustin Haney

• HARDY
• Walker Hayes
• Cody Johnson
• Parker McCollum
• Lainey Wilson

• “American Country Countdown” (Kix Brooks) – Westwood One
• “The Country Top 40 with Fitz” (Cory Fitzner) – Hubbard Radio
• “The Crook & Chase Countdown” (Lorianne Crook and Charlie Chase) – iHeartMedia
• “Today’s Country with Kelleigh Bannen” (Kelleigh Bannen) – Apple Music Radio
• “With Elaina” (Elaina Smith) – Westwood One

• “Angie Ward” – iHeartMedia
• “The Big D and Bubba Show” (Derek “Big D” Haskins, Sean “Bubba” Powell, Patrick Thomas, and Carsen Humphreville) – Compass Media Networks
• “The Bobby Bones Show” (Bobby Bones, Amy Brown, “Lunchbox” Dan Chappell, Eddie Garcia, “Morgan #2” Huelsman, “Raymundo” Ray Slater, “Scuba Steve” Stephen Spradlin, “Mike D” Rodriguez, and “Phone Screener Abby” Anderson) – Premiere Networks
• “Nights with Elaina” (Elaina Smith) – Westwood One
• “The Sam Alex Show” (Sam Alex) – Sam Alex Productions, LLC

• “The Andie Summers Show” (Andie Summers) – WXTU, Philadelphia, Pa.
• “Chris Carr & Company” (Chris Carr, Kia Becht, and McKaila Poppen) – KEEY, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn.
• “Danny Dwyer” – KUPL, Portland, Ore.
• “Josh, Rachael & Grunwald” (Josh Holleman, Rachel Hunter, and Steve Grunwald) – WYCD, Detroit, Mich.
• “The Morning Wolfpack with Matt McAllister” (Matt McAllister, Emily Raines, and Joe Wallace) – KKWF, Seattle, Wash.

• “Jim, Deb & Kevin” (Jim Denny, Deborah Honeycutt and Kevin Freeman) – WFMS, Indianapolis, Ind.
• “The Wayne D Show” (“Wayne D” Danielson and Tay Hamilton) – WSIX, Nashville, Tenn.
• “The Dale Carter Morning Show” (Dale Carter) – KFKF, Kansas City, Mo.
• “The Big Dave Show” (“Big Dave” Chandler, Chelsie Shinkle, Jason “Stattman” Statt, and Ashley Hempfling) – WUBE, Cincinnati, Ohio
• “The Wake Up Call with David and Kelli” (David Bugenske and Kelli Green) – KFRG, Riverside-San Bernardino, Calif.
• “The New Q-Morning Crew with Mike and Amanda” (Mike Wheless and Amanda Daughtry) – WQDR, Raleigh-Durham, N.C.

• “Buzz Jackson” – KIIM, Tucson, Ariz.
• “Cliff & Tanya in the Morning” (Cliff Dumas and Tanya Brakebill) – KUZZ, Bakersfield, Calif.
• “Julie and DJ in the Morning” (“Julie K” Kansy, “D.J. Thee Trucker” Dale Sellers, and Jon Dennis) – WPCV, Lakeland-Winter Haven, Fla.
• “New Country Mornings with Nancy and Woody” (Nancy Wilson and Aaron “Woody” Woods) – WHKO, Dayton, Ohio
• “Steve & Gina In The Morning” (Steve Lundy and Gina Melton) – KXKT, Omaha-Council Bluffs, Neb.-Iowa

• “The Cat Pak Morning Show with Brent and Mel” (Brent Lane and Mel McCrae) – WYCT, Pensacola, Fla.
• “Dr. Shane and Tess in the Morning” (“Dr. Shane” Collins and Tess Connell) – WPAP, Panama City, Fla.
• “The Eddie Foxx Show” (Eddie Foxx and Amanda Foxx) – WKSF, Asheville, N.C.
• “Liz & Scotty in the Morning” (Liz Del Grosso and Scotty Cox) – KCLR, Columbia, Mo.
• “Officer Don & DeAnn” (“Officer Don” Evans and DeAnn Stephens) – WBUL, Lexington-Fayette, Ky.

• KILT – Houston, Texas
• KNIX – Phoenix, Ariz.
• KSCS – Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas
• WXTU – Philadelphia, Pa.
• WYCD – Detroit, Mich.

• KFKF – Kansas City, Mo.
• WIRK – West Palm Beach-Boca Raton, Fla.
• WMIL – Milwaukee-Racine, Wis.
• WQDR – Raleigh-Durham, N.C.
• WSIX – Nashville, Tenn.

• KXKT – Omaha-Council Bluffs, Neb.-Iowa
• WHKO – Dayton, Ohio
• WIVK – Knoxville, Tenn.
• WQMX – Akron, Ohio
• WUSY – Chattanooga, Tenn.

• WCOW – La Crosse, Wis.
• WKML – Fayetteville, N.C.
• WKXC – Augusta, Ga.
• WXBQ – Johnson City-Kingsport-Bristol, Tenn.-Va.
• WXFL – Florence-Muscle Shoals, Ala.