It’s that time of year again. The CMA Awards are not too far off. It’s the night of nights when every hot property country artist gathers at Bridgestone Arena in Downtown Nashville to find out just how hot they really are.
Again, this year, like many before, Chris Stapleton leads the charge with FIVE nominations, hot on the heels of Stapleton’s cowboy boots are Jason Aldean, Keith Urban, Miranda Lambert, Dierks Bentley, Dan+Shay, Florida Georgia Line, Chris Jason, Midland and Thomas Rhett – all with three nods each.
Returning for their 11th year in a row, are the dynamic hosting duo of Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood who will hold everything together for Country Music’s Biggest Night™.
Here’s how the nominations list looks:
“THE 52ND ANNUAL CMA AWARDS” – FINAL NOMINEES (by ballot category order):
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
- Jason Aldean
- Luke Bryan
- Kenny Chesney
- Chris Stapleton
- Keith Urban
SINGLE OF THE YEAR
(Award goes to Artist, Producer(s), and Mix Engineer(s))
- “Broken Halos” – Chris Stapleton
Producers: Dave Cobb, Chris Stapleton
Mix Engineer: Vance Powell
- “Drinkin’ Problem” – Midland
Producers: Dann Huff, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne
Mix Engineer: Justin Niebank
- “Drowns the Whiskey” – Jason Aldean (Feat. Miranda Lambert)
Producer: Michael Knox
Mix Engineer: Jeff Braun
- “Meant to Be” – Bebe Rexha & Florida Georgia Line
Producer: Willshire
Mix Engineer: Serban Ghenea
- “Tequila” – Dan + Shay
Producers: Scott Hendricks, Dan Smyers
Mix Engineer: Jeff Juliano
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
(Award goes to Artist and Producer(s))
- From A Room: Volume 2 – Chris Stapleton
Producers: Dave Cobb, Chris Stapleton
- Golden Hour – Kacey Musgraves
Producers: Ian Fitchuk, Daniel Tashian, Kacey Musgraves
- Graffiti U – Keith Urban
Producers: Keith Urban, Dan McCarroll, J.R. Rotem, Josh Kerr, Jason Evigan, Greg Wells, Benny Blanco, Ed Sheeran, Johnny McDaid, Jesse Shatkin, Jimmy Robbins, Oscar Holter, Matt Rad, Eric Valentine, Ian Kirkpatrick, Mike Elizondo, Captain Cuts, Ross Copperman, Dann Huff, Peter Karlsson
- Life Changes – Thomas Rhett
Producers: Julian Bunetta, Jesse Frasure, Dann Huff, Joe London, Thomas Rhett
- The Mountain – Dierks Bentley
Producers: Ross Copperman, Jon Randall Stewart, Arturo Buenahora Jr.
SONG OF THE YEAR
(Award goes to Songwriter(s))
- “Body Like A Back Road”
Songwriters: Zach Crowell, Sam Hunt, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne
- “Broken Halos”
Songwriters: Mike Henderson, Chris Stapleton
- “Drowns the Whiskey”
Songwriter: Brandon Kinney, Jeff Middleton, Josh Thompson
- “Drunk Girl”
Songwriter: Scooter Carusoe, Tom Douglas, Chris Janson
- “Tequila”
Songwriter: Nicolle Galyon, Jordan Reynolds, Dan Smyers
FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
- Kelsea Ballerini
- Miranda Lambert
- Maren Morris
- Kacey Musgraves
- Carrie Underwood
MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
- Dierks Bentley
- Luke Combs
- Thomas Rhett
- Chris Stapleton
- Keith Urban
VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
- Lady Antebellum
- LANCO
- Little Big Town
- Midland
- Old Dominion
VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR
- Brothers Osborne
- Dan + Shay
- Florida Georgia Line
- Maddie & Tae
- Sugarland
MUSICAL EVENT OF THE YEAR
(Award goes to each Artist)
- “Burning Man” – Dierks Bentley Feat. Brothers Osborne
- “Dear Hate” – Maren Morris (Feat. Vince Gill)
- “Drowns the Whiskey” – Jason Aldean (Feat. Miranda Lambert)
- “Everything’s Gonna Be Alright” – David Lee Murphy (with Kenny Chesney)
- “Meant to Be” – Bebe Rexha & Florida Georgia Line
MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR
- Jerry Douglas, Dobro
- Paul Franklin, Steel Guitar
- Dann Huff, Guitar
- Mac McAnally, Guitar
- Derek Wells, Guitar
MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR
(Award goes to Artist and Director(s))
- “Babe” – Sugarland (Featuring Taylor Swift)
Director: Anthony Mandler
- “Cry Pretty” – Carrie Underwood
Director: Randee St. Nicholas
- “Drunk Girl” – Chris Janson
Director: Jeff Venable
- “Marry Me” – Thomas Rhett
Director: TK McKamy
- “Tequila” – Dan + Shay
Director: Patrick Tracy
NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
- Lauren Alaina
- Luke Combs
- Chris Janson
- Midland
- Brett Young
Good luck to everyone - no matter who takes home the award, they are all winners in our eyes.