CMA Awards 2025: Full List of Nominees & Top Contenders

Watch Lainey Wilson perform 4x4xU at the 2024 CMA Awards where she was co-host along with Payton Manning & Luke Bryan.

Lainey Wilson to Host 2025 CMA Awards

Lainey Wilson will return to center stage as host of the 59th Annual CMA Awards, airing live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on November 19, 2025. After co-hosting alongside Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning in previous years, Wilson will now take on the role solo, bringing her trademark energy and charm to country music’s biggest night.

CMA Awards 2025: Wilson Leads as Host and Nominee

The reigning country superstar isn’t just hosting—Lainey Wilson is also one of the most nominated artists at the CMA Awards 2025, tying with Megan Moroney and Ella Langley with six nods across top categories. With nominations spanning Female Vocalist of the Year to Song and Album of the Year, Wilson’s presence ensures the spotlight will be firmly on her throughout the night.

WATCH THE LIVESTREAM HERE

The Country Music Association has unveiled the nominees for The 59th Annual CMA Awards, kicking off awards season with an across-the-board snapshot of the past year’s recordings, performances, and behind-the-scenes craft. Ella Langley, Megan Moroney, and Lainey Wilson lead the field with six nominations each. Zach Top follows with five, while Riley Green and Cody Johnson collect four apiece. Three-time nominees include Kristian Bush, Carson Chamberlain, Luke Combs, Charlie Handsome, Chris Stapleton, and Morgan Wallen.

“Each year, the CMA Awards shine a light on the creativity, passion and dedication of our community,” says CMA Chief Executive Officer Sarah Trahern. “The nominees announced today represent some of the most impactful work happening across Country Music, and we are deeply appreciative of our voting members for lending their time and expertise to this process… On behalf of CMA, congratulations to all of this year’s nominees.”

The 59th Annual CMA Awards broadcasts live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 19 on ABC, and streams next day on Hulu.

Entertainer of the Year

The night’s top honor will be decided between Luke Combs, Cody Johnson, Chris Stapleton, Morgan Wallen, and Lainey Wilson.

Leading Nominees

Ella Langley — six nominations

Single of the Year, Song of the Year, Female Vocalist of the Year, Musical Event of the Year, Music Video of the Year, New Artist of the Year

Langley’s momentum is anchored by you look like you love me with Riley Green, which lands in both Single and Song of the Year. She shares writing credit with Green and Aaron Raitiere, with Will Bundy producing and Jim Cooley mixing. The video, directed by Langley, John Park, and Wales Toney, is up for Music Video of the Year. She also returns to Musical Event of the Year for her feature on Green’s Don’t Mind If I Do, produced by Scott Borchetta, Jimmy Harnen, and Dann Huff. Langley’s first full-length era has been a breakout, underlined by the release of her debut album cycle in 2024 and a steady run of high-profile performances.

Megan Moroney — six nominations

Single of the Year, Album of the Year, Song of the Year, Female Vocalist of the Year, Musical Event of the Year, Music Video of the Year

Moroney’s Am I Okay? fuels an across-category showing. The title track is recognized for Single and Song of the Year, produced by Kristian Bush and mixed by Justin Niebank, with songwriting by Moroney, Jessie Jo Dillon, and Luke Laird. Moroney co-directed the video with Alexandra Gavillet, which is nominated for Music Video of the Year. She also scores a first-time Album of the Year nod for Am I Okay? and appears in Musical Event of the Year for You Had To Be There featuring Kenny Chesney, produced by Bush. Her run follows a breakout CMA New Artist of the Year win last season and a high-visibility awards-show presence.

Lainey Wilson — six nominations

Entertainer of the Year, Single of the Year, Album of the Year, Song of the Year, Female Vocalist of the Year, Music Video of the Year

Wilson’s Whirlwind era continues with nominations for Album of the Year, Single and Song of the Year for 4x4xU, and Music Video of the Year for Somewhere Over Laredo. Jay Joyce produces the album and single with Jason Hall and Joyce on mixing, while TK McKamy directs the video. Wilson’s 2024 album and subsequent deluxe edition have kept her firmly in the year’s conversation.

Zach Top — five nominations

Single of the Year, Album of the Year, Song of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, New Artist of the Year

Top’s I Never Lie earns Single and Song of the Year recognition, produced by Carson Chamberlain and mixed by Matt Rovey, with Top, Chamberlain, and Tim Nichols on the writing line. The song anchors his Album of the Year nod for Cold Beer & Country Music, also produced by Chamberlain and mixed by Rovey. Top’s 2024 full-length, with tracks like Sounds Like the Radio and the nominated I Never Lie, positioned him as a neo-traditional flag-bearer.

Riley Green — four nominations

Single of the Year, Song of the Year, Musical Event of the Year, Music Video of the Year

Green’s duet you look like you love me with Ella Langley appears in both Single and Song of the Year, alongside a Music Video of the Year nod for the Langley, Park, and Toney-directed clip. He also returns to Musical Event of the Year with Don’t Mind If I Do featuring Langley.

Cody Johnson — four nominations

Entertainer of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, Musical Event of the Year, Music Video of the Year

Johnson’s first Entertainer of the Year nomination headlines his slate, plus Male Vocalist. His collaboration I’m Gonna Love You with Carrie Underwood is up for Musical Event of the Year, produced by Trent Willmon, and its video earns a Music Video of the Year nod for director Dustin Haney.

Additional Multi-Nominees and Production Notes

• Kristian Bush — three nominations for Single, Album, and Musical Event of the Year tied to Megan Moroney’s Am I Okay? project.
• Carson Chamberlain — three nominations for his role as producer on I Never Lie and Cold Beer & Country Music, and as a songwriter on I Never Lie.
• Luke Combs — three nominations including Entertainer and Male Vocalist, plus Single of the Year for Ain’t No Love In Oklahoma.
• Charlie Handsome — three nominations for Album of the Year credits on Post Malone’s F-1 Trillion and Morgan Wallen’s I’m The Problem, plus Musical Event for producing Post Malone’s Pour Me A Drink with Blake Shelton. Handsome’s 2024 country pivot with Post Malone has been extensively documented across the album campaign.
• Chris Stapleton — three nominations including Entertainer and Male Vocalist, plus Music Video of the Year for Think I’m In Love With You.
• Morgan Wallen — three nominations for Entertainer, Male Vocalist, and Album of the Year for I’m The Problem.
• Shaboozey appears in New Artist of the Year after a landmark chart run with A Bar Song (Tipsy).

First-time CMA Awards nominees

Johnny Clawson, Jon Decious, Jessie Jo Dillon, Josh Dorr, Alexandra Gavillet, Lalo Guzman, Jimmy Harnen, Brandon Lake, Micah Nichols, John Park, Aaron Raitiere, Matt Rovey, Kyle Sturrock, Wales Toney, Tucker Wetmore, Stephen Wilson Jr.

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Quick highlights

• Top nominations: Ella Langley, Megan Moroney, Lainey Wilson with six each
• Five nominations: Zach Top
• Four nominations: Riley Green, Cody Johnson
• Entertainer of the Year field: Luke Combs, Cody Johnson, Chris Stapleton, Morgan Wallen, Lainey Wilson

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The 59th CMA Awards — Final Nominees

Entertainer of the Year

Luke Combs
Cody Johnson
Chris Stapleton
Morgan Wallen
Lainey Wilson

Single of the Year

Award goes to artist, producer, and mix engineer

“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 and Riley Green
Producer: Will Bundy
Mix Engineer: Jim Cooley

Album of the Year

Award goes to artist, producer, and mix engineer

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

“4x4xU”
Writers: Jon Decious, Aaron Raitiere, Lainey Wilson

“Am I Okay?”
Writers: Jessie Jo Dillon, Luke Laird, Megan Moroney

“I Never Lie”
Writers: Carson Chamberlain, Tim Nichols, Zach Top

“Texas”
Writers: Johnny Clawson, Josh Dorr, Lalo Guzman, Kyle Sturrock

“you look like you love me”
Writers: 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

“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 featuring Blake Shelton
Producers: Louis Bell, Charlie Handsome

“You Had To Be There” — Megan Moroney featuring 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 and director

“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 and Riley Green
Directors: Ella Langley, John Park, Wales Toney

New Artist of the Year

Ella Langley
Shaboozey
Zach Top
Tucker Wetmore
Stephen Wilson Jr.

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Broadcast and balloting

Final voting for the CMA Awards will be conducted by eligible CMA Professional members during the third and final balloting window. CMA Broadcast Awards winners will be determined by a final round of judging by a panel of broadcast professionals, with recipients to be celebrated on the telecast.

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Useful context on select projects

• Lainey Wilson — Whirlwind
  Wilson’s 2024 album and subsequent deluxe edition extend her run of radio and touring milestones.
• Zach Top — Cold Beer & Country Music
  Top’s 2024 album set includes I Never Lie and Sounds Like the Radio, marking his rise on radio and the road.
• Post Malone — F-1 Trillion
  Malone’s country album features an all-star cast and producers Louis Bell and Charlie Handsome, with Pour Me A Drink featuring Blake Shelton arriving as a key collaboration.
• Shaboozey
  The breakout of A Bar Song (Tipsy) defined his 2024, setting up his CMA new-artist look.

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CMA Broadcast Awards finalists

Finalists across national, major, medium, small, and weekly categories have been announced, with winners to be revealed in October and recognized on the CMA Awards telecast.

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Tickets and ways to watch

Tickets for The 59th Annual CMA Awards are available via the CMA’s official platforms. The show airs live Wednesday, Nov. 19 on ABC with next-day streaming on Hulu.