The 2026 GRAMMY Nominations Are Here – A Big Year for Country Music

The Recording Academy has officially revealed the nominees for the 68th Annual GRAMMY Awards, taking place Sunday, February 1st, 2026, at Los Angeles’ Crypto.com Arena and airing live on CBS with next-day streaming on Paramount+. While performers and presenters are still to be announced, one thing is already clear: country music will have a major presence this year.

A New Category Shakes Up the Country Field

This year marks the debut of a brand-new GRAMMY category for the genre: Best Traditional Country Album. As a result, the long-standing Best Country Album category has now been renamed Best Contemporary Country Album, giving artists across both sides of the country spectrum a chance to take home one of music’s most coveted awards.

A Stacked Group for the First-Ever Traditional Country GRAMMY

The inaugural Best Traditional Country Album lineup is loaded with standout records. Charley Crockett earns a nomination for Dollar A Day, while Margo Price is recognized for Hard Headed Woman. Zach Top’s Ain’t In It For My Health joins the group, alongside American Romance from Lukas Nelson and Oh What A Beautiful World from his father, Willie Nelson. Seeing father and son nominated in the same category is one of this year’s most memorable surprises.

Big Names Fill the Contemporary Country Category

The newly renamed Best Contemporary Country Album field brings together some of the format’s most recognizable voices. Tyler Childers lands a nomination for Snipe Hunter, a placement that may surprise fans who expected him in the “traditional” category. Kelsea Ballerini enters the race with Patterns, while Eric Church scores recognition for Evangeline Vs. The Machine. Rounding out the list are Jelly Roll with Beautifully Broken and Miranda Lambert with Postcards From Texas.

Notable Absences and Submission Choices

One of the biggest talking points is the absence of Morgan Wallen, though the reason is already known – Wallen did not submit any material for consideration at the 2025 GRAMMY Awards, a decision confirmed earlier this year.

Country Artists Shine Across Additional Categories

Tyler Childers earns another major nomination in Best Country Solo Performance for the long-loved fan favourite “Nose on the Grindstone.” His recent studio recording of the song has reintroduced it to a wider audience, and its nomination feels like a full-circle moment.

A Diverse Mix of Country Voices Recognized

This year’s country categories also spotlight Miranda Lambert, Chris Stapleton, Zach Top, Lainey Wilson, George Strait, and Jelly Roll, reflecting a strong mix of mainstream and traditional influences. There are also a few curveballs – including Shaboozey, who picks up two song nominations – and some unexpected omissions, such as Turnpike Troubadours, who many fans felt were overlooked.

Country Music Shut Out of the ‘Big Four’

Despite its massive commercial success over the past year, country music did not secure any placements in the GRAMMYs’ top all-genre awards: Album of the Year, Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best New Artist. It’s a disappointing outcome for a format currently dominating charts and touring, but not entirely shocking given past trends.

A Solid Year for Country – and Two Big New Prize Fights Ahead

Even with a few head-scratchers, this year’s GRAMMY nominations reflect a healthier level of recognition for country artists than many other award shows typically offer. The Academy continues to be noticeably more inclusive of both mainstream and independent country voices.

With the addition of Best Traditional Country Album and the revamped Best Contemporary Country Album, the 2026 ceremony promises two of the most compelling country races in years. Fans will be watching closely to see which artists take home the first-ever traditional-country prize – and which modern stars emerge victorious on the contemporary side.