The nominees have been announced for the 2026 ACM Awards!

Entertainer

• Luke Combs
• Jelly Roll
• Cody Johnson
• Megan Moroney
• Chris Stapleton
• Morgan Wallen
• Lainey Wilson

Female

• Kelsea Ballerini
• Miranda Lambert
• Ella Langley
• Megan Moroney
• Lainey Wilson

Male

• Luke Combs
• Riley Green
• Cody Johnson
• Chris Stapleton
• Zach Top

Duo

• Brooks & Dunn
• Brothers Osborne
• Dan + Shay
• Muscadine Bloodline
• Thelma & James

Group

• 49 Winchester
• Flatland Cavalry
• Old Dominion
• Rascal Flatts
• The Red Clay Strays

New Female

• Avery Anna
• Mackenzie Carpenter
• Dasha
• Caroline Jones
• Emily Ann Roberts

New Male

• Gavin Adcock
• Vincent Mason
• Shaboozey
• Hudson Westbrook
• Tucker Wetmore

Album

• Ain’t In It For My Health, Zach Top
• Cherry Valley, Carter Faith
• Don’t Mind If I Do (Deluxe), Riley Green
• I’m The Problem, Morgan Wallen
• Parker McCollum, Parker McCollum

Single

• “6 Months Later,” Megan Moroney
• “Choosin’ Texas,” Ella Langley
• “I Never Lie,” Zach Top
• “Somewhere Over Laredo,” Lainey Wilson
• “The Fall,” Cody Johnson

Song

• “A Song To Sing,” Miranda Lambert and Chris Stapleton, writers: Stapleton, Lambert, Jenee Fleenor, Jesse Frasure
• “Am I Okay?” Megan Moroney, writers: Moroney, Luke Laird, Jessie Jo Dillon
• “Choosin’ Texas,” Ella Langley, writers: Langley, Luke Dick, Miranda Lambert, Joybeth Taylor
• “I Never Lie,” Zach Top, writers: Top, Carson Chamberlain, Tim Nichols
• “Somewhere Over Laredo,” Lainey Wilson, writers: Wilson, Trannie Anderson, Dallas Wilson, Andy Albert, Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg

Music Event

• “A Song To Sing,” Miranda Lambert, Chris Stapleton
• “Amen,” Shaboozey, Jelly Roll
• “Don’t Mind If I Do,” Riley Green, Ella Langley
• “Trailblazer,” Reba McEntire, Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson
• “You Had To Be There,” Megan Moroney, Kenny Chesney

Visual Media

• “6 Months Later,” Megan Moroney
• “A Song To Sing,” Miranda Lambert, Chris Stapleton
• “Cuckoo,” Stephen Wilson, Jr.
• “Somewhere Over Laredo,” Lainey Wilson
• “The Fall,” Cody Johnson

Artist-Songwriter

• Luke Combs
• Riley Green
• Ella Langley
• Megan Moroney
• Morgan Wallen

Songwriter

• Jessie Jo Dillon
• Ashley Gorley
• Charlie Handsome
• Chase McGill
• Blake Pendergrass

Entertainer of The Year:

Josh Weathers

Male Artist of the Year: 

Grant Gilbert

Female Artist of the Year: 

Kylie Frey

Country Band of the Year:

Huser Brothers

Western Swing or Bluegrass Artist or Band of the Year 

Billy  Mata and Texas Tradition

Tejano Artist or Band of the Year

Ram Herrera

Americana Artist of the Year:

Lowdown Drifters

Alternative Artist of the Year

Creed Fisher

Young Artist (18 & Under):

Elle Townley

Emerging Artist:

Tristan Roberson

Country Album of The Year:

“Real Simple Country,” Jesse Raub Jr.

Country Single of the Year:

“Texas In Me,” Kensie Coppin

Terrestrial Radio Station of the Year: 

98.5 FM KRXT, Rockdale/Taylor

Broadcast Personality of The Year: 

Buzz Russell, KNES 99.1 FM Texas 99, Fairfield

Internet Radio Station of the Year: 

TexasBoundRadio.com

Live Music Venue of the Year: 

Rhinestone Saloon, Fort Worth

Christian Country Artist of the Year: 

Aaron Loy

Bassist of the Year: 

Michael Moad

Fiddler of the Year: 

Rico Gonzales

Guitarist of the Year: 

Hayden Baker

Keyboard/Pianist of the Year: 

Todd Stewart

Steel Guitarist of the Year: 

Tommy Detamore

Drummer of the Year: 

Justin Cogneato

TCMA Artist Scholarship 

Dillon Edwards

Trailblazer Award

Kevin Fowler

Moe Bandy Icon Award

Robert Earl Keen

Country Songwriter of the Year:

Curtis Grimes & Bobby Evans for “What I’m Here For”

Christian Country Songwriter of the Year:  

Tyson Leamon for “Who I Am”

From the CMA:

Shine up those boots and break out the bell-bottoms because Lainey Wilson is back to run the show at “The 59^th Annual CMA Awards” for the second year in a row! With the most nominations, including a shot at Entertainer of the Year, Wilson isn’t just hosting, she’s setting the stage for legendary performances, big wins, and a few surprises along the way.

Country Music’s Biggest Night goes live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 8/7c on ABC, with streaming available the next day on Hulu.

This is one party you won’t want to miss – so consider this your official invite.

The CMA Announced yesterday the finalists for the 59th CMA Awards:

Entertainer

• Luke Combs
• Cody Johnson
• Chris Stapleton
• Morgan Wallen
• Lainey Wilson

Female

• Kelsea Ballerini
• Miranda Lambert
• Ella Langley
• Megan Moroney
• Lainey Wilson

Male

• Luke Combs
• Cody Johnson
• Chris Stapleton
• Zach Top
• Morgan Wallen

Group

• Lady A
• Little Big Town
• Old Dominion
• Rascal Flatts
• The Red Clay Strays

Duo

• Brooks & Dunn
• Brothers Osborne
• Dan + Shay
• Maddie & Tae
• The War And Treaty

Single

• “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

• 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

• “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

Event

• “Don’t Mind If I Do” – Riley Green f/Ella Langley; Producers: Scott Borchetta, Jimmy Harnen, Dann Huff
• “Hard Fought Hallelujah” – Brandon Lake w/Jelly Roll; Producer: Micah Nichols
• “I’m Gonna Love You” – Cody Johnson w/Carrie Underwood; Producer: Trent Willmon
• “Pour Me A Drink” – Post Malone f/Blake Shelton; Producers: Louis Bell, Charlie Handsome
• “You Had To Be There” – Megan Moroney f/Kenny Chesney; Producer: Kristian Bush

Musician

• Jenee Fleenor – Fiddle
• Paul Franklin – Steel Guitar
• Brent Mason – Guitar
• Rob McNelley – Guitar
• Derek Wells – Guitar

Video

• “Am I Okay?” – Megan Moroney; Directors: Alexandra Gavillet, Megan Moroney
• “I’m Gonna Love You” – Cody Johnson w/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

• Ella Langley
• Shaboozey
• Zach Top
• Tucker Wetmore
• Stephen Wilson Jr.

Weekly National

• Country Countdown USA with Lon Helton – LH Productions
• The Country Top 40 with Fitz, Cory “Fitz” Fitzner – Hubbard Broadcasting
• The Original Country Gold, Rowdy Yates – Compass
• Today’s Country Radio, Kelleigh Bannen – Apple Music Radio
• Y’all Access with Kelly Sutton – Compass

Daily National

• Big D & Bubba; Derek “Big D” Haskins, Sean “Bubba” Powell, Carsen Humphreville, Jonathan Shaffer, Garrett Freche – Silverfish Media
• Highway Mornings with Cody Alan; Cody Alan, Lauryn Snapp – SiriusXM
• Ridin’ With Rowdy; Rowdy Yates – SuiteRadio / RFC Media
• The Rob and Holly Show; Rob Stone, Holly Hutton – Audacy
• Wilhite and Wall Show; Darren Wilhite, Tim Wall – Ebert Productions

Major Market

• Chris Carr & Company; Chris Carr, Sam Sansevere, “Dubs” Michael Wilczynski – KEEY/Minneapolis
• Hawkeye and Michelle; Mark “Hawkeye” Louis Rybczyk, Michelle Rodriguez – KSCS/Dallas
• The Lo Show; Lauren “Lo” Sessions-Barker – KKBQ/Houston
• Rachel Ryan; KSCS/Dallas
• The Scotty Kay Show – WUSN/Chicago

Large Market

• Deb & Matt in the Morning; Deborah Honeycutt, Matt Malone – WFMS/Indianapolis
• The Q Morning Crew w/ Mike & Amanda; Mike Wheless, Amanda Daughtry – WQDR/Raleigh
• Scott and Shannen; Scott Dolphin, “Shannen O” Oesterreich – WMIL/Milwaukee
• Tim & Chelsea; Tim Leary, Chelsea Taylor – WIRK/West Palm Beach
• Wayne D and Tay; “Wayne D” Danielson, Tay Hamilton – WSIX/Nashville

Medium Market

• The Doc Show with Chewy; Ken “Doc” Medek, Sean “Chewy” Medek – WGGY/Wilkes Barre
• Ellis and Bradley Show; Bill Ellis, Beth Bradley – WSSL/Greenville, SC
• Joey & Nancy; Joey Tack, Nancy Barger, Karly Duggan – WIVK/Knoxville
• Mo & StyckMan; Melissa “Mo” Wagner, Greg “StyckMan” Owens – WUSY/Chattanooga
• Spencer Graves Show; Spencer Graves, Megan Terry, Blair Davis – WDXB/Birmingham

Small Market

• Ben & Arnie; Ben Butler, Arnie Andrews – WCOW/La Crosse, WI
• Brent Lane and The Cat Pak Morning Show; Brent Lane, Jordan Glass – WYCT/Pensacola
• Dan Austin Show – WQHK/Fort Wayne, IN
• Hilley & Hart; Kevin Hilley, Erin Hart – KATI/Columbia, MO
• Liz & Scotty in the Morning; Liz Del Grosso, Scotty Cox – KCLR/Columbia, MO

Radio Station

Major Market

• KKBQ/Houston
• KSCS/Dallas
• KYGO/Denver
• WUSN/Chicago
• WXTU/Philadelphia

Large Market

• WCTK/Providence
• WMIL/Milwaukee
• WSIX/Nashville
• WUBE/Cincinnati
• WWKA/Orlando

Medium Market

• KUZZ/Bakersfield
• WHKO/Dayton
• WIVK/Knoxville
• WLFP/Memphis
• WQMX/Akron

Small Market

• KATI/Jefferson City, MO
• KCLR/Columbia, MO
• WCOW/La Crosse, WI
• WKML/Fayetteville, NC
• WXBQ/Johnson City, TN

This Week’s Country Music News and Videos

• This Week’s Texas Country Music Chart
• Date Set for 59th CMA Awards
• Brothers Osborne Fan Club Party Announced
• Video:  Luke Combs Shares Tour and New Music Update
• Vintage Video:  “Redneck Woman” by 33 Years
• Smithfield Announces Fan Club Party
• Lyric Video:  “Who I’m From” by Craig Morgan
• Lyric Video:  “You Were There” by Thompson Square

This Date in Country Music History

• 2024 – The ACM Awards aired live on Amazon Prime from Frisco, TX
• 2021 – Songwriter Patsy Bruce passed away.  She co-wrote “Mama’s Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to be Cowboys”
• 2020 – Kenny Chesney scored a #1 album with Here and Now
• 2009 – David Nail made his Grand Ole Opry debut
• 1998 – Faith Hill topped the charts with “This Kiss”
• 1988 – Martina McBride married her husband John
• 1980 – Alabama releases their future #1 hit “Tennessee River” as a single

Today’s Birthdays

• Ray Benson (Asleep at the Wheel)
• Rick Trevino
• Scott Reeves (Blue County)

Today’s New Albums

• None Today

Today’s New Singles

• You Were There – Thompson Square

Today’s Photo Flashback

• Billy Currington – 5/16/14 – Gulfstream Park for Kiss Country’s Undercover Concert in Hallandale, FL

This Week’s Notable Events

• Morgan Wallen’s Sand in My Boots – Gulf Shores, AL – May 16, 2025
• Boots in the Park – Albuquerque, NM – May 17, 2025
• Morgan Wallen’s Sand in My Boots – Gulf Shores, AL – May 17, 2025
• Boots in the Park – Albuquerque, NM – May 18, 2025
• Morgan Wallen’s Sand in My Boots – Gulf Shores, AL – May 18, 2025
• Tracy Lawrence – Nashville, TN – May 18, 2025
• Tucker Wetmore – Nashville, TN – May 21, 2025
• Kenny Chesney – Las Vegas, NV – May 22, 2025 – 8:00 pm
• Boston Calling – Boston, MA – May 23, 2025
• Eric Church – Nashville, TN – May 23, 2025 – 8:00 pm

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