CMA Unveils Final Nominees for 60th Annual Awards Ceremony

The Country Music Association (CMA) announced final nominees for “The 60th Annual CMA Awards,” recognizing the artists, songwriters, producers, mix engineers, musicians and music video directors whose work has defined Country Music throughout the last year.

Nominees are determined by CMA’s 7,083 voting-eligible Professional members, spanning every segment of the industry.

“For six decades, the CMA Awards have celebrated excellence in country music,” stated Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “We’re grateful to CMA’s Professional members, whose collective voice determines every nomination, bringing real expertise to the balloting process each year.”

Ella Langley topped the list with nine nominations, while other top nominees include Miranda Lambert with seven nominations, Kacey Musgraves and Ben West with five nominations each, Cody Johnson, Chris Stapleton and Stephen Wilson Jr. with four nominations each, and Dave Clauss, Luke Combs and Lainey Wilson with three nominations each.

Vying for the night’s highest honor, CMA Entertainer of the Year, are Luke Combs, Cody Johnson, Ella Langley, Chris Stapleton and Lainey Wilson, who is returning as host for the televised three-hour special. “The 60th Annual CMA Awards,” will be broadcast live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Nov. 18 (8:00–11:00 PM/EST) on ABC, Disney+ and next day on Hulu.

First-time CMA Awards nominees include Smith Ahnquist, Avery Anna, Jack Antonoff, Tim Cofield, Carter Faith, Austin Goodloe, Muscadine Bloodline, Emily Ann Roberts, Caylee Robillard, Laura Sisk, Joybeth Taylor, Thelma & James and Ben West.

Winners of “The 60th Annual CMA Awards” will be determined in a Final Round of voting by voting-eligible CMA Professional members. The third and Final Ballot will be emailed on Thursday, Oct. 1. Voting for the CMA Awards Final Ballot ends Tuesday, Oct. 27 (6:00 PM/CT). All balloting is tabulated by the professional services organization, Deloitte.

“The 60th 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. Tickets for “The 60th Annual CMA Awards” go on sale Sept. 18.

“The 60th Annual CMA Awards” Final Nominees (by ballot category):

Entertainer of the Year

Luke Combs

Cody Johnson

Ella Langley

Chris Stapleton

Lainey Wilson

Single of the Year (award goes to artist, producer(s) and mix engineer(s))

“Be Her” – Ella Langley / Producers Miranda Lambert, Ella Langley, Ben West / Mix Engineer Dave Clauss

“Choosin’ Texas” – Ella Langley / Producers Miranda Lambert, Ella Langley, Ben West / Mix Engineer Dave Clauss

“I Knew It, I Knew You” – Taylor Swift / Producers Jack Antonoff, Taylor Swift / Mix Engineer Laura Sisk

“Somewhere Over Laredo” – Lainey Wilson / Producer Jay Joyce / Mix Engineers Jason Hall, Jay Joyce

“The Fall” – Cody Johnson / Producer Trent Willmon / Mix Engineer Jack Clarke

Album of the Year (award goes to artist, producer(s) and mix engineer(s))

Ain’t In It For My Health – Zach Top / Producer Carson Chamberlain / Mix Engineer Matt Rovey

Dandelion – Ella Langley / Producers Devin Dawson, Ella Langley, Miranda Lambert, Ben West / Mix Engineer Dave Clauss

Middle of Nowhere – Kacey Musgraves / Producers Ian Fitchuk, Luke Laird, Kacey Musgraves, Daniel Tashian / Mix Engineers Serban Ghenea, Konrad Snyder

Parker McCollum – Parker McCollum / Producers Frank Liddell, Eric Masse / Mix Engineer Eric Masse

The Way I Am – Luke Combs / Producers Luke Combs, Chip Matthews, Jonathan Singleton / Mix Engineer Chip Matthews

Song of the Year (award goes to songwriter(s))

“Be Her” / Smith Ahnquist, Michael Hardy, Ella Langley, Jordan Schmidt

“Beautiful Things” / Jessi Alexander, Jessie Jo Dillon, Connie Harrington, Megan Moroney

“Choosin’ Texas” / Luke Dick, Ella Langley, Miranda Lambert, Joybeth Taylor

“Dry Spell” / Luke Laird, Shane McAnally, Kacey Musgraves, Josh Osborne

“Gary” / Stephen Wilson Jr.

Female Vocalist of the Year

Miranda Lambert

Ella Langley

Megan Moroney

Kacey Musgraves

Lainey Wilson

Male Vocalist of the Year

Luke Combs

Cody Johnson

Chris Stapleton

Zach Top

Stephen Wilson Jr.

Vocal Group of the Year

Lady A

Little Big Town

Midland

Old Dominion

The Red Clay Strays

Vocal Duo of the Year

Brooks & Dunn

Brothers Osborne

Dan + Shay

Muscadine Bloodline

Thelma & James

Musical Event of the Year (award goes to artist(s) and producer(s))

“A Song To Sing” – Miranda Lambert (with Chris Stapleton) / Producer Dave Cobb

“Horses and Divorces” – Kacey Musgraves (feat. Miranda Lambert) / Producers Kacey Musgraves, Daniel Tashian

“I Can’t Love You Anymore” – Ella Langley & Morgan Wallen / Producers Austin Goodloe, Ella Langley, Ben West

“If I Don’t Leave I’m Gonna Stay” – Carly Pearce & Riley Green / Producers Carly Pearce, Ben West

“McArthur” – HARDY, Eric Church, Morgan Wallen & Tim McGraw / Producer Jay Joyce

Musician of the Year

Tom Bukovac – Guitar

Jenee Fleenor – Fiddle

Paul Franklin – Steel Guitar

Rob McNelley – Guitar

Charlie Worsham – Guitar

Music Video of the Year (award goes to artist(s) and director(s))

“Choosin’ Texas” – Ella Langley / Directors Ella Langley, Caylee Robillard, Wales Toney

“Dry Spell” – Kacey Musgraves / Directors Hannah Lux Davis, Kacey Musgraves

“Gary” – Stephen Wilson Jr. / Directors Tim Cofield, Stephen Wilson Jr.

“The Fall” – Cody Johnson / Director Dustin Haney

“White Horse” – Chris Stapleton / Director Running Bear

New Artist of the Year

Avery Anna

Carter Faith

Emily Ann Roberts

Tucker Wetmore

Stephen Wilson Jr.

_Originally reported by [Pollstar](https://news.pollstar.com/2026/09/10/the-country-music-association-announces-final-nominees-for-the-60th-annual-cma-awards/)._