These are the 2025 Country Music Awards nominees | CMA nominations and categories

Nashville hasn’t even rolled out the red carpet yet, but there’s an energy around this year’s Country Music Awards. Insiders have been whispering for months that 2025 would be a transitional year for country music, with newcomers rising fast and established stars refusing to loosen their grip. The nominations confirmed it: this is shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable CMA battles in recent memory.

The headline? A three-way tie at the top. Lainey Wilson, Ella Langley and Megan Moroney each pulled in six nominations. Zach Top, the breakout with a throwback soul, is sitting just behind them with five nods and a legitimate shot at shaking up multiple major categories.

Wilson will also step onto the Bridgestone Arena stage as host, presiding over a performer slate stacked with Luke Combs, Chris Stapleton, Kelsea Ballerini, Miranda Lambert and Keith Urban.

Below is the full list of nominees steering the conversation ahead of November 19.

Entertainer of the Year

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

Album of the Year

• Am I Okay? — Megan Moroney
• Cold Beer & Country Music — Zach Top
• F-1 Trillion — Post Malone
• I’m the Problem — Morgan Wallen
• Whirlwind — Lainey Wilson

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 & Treaty

New Artist of the Year

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

Single of the Year

• ‘4x4xU’ — Lainey Wilson
• ‘Ain’t No Love in Oklahoma’ — Luke Combs
• ‘Am I Okay?’ — Megan Moroney
• ‘I Never Lie’ — Zach Top
• ‘you look like you love me’ — Ella Langley & Riley Green

Song of the Year

• ‘4x4xU’
• ‘Am I Okay?’
• ‘I Never Lie
• ’‘Texas’
• ‘you look like you love me’

Musical Event of the Year

• ‘Don’t Mind If I Do’ — Riley Green ft. Ella Langley
• ‘Hard Fought Hallelujah’ — Brandon Lake with Jelly Roll
• ‘I’m Gonna Love You’ — Cody Johnson with Carrie Underwood
• ‘Pour Me a Drink’ — Post Malone ft. Blake Shelton
• ‘You Had to Be There’ — Megan Moroney ft. Kenny Chesney

Music Video of the Year

• ‘Am I Okay?’ — Megan Moroney
• ‘I’m Gonna Love You’ — Cody Johnson with Carrie Underwood
• ‘Somewhere Over Laredo’ — Lainey Wilson
• ‘Think I’m In Love With You’ — Chris Stapleton
• ‘you look like you love me’ — Ella Langley & Riley Green

Musician of the Year

• Jenee Fleenor
• Paul Franklin
• Brent Mason
• Rob McNelley
• Derek Wells

Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.

Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.