Louisiana-native Lainey Wilson is having a breakout year as she tops the Country Music Association Awards nominations in her first year as a nominee, earning nods in six categories including album of the year, female vocalist of the year and song of the year.
Wilson is only the fourth artist in the history of the CMAs to earn six nominations in her first year, following Glen Campbell, Brad Paisley and Kacey Musgraves. She’s also up for new artist of the year, music video and musical event.
Other leading nominees include Ashley McBryde, Carly Pearce, Chris Stapleton and writer-producer Shane McAnally, who all have nominations in five categories. The CMA Awards, hosted by Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning, will air on Wednesday, Nov. 9 on ABC.
Wilson’s 2021 album “Sayin’ What I’m Thinkin’” last year earned her critical accolades, spurred on by the success of her country radio No. 1 hit “Things a Man Oughta Know.” Her next album, “Bell Bottom Country,” is due out in October.
Reigning CMA entertainer of the year Luke Combs is back in the top category, alongside Miranda Lambert, Stapleton, Carrie Underwood and Morgan Wallen. This is Wallen’s first nomination in the category.
McBryde and Pearce share four nominations for their hit duet “Never Wanted To Be That Girl,” which they co-wrote with McAnally. McBryde and Pearce also are in the running for female vocalist of the year, alongside Lambert, Underwood and Wilson.
Stapleton is nominated for single and song of the year for “You Should Probably Leave,” which he also co-produced with Dave Cobb. He’s also nominated alongside Taylor Swift, for joining in her music video for “I Bet You Think About Me (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault).” Actor Blake Lively earned a nomination for directing the music video.
Lambert has extended her historic run as the most nominated female artist in CMA history, with now 61 nominations. She’s only behind George Strait and Alan Jackson for most nominations. She earned her 16th straight nomination for female vocalist, also a record. She’s also nominated for album of the year for “Palomino,” which she co-produced.
Alongside Lambert and Wilson in the album of the year category are Combs for his record “Growin’ Up,” Maren Morris for “Humble Quest” and Old Dominion for “Time, Tequila & Therapy.” Eric Church joins Combs, Stapleton, Wallen and Cody Johnson in the male vocalist of the year category.
Chris Stapleton received nominations in five categories.Getty ImagesEntertainer of the Year
Luke Combs
Miranda Lambert
Chris Stapleton
Carrie Underwood
Morgan Wallen
Single of the Year
“Buy Dirt” — Jordan Davis featuring Luke Bryan; Producer: Paul DiGiovanni; Mix Engineer: Jim Cooley
“half of my hometown” — Kelsea Ballerini (feat. Kenny Chesney); Producers: Kelsea Ballerini, Ross Copperman, Jimmy Robbins; Mix Engineer: Dan Grech-Marguerat
“Never Wanted to Be That Girl” — Carly Pearce and Ashley McBryde; Producers: Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne; Mix Engineer: Ryan Gore
“‘Til You Can’t” — Cody Johnson; Producer: Trent Willmon; Mix Engineer: Jack Clarke
“You Should Probably Leave” — Chris Stapleton; Producers: Dave Cobb, Chris Stapleton; Mix Engineer: Vance Powell
Album of the Year
Growin’ Up — Luke Combs; Producers: Luke Combs, Chip Matthews, Jonathan Singleton; Mix Engineers: Jim Cooley, Chip Matthews
Humble Quest — Maren Morris; Producer: Greg Kurstin; Mix Engineer: Serban Ghenea
Palomino — Miranda Lambert; Producers: Luke Dick, Miranda Lambert, Jon Randall, Mikey Reaves; Mix Engineer: Jason Lehning
Sayin’ What I’m Thinkin’ — Lainey Wilson; Producer: Jay Joyce; Mix Engineer: F. Reid Shippen
Time, Tequila & Therapy — Old Dominion; Producers: Shane McAnally, Old Dominion; Mix Engineer: Justin Niebank
Ashley McBryde (pictured) and Carly Pearce share four nominations for their hit duet “Never Wanted To Be That Girl.”WireImageSong of the Year
“Buy Dirt” — Songwriters: Jacob Davis, Jordan Davis, Josh Jenkins, Matt Jenkins
“Never Wanted to Be That Girl” — Songwriters: Shane McAnally, Ashley McBryde, Carly Pearce
“Sand In My Boots” — Songwriters: Ashley Gorley, Michael Hardy, Josh Osborne
“Things a Man Oughta Know” — Songwriters: Jason Nix, Jonathan Singleton, Lainey Wilson
“You Should Probably Leave” — Songwriters: Chris DuBois, Ashley Gorley, Chris Stapleton
Female Vocalist of the Year
Miranda Lambert
Ashley McBryde
Carly Pearce
Carrie Underwood
Lainey Wilson
Male Vocalist of the Year
Eric Church
Luke Combs
Cody Johnson
Chris Stapleton
Morgan Wallen
Vocal Group of the Year
Lady A
Little Big Town
Midland
Old Dominion
Zac Brown Band
Ashley McBryde and Carly Pearce also are in the running for female vocalist of the year, alongside Miranda Lambert, Carrie Underwood and Lainey Wilson.Getty Images for ACMVOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR
Brooks & Dunn
Brothers Osborne
Dan + Shay
LOCASH
Maddie & Tae
Musical Event of the Year
“Beers On Me” — Dierks Bentley with BRELAND & HARDY; Producers: Dierks Bentley, Ross Copperman
“If I Didn’t Love You” — Jason Aldean and Carrie Underwood; Producer: Michael Knox
“Longneck Way to Go” — Midland (featuring Jon Pardi); Producers: Dann Huff, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne
“Never Say Never” — Cole Swindell (with Lainey Wilson); Producer: Zach Crowell
“Never Wanted to Be That Girl” — Carly Pearce and Ashley McBryde; Producers: Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne
Musician of the Year
Jenee Fleenor, Fiddle
Paul Franklin, Steel guitar
Brent Mason, Guitar
Ilya Toshinskiy, Banjo
Derek Wells, Guitar
Music Video of the Year
“I Bet You Think About Me” (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault) — Taylor Swift (featuring Chris Stapleton); Director: Blake Lively
“Longneck Way to Go” — Midland (featuring Jon Pardi); Director: Harper Smith
“Never Say Never” — Cole Swindell (with Lainey Wilson); Director: Michael Monaco
“Never Wanted to Be That Girl” — Carly Pearce and Ashley McBryde; Director: Alexa Campbell
“‘Til You Can’t” — Cody Johnson; Director: Dustin Haney
New Artist of the Year
HARDY
Walker Hayes
Cody Johnson
Parker McCollum
Lainey Wilson
