{"id":679440,"date":"2026-09-09T00:34:15","date_gmt":"2026-09-09T00:34:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/679440\/"},"modified":"2026-09-09T00:34:15","modified_gmt":"2026-09-09T00:34:15","slug":"2026-cma-awards-nominations-predictions-our-picks-for-top-prizes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/679440\/","title":{"rendered":"2026 CMA Awards Nominations Predictions: Our Picks for Top Prizes"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tWhen the nominations for the 60th annual CMA Awards are announced on Thursday (Sept. 10), the only real mystery is just how many nods <a data-id=\"https:\/\/www.billboard.com\/artist\/ella-langley\/\" data-type=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.billboard.com\/artist\/ella-langley\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Ella Langley<\/a> will receive.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tThe \u201cChoosin\u2019 Texas\u201d artist is unlikely to break <a href=\"https:\/\/www.billboard.com\/artist\/alan-jackson\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Alan Jackson<\/a>\u2019s record of 10 nominations set in 2002, but that\u2019s only because of timing. \u201cJaded,\u201d her duet with Koe Wetzel, came out too late to be considered for musical event of the year or she\u2019d be looking at four possibilities between musical event and video of the year for \u201cI Can\u2019t Love You Anymore\u201d with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.billboard.com\/artist\/morgan-wallen\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Morgan Wallen<\/a> and \u201cJaded\u201d alone.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tLangley tied with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.billboard.com\/artist\/megan-moroney\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Megan Moroney<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.billboard.com\/artist\/lainey-wilson\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Lainey Wilson<\/a> with six nominations last year to lead all artists, but she\u2019s likely to head the field by herself this year, including landing her first entertainer of the year nod. If both she and reigning champ Wilson (also <a href=\"https:\/\/www.billboard.com\/music\/awards\/lainey-wilson-host-2026-cma-awards-1236334600\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">returning as the show\u2019s host<\/a>) receive EOTY nods, it will be the first time two women receive nominations in the same year since Wilson and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.billboard.com\/artist\/carrie-underwood\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Carrie Underwood<\/a> were nominated in 2023.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tHistory could be made if Langley, Wilson and Moroney all get nominated, which is a strong possibility, making it the first time in the 60-year history of the awards that three solo women are nominated in the same year. (Reba McEntire and The Judds were nominated from 1986-1988, while <a href=\"https:\/\/www.billboard.com\/artist\/shania-twain\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Shania Twain<\/a> and The Chicks received nods in 1999 and Faith Hill and The Chicks in 2000).\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tSeveral of this year\u2019s categories are extremely competitive, especially new artist of the year and male and female vocalist of the year.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tThe eligibility period is July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026. Additionally, for single of the year, the track must have reached the top 10 of Billboard\u2019s Country Airplay or Hot Country Songs charts or the Country Aircheck chart.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tKey nominations will be revealed by Good Morning America\u2019s Lara Spencer on the morning show on Thursday, while Lee Ann Womack and American Idol season 24 winner Hannah Harper will host a livestream on the CMA YouTube channel to announce the full list.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tThe 60th CMA Awards will air on ABC and, for the first time, stream live on Disney + on Nov. 18 as part of a new six-year extension the CMA signed with Disney in May.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tBelow are predictions for who will receive nominations in several of the main categories.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<ul class=\"pmc-fallback-list-items lrv-a-unstyle-list lrv-u-margin-t-2\">\n<li class=\"pmc-fallback-list-item-wrap lrv-u-margin-b-2\">\n<p>\tEntertainer of the Year<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\t<strong>Entertainer of the Year<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tLuke Combs<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tElla Langley<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tMegan Moroney<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tMorgan Wallen<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tLainey Wilson<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tWith a Billboard 200 chart-topping album, a 21-week-at-No. 1 Hot 100 juggernaut with \u201cChoosin\u2019 Texas\u201d and an in-demand headlining tour,\u00a0 it\u2019s hard to imagine that Langley wouldn\u2019t secure a slot in this year\u2019s top five. Moroney just concluded a titan of a headlining arena tour in the U.S. and will take the outing overseas this month. She also earned her first Billboard 200 chart-topping project, giving her a strong potential to earn her first CMA entertainer of the year nomination. Meanwhile, previous CMA entertainer of the year Morgan Wallen launched his stadium-headlining Still the Problem Tour and continued notching hits including the Langley collab \u201cI Can\u2019t Love You Anymore\u201d and his own \u201cDon\u2019t We.\u201d Former two-time CMA entertainer of the year winner Luke Combs recently concluded his stadium-headlining My Kinda Saturday Night Tour and has earned hits in the past year including \u201cSleepless in a Hotel Room.\u201d Meanwhile, reigning CMA EOTY champ Wilson wrapped her headlining Whirlwind World Tour in November, but has continued releasing new music including the John Mayer collab \u201cPhone, Keys, Wallet.\u201d \u2014 J.N.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"pmc-fallback-list-item-wrap lrv-u-margin-b-2\">\n<p>\t<strong>Male Vocalist of the Year<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tLuke Combs<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tRiley Green<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tCody Johnson<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tChris Stapleton<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tZach Top<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tThis is a tremendously competitive category this year. Combs, reigning winner Johnson and Stapleton are perennial nominees and remain deserving. (Stapleton has either won or been nominated for the past 11 years in a row and Combs the past eight.) Riley Green, whose career has taken off like a rocket the past two years, will likely get his first nomination in the category and Top, last year\u2019s best new artist winner, will receive his second, which means Morgan Wallen, despite having another great year, will likely not get nominated for the first time in five years. \u2013 M.N.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"pmc-fallback-list-item-wrap lrv-u-margin-b-2\">\n<p>\tFemale Vocalist of the Year<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tKelsea Ballerini<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tMiranda Lambert<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tElla Langley<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tMegan Moroney <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tLainey Wilson<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tMiranda Lambert has been nominated for this award 18 times and has won seven times, the most of any woman. She likely lands her 19th nomination here in part for her work with Langley. She co-wrote \u201cChoosin\u2019 Texas,\u201d but the two also duet on Dandlion\u2018s beautiful \u201cButterfly Season.\u201d Lambert also teamed with Chris Stapleton for \u201cA Song to Sing.\u201d In addition to Lambert and Langley, look for reigning winner Wilson to also land in the top five, as well as Moroney and Ballerini, making the nominations likely the same as last year. \u2014 J.N.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"pmc-fallback-list-item-wrap lrv-u-margin-b-2\">\n<p>\tNew Artist of the Year<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tCarter Faith<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tStella Lefty<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tHudson Westbrook<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tTucker Wetmore<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tStephen Wilson Jr.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tThere\u2019s no shortage of hot new artists to choose from in the category, which is yielding one of the strongest slates in years. Wetmore, who won in this category at the ACMs in May, almost seems too experienced to get a nod, but his success shouldn\u2019t count against him, and he feels like a shoo-in to get nominated after losing to Top last year (Artists can be nominated twice in this category; Wilson was also nominated last year). There\u2019s a bit of controversy surrounding Lefty after she has had to add co-writers to three of her songs, but she has brought a real excitement to the genre. It would have been easy to go 10 deep here and have them all be legitimate contenders. \u2013 M.N.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"pmc-fallback-list-item-wrap lrv-u-margin-b-2\">\n<p>\tVocal Group of the Year<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tFlatland Cavalry<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tParmalee<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tLittle Big Town<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tThe Red Clay Strays<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tOld Dominion<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tFlatland Cavalry currently has a top 40 hit on Billboard\u2019s Country Airplay chart with \u201cNever Comin\u2019 Back\u201d and is headlining their Work of Heart Tour. Little Big Town has either been nominated or won in this category each year since 2006 and have recently been back in the spotlight with a new album (although it was released after the close of the eligibility period, making the work ineligible, but not the band). Last year\u2019s winners The Red Clay Strays released the new album Grateful earlier this year, while\u00a0Old Dominion (who won the category from 2018-2024) released the new album Barbara in 2025. Meanwhile, it is long overdue for Parmalee to earn awards nominations recognition, given how consistently they have notched radio hits over the past several years, including 2025 Country Airplay leader, \u201cCowgirl.\u201d \u2014 J.N.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"pmc-fallback-list-item-wrap lrv-u-margin-b-2\">\n<p>\tVocal Duo of the Year<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tBrooks &amp; Dunn<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tBrothers Osborne<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tDan + Shay<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tLOCASH<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tThe War &amp; Treaty<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tBrooks &amp; Dunn, Dan + Shay and Brothers Osborne are automatic nods (you have to go back to 2018 to find a year all three weren\u2019t nominated and it\u2019s been since 2015 that one of the three didn\u2019t win) After Florida Georgia Line went on hiatus, it\u2019s been a struggle to round out the other two nominees with acts that have real traction and airplay.\u00a0 FGL are back together but shouldn\u2019t get nominated until they put out new music (though voters may disagree). It\u2019s hard to pick a fifth nominee, but The War &amp; Treaty are always deserving even though they are better received outside of country music than in. \u2014 M.N.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"pmc-fallback-list-item-wrap lrv-u-margin-b-2\">\n<p>\tSingle of the Year<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\t\u201cBe By You,\u201d Luke Combs<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\t\u201cThe Fall,\u201d Cody Johnson<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\t\u201cChoosin\u2019 Texas,\u201d Ella Langley<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\t\u201cI Knew You, I Loved You,\u201d Taylor Swift<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\t\u201cSomewhere Over Laredo,\u201d Lainey Wilson<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tIt\u2019s weird to think that Swift isn\u2019t the leader in any category she\u2019s nominated in, but no one can\u2014or should\u2014beat \u201cChoosin\u2019 Texas\u201d for single of the year (which won the honor at the ACM Awards). The song has singlehandedly upended the music world in 2026, introducing millions of new fans to country music and broken records almost weekly.\u00a0 If Swift is nominated, it will be her first CMA nomination since \u201cI Bet You Think About Me\u201d for video of the year in 2022 \u2013from Red (Taylor\u2019s Version). \u00a0 (Her last CMA win was for song of the year for writing \u201cBetter Man,\u201d performed by Little Big Town). \u201cThe Fall\u201d may be better suited for song of the year but should get a nod in both. \u2013 M.N.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"pmc-fallback-list-item-wrap lrv-u-margin-b-2\">\n<p>\tAlbum of the Year<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tLuke Combs, The Way I Am<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tCody Johnson, Banks of the Trinity<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tElla Langley, Dandelion<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tMegan Moroney, Cloud 9<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tKacey Musgraves, Middle of Nowhere<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tElla Langley and Megan Moroney both notched their first all-genre Billboard 200 chart-topping albums in 2026 with Dandelion and Cloud 9, respectively. Each contains some of the artist\u2019s biggest hits to date, so it is hard to imagine either project not getting a nom. Meanwhile, Johnson released another solid album with Banks of the Trinity. He previously triumphed in this category with Leather. Luke Combs\u2019s The Way I Am debuted atop Billboard\u2019s Top Country Albums chart, and houses hits including \u201cBack In The Saddle\u201d and \u201cBe By You,\u201d while he\u2019s previously won in this category twice. Musgraves previously won in this category with Golden Hour, and her newest project marks some of her most traditionally country leaning material in the past few years. \u2014 J.N.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"pmc-fallback-list-item-wrap lrv-u-margin-b-2\">\n<p>\tSong of the Year<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\t\u201cChoosin\u2019 Texas,\u201d Ella Langley  (written by Ella Langley, Luke Dick, Miranda Lambert and Joybeth Taylor)<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\t\u201cThe Fall,\u201d Cody Johnson (written by Bobby Pinson, Jeremy Stover and Ray Fulcher)<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\t\u201cBeautiful Things,\u201d Megan Moroney (written by Megan Moroney, Jessi Alexander, Jessie Jo Dillon and Connie Harrington)<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\t\u201cDry Spell,\u201d Kacey Musgraves (written by Kacey Musgraves, Shane McAnally, Luke Laird and Josh Osborne)<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\t\u201cBe Her,\u201d Ella Langley (written by Ella Langley, Jordan Schmidt, Michael Hardy, Smith Ahnquist)<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tThis year\u2019s song of the year category has several elegantly written songs that could compete for the top prize. Ella Langley and her juggernaut \u201cChoosin\u2019 Texas\u201d are likely to dominate this year\u2019s nominations, but she could also score a nod for the catchy and resonant \u201cBe Her.\u201d The Cody Johnson-recorded \u201cThe Fall\u201d is the kind of introspective, emotional ballad with a timeless, cinematic feel that seems to historically draw CMA voters. Meanwhile, Moroney\u2019s \u201cBeautiful Things\u201d has become a strong fan favorite and chart hit, and could earn her a nomination. Kacey Musgraves is no stranger to this category, having most recently been nominated in the category in 2019 for \u201cRainbow.\u201d Her bold, wry \u201cDry Spell\u201d caught fans\u2019 attention and could garner a nod. \u2014 J.N.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"When the nominations for the 60th annual CMA Awards are announced on Thursday (Sept. 10), the only real&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":679441,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_share_on_mastodon":"0"},"categories":[264],"tags":[4648,21953,18,117,10433,19,17,337],"class_list":["post-679440","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-music","tag-awards","tag-cma-awards","tag-eire","tag-entertainment","tag-genre-country","tag-ie","tag-ireland","tag-music"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@ie\/117238279055771031","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/679440","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=679440"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/679440\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/679441"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=679440"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=679440"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=679440"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}