The final nominees for The 49th Annual CMA Awards were revealed this morning (Sept. 9) in New York City. Kelsea Ballerini and Steven Tyler announced the final nominees in five categories on Good Morning America. The announcement of the remaining seven categories followed on GoodMorningAmerica.com on Yahoo.
Eric Church and Little Big Town lead the nominations with five nods each. This is Church’s first nod for Entertainer of the Year. Kenny Chesney and Miranda Lambert each received nominations in four categories. Chesney could earn two additional trophies for co-producing “American Kids” (vying for Single) and The Big Revival (vying for Album).
Sam Hunt, Maddie & Tae, Kacey Musgraves, and Chris Stapleton each received three nominations.
For the first time in the history of the CMA Awards, four acts—Ballerini, Hunt, Maddie & Tae, and Stapleton—received debut nods for both New Artist, and, respectively, Female Vocalist; Single and Song; Vocal Duo; and Male Vocalist and Album.
Artists who earned two nominations include Ballerini, Luke Bryan, Blake Shelton, and Carrie Underwood.
“I am very excited by this year’s list of nominees,” said Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “They represent the breadth and depth of the format—from first-time nominees to revered members of the Country Music Hall of Fame.”
Hosted for the eighth time by Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood, The 49th Annual CMA Awards three hour broadcast airs live Wednesday, Nov. 4 (8:00-11:00 p.m. ET) from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on ABC. The final round of voting from eligible voting members of the CMA will run from Thursday, Oct. 8- Tuesday, Oct. 27 (6:00 PM/CT).
Full list of 49th Annual CMA Award Nominees
Entertainer of Year
Garth Brooks
Luke Bryan
Kenny Chesney
Eric Church
Miranda Lambert
Album of Year
(Award goes to Artist and Producer(s))
Old Boots, New Dirt
Jason Aldean
Produced by Michael Knox
Broken Bow
Pageant Material
Kacey Musgraves
Produced by Kacey Musgraves, Luke Laird, and Shane McAnally
Mercury Nashville
Pain Killer
Little Big Town
Produced by Jay Joyce
Capitol Records Nashville
The Big Revival
Kenny Chesney
Produced by Buddy Cannon and Kenny Chesney
Blue Chair Records/Columbia Nashville
Traveller
Chris Stapleton
Produced by Dave Cobb and Chris Stapleton
Mercury Nashville
Male Vocalist
Dierks Bentley
Luke Bryan
Eric Church
Blake Shelton
Chris Stapleton
Female Vocalist
Kelsea Ballerini
Miranda Lambert
Kacey Musgraves
Carrie Underwood
Lee Ann Womack
New Artist
Kelsea Ballerini
Sam Hunt
Maddie & Tae
Thomas Rhett
Chris Stapleton
Vocal Group
Lady Antebellum
Little Big Town
Rascal Flatts
The Band Perry
Zac Brown Band
Vocal Duo
Brothers Osborne
Dan + Shay
Florida Georgia Line
Maddie & Tae
Thompson Square
Single of the Year
(Award goes to Artist and Producer(s))
“American Kids”
Kenny Chesney
Produced by Buddy Cannon and Kenny Chesney
Blue Chair Records/Columbia Nashville
“Girl Crush”
Little Big Town
Produced by Jay Joyce
Capitol Records Nashville
“I Don’t Dance”
Lee Brice
Produced by Lee Brice
Curb Records
“Take Your Time”
Sam Hunt
Produced Zach Crowell and Shane McAnally
MCA Nashville
“Talladega”
Eric Church
Produced by Jay Joyce and Arturo Buenahora, Jr.
EMI Records Nashville
Song of the Year
(Award goes to Songwriter(s))
“American Kids”
Rodney Clawson, Luke Laird, and Shane McAnally
“Girl Crush”
Liz Rose, Lori McKenna, and Hillary Lindsey
“Like a Cowboy”
Randy Houser and Brice Long
“Like a Wrecking Ball”
Eric Church and Casey Beathard
“Take Your Time”
Sam Hunt, Shane McAnally, and Josh Osborne
Musical Event
(Award goes to each artist)
Django and Jimmie
Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard
Legacy Recordings
“Lonely Tonight”
Blake Shelton featuring Ashley Monroe
Warner Bros./Warner Music Nashville
“Raise ‘Em Up”
Keith Urban featuring Eric Church
Hit Red Records/Capitol Records Nashville
“Smokin’ and Drinkin’”
Miranda Lambert featuring Little Big Town
RCA Nashville
“Wild Child”
Kenny Chesney with Grace Potter
Blue Chair Records/Columbia Nashville
Music Video
“Biscuits”
Kacey Musgraves
Directed by Marc Klasfeld
“Girl Crush”
Little Big Town
Directed by Karla Welch and Matthew Welch
“Girl in a Country Song”
Maddie & Tae
Directed by TK McKamy
“Little Red Wagon”
Miranda Lambert
Directed by Trey Fanjoy
“Something in the Water”
Carrie Underwood
Directed by Raj Kapoor
Musician
Sam Bush (Mandolin)
Jerry Douglas (Dobro)
Paul Franklin (Steel Guitar)
Dann Huff (Guitar)
Mac McAnally (Guitar)
About the Author
Sarah Skates has worked in the music business for more than a decade and is a longtime contributor to MusicRow.View Author Profile
