Country music fans are buzzing with anticipation as the 57th CMA Awards revealed their nominees today (Thursday 7 September).
Lainey Wilson, who rocked the charts with “Watermelon Moonshine,” is not only the frontrunner this year but also makes history as the only artist to dominate the nominations list in her first two tries on the final ballot. Wilson was a stunning newcomer last year with six nods.
Lainey shared a photo on her social media showing her surprise and pride at the nominations:
She added “It’s absolutely surreal. We bust our butts out there on the road every dang night to give y’all the best show possible and I have the time of my life doing it.”
Jelly Roll follows closely with a remarkable five nominations in major categories such as Single of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, Musical Event of the Year, Music Video of the Year, and New Artist of the Year.
Jelly Roll commented “I couldn’t control myself when I got the news.. everything about this is unreal. The truth is being nominated is already a win for me. Just being recognized by my peers and by the industry for the work we put in is amazing, especially for my people, this is a win for all the underdogs and forgotten.”
Full List of Nominations
Entertainer of the year
Luke Combs
Chris Stapleton
Carrie Underwood
Morgan Wallen
Lainey WilsonSingle of the year
“Fast Car” – Luke Combs (Producers: Luke Combs, Chip Matthews, Jonathan Singleton, Mix Engineer: Chip Matthews)
“Heart Like A Truck” – Lainey Wilson (Producer: Jay Joyce, Mix Engineers: Jason Hall, Jay Joyce)
“Need A Favor” – Jelly Roll (Producer: Austin Nivarel, Mix Engineer: Jeff Braun)
“Next Thing You Know” – Jordan Davis (Producer: Paul DiGiovanni, Mix Engineer: Jim Cooley)
“wait in the truck” – HARDY (feat. Lainey Wilson) (Producers: HARDY, Joey Moi, Jordan Schmidt, Derek Wells, Mix Engineer: Joey Moi)Album of the year
“Ashley McBryde Presents: Lindeville” -- Ashley McBryde
“Bell Bottom Country” -- Lainey Wilson
“Gettin' Old” -- Luke Combs
“One Thing At A Time” -- Morgan Wallen
“Rolling Up the Welcome Mat” -- Kelsea BalleriniSong of the year
“Fast Car” -- Songwriter: Tracy Chapman
“Heart Like A Truck” -- Songwriters: Trannie Anderson, Dallas Wilson, Lainey Wilson
“Next Thing You Know” -- Songwriters: Jordan Davis, Greylan James, Chase McGill, Josh Osborne
“Tennessee Orange” -- Songwriters: David Fanning, Paul Jenkins, Megan Moroney, Ben Williams
“wait in the truck” -- Songwriters: Renee Blair, Michael Hardy, Hunter Phelps, Jordan SchmidtFemale vocalist of the year
Kelsea Ballerini
Miranda Lambert
Ashley McBryde
Carly Pearce
Lainey WilsonMale vocalist of the year
Luke Combs
Jelly Roll
Cody Johnson
Chris Stapleton
Morgan WallenVocal group of the year
Lady A
Little Big Town
Midland
Old Dominion
Zac Brown BandVocal duo of the year
Brooks & Dunn
Brothers Osborne
Dan + Shay
Maddie & Tae
The War And TreatyMusical event of the year
“Save Me” -- Jelly Roll (with Lainey Wilson) (Producers: Zach Crowell, David Ray Stevens)
“She Had Me At Heads Carolina (Remix)” -- Cole Swindell & Jo Dee Messina (Producer: Zach Crowell)
"Thank God” -- Kane Brown (with Katelyn Brown) (Producer: Dann Huff)
“wait in the truck” -- HARDY (feat. Lainey Wilson) (Producers: HARDY, Joey Moi, Jordan Schmidt, Derek Wells)
“We Don't Fight Anymore” -- Carly Pearce (featuring Chris Stapleton) (Producers: Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne, Carly Pearce)Musician of the year
Jenee Fleenor
Paul Franklin
Rob McNelley
Derek Wells
Charlie WorshamMusic video of the year
“Light On In The Kitchen” -- Ashley McBryde (Director: Reid Long)
“Memory Lane” -- Old Dominion (Directors: Mason Allen, Nicki Fletcher)
“Need A Favor” -- Jelly Roll (Director: Patrick Tohill)
“Next Thing You Know” -- Jordan Davis (Director: Running Bear)
“wait in the truck” -- HARDY (feat. Lainey Wilson) (Director: Justin Clough)New artist of the year
Zach Bryan
Jelly Roll
Parker McCollum
Megan Moroney
Hailey WhittersCatch up with the Nominees at https://cmaawards.com/nominees-winners/