Country Music Association Awards
Page: 2
The 2023 CMA Awards are in the books. Lainey Wilson was the big winner, with wins in five categories. That ties the one-year record, first set by Johnny Cash in 1969 and later matched by Vince Gill (1993) and Alan Jackson (2002). This also sets a new, one-year record for a female artist. Just one […]
Lainey Wilson was the big winner at the 2023 CMA Awards, which were held at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on Wednesday (Nov 8). Wilson won in five categories, which ties the one-year record, first set by Johnny Cash in 1969 and later matched by Vince Gill (1993) and Alan Jackson (2002). This also sets a new, one-year record for a female artist. Alison Krauss, Taylor Swift and Miranda Lambert each won in four categories in one night.
Just one year after winning new artist of the year, Wilson won entertainer of the year. That ties Garth Brooks’ quick sprint from the horizon award (as new artist of the year was then called) in 1990 to his first entertainer of the year award in 1991. No other artist in CMA history has made this leap that quickly. Just the fact that a woman has won entertainer of the year is newsworthy. Wilson is the first woman to prevail in that top category since Taylor Swift in 2011.
Wilson also won album of the year, female vocalist of the year and two awards shared with HARDY – musical event of the year and music video of the year. This was the second year in a row that Wilson won female vocalist of the year. She’s the first artist to win consecutive awards in that category since Miranda Lambert won six in a row from 2010-15.
And Wilson’s Bell Bottom Country won album of the year. The album peaked at No. 9 on Top Country Albums. It’s just the fourth album that didn’t reach the top five on that chart to win this award. The three previous ones that didn’t were Merle Haggard’s Let Me Tell You About a Song (1972, No. 7), Anne Murray’s A Little Good News (1984, No. 9) and Patty Loveless’ When Fallen Angels Fly (1995, No. 8). (Of course, it’s possible the album will surpass its original No. 9 peak in the wake of the awards. Stay tuned.)
Luke Combs won single of the year for his hit remake of Tracy Chapman’s “Fast Car.” The smash topped Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart for four weeks. In addition, “Fast Car” logged eight weeks at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. It’s just the fifth CMA single of the year winner to reach No. 1 or No. 2 on the all-genre Hot 100. It follows Jeannie C. Riley’s “Harper Valley P.T.A.” (1968, No. 1), Johnny Cash’s “A Boy Named Sue” (1969, No. 2), Freddy Fender’s “Before the Next Teardrop Falls” (1975, No. 1) and Lady A’s “Need You Now” (2010, No. 2).
“Fast Car” also won song of the year for its songwriter, Tracy Chapman (who was not in attendance). Chapman’s original version of “Fast Car” reached No. 6 on the Hot 100 in 1988. It’s the third CMA song of the year winner that was widely known before the version that prompted the CMA to award the song. “Always on My Mind” won in both 1982 and 1983, tied to Willie Nelson’s hit version, but many knew the song from previous versions by Elvis Presley and Brenda Lee. “The Wind Beneath My Wings, which won in 1984, was known for other versions by Sheena Easton and Gladys Knight & the Pips.
“Fast Car” is the first song written by a solitary writer to win song of the year since Taylor Swift’s “Better Man” took the award six years ago. Four other CMA song of the year winners in this century were written by solitary writers – “Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)” (2002, Alan Jackson), “Stay” (2008, Jennifer Nettles), “If I Die Young” (2011, Kimberly Perry) and “Humble and Kind” (2016, Lori McKenna).
Chapman is the first Black songwriter to win for song of the year, and joins a short list of Black CMA winners. Charley Pride won entertainer of the year and male vocalist of the year in 1971 and repeated in the latter category in 1972. Darius Rucker won new artist of the year in 2009. Jimmie Allen won in that same category in 2021. (We might have seen two Black acts win CMA Awards for the first time this year. The highly-regarded The War and Treaty were nominated for vocal duo of the year, but Brothers Osborne prevailed again.)
Jelly Roll won new artist of the year. Jelly Roll, 38, is the second-oldest solo artist to win in this category (or its predecessor category, the horizon award). Darius Rucker was 43 when he won in 2009. Other solo artists who were 35 plus when they won are Ricky Van Shelton (36 in 1988), Suzy Bogguss (35 in 1992), Chris Stapleton (37 in 2015), Ashley McBryde (36 in 2019) and Jimmie Allen (36 in 2021).
Jelly Roll said he was 39 in his acceptance speech, which he delivered with the zeal of an evangelical preacher. It’s unusual in this youth-focused business for an artist to make himself out to be older than he actually is. Jelly Roll turns 39 next month.
Jelly Roll opened the telecast with his breakthrough smash “Need a Favor,” on which he was backed by Wynonna. Wynonna won the horizon award, the forerunner of new artist of the year, in 1984 with her mother Naomi as The Judds.
Brothers Osborne won vocal duo of the year for the sixth time. Only two other duos in CMA history have won six or more awards in this category. Brooks & Dunn lead with 14 wins. The Judds won seven times (counting three wins in the group category). The Judds’ seven wins were consecutive. Brooks & Dunn’s long streak was interrupted in 2000 by Montgomery Gentry. Brothers Osborne’s run was interrupted in 2017-18 by Dan + Shay.
Old Dominion won vocal group of the year for the sixth year in a row. Old Dominion is just the fourth group to win six years in a row in this category. They follow The Statler Brothers (1972-77), Rascal Flatts (2003-08) and Little Big Town (2012-17). The Statlers won nine times total, more than any other group in the history of the category.
Fiddler Jenee Fleenor won musician of the year for the fifth year in a row. That’s the longest winning streak in that category since guitarist Mac McAnally won eight years in a row (2008-15). With Fleenor’s win, steel guitarist Paul Franklin lost in the category for the 31st time. That’s not a typo – he has been nominated, and lost, in the category 31 times.
Jelly Roll needs a favor — he wants fans to keep going for their dreams, regardless of their age. The country singer gave a rousing speech after winning the new artist of the year award at the 2023 CMA Awards, held at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday (Nov. 8).
As his name was announced by Lady A, the artist gave wife Bunnie Xo a kiss, then hugged fellow nominee Zach Bryan before making his way up to the stage as his song “Need a Favor” — which he performed with Wynonna Judd to kick off the ceremony — played to accept the award.
“I got a thousand people to thank, but most importantly my lord and my wife — I love you so much, you changed my life, baby. Megan, Parker, Hailey I love all of you all — we’re friends,” he said, shouting out the category’s other nominees — Parker McCollum, Megan Moroney, and Hailey Whitters. “And Zach Bryan, I think you’re one of the hottest things on Earth, not just country music! You deserve this just as anybody else! I love you, I’m glad we’re sitting there partying the rest of the night, baby.”
Then, Jelly Roll kicked his speech into high gear and addressed his fans with an inspirational message.
“Most importantly, there’s something poetic about a 39-year-old man winning new artist of the year. I don’t know where you’re at in your life or what you’re going through, but I want to tell you to keep going, baby. I want to tell you, ‘Success is on the other side,’” he declared passionately, his voice getting louder with each line, the live crowd cheering him along. “I want to tell you, ‘It’s going to be OK!’ I want to tell you that the windshield is bigger than the rearview mirror for a reason, because what’s in front of you is so much more important than what’s behind you!”
He concluded his speech by yelling, “Let’s party, Nashville!” raising his trophy in triumph as the arena’s audience gave him a standing ovation.
New artist of the year was just one of the five awards that Jelly Roll was nominated for. He also received nods for single of the year and music video of the year for “Need a Favor,” male vocalist of the year and musical event of the year. The country star is also a finalist in several categories at the 2023 Billboard Music Awards, including the top new artist and top rock artist categories. The BBMAs will stream on BBMAs.watch and the Billboard and BBMAs social channels on Nov. 19.
The 2023 CMA Awards were hosted once again by Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning. The show aired live on ABC.
Watch Jelly Roll’s acceptance speech for new artist of the year below:
[embedded content]
Country music’s brightest gathered at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena for the 57th annual CMA Awards on Wednesday, Nov. 8, to celebrate the genre in a star-studded ceremony. The show was once again hosted by Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning. The ceremony kicked off with a raucous performance by Jelly Roll of his hit “Need a Favor.” […]
The 57th annual CMA Awards will take place Wednesday (Nov. 8) at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena with returning hosts country superstar Luke Bryan and legendary NFL hall of famer Peyton Manning. For the second consecutive year, Lainey Wilson leads all nominees with nine nominations, followed by Jelly Roll with five and Luke Combs and HARDY landing four.
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
Chris Stapleton and Carrie Underwood are both seeking their first entertainer of the year award after multiple nominations. Stapleton, Brothers Osborne and Old Dominion will see if their multi-year streaks for male vocalist, vocal duo and vocal group, respectively, continue. This year also includes some surprises, including Tracy Chapman receiving her first nomination for a 35-year-old song, and Wilson swiftly ascending to entertainer of the year category from winning best new artist only a year ago.
The eligibility period for the 2023 show, which will air live on ABC at 8 p.m. ET, is July 1, 2022-June 30, 2023. According to CMA rules, “singles, albums, music videos and qualified music products for the annual show must have been released or reached peak national prominence during the eligibility period.” More than 7,300 members of the country music industry vote for the nominees and winners through three rounds of voting.
Here are Billboard’s predictions in select categories on who will emerge victorious, from Melinda Newman (executive editor, West Coast and Nashville), and Jessica Nicholson (staff writer, Nashville). So they wouldn’t influence each other, the two did not compare notes on their picks.
Entertainer of the year
Luke Combs
Chris Stapleton
Carrie Underwood
Morgan Wallen
Lainey Wilson
Newman: It’s only been a year since Wilson earned her first CMA Awards nominations (and wins), so her ascent into the entertainer category feels, perhaps, a tad speedy. The other four nominees have been here before, including last year, with Combs prevailing. This year marks Stapleton’s and Underwood’s seventh and sixth nominations in the category, respectively, yet neither has won the award, and, despite strong touring efforts in 2023, it feels like they will go home empty-handed again. This year is a race between Combs, who is seeking his third crown, and Wallen, who is after his first. Both have ascended to stadium-act status, and both have had unbelievably successful years at radio. If there was ever a year for a tie, this might be it, but Combs made the leap to multi-continent international touring sensation this year, so he has a slight advantage.
Will win: Luke Combs
Nicholson: While each of the nominees has had an incredible year, it seems that Combs and Wallen are the front-runners in this race. Both have battled it out in the upper echelons of the Billboard Hot 100 (with Wallen’s “Last Night” spending 16 weeks atop the chart, and Combs’s “Fast Car” reaching No. 2). Combs is already a two-time winner and the reigning champ in this category, while Wallen’s One Thing at a Time has dominated the Billboard 200 this year, with 16 weeks atop the chart. Both have had major stadium runs this year, with tours that have taken them to overseas markets as well as domestic shows. Wallen’s 2023 tour began with shows in Australia and New Zealand, and included stops in Canada, but Combs’s 2023 trek visited Australia, Canada and multiple countries in Europe, which might give him the edge here.
Will win: Luke Combs
Single of the year
Award goes to artist(s), producer(s) and mix engineer(s)
“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)
Newman: It’s a little surprising that Morgan Wallen’s “Last Night,” which spent a staggering 16 weeks at No. 1 on the Hot 100, didn’t get a nod here, but voters leaned toward heavier fare for the most part, favoring murder ballad “wait in the truck,” Jelly Roll’s redemption-seeking “Need a Favor” and Combs’ poignant remake of Tracy Chapman’s “Fast Car.” Davis was a runner-up last year with “Buy Dirt” and this year’s entry, “Next Thing You Know,” mines the same family-oriented theme, while Wilson’s “Heart Like a Truck” is pleasing, traditional country. All were hits, reaching the top 2 of Billboard’s Country Airplay chart, but the meaty songs here resonated strongest this year, with “wait in the truck” hitting the hardest thanks to HARDY and Wilson’s gravitas-filled vocals.
Will win: “wait in the truck”
Nicholson: This year’s category is packed with hits, including a double-header of chart songs from Wilson (“Heart Like a Truck” and “wait in the truck” with HARDY). Jelly Roll’s rock-infused plea “Need a Favor” is here, as is Jordan Davis’ quieter chart hit, the sentimental “Next Thing You Know.” In terms of chart successes, Combs’s rendition of the Tracy Chapman classic “Fast Car” has been a sales juggernaut, reaching No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and spending five weeks atop the Country Airplay chart. This crossover hit was inescapable this year, which leans the odds in Combs’ favor.
Will win: “Fast Car”
Song of the year
Award goes to the songwriters
“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 Schmidt
Newman: The same songs nominated for single of the year are competing here except for “Need a Favor,” which has been replaced by “Tennessee Orange.” It would be something if Chapman won for “Fast Car,” a song that is as heartbreaking today as it was upon its initial release 35 years ago, but that seems unlikely. Other than “Fast Car,” the artists all had a hand in writing the songs they performed and that emotional investment reverberates here. “Tennessee Orange” served as a beguiling introduction to Moroney, while “Heart Like a Truck” showed the vulnerable side of Wilson. “Next Thing You Know” felt like Davis has found his lane that celebrates family and “wait in the truck” refused to pull its punches as it shined a harsh light on domestic violence. The winning song doesn’t need to necessarily make a statement, but “wait in the truck’s” fearlessness in embracing the darkness feels like an achievement worth heralding.
Winner: “wait in the truck”
Nicholson: Most of the same songs nominated in the single of the year category repeat here, including “Fast Car,” “wait in the truck,” “Next Thing You Know” and “Heart Like a Truck.” Wilson’s collaboration with HARDY and her solo “Heart” followed similar chart trajectories this year. “Heart Like a Truck” was named song of the year at the industry-voted NSAI Nashville Songwriter Awards, and it could very well follow that up with a win in this category.
Will win: “Heart Like a Truck”
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 Ballerini
Newman: From Kelsea Ballerini’s intensely personal statement of reclaiming her own life after her divorce to Ashley McBryde’s vivid imaginary community in Lindeville, all the nominees here created works that connected with fans and advanced their artistry. Luke Combs’ set is the companion to last year’s winner, Growin’ Up, that celebrates the singer/songwriter embracing middle age. Lainey Wilson graduated to budding superstar status with Bell Bottom Country, which felt like a mission statement as she grew more confident in her delivery and message. It already seemed like Wallen couldn’t rise higher, but One Thing at a Time topped the Billboard 200 for 16 weeks, the most since Adele’s 21 in 2011-12. All will stand the test of time as high-water marks for each artist, but McBryde brought us into a world in an innovative, original way that felt uniquely immersive.
Will Win: Ashley McBryde Presents: Lindeville
Nicholson: This category celebrates an array of styles, from Wilson’s hippie-country Bell Bottom Country project to Ballerini’s heart-on-her-sleeve Rolling Up the Welcome Mat album, Combs’s hit-filled Gettin’ Old album, and McBryde’s collaborative, creative Lindeville project, which featured John Osborne, Brandy Clark, Caylee Hammack, Aaron Raitiere, Benjy Davis and more.
The undeniably red-hot hit project of the bunch has been Wallen’s One Thing at a Time, which has spent 16 weeks atop the Billboard 200. Still, this is a category where voters have often awarded creative impact over commercial success, so McBryde and her Lindeville cohorts could pick up the win here.
Will win: Ashley McBryde Presents Lindeville
Female vocalist of the year
Kelsea Ballerini
Miranda Lambert
Ashley McBryde
Carly Pearce
Lainey Wilson
Newman: The same vocalists as last year are competing except for Carrie Underwood, whose slot is filled by a deserving Kelsea Ballerini. Given that she’s been nominated, or won, 16 out of the last 17 years, it’s odd not to see Underwood’s name here, but she’ll definitely be back. Lambert’s been on a bit of a break since parting ways with Sony Nashville, so this is more of a four-way race between the other women. All have had strong years, but Wilson feels unbeatable for the second year in a row.
Will win: Lainey Wilson
Nicholson: Lambert is the winningest nominee in the category, with seven prior wins. Though every nominee here had a stellar touring/performing year, on the recording front, Lambert and Pearce had relatively quieter years. Pearce teamed with Chris Stapleton for the ballad “We Don’t Fight Anymore,” and Lambert paired with Leon Bridges for “If You Were Mine.” Ballerini released one of her most personal, expressive albums to date with her divorce record, Rolling Up the Welcome Mat. Wilson is the reigning champ in this category, and seemed to be ubiquitous this year, thanks to heavy touring, a trio of songs surging up the charts, awards show appearances and a campaign with Wrangler. Wilson seems to be a lock in this category.
Will win: Lainey Wilson
Male vocalist of the year
Luke Combs
Jelly Roll
Cody Johnson
Chris Stapleton
Morgan Wallen
Newman: Jelly Roll replaces Eric Church in this year’s list of finalists and it’s hard to overstate the year he’s had, but the same could be said for all the contenders, including second-time nominee Wallen, who won the title at the ACM Awards in May. Either Stapleton or Combs has taken home the award the past eight years, with Stapleton winning a record-setting six times. Despite Stapleton’s once-in-a-generation voice, it’s undeniably Wallen’s turn.
Will win: Morgan Wallen
Nicholson: This is a stacked category, with Combs, Jelly Roll, Cody Johnson, Stapleton and Wallen all vying for the honor. Wallen, Jelly Roll and Johnson are all hoping to pick up their first wins, against veteran winners Stapleton (six times) and Combs (twice). Stapleton is a perennial favorite in the category, and Combs, Jelly Roll and Johnson have all had solid years, but given Wallen’s juggernaut touring in addition to the chart success of “Last Night” and One Thing at a Time, it looks like this could be the year he cinches a win.
Will win: Morgan Wallen
New artist of the year
Zach Bryan
Jelly Roll
Parker McCollum
Megan Moroney
Hailey Whitters
Newman: Bryan and Jelly Roll are already bonafide headlining arena acts, so it seems strange to even see them in this category, since their stars have ascended so quickly. Additionally, Bailey Zimmerman has dominated the charts in recent months with three Country Airplay No. 1s, so his omission is glaring. McCollum, Moroney and Whitters look like they’re all headed toward long, bountiful careers with Whitters snagging the top new female trophy at the ACM Awards. If voters are going by the numbers, it’s hard to deny Bryan or Jelly Roll, but, if like me, voters feel like they are both past the point of winning this award, Moroney could be the surprise winner.
Will win: Megan Moroney
Nicholson: Bryan is far and away the biggest success story of this crop of newcomers. He’s selling out stadiums nationwide and regularly notching songs and albums to the upper echelons of the all-genre Billboard charts. But Bryan’s comments following last year’s CMA Awards, could have deterred some CMA voters. “Handle on You” hitmaker McCollum, “Everything She Ain’t” singer Whitters and “Tennessee Orange” crooner Moroney have all made strides over the past year, but recent Billboard cover star Jelly Roll has been one of the biggest breakout artists, earning two No. 1 Country Airplay hits this year (including the four-week Country Airplay chart-topper “Need a Favor”) and currently enjoying a top 10 hit on the chart with his Wilson collab “Save Me.” Add in a top headlining tour, and this one is Jelly’s to lose.
Will win: Jelly Roll
Vocal duo of the year
Brooks & Dunn
Brothers Osborne
Dan + Shay
Maddie & Tae
The War And Treaty
Newman: Maddie & Tae are competing for the ninth time without a win, and they will likely go home empty-handed again, given Brothers Osborne have snagged the trophy five of the last seven years and Dan + Shay grabbed it the other two. Brooks & Dunn, who last won in 2006, are legends, of course, but it seems odd that they are even plunked into this category, since they exist primarily as an occasional touring act. The War And Treaty are a strong addition, but they likely can’t stop the momentum that the excellent Brothers Osborne continue to have.
Will win: Brothers Osborne
Nicholson: This year, 14-time category winners Brooks & Dunn face off against five-time category winners and reigning champs Brothers Osborne, as well as two-time winners Dan + Shay, Maddie & Tae and newcomers to the category, husband-and-wife duo The War And Treaty. Dan + Shay, Brothers Osborne and The War And Treaty all released new studio projects this year. Brothers Osborne scored a top 25 Country Airplay hit with “Nobody’s Nobody,” released their self-titled album and played a string of headlining shows, while Dan+Shay made media waves leading up to the release of their 2023 album Bigger Houses by revealing they nearly broke up, and earned a top 20 Country Airplay hit with “Save Me The Trouble.” Brothers Osborne’s labelmates The War And Treaty also scored a major chart hit this year with their Zach Bryan collaboration “Hey Driver” (which reached the top 20 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100). They’ve been opening tour dates on Chris Stapleton’s All-American Road Show (in addition to a string of overseas headlining tour dates) and have been ubiquitous on awards show appearances this year. All of these high-profile appearances could give W&T the edge.
Will win: The War And Treaty
Vocal group of the year
Lady A
Little Big Town
Midland
Old Dominion
Zac Brown Band
Newman: The nominations in this category have remained static for the past five years with the same acts vying for the title, with the exception of 2020, when a dissolving Rascal Flatts took Zac Brown Band’s spot. They are all worthy contenders, but, as with vocal duo, the category could benefit from some new blood or have voters pay a little attention to who else is making noise, like Parmalee, whose “Take My Name” was Billboard’s 2022 Country Airplay Song of the Year. Old Dominion continues to grow both creatively and commercially, so expect them to take home their sixth consecutive trophy in this category, tying Little Big Town’s six wins.
Will win: Old Dominion
Nicholson: Old Dominion has arguably been the most visible of this year’s nominees, thanks to to their album Memory Lane and their Country Airplay top 10 hit of the same name. Zach Brown Band earned a top 20 Country Airplay hit with “Out in the Middle,” but Old Dominion seems to be on track to extend their five-year winning streak.
Will win: Old Dominion
The two most-nominated artists at this year’s CMA Awards are also among this year’s initial round of performers.
Lainey Wilson, this year’s leading contender with nine nominations, and Jelly Roll, with five nominations, will both perform during the 57th annual CMA Awards, which airs live on Nov. 8 on ABC from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena.
The star-studded lineup will also feature one of this year’s co-hosts, two-time CMA entertainer of the year winner Luke Bryan, as well as performances from Megan Moroney, Little Big Town, K. Michelle, Old Dominion, Carly Pearce, Chris Stapleton and newly-inducted Country Music Hall of Fame member Tanya Tucker.
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
Though Jelly Roll is a first-time CMA Awards performer, he will have two performance slots during CMA Awards night, opening the show with his Billboard No. 1 Country Airplay hit “Need a Favor.” Later in the telecast, he will join forces with R&B performer K. Michelle to perform a tribute to The Judds, offering up the duo’s signature hit “Love Can Build a Bridge.” Jelly Roll, K. Michelle and The Fisk Jubilee Singers recorded a version of “Love Can Build a Bridge” as part of the upcoming The Judds tribute album (A Tribute to the Judds) is out on Oct. 27.
Wilson — who earned her first nomination in the coveted entertainer of the year category this year — will perform “Wildflowers and Wild Horses.”
Meanwhile, Bryan will celebrate his more than two dozen No. 1 Country Airplay chart-toppers, offering a medley of hits including “Play It Again” and “Country Girl (Shake It For Me).”
Three-time nominee Chris Stapleton will also pull double-duty as a performer this year, offering his new single, “White Horse,” and teaming with Carly Pearce (up for female vocalist and musical event of the year) to perform their duet “We Don’t Fight Anymore.”
Little Big Town will join Tucker for a performance of her debut 1972 hit “Delta Dawn.” Meanwhile, Old Dominion (who are up for vocal group and music video of the year) and Megan Moroney (up for new artist and song of the year) will perform their collaboration “Can’t Break Up Now,” featured on Old Dominion’s recent Memory Lane project.
The CMA Awards will be co-hosted by Bryan and NFL legend Peyton Manning. Additional performers and presenters will be revealed in the coming weeks.
Wilson is nominated for her own hit “Heart Like a Truck” and as a featured artist on HARDY’s “Wait in the Truck.”
Lainey Wilson is the top nominee for the 2023 CMA Awards, with nine nods. Wilson was also the top nominee last year, with six nods. Wilson is the first artist in CMA history to top the nominations list in her first two appearances on the final ballot.
Moreover, Wilson is just the fourth artist in CMA history to land nine or more nominations in a single year. She follows Merle Haggard (nine nods in 1970), Alan Jackson (a record 10 nods in 2002) and Miranda Lambert (nine nods in both 2010 and 2014).
Wilson is the first artist in 13 years to land two nominations for single of the year in the same year. Wilson is nominated for “Heart Like a Truck” and as a featured artist on HARDY’s “wait in the truck.” Lambert was the last artist to land two nods in this category in one year; she was nominated in 2010 with both “The House That Built Me” and “White Liar.”
First-time nominee Jelly Roll landed five nominations, second only to Wilson for the most nods this year.
Luke Combs and HARDY each collected four nominations. Jordan Davis, Ashley McBryde, producer/mix engineer Joey Moi, songwriter/producer Jordan Schmidt, Chris Stapleton, Morgan Wallen and musician/producer Derek Wells each secured three nods.
Two women are nominated for entertainer of the year for the fourth consecutive year. Carrie Underwood and Wilson are nominated this year. Underwood and Lambert were both nominated in each of the last three years. This is the first time in CMA history that two women (or woman-led groups) have been nominated four years running.
The other entertainer of the year nominees are Combs, who won in that category the last two years; Stapleton, nominated for the seventh time; and Wallen, nominated for the second year in a row.
Women dominate the album of the year nominations for the second year in a row. Wilson, McBryde and Kelsea Ballerini are nominated in that marquee category this year. Wilson, Lambert and Maren Morris were nominated last year.
The other nominees in that category this year are Combs and Wallen.
Lambert landed her 17th nomination for female vocalist of the year, which puts her in a tie with Martina McBride for second place in that category; Reba McEntire leads with 18 nominations.
Little Big Town landed their 18th nomination for vocal group of the year; only Alabama has had more nods (21).
Brooks & Dunn was nominated for vocal duo of the year for a record-extending 24th time.
Three of the five song of the year nominees were written by gaggles of four or more songwriters, a change from past practices in country songwriting circles. A fourth was written by a three-member team. The only nominee written by a solitary songwriter was written 35 years ago: Tracy Chapman’s “Fast Car,” nominated this year because of Combs’ smash cover version.
Chapman isn’t the only Black artist to receive a CMA nod this year in a high-profile category: The War and Treaty, consisting of married couple Michael Trotter Jr. and Tanya Trotter, is nominated for vocal duo of the year for the first time.
Davis’ “Next Thing You Know” and “Wait in the truck” by HARDY featuring Wilson are this year’s only works to receive nominations for single, song and video of the year. “Fast Car” and “Heart Like a Truck” were both nominated for single and song of the year, but not music video of the year.
First-time CMA Awards nominees — besides the aforementioned Jelly Roll, Chapman and The War and Treaty — include Mason Allen, Trannie Anderson, Renee Blair, Michael H. Brauer, Katelyn Brown, Zach Bryan, Josh Ditty, David Fanning, Nicki Fletcher, Greylan James, Paul Jenkins, Gena Johnson, Chase McGill, Cameron Montgomery, Megan Moroney, Austin Nivarel, Eivind Nordland, John Osborne, Hunter Phelps, David Ray Stevens, Patrick Tohill, Alysa Vanderheym, Hailey Whitters, Ben Williams, Dallas Wilson and Charlie Worsham.
Fiddle player Jenee Fleenor, who has won musician of the year four years running, is nominated again this year. She faces steel guitarist Paul Franklin, who is nominated in the category for the 31st time; guitarist Derek Wells (his eighth time); guitarist Rob McNelley (his second); and multi-instrumentalist Charlie Worsham (his first).
Winners will be determined in a final round of voting by eligible voting CMA members. The third and final ballot will be emailed to CMA professional members on Monday, Oct. 2. Voting closes on Friday, Oct. 27. CMA Broadcast Awards winners will be determined by a final round of judging this month. Entries are judged by a panel of broadcast professionals, representing all market sizes and regions. Winners will be revealed in October and will be honored at the CMA Awards. All balloting is tabulated by Deloitte.
The 57th annual CMA Awards, hosted by Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning for the second year in a row, broadcasts live from Bridgestone Arena in Nashville Wednesday, Nov. 8 (8–11 p.m./ET) on ABC. The show is a production of the Country Music Association. Robert Deaton is the executive producer.
The first CMA Awards Banquet and Show was held at Municipal Auditorium in Nashville in 1967. The following year, the CMA Awards was broadcast for the first time on NBC – making it the longest-running annual music awards program on network television. The CMA Awards have aired on ABC since 2006.
Here’s a complete list of the nominations for the 57th annual CMA Awards (listed in ballot category order):
Entertainer of the year
Luke Combs
Chris Stapleton
Carrie Underwood
Morgan Wallen
Lainey Wilson
Single of the year
Award goes to Artist(s), Producer(s) and Mix Engineer(s)
“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
Award goes to Artist, Producer(s) and Mix Engineer(s)
Ashley McBryde Presents: Lindeville – Ashley McBryde; Producers: John Osborne, John Peets; Mix Engineers: Gena Johnson, John Osborne
Bell Bottom Country – Lainey Wilson; Producer: Jay Joyce; Mix Engineers: Jason Hall, Jay Joyce
Gettin’ Old – Luke Combs; Producers: Luke Combs, Chip Matthews, Jonathan Singleton; Mix Engineers: Michael H. Brauer, Jim Cooley, Chip Matthews
One Thing at a Time – Morgan Wallen; Producers: Jacob Durrett, Charlie Handsome, Joey Moi, Cameron Montgomery; Mix Engineers: Josh Ditty, Joey Moi, Eivind Nordland
Rolling Up the Welcome Mat – Kelsea Ballerini; Producers: Kelsea Ballerini, Alysa Vanderheym; Mix Engineers: Dan Grech-Marguerat, Alysa Vanderheym
Song of the year
Award goes to Songwriter(s)
“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 Schmidt
Female vocalist of the year
Kelsea Ballerini
Miranda Lambert
Ashley McBryde
Carly Pearce
Lainey Wilson
Male vocalist of the year
Luke Combs
Jelly Roll
Cody Johnson
Chris Stapleton
Morgan Wallen
Vocal group of the year
Lady A
Little Big Town
Midland
Old Dominion
Zac Brown Band
Vocal duo of the year
Brooks & Dunn
Brothers Osborne
Dan + Shay
Maddie & Tae
The War And Treaty
Musical event of the year
Award goes to Artists and Producer(s)
“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 Worsham
Music video of the year
Award goes to Artist(s) and Director(s)
“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 Whitters
2023 CMA Broadcast Awards
Finalists for broadcast personality of the year (by market size):
Weekly National
“American Country Countdown” (Kix Brooks) – Cumulus/Westwood One
“Country Countdown USA” (Lon Helton) – Compass Media Networks
“Honky Tonkin’ with Tracy Lawrence” (Tracy Lawrence and Patrick Thomas) – Silverfish Media
“On The Horizon with Buzz Brainard” (Buzz Brainard) – SiriusXM
“Y’all Access with Kelly Sutton” (Kelly Sutton) – Firefly Media/Silverfish Media
Daily National
“Angie Ward” – iHeartMedia
“The Big D and Bubba Show” (Derek “Big D” Haskins, Sean “Bubba” Powell, Patrick Thomas, and Carsen Humphreville) – Silverfish Media
“Katie & Company” (Katie Neal) – Audacy
“Nights with Elaina” (Elaina Smith) – Westwood One
“The Sam Alex Show” (Sam Alex) – Sam Alex Productions, LLC
Major Market
“Chris Carr & Company” (Chris Carr, Kia Becht, and Sam Sansevere) – KEEY, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn.
“Frito & Katy” (Tucker “Frito” Young and Katy Dempsey) – KCYY, San Antonio, Texas
“Hawkeye in the Morning with Hawkeye and Michelle” (“Hawkeye” Mark Louis Rybczyk and Michelle Rodriguez) – KSCS, Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas
“Josh, Rachael & Grunwald” (Josh Holleman, Rachael Hunter, and Steve Grunwald) – WYCD, Detroit, Mich.
“Scotty Kay” (Scotty Kay) – WUSN, Chicago, Ill.
Large Market
“The Big Dave Show” (“Big Dave” Chandler, Ashley Heiert, and Jason “Stattman” Statt) – WUBE, Cincinnati, Ohio
“The Morning Drive with Mike Kellar and Jenny Matthews” (Mike Kellar and Jenny Matthews) – KBEQ, Kansas City, Mo.
“Scott and Shannen” (Scott Dolphin and “Shannen O” Oesterreich) – WMIL, Milwaukee-Racine, Wis.
“Tim & Chelsea In The Morning” (Tim Leary and Chelsea Taylor) – WIRK, West Palm Beach-Boca Raton, Fla.
“The Wayne D Show” (“Wayne D” Danielson and Tay Hamilton) – WSIX, Nashville, Tenn.
Medium Market
“Cait & Bradley Morning Show” (Cait Fisher and Matt Bradley) – KWEN, Tulsa, Okla.
“Clay & Company” (Clay Moden, Rob Banks, and Kadie Daye) – WYRK, Buffalo-Niagara Falls, N.Y.
“Ellis and Bradley Show” (Bill Ellis and Beth Bradley) – WSSL, Greenville-Spartanburg, S.C.
“Mo & StyckMan” (Melissa “Mo” Wagner and Greg “StyckMan” Owens) – WUSY, Chattanooga, Tenn.
“Steve & Gina In The Morning” (Steve Lundy and Gina Melton) – KXKT, Omaha-Council Bluffs, Neb.-Iowa
Small Market
“The B100 Morning Show with Brittney Baily” (Brittney Baily) – WBYT, South Bend, Ind.
“The Eddie Foxx Show” (Eddie Foxx and Amanda Foxx) – WKSF, Asheville, N.C.
“Officer Don & DeAnn” (“Officer Don” Evans and DeAnn Stephens) – WBUL, Lexington-Fayette, Ky.
“Steve & Tiffany in the Morning” (Steve Waters and Tiffany Kay) – WFLS, Fredericksburg, Va.
“Steve, Ben and Nikki” (Steve Stroud, Ben Walker, and Nikki Thomas) – WXBQ, Johnson City-Kingsport-Bristol, Tenn.-Va.
Finalists for radio station of the year (by market size):
Major Market
KCYY – San Antonio, Texas
KEEY – Minneapolis-Saint Paul, Minn.
KKBQ – Houston, Texas
KSCS – Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas
WXTU – Philadelphia, Pa.
Large Market
WIRK – West Palm Beach-Boca Raton, Fla.
WKDF – Nashville, Tenn.
WMIL – Milwaukee-Racine, Wis.
WUBE – Cincinnati, Ohio
WWKA – Orlando, Fla.
Medium Market
KUZZ – Bakersfield, Calif.
KXKT – Omaha-Council Bluffs, Neb.-Iowa
WGGY – Wilkes Barre-Scranton, Pa.
WPCV – Lakeland-Winter Haven, Fla.
WQMX – Akron, Ohio
Small Market
KCLR – Columbia, Mo.
WBYT – South Bend, Ind.
WKML – Fayetteville, N.C.
WXBQ – Johnson City-Kingsport-Bristol, Tenn.-Va.
WYCT – Pensacola, Fla.
Related Images:
Related Images: