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Keith Urban, Kelsea Ballerini, Lady A, Parker McCollum and The War and Treaty have been added as performers for the 2024 Peopleâs Choice Country Awards, which will air Thursday, Sept. 26, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on NBC and Peacock. Kane Brown, who is set to receive the Country Champion Award, and Miranda Lambert, who is set to receive the Country Icon Award, had already been announced as performers.
The two-hour show, hosted by Shania Twain, will air live from the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville. A two-hour red-carpet pre-show, Live From E!: Peopleâs Choice Country Awards, will kick off the night at 6 p.m. ET/PT on E!.
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Ballerini, Lady A and The War and Treaty received CMA Awards nominations in key categories on Monday (Sept. 9). Ballerini is nominated for female vocalist of the year, Lady A for vocal group of the year, and The War and Treaty for vocal duo of the year. A strong performance on the Peopleâs Choice Country Awards could conceivably help them in the CMA voting. (CMA final-round voting opens on Tuesday, Oct. 1, five days after the Peopleâs Choice Country Awards, and extends for four weeks.)
Additionally, Carly Pearce, Dan + Shay, Little Big Town and comedian Nate Bargatze have been announced as presenters. Additional names will be announced.
A limited number of show tickets and VIP packages are available now at Opry.com.
Peopleâs Choice Country Awards is produced by Den of Thieves. Jesse Ignjatovic, Evan Prager and Barb Bialkowski will executive produce along with RAC Clark as executive producer and showrunner.Â
The pre-show is produced by Den of Thieves with executive producers Ignjatovic, Prager and Bialkowski.
Here are all the performers and presenters that have been announced. This will be updated when additional names are announced.
Performers
Kane Brown
Keith Urban
Kelsea Ballerini
Lady A
Miranda Lambert
Parker McCollum
The War and Treaty
Presenters
Carly Pearce
Dan + Shay
Little Big Town
Nat Bargatze
Chase Matthew is officially a Billboard Hot 100-charting artist thanks to his single âLove You Again.â
Released in December 2022, the song debuts at No. 91 on the Sept. 14-dated chart with 20.3 million all-format radio airplay audience impressions (up 12%) and 2.1 million official U.S. streams Aug. 30-Sept. 5, according to Luminate.
The track also rises 32-24 on Hot Country Songs for a new high. On Country Airplay, where itâs Matthewâs first entry, it returns to the top 10, jumping 12-9 for a new best in its 67th week on the chart.
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âLove You Againâ appears on Matthewâs second studio album, Come Get Your Memory, which was released in June 2023 on Warner Music Nashville.
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Matthew first appeared on Billboardâs charts dated July 17, 2021, with âCounty Line,â released on Ryan Upchurchâs Holler Boy Records. The song, which he wrote after a breakup, went viral on TikTok, helping it to debut at its No. 29 peak on Hot Country Songs; it also hit No. 10 on Country Digital Song Sales that week.
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Matthew earned his second chart hit with âWe Had It Good,â which reached No. 44 on Hot Country Songs in February 2022. The song is from his debut album Born for This, which reached No. 31 on Top Country Albums that month.
Following the success of Born for This, Matthew signed to Warner Nashville in October 2022. âRyan Upchurch gave me an opportunity that put me on the map,â he said upon his signing. âLooking forward, we wanted to maintain how we work, but grow the team in order to build bigger. Warner Nashville understood our goals and provided the opportunity for a true partnership allowing me to maintain my creative control. Iâm thrilled to be able to work with the Warner Nashville team and take this thing to a whole new level for the fans.â
Matthew was born in Sevierville, Tenn., and raised just outside Nashville in Ashland City. Before focusing on music, he was a full-time mechanic.
Billboard named Matthew its September Country Rookie of the Month, and he shared that heâs planning to drop his third album next year. âIâve probably got 300 songs on my phone just begging to be released,â he said, adding that itâll include some collaborations. âItâs going to be some really good songs and Iâm being very selective on whatâs going to end up on that project.â
Matthew is currently on his solo Born for This Tour. He has additional shows lined up supporting both Jason Aldean and Luke Bryan. Next year, heâll join Keith Urbanâs High and Alive World Tour.
Country Music Hall of Famers Brooks & Dunn are set to bring their high-octane live show and stacked arsenal of hit songs to arenas in Texas, North Carolina, Illinois and more in 2025, as they have revealed the dozen-concert initial slate of shows for their Neon Moon Tour. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and […]
Singer-songwriter Joshua Ray Walker, known for songs including âThank You for Listening,â gave fans an update on his cancer battle, revealing on Tuesday (Sept. 10) that his cancer has spread.
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âOnce again, Iâve got some good and bad news to deliver. The good news is that Iâve finished chemo treatment!â began the country artist, who first told fans he was receiving treatment for colon cancer in 2023. âThe bad news is that upon the completion of tests to check on the status of my cancer post treatment, multiple nodes of varying sizes were found in both my lungs.
âBefore I started chemo, I was told I had a 90% chance of having clear tests post treatment. So to find completely new growth in a new organ was something for which I was not prepared,â he continued. âThis unfortunately means my cancer will likely be restaged to stage 4.â
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He informed fans of the road ahead for his treatment, explaining, âI will get a lung biopsy and start radiation soon. I wish I had more information to share but Iâm still waiting to meet with a radiology oncologist following my biopsy surgery.â
Walker promised that heâd âcontinue to fight my hardestâ despite the bad news. âIâve always lived life to the fullest and I will continue to do so. When times are hard my instinct is to figure out how to survive financially,â he shared. âI work harder to ensure that me and my loved ones will have basic necessities. This trait has been very useful in life, but it makes it hard to rest when lifeâs difficulties arenât solely monetary. I have a hard time asking for help, even when I believe it will be given happily.â
The singer added that he had launched a GoFundMe campaign to help him âfocus exclusively on my health and relationships during this precious time, and ended his message with a note of gratitude for fans who have supported him during his health battle.
Walker is known for albums including 2019âs Wish You Were Here, 2020âs Glad You Made It and 2021âs See You Next Time. Last year, he released the album What Is It Even?, where he paid homage to several women artists, covering songs from artists including Whitney Houston (âI Wanna Dance With Somebodyâ), LeAnn Rimes (âBlueâ), Cher (âBelieveâ) and Sia (âCheap Thrillsâ).
See Walkerâs post below:
As Shaboozey celebrated his first two CMA Awards nominations on Monday (Sept. 9), he took a moment to recognize an artist who didnât score any nods at the country awards show: BeyoncĂŠ. The country newcomer shared his excitement on social media over scoring two nods at the Nov. 20 show â new artist of the […]
This week marks the release of Country Music Hall of Famer George Straitâs 31st studio album for MCA Nashville, Cowboys and Dreamers. Meanwhile, Ella Langley and Riley Green, who earned a viral hit with their collab âYou Look Like You Love Me,â reunite on a new song from Greenâs new album, while new music is also featured from Luke Bryan, Willow Avalon, Denitia and Joe Nichols.
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Check out all of these and more in Billboardâs roundup of the best country songs and projects of the week below.
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George Strait, Cowboys and Dreamers
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Straitâs 31st studio album comes following a period of severe personal loss in Straitâs camp, including the passings of his longtime manager Erv Woolsey, as well as his longtime fiddle and mandolin player Gene Elders, who played with Strait since the 1980s. On the 13-song album, with his warm vocal that eschews ostentation, Strait continues to evince why he is one of country musicâs most gifted singers and lyrical narrators (though Strait has also steadily made songwriting contributions to his own albums, co-writing two songs on his latest).
He also pays homage to late songwriter, artist, and guitarist Keith Gattis on the album by recording a trio of Gattis-penned songs: the albumâs title track, along with âWish I Could Sayâ and the Gattis-Guy Clark penned âRent.â Before the launch of âRent,â Strait further punctuates his appreciation for Gattisâs work by offering words of praise for the late Gattis. Elsewhere, he pays homage to the late Waylon Jennings with a version of âWaymoreâs Bluesâ and delivers a love song as only Strait can in âTo the Moon.â Throughout all of them, Strait continues cementing his role in the genre as a paragon of sustained excellence.
Riley Green feat. Ella Langley, âDonât Mind If I Doâ
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Green was recently featured on Langleyâs song âYou Look Like You Love Me,â which became a viral hit for both artists. Green returns the favor by featuring Langley on his latest song, a solo write from Green âand no wonder, as they make compelling collaborators and their voices mesh mightily. Here, heâs lonely and reminiscing on the halcyon days of a fizzled relationship. As his longing propels him, he asks for forgiveness if he decides to âdrink up the nerve and show up at your house.â The cracks in his burly voice draw out the nuances in the unexpected twists and turns of the lyrics, while Langleyâs languid drawl heightens the tensions of desire that runs throughout the song. The song is the title track to Greenâs upcoming album (out in October).
Willow Avalon, âHomewreckerâ
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Newcomer Avalon turns the premise of Dolly Partonâs âJoleneâ on its head, answering the classic cheating song with this rowdy mesh of prowling percussion and twangy, roadhouse guitars. âIâm just a girl who tried to take a man at his word,â she sings with a scathing yet airy warble. Avalon, who wrote this song with Tofer Brown and JR Atkins, is swiftly staking her claim as an immensely promising newcomer.
Luke Bryan, âCountry Song Came Onâ
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As he gears up for his new album Mind of a Country Boy, out Sept. 27, the two-time CMA entertainer of the year winner previews the project with this written by Ryan Beaver, Dan Alley and Neil Medley. This is still squarely within Bryanâs musical wheelhouse, but the structural simplicity and storytelling arc allow Bryan to use his conversational, narrational vocal to great effect. He nods to the decision-altering effects of classic country music with the hook, âI wasnât gonna drink/ Then a country song came on.â The lyricsâ appreciated nod to Earl Thomas Conley doesnât hurt, either.
Denitia, âSunset Driveâ
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Denitia, who was named as part of CMTâs 2024 Next Women of Country class, issues a new, dozen-song project, marking Denitiaâs first since 2022âs Highways. âEverything is beautiful even when it falls apart,â she sings on the title track, as intricate and breezy instrumental arrangements elevate her hazy, beckoning vocals, as she finds the positive elements even as a relationship crumbles. Denitia wrote with Brad Allen Williams.Â
Joe Nichols, âDoinâ Life With Youâ
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Nichols continues his proclivities for pouring his light-hearted vocal tone over tales of the highs and lows of everyday love in this new song, included on his upcoming album Honky Tonks and Country Songs, out Oct. 25. A solo write by Jimmy Yeary (âI Drive Your Truckâ), this new song offers a clear-eyed look at the result of a love that has endured the trials, unexpected life twists, and mundane moments, all adding up to a solidified bond between two lovers. The song feels akin to his 2022 release âGood Day for Living,â while Nichols remains one of country musicâs most consistent, indelible vocalists.
The Tennessee Titans donât appear on the NFLâs Sunday Night Football schedule for the entire 2024 season, though Nashville will still be well represented on the NBC telecast.
Not only is Middle Tennessee resident Carrie Underwood the voice and onscreen talent for the theme song, but the music for that high-profile opening â which has its season debut on Sept. 8 â is produced by Nashvilleâs Chris DeStefano (Chase Rice, Chris Young) using Music City musicians at the Soultrain Sound Studios (formerly Scruggs Sound) in the Berry Hill neighborhood.
It makes sense that the piece gets cut in Nashville â âUnderwood, obviously, is one of the biggest determining factors,â SNF creative director Tripp Dixon says â though the recordingâs origination in Music City is not particularly well known.
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NBC has, in fact, produced the theme in Nashville for well over a decade. It was already being cut at Starstruck on Music Row when Dixon began working on the theme in 2012, the last year that Faith Hill sang the iconic piece.
And DeStefano has become a key contributor as âWaiting All Day for Sunday Night,â adapted from Joan Jettâs âI Hate Myself for Loving You,â undergoes an annual evolution within a narrow stylistic window. Its role is to energize home viewers for the last football game of the weekend; thus, a panoply of options is unavailable for the production. Itâs a safe bet, for example, that SNFÂ will never open with a slow jam.
âWe really want to push that energy without going too far over the top,â DeStefano says.
âBut,â he adds, âsometimes we need to go over the top.â
DeStefano landed the job initially because of his success as a songwriter. Heâs penned several Underwood hits, including âGood Girl,â âSomething in the Waterâ and âSomethinâ Bad,â a Miranda Lambert duet that emerged as the SNF theme for two years, beginning in 2016, after it was rewritten as âOh, Sunday Night.â DeStefano was tapped to co-produce with Mark Bright (Underwood, Rascal Flatts), who had already been on the job for several years.
For one year, in 2018, NBC used âGame Onâ for the open before returning to âWaiting All Day.â Along the way, DeStefano became the sole producer, in part because of his multitude of skills. Co-writers have, for years, marveled at his ability to play multiple instruments and swiftly maneuver plug-in technology to create demos on the fly during sessions. As a one-man shop, heâs able to assist the NBC team in finding a new musical framework each year, develop the demo on his own, then oversee the production when the network executives descend on Nashville for the recordings each summer. Itâs a foundational role in the ultimate SNFÂ product.
âA lot of this process does start with the music,â Dixon says. â âWaiting All Dayâ has kind of been the bedrock of this piece since the beginning, but I think each one of these successive new arrangements has, in turn, influenced what we do visually. It starts with that musical discussion.â
Those first discussions, DeStefano says, took place last December, when the playoffs were still in flux and Nashvillians were grousing about the Titansâ decline. By January, he was already creating a core demo for the 2024 theme, playing â or programming â all the instruments and recording vocals that would later provide a guide for Underwood, who jointly approves the final creative direction of the package with NBC Sports.
This year, his production experience came into play as he suggested restructuring the theme. It has traditionally started with two verses after a short intro, but DeStefano suggested leading with the chorus, allowing some new dynamic changes. That move alters the peak energy points in the 90-second production, changing the placement of some of the strongest action onscreen.
In the end, artists whoâve played on numerous country hits â such as drummers Nir Z and Miles McPherson, guitarist Rob McNelley and bassist Tim Marks â have been tapped to turn DeStefanoâs demos into the master SNF recording. DeStefano still plays a part or two, particularly any tweaks that are necessary in postproduction.
The actual recording session requires plenty of preparation. Underwood invariably gets the basic vocal performance â the âgeneric,â as the team calls it internally â in a short number of takes. But the generic is only a fail-safe. Sections of the theme are rewritten to reflect the teams or players who will take the field each week, and NBC preps a volume of potential options to cover every scenario. They might, for example, throw in a reference to quarterback Dak Prescott for a Dallas Cowboys game, but they also record one or more backup options in case heâs injured when game day arrives.
Complicating the process, the NFL uses flex scheduling beginning in October, meaning the Sunday-night game could change in 14 of the seasonâs 18 weeks. They compile options to cover every scenario, and Underwood sings through them all in one massive session.
âI actually couldnât even tell you how many iterations of the matchups there are,â DeStefano says. âThereâs a lot. Itâs like three typed pages, so thereâs quite a bit, but it goes so fast, just because we get into the zone. Carrieâs in the zone, and everybodyâs locked in. We just crush it.â
As a result, they avoid any need for a midseason overdub â even if the game gets changed during a flex week and features two teams whose biggest stars are out for the season.
In every one of those versions, itâs the Nashville music teamâs job to get the viewers excited.
âItâs got to still make people turn their heads,â DeStefano says. âIf theyâre at a bar and itâs loud, thereâs still got to be that element of âOh, wait. Whatâs happening? I got to watch this.’â
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The final nominees for the 58th annual CMA Awards were revealed Monday morning (Sept. 9), and this yearâs nominations highlighted both established hitmakers, touring kingpins and those who have made initial surges in the genre over the past year, including Post Malone, The Red Clay Strays, Shaboozey and Zach Top.
Morgan Wallen leads this yearâs nominees with seven nominations, followed by Cody Johnson and Chris Stapleton (five nominations each), while Post Malone and Lainey Wilson garnered four nominations apiece. Earning a trio of nominations each are Louis Bell, Luke Combs, Charlie Handsome, Hoskins, Jelly Roll, Megan Moroney and Kacey Musgraves.
This year, vying for the coveted entertainer of the year trophy are Luke Combs, Jelly Roll, Stapleton, Wallen and reigning CMA entertainer of the year winner Wilson. Those nominated for album of the year are Musgraves (Deeper Well), Combs (Fathers & Sons), Stapleton (Higher), Johnson (Leather) and Jelly Roll (Whitsitt Chapel).
The eligibility period for the 2024 show is eligibility period is July 1, 2023-June 30, 2024. According to CMA rules, âsingles, albums, music videos and qualified music products for the annual show must have been released or reached peak national prominence during the eligibility period.â The finalists were determined by eligible voting CMA members comprised of professionals within the country music industry
âThe 58th Annual CMA Awards,â broadcasts live from Nashvilleâs Bridgestone Arena Wednesday, Nov. 20 (8:00 â 11:00 PM/EST) on ABC and next day on Hulu.
Below, we look at some of the largest snubs and surprises from Mondayâs nominations.
Snub: Beyonce
Morgan Wallen is the leading nominee for the 2024 CMA Awards, as determined by eligible voting members of the Country Music Association. He received seven nods. Cody Johnson and Chris Stapleton follow with five nods each, while Post Malone and Lainey Wilson each nabbed four. Louis Bell, Luke Combs, Charlie Handsome, Hoskins, Jelly Roll, Megan Moroney and Kacey Musgraves each secured three nominations.
Wallen hasnât won at the CMAs since he was crowned new artist of the year four years ago. Less than three months after that breakthrough moment, he was caught on video using a racial slur, an incident which almost certainly cost him some major awards.
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Stapleton received his eighth nod for entertainer of the year, an award he has yet to win. (He has amassed more nods without a win in that category than any other artist in CMA history.) Also nominated are Combs (his fifth nod in the category), Wallen (his third), Wilson (her second) and Jelly Roll (his first).
The eligibility period for the 2024 CMA Awards is July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024. That means such high-profile albums as Zach Bryanâs The Great American Bar Scene, Wilsonâs Whirlwind and Post Maloneâs F-1 Trillion wonât be eligible until next year.
All five albums for album of the year reached the top five on Billboardâs Top Country Albums chart. The biggest surprise among them is Jelly Rollâs Whitsitt Chapel, which was released on June 2, 2023, nearly a month before the close of last yearâs eligibility period. CMA explains âIt is eligible because the majority of its consumption occurred in the [current] eligibility period,â a rule that was introduced last year and is now in its second year.
Starting Over is Stapletonâs fifth consecutive studio album to be nominated for album of the year â his entire solo discography to date. Fathers & Sons is Combsâ fourth consecutive album to receive a nomination in that category.
BeyoncĂŠ is conspicuous by her absence on the ballot. CMA voters seemed to agree with the superstarâs statement on Instagram back in March in which she confirmed the imminent release of Cowboy Carter: âThis ainât a Country album. This is a âBeyoncĂŠâ album.â In that same Instagram post, Beyonce said: âThis album has been over five years in the making. It was born out of an experience that I had years ago where I did not feel welcomedâŚand it was very clear that I wasnât.â That comment was widely seen as a reference to BeyoncĂŠâs appearance with The Chicks (then Dixie Chicks) at the CMA Awards in November 2016, where they performed âDaddy Lessons,â a song from Beyâs Lemonade album.
Both of the top two Songs of the Summer on Billboardâs recently published all-genre seasonal recap â âI Had Some Helpâ by Post Malone featuring Wallen and Shaboozeyâs âA Bar Song (Tipsy)â â are nominated for single of the year. (The No. 2 Song of the Summer for 2023, Luke Combsâ âFast Car,â won the CMA award for single of the year last year.)
âI Had Some Helpâ and Johnsonâs âDirt Cheapâ are each nominated for single, song and music video of the year. Stapletonâs âWhite Horseâ is nominated for the first two of those awards, but it wasnât nominated for music video of the year.
The nominees for new artist of the year are Moroney, Shaboozey, Nate Smith, Mitchell Tenpenny, Zach Top and Bailey Zimmerman. Moroney was also nominated in the category last year. Zimmerman was nominated two years ago. (CMA rules allow artists to be nominated in this category twice).
Shaboozey is the fifth Black artist to be nominated in this category (or the horizon award, as the award was known from its inception in 1981 through 2007). Music legend Ray Charles was nominated in 1985 when he made a country market breakthrough, followed by Darius Rucker (2009) and Jimmie Allen and Mickey Guyton (both 2021). Rucker and Allen both won.
Miranda Lambert failed to receive a nod for female vocalist of the year, breaking a 17-year streak of nominations in that category. Carly Pearce broke a three-year string of nods in that category. Midland wasnât nominated for vocal group of the year, breaking a six-year streak. (The Red Clay Strays took that spot.) Carrie Underwood wasnât nominated for entertainer of the year, breaking a five-year streak of nods in that category. (Jelly Roll took that spot.)
Musgraves got her CMA mojo back. Sheâs up for female vocalist of the year for the first time in five years. Sheâs also up for album of the year after failing to get a nod in that category for her previous album, Star-Crossed.
The nominations in two key categories â male vocalist of the year and vocal duo of the year â were exactly the same as last year.
Winners of the 58th Annual CMA Awards 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 Tuesday, Oct. 1. Voting for the CMA Awards final ballot ends Tuesday, Oct. 29 (6:00 p.m. CT).
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. The winners will be revealed in October and recipients will be honored at the CMA Awards.Â
The 58th Annual CMA Awards is set to broadcast live from Nashvilleâs Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 20 (8:00â11:00 p.m. ET) on ABC and next day on Hulu. The CMA has yet to announce the showâs host. Luke Bryan has hosted the last three years, the last two in tandem with Peyton Manning
The 58th Annual CMA Awards is a production of the Country Music Association. Robert Deaton is the executive producer, Alan Carter is the director and Jon Macks is the head writer.Â
Tickets go on sale on Friday Sept. 13th starting at 10:00 a.m. CT through Ticketmaster.
Hereâs a full list of nominations for the 58th annual CMA Awards.
Entertainer of the year
Luke Combs
Jelly Roll
Chris Stapleton
Morgan Wallen
Lainey Wilson
Single of the year
Award goes to artist(s), producer(s) and mix engineer(s)
âA Bar Song (Tipsy)â â Shaboozey; Producers: Sean Cook, Nevin Sastry; Mix Engineer: Raul Lopez
âDirt Cheapâ â Cody Johnson; Producer: Trent Willmon; Mix Engineer: Jack Clarke
âI Had Some Helpâ â Post Malone (Feat. Morgan Wallen); Producers: Louis Bell, Charlie Handsome, Hoskins; Mix Engineer: Ryan Gore
âWatermelon Moonshineâ â Lainey Wilson; Producer: Jay Joyce; Mix Engineers: Jason Hall, Jay Joyce
âWhite Horseâ â Chris Stapleton; Producers: Dave Cobb, Chris Stapleton, Morgane Stapleton; Mix Engineer: Vance Powell
Album of the year Â
Award goes to artist, producer(s) and mix engineer(s)
Deeper Well â Kacey Musgraves; Producers: Ian Fitchuk, Kacey Musgraves, Daniel Tashian; Mix Engineers: Shawn Everett, Konrad Snyder
Fathers & Sons â Luke Combs; Producers: Luke Combs, Chip Matthews, Jonathan Singleton; Mix Engineer: Chip Matthews
Higher â Chris Stapleton; Producers: Dave Cobb, Chris Stapleton, Morgane Stapleton; Mix Engineer: Vance Powell
Leather â Cody Johnson; Producer: Trent Willmon; Mix Engineer: Jack Clarke
Whitsitt Chapel â Jelly Roll; Producers: Andrew Baylis, Brock Berryhill, Zach Crowell, Jesse Frasure, David Garcia, Kevin âThrasherâ Gruft, Austin Nivarel, David Ray Stevens; Mix Engineers: Jeff Braun, Jim Cooley
Song of the yearÂ
Award goes to songwriter(s)
âBurn It Downâ; Songwriters: Hillary Lindsey, Parker McCollum, Lori McKenna, Liz Rose
âDirt Cheapâ; Songwriter: Josh Phillips
âI Had Some Helpâ; Songwriters: Louis Bell, Ashley Gorley, Charlie Handsome, Hoskins, Austin Post, Ernest Keith Smith, Morgan Wallen, Chandler Paul Walters
âThe Painterâ; Songwriters: Benjy Davis, Kat Higgins, Ryan Larkins
âWhite Horseâ; Songwriters: Chris Stapleton, Dan Wilson
Female vocalist of the yearÂ
Kelsea Ballerini
Ashley McBryde
Megan Moroney
Kacey Musgraves
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
Old Dominion
The Red Clay Strays
Zac Brown Band
Vocal duo of the year Â
Brooks & Dunn
Brothers Osborne
Dan + Shay
Maddie & Tae
The War and Treaty
Musical event of the yearÂ
Award goes to artists and producer(s)Â
âCowboys Cry Tooâ â Kelsea Ballerini (with Noah Kahan); Producers: Kelsea Ballerini, Alysa Vanderheym
âI Had Some Helpâ â Post Malone (Feat. Morgan Wallen); Producers: Louis Bell, Charlie Handsome, Hoskins
âI Remember Everythingâ â Zach Bryan (ft. Kacey Musgraves); Producer: Zach Bryan
âMan Made a Barâ â Morgan Wallen (feat. Eric Church); Producer: Joey Moi
âyou look like you love meâ â Ella Langley (feat. Riley Green); Producer: Will Bundy
Musician of the year
Tom Bukovac â Guitar
Jenee Fleenor â Fiddle
Paul Franklin â Steel Guitar
Rob McNelley â Guitar
Charlie Worsham â Guitar
Music video of the yearÂ
Award goes to artist(s) and director(s)
âDirt Cheapâ â Cody Johnson; Director: Dustin Haney
âI Had Some Helpâ â Post Malone (Feat. Morgan Wallen); Director: Chris Villa
âIâm Not Prettyâ â Megan Moroney; Directors: Jeff Johnson, Megan Moroney
âThe Painterâ â Cody Johnson; Director: Dustin Haney
âWildflowers and Wild Horsesâ â Lainey Wilson; Director: Patrick Tracy
New artist of the year
Megan Moroney
Shaboozey
Nate Smith
Mitchell Tenpenny
Zach Top
Bailey Zimmerman
  Â
Weekly national
âAmerican Country Countdownâ (Kix Brooks) â Cumulus/Westwood One
âCountry Gold with Terri Clarkâ (Terri Clark) â Westwood One
âCrook & Chase Countdownâ (Lorianne Crook and Charlie Chase) â Jim Owens Entertainment
âHighway Hot 30 with Buzz Brainardâ (Buzz Brainard) â SiriusXM
âHonky Tonkinâ with Tracy Lawrenceâ (Tracy Lawrence and Patrick Thomas) â Silverfish Media
Daily national
âThe Bobby Bones Showâ (Bobby Bones, Amy Brown, âLunchboxâ Dan Chappell, Eddie Garcia, Morgan Huelsman, âSZN Raymundoâ Ray Slater, âMike Dâ Rodriguez, Abby Anderson, âKick Off Kevinâ OâConnell, and Stephen âScuba Steveâ Spradlin) â iHeartMedia
âMichael J On Airâ (Michael J. Stuehler) â iHeartMedia
âNights with Elainaâ (Elaina Smith) â Westwood One / Cumulus Media
âPickleJar Up All Night with Patrick Thomasâ (Patrick Thomas) â PickleJar / Cumulus Media
âSteve Harmon Showâ (Steve Harmon) â Westwood One / Cumulus Media
Major market
âThe Andie Summers Showâ (Andie Summers, Jeff Kurkjian, Donnie Black, and Shannon Boyle) â WXTU, Philadelphia, Pa.
âChris Carr & Companyâ (Chris Carr, Kia Becht, and Sam Sansevere) â KEEY, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn.
âFrito & Katyâ (Tucker âFritoâ Young and Katy Dempsey) â KCYY, San Antonio, Texas
âThe Morning Wolfpack with Matt McAllisterâ (Matt McAllister, Gabe Mercer, and âCaptain Ronâ Koons) â KKWF, Seattle, Wash.
âThe Most Fun Afternoons With Scotty Kayâ (Scotty Kay) â WUSN, Chicago, Ill.
Large market
âDale Carter Morning Showâ (Dale Carter) â KFKF, Kansas City, Mo.
âHeather Froglearâ (Heather Froglear) â KFRG, Riverside-San Bernardino, Calif.
âJesse & Annaâ (Jesse Tack and Anna Marie) â WUBE, Cincinnati, Ohio
âMike & Amandaâ (Mike Wheless and Amanda Daughtry) â WQDR, Raleigh-Durham, N.C.
âOn-Air with Anthonyâ (Anthony Donatelli) â KFRG, Riverside-San Bernardino, Calif.
Medium market
âBrent Michaelsâ (Brent Michaels) â KUZZ, Bakersfield, Calif.
âJoey & Nancyâ (Joey Tack, Nancy Barger, and Karly Duggan) â WIVK, Knoxville, Tenn.
âNew Country Mornings with Nancy and Woodyâ (Nancy Wilson and Aaron âWoodyâ Woods) â WHKO, Dayton, Ohio
âScott and Sarah in the Morningâ (Scott Wynn and Sarah Kay) â WQMX, Akron, Ohio
âSteve & Gina In The Morningâ (Steve Lundy and Gina Melton) â KXKT, Omaha-Council Bluffs, Neb.-Iowa
Small market
âDan Austin Showâ (Dan Austin) â WQHK, Fort Wayne, Ind.
âDave and Jennâ (Dave Roberts and Jenn Seay) â WTCR, Huntington-Ashland, W. Va.
âThe Eddie Foxx Showâ (Eddie Foxx and Amanda Foxx) â WKSF, Asheville, N.C.
âHilley & Hartâ (Kevin Hilley and Erin Hart) â KATI, Columbia, Mo.
âOfficer Don & DeAnnâ (âOfficer Donâ Evans and DeAnn Stephens) â WBUL, Lexington-Fayette, Ky.
Major market
KCYY â San Antonio, Texas
KKBQ â Houston, Texas
KYGO â Denver, Colo.
WXTU â Philadelphia, Pa.
WYCD â Detroit, Mich.
Large market
WIRK â West Palm Beach-Boca Raton, Fla.
WMIL â Milwaukee-Racine, Wis.
WQDR â Raleigh-Durham, N.C.     Â
WSIX â Nashville, Tenn.
WWKA â Orlando, Fla.
Medium market
KXKT â Omaha-Council Bluffs, Neb.-Iowa
WBEE â Rochester, N.Y.
WIVK â Knoxville, Tenn.
WLFP â Memphis, Tenn.
WUSY â Chattanooga, Tenn.
Small market
WCOW â La Crosse, Wis.
WKML â Fayetteville, N.C.
WKXC â Augusta, Ga.
WXFL â Florence-Muscle Shoals, Ala.
WYCT â Pensacola, Fla.
Dierks Bentley held court at Nashvilleâs Bridgestone Arena, calling the 20,000-seat venue âthe biggest honky tonk on Lower Broadway.â He should knowâheâs played many of Nashvilleâs tiny clubs early in his career, perhaps most notably the iconic bluegrass room The Station Inn, cultivating his mix of country, rock and bluegrass-tinged music, before breaking through with his 2003 debut single âWhat Was I Thinkinâ.â
His comparison with Lower Broadwayâs ever-growing slate of honky-tonks (including his own Whiskey Row, which opened in 2018) was apt, as the evening was filled with many of the hallmarks of any number of club-sized venues dotting downtown Nashville, including guest artists dropping by, â90s cover songs aplenty and even some karaoke moments.
Two decades into his career, Bentley has earned 18 Billboard Country Airplay No. 1s and 15 Grammy nominations. Veering along country musicâs sonic sweep of sounds, encompassing rock, â90s and 2000s country and rock, and bluegrass, Bentley offered hits including âI Hold On,â âA Lot of Leavinâ Left to Do,â â5150,â âWhat Was I Thinkinâ,â âBlack,â and âLivinâ.â
âMy hope for the show is that you find a moment where you feel like youâre living,â Bentley told the crowd.
Heâs also forged a concert style that blends hits, a genuine onstage ebullience that easily outpaces many of todayâs newcomers, and intentional audience engagement (such as bringing one fan onstage for a beer-chugging challenge and offering another fan a karaoke moment). Bentleyâs crack band, including Charlie Worsham, Ben Helson, Tim Sergent, Steve Misamore, and Cassady Feasby, provide a perfect foil for Bentley, not only musically, but they easily match his often goofball humor, such as their humorous, hockey-themed band intro video and when Bentley repeatedly jumped in front of bandmate Worsham during Worshamâs take on Garth Brooksâ âCallinâ Baton Rouge.â
The wide range of music in Bentleyâs showâgobs of â90s country covers, Bentleyâs own two decades of 2000s hits and music from many of todayâs buzziest newcomersâchronicled the evolution of country musicâs soundscape.
Opening for Bentley was Bluegrass/Americana newcomer Bella White, who offered up songs from her album Among Other Things, including songs about fizzled relationships (âBreak My Heartâ) and dirtbag men (âMarilynâ), as well as a sterling version of Lucinda Williamsâ âConcrete and Barbed Wire.,â which drew devoted applause from the concertâs early arrivals.
Meanwhile, fellow opener Chase Rice offered up a set filled with personal meaning for the singer-songwriter. The acoustic guitar he played was one his father had given him when Rice first started learning music. Noting that his father died two years after he was given the guitar, he honored his fatherâs memory by performing one of the first songs he played for his dad, John Denverâs âTake Me Home, Country Roads.â Rice was first known as a songwriter, contributing to the Florida Georgia Lineâs âCruise,â before he notched his own pop-country hits including âReady Set Rollâ and âEyes on You.â He included all of those in his Bridgestone set, but best highlighting his talents were his newer songs, such as âHaw River,â that will be on his new album Goinâ Down Singinâ (out Sept. 20), showcasing his more roots-leaning, rawer sound and matured songwriting.
In his own set, Bentley welcomed The Red Clay Strays lead singer Brandon Coleman, as well as country singer-songwriter Zach Top.
Here, we look at 5 top moments:
Dierks Bentleyâs Decade-Old Hit Still Resonates