State Champ Radio genre country
Page: 5
Trending on Billboard
Cody Johnson debuts at No. 2 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart (dated Nov. 22) with a take on The Chicks’ “Travelin’ Soldier.” The update starts with 11.9 million official U.S. streams, 1.3 million in radio audience and 5,000 sold Nov. 7-13, according to Luminate.
It’s Johnson’s highest entrance on the survey, where he’s collected four top 10s, with his first, “’Til You Can’t,” having ruled for nine weeks in 2022. The new “Travelin’ Soldier” also launches atop both Country Streaming Songs and Country Digital Song Sales, becoming his second and fourth No. 1, respectively.
Written and first recorded by Bruce Robison, “Travelin’ Soldier” has been a staple in Johnson’s live set in recent years. He previously issued a stripped-down version during a 2020 livestream and continued fan demand led to the new studio recording, released Nov. 7 ahead of Veterans Day on Nov. 11.
The song carries a notable chart legacy. The Chicks’ rendition topped Hot Country Songs for a week in March 2003, marking the group’s sixth and most recent No. 1. It reigned days after the trio drew intense backlash following Natalie Maines’ criticism of then-U.S. president George W. Bush — a flashpoint that reshaped the group’s relationship with country radio and has been widely chronicled in the decades since.
Ballerini Strolls In
Kelsea Ballerini opens at No. 37 on Hot Country Songs with “I Sit in Parks” (2.9 million streams, 1,000 sold). The track appears on her six-song EP, Mt. Pleasant, released Nov. 14. She’ll perform Wednesday (Nov. 19) at the 59th Annual CMA Awards, airing on ABC, and is nominated for female vocalist of the year.
Meanwhile, Johnson, recovering from surgery to repair a ruptured eardrum, will sit out the telecast. Still, he enters the night as one of its leading contenders, earning four nominations, including entertainer and male vocalist of the year.
Trending on Billboard
The BMI Country Awards celebrated the top songwriters and music publishers driving the past year’s 50 most-performed songs in the country music genre during a star-studded celebration held Nov. 18 at BMI’s Nashville office. The evening was led by BMI president/CEO Mike O’Neill and hosted by BMI’s chief revenue and creative officer Mike Steinberg, as well as BMI Nashville vice president of creative Clay Bradley, who called the evening “the greatest parking lot party in the world.”
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
Clint Black was celebrated for more than three decades of crafting songs that have considerably impacted country music, when he was presented with the BMI Icon Award.
Black has been affiliated with BMI since 1993 and has earned 20 BMI Country Awards during his career. He’s also earned 13 No. 1 Billboard Hot Country Songs chart hits, among them “Summer’s Comin’,” “Walkin’ Away,” “A Good Run of Back Luck,” and “When My Ship Comes In.” Black has been a writer on the majority of his biggest hits, while also etching a multi-faceted career that has included roles as a musician, actor and producer. He’s earned five ACM Awards, four CMA Awards and a Grammy.
An illustrious lineup of artists took part to honor Black throughout the night with their renditions of his songs. Midland performed “A Better Man,” while Jamey Johnson performed “Untanglin’ My Mind.”
“Thank you for such an indelible mark that you’ve left on music,” Johnson told Black.
Jamey Johnson performs onstage at the 2025 BMI Country Awards at BMI on Nov. 18, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Erika Goldring/Getty Images for BMI
Riley Green performed a rendition of “Killin’ Time,” while Randy Houser and Wynonna earned a standing ovation for their performance of “A Bad Goodbye,” which Wynonna and Black originally released in 1993.
Beyond the performances, other artists and music executives feted Black through video segments, including acclaimed journalist/author Robert K. Oermann, Sony Music Publishing Nashville CEO Rusty Gaston, artists Tim McGraw, Luke Bryan, Darius Rucker, Bill Anderson, Luke Combs, late night television host Conan O’Brien and actors Billy Bob Thornton and Matthew McConaughey.
In a video tribute, Bryan said of Black’s 1989 Killin’ Time album, “It never left my stereo, my speakers… that album changed my life.”
Black attended the awards with his wife of 34 years, Lisa Hartman-Black, and their daughter Lily Pearl Black, who is following in her father’s footsteps as a singer-songwriter.
In accepting his BMI Icon Award, Black recalled how songwriting was a formative part of his childhood, and how his father showed him the liner notes on a Merle Haggard record. “He taught me how to read the liner notes. He’d say, ‘There’s the artist, there’s the songwriter, there’s the producer…’ He said, ‘It’s usually Billy Sherrill, if it’s good.’ From that point on, I wanted to be a songwriter. Being up here, standing up here, I can tell you, it’s the best job. I’m so grateful. To all of you who sang my songs to me tonight, it was a real treat and a real honor… I’m in such great company here tonight.”
Black also added, “You don’t do what we do without a long train of people behind you, pushing you up the hill. There have been a lot of people in my life who are as much responsible for this moment as I am…Seeing how many of my friends and fellow artists pitched in to make this special is truly humbling. It’s unexpected and that makes it twice as good.”
Charlie Handsome speaks onstage during the 2025 BMI Country Awards at BMI on Nov. 18, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Erika Goldring/Getty Images for BMI
The evening also celebrated 38 first-time award winners, among them Seth Ennis (for the Dylan Marlowe/Dylan Scott collab “Boys Back Home”), MacKenzie Carpenter (for Megan Moroney’s “I’m Not Pretty”), Thomas Eriksen (for Kane Brown’s “Miles On It”), Zach Top for his own hit “I Never Lie,” Tucker Wetmore for his hit “Wind Up Missin’ You,” Chase Matthew for his hit “Love You Again,” and Nevin Sastry for Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy).”
Charlie Handsome took home BMI country songwriter of the year honors, for his work in crafting hit songs including “I Had Some Help,” “Love Somebody,” “Guy for That,” “This Town’s Been Too Good to Us,” and “Pour Me a Drink.”
“This is probably the first time a rap/hip-hop producer won songwriter of the year in country,” Handsome said, drawing cheers from the crowd. He later added, “I started keeping this circle around me. If you stick with the best writers you know, and work with people who are better than you, you can win.” He also praised many of his musical and industry cohorts, including Post Malone, Morgan Wallen, ERNEST and HARDY.
The Wallen/Post Malone collaboration “I Had Some Help,” which spent six weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, was named song of the year. Co-writers on the song Ernest Keith Smith, Handsome, Hoskins, Wallen and Chandler Paul Walters were honored, as were the song’s publishers, Big Loud Mountain, Sony/ATV Songs LLC and Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
For a third consecutive year, Warner-Tamerlane was named BMI country publisher of the year. The company published 32 of the 50 most-performed songs of the year, among them Luke Bryan’s “Love You, Miss You, Mean It,” Zach Bryan’s “28,” “Tourniquet” and “Pink Skies,” the Ella Langley/Riley Green collaboration “You Look Like You Love Me,” Cody Johnson’s “Dirt Cheap,” Jelly Roll’s “Halfway to Hell,” “I Am Not Okay” and “Liar,” and Bailey Zimmerman’s “Holy Smokes.”
Randy Houser and Wynonna Judd perform onstage at the 2025 BMI Country Awards at BMI on Nov. 18, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Erika Goldring/Getty Images for BMI
Trending on Billboard Post Malone has earned his first CMA Awards win. The singer-songwriter was among the artists named in an early round of CMA Awards wins announcements in two categories on Wednesday, Nov. 19. Post Malone and Blake Shelton won for CMA musical event of the year for their collaboration “Pour Me a Drink,” […]
Zach Bryan opened up to his fans on Tuesday (Nov. 18) about some hard, deeply meaningful work he’s done on himself over the past few months in an Instagram post about his sobriety and mental health journey. Along the way, the 29-year-old “Pink Skies” singer also revealed that he hasn’t touched any alcohol in two months after confronting what he described as his “toxic” relationship with booze.
“Recently, I went on a motorcycle trip across the country. For 20 days I camped and rode looking for a solution,” he wrote in the lengthy post. “At the end of this ride, I was sitting in a parking lot in Seattle, Washington thinking, ‘I really need some f–king help.’” The singer said that after spending a a decade in the Navy before being “thrown into the spotlight” that he wasn’t fully prepared for, he realized the “subconscious effects” of that sudden fame had on him.
“I was not content but I also feared showing weakness because that’s not who I am or how I was raised. To charge forward and to never settle was the motto,” he said. “I was stuck in a perpetual discontent that led me to always reaching for alcohol, not for the taste, but because there was a consistent black hole in me always needing its void filled.”
Bryan described the anxiety of being “lied about and doxxed” on the internet, as well as helping a close friend following a severe mental break and tending to another best friend who was put into a coma following a motorcycle accident while touring the country and playing five or six nights a week. The resulting stress led to what he described as “earth-shattering panic attacks” and “paralyzing” anxiety. “I thought since I was successful, had the money I always longed for, and had great friends, that I could tough anything out,” Bryan wrote.
He found a therapist and made what he called a “conscious decision to do something about my toxic relationship with booze” and how he copes with major life changes. Bryan then revealed that he hasn’t touched alcohol for nearly two months, something he did in search of his own “personal clarity. I needed to see the world objectively.” The singer said his family supported him on every step of his journey, with conversations about his future, possibly having children one day, his health and girlfriend Samantha Leonard’s happiness pushing him to prioritize not just himself, but his whole family.
“I feel great, I feel content, I feel whole,” Bryan wrote. “There is nothing I need to get me by anymore. If you or any of your friends are too tough, too scared or too stubborn to reach out, know that the most stubborn dumbass on the planet did and didn’t regret it.” Bryan concluded by saying that he doesn’t believe in absolutes, and that one day he might learn to control his habits. For now, though, he wanted fans to know that “it is okay to be weak at times and need help.”
In addition to the stresses Bryan addressed, he also went through a very public, messy breakup with former girlfriend podcaster Brianna “Chickenfry” LaPaglia last year and then got into a dust-up with fellow country singer Gavin Adcock in September following months of back-and-forth.
In the caption, Bryan stressed that he knows he’s one of the luckiest men alive and didn’t share his thoughts in a “greater than thou” effort, but because he knows there are many other people out there silently battling mental health challenges alone. “I hope it helps someone struggling to find words when they’re down on their luck,” he said.
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse or addiction, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 800-662-HELP (4357) is available 24/7.
Trending on Billboard Sombr’s “Back To Friends” enters the top 10 10 of the Billboard Hot 100, while “Mutt” and Olivia Dean’s “Man I Need” keep on climbing up. Can “Ordinary” or “Golden” retake No. 1? Tetris Kelly: This is the Billboard Hot 100 Top 10 for the week dated November 22. Sombr makes it […]
Trending on Billboard
Lainey Wilson is headed to Family Guy!
The Grammy winner will take part in the Hulu exclusive holiday special, Disney’s Hulu’s Family Guy’s Hallmark Channel’s Lifetime’s Familiar Holiday Movie, which is a satire of classic holiday movies.
The episode features Lois (Alex Borstein), a worker at Big Pie, who travels to a small town with the goal of hijacking Peter’s (Seth MacFarlane) secret, beloved pie recipe. Wilson will open the episode as a country singer performing an original song.
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
The special will premiere Friday, Nov. 28, on Hulu, and on Hulu on Disney+. The cast also includes Seth Green, Mila Kunis and Arif Zahir.
“Like so many of the great guest appearances on Family Guy, Lainey’s is due to our casting director Christine Terry who thought she’d be perfect. If the part had called for, say, an ABBA tribute band, we might have been a little more helpful,” Family Guy showrunners Rich Appel and Alec Sulkin said in a statement.
Lainey Wilson is set to solo host the CMA Awards, which will air live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on ABC on Wednesday, Nov. 19. She is also nominated in six categories, including entertainer of the year, album of the year (Whirlwind), female vocalist of the year and single and song of the year (both for “4x4xU”). Wilson won the entertainer of the year honor in 2023, and cohosted last year’s CMA Awards alongside Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning. Her album Whirlwind includes the singles “Hang Tight Honey,” “4x4xU” and “Somewhere Over Laredo.”
Her role on Family Guy isn’t her first television role. Wilson previously had a recurring part on the hit series Yellowstone, portraying an aspiring country singer named Abby. She is also set to make her film debut next year, with a role in the upcoming movie Reminders of Him.
See the trailer for the holiday special episode of Family Guy below:
Trending on Billboard
Chase Stokes is not pleased with certain people in Kelsea Ballerini‘s comments section.
After the country singer-songwriter — who reportedly reconciled with the Outer Banks star two months after ending their three-year relationship — posted a TikTok promoting new song “People Pleaser,” an onslaught of viewers replied with remarks that didn’t sit well with Stokes. “These comments are f–king weird,” he wrote.
The actor added, “Grow up.”
Some outlets have reported that Stokes’ response was in reference to certain comments about his ex-girlfriend and Outer Banks costar Madelyn Cline. On a different song from Ballerini’s brand new Mount Pleasant EP, “Emerald City,” she sings about struggling with jealousy and obsessive thoughts about her partner’s former flame, which has led some people to take sides between the two women.
“Always liked the color of my eyes ’til I knew she had brown/ I’m green/ Always liked my naïve innocence ’til I learned she got around,” the musician croons on the track. (Yes, Cline has brown eyes.)
But as one person wrote on Ballerini’s video — in which she had simply sung along to “People Pleaser” while showing off her glam look for the day — the song “Emerald City” simply “goes to show the most beautiful woman in the world can still have feelings of jealousy and insecurity.”
Ballerini has been clear in the past that she has no feelings of ill will toward Cline. “I met her and I talked to her and she’s lovely,” she said of the actress on a 2023 episode of Call Her Daddy. “And I think she’s wildly talented. I think the internet did its best to make it weird, and it didn’t work for them … At the end of the day, I’m a girl’s girl, I don’t buy into the bulls–t. I think they have a beautiful working relationship.”
It’s unclear what the status of Ballerini and Stokes’ relationship is currently. In September, a rep for the singer confirmed to Billboard that they’d split, about three years after they’d started dating.
However, People reported earlier in November that the pair appeared to have rekindled their romance, citing an onlooker who’d witnessed them holding hands while out to eat in Dubrovnik, Croatia, where the next season of Outer Banks is filming.
Trending on Billboard
Will it be ladies’ night at the 59th Country Music Association Awards on Wednesday (Nov. 19): For the first time, three women solo artists — Ella Langley, Megan Moroney and Lainey Wilson — share the lead with six nominations each.
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
Wilson will also host the show, which will air live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on ABC starting at 8 p.m. ET, making her only the third woman to solo host, following Dolly Parton and Reba McEntire.
The men then follow with strong showings for Zach Top landing five nominations and Riley Green and Cody Johnson with four each.
Morgan Wallen, who received three nominations, will look to repeat as entertainer of the year.
He’s not the only one looking to keep their winning streaks going: Wilson has a three-year run as female vocalist of the year, while Chris Stapleton has won male vocalist four years straight. Old Dominion has taken home the vocal group of the year seven years in a row.
The eligibility period for nominated releases runs July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025, with the song, album or video having to be released within that period or reach national prominence.
The evening will also include performances from BigXThaPlug with Luke Combs, Stapleton with Miranda Lambert and Shaboozey with Stephen Wilson Jr., as well as Kelsea Ballerini, Brandi Carlile, Kenny Chesney, Green, Langley, Little Big Town, Patty Loveless, Moroney, Old Dominion, The Red Clay Strays, Top, Keith Urban, Tucker Wetmore and Lainey Wilson
Here are Billboard’s predictions on who will emerge victorious in select categories, from Melinda Newman (executive editor, West Coast and Nashville) and Jessica Nicholson (associate editor, Nashville).
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
Luke CombsCody JohnsonChris StapletonMorgan WallenLainey Wilson
Newman: Cody Johnson, who lands his first nomination, takes Jelly Roll’s spot this year, with the other four nominees repeating from last year. Wilson, reigning champ Wallen and Combs have all captured the evening’s biggest award before, while Stapleton is looking for his first win here with his ninth nomination. All five artists had great years with sold-out tours, but Wilson was the one who spread her wings the most, completing her first international tour (to be fair, Wallen and Combs both toured internationally in 2024 and will again in 2026), and she’s hosting the show, which feels perfect to have her emerge from backstage to win. Wallen is the genre’s biggest star right now, but his unwillingness to show up at the awards last year may have unfairly left a bad taste in voters’ mouths.
Will win: Lainey Wilson
Nicholson: Wilson, reigning CMA entertainer of the year Wallen and Luke Combs are all previous winners in the category and are vying for the title again this year. Meanwhile, Stapleton has proven himself to be one of country music’s steadiest headlining touring draws, while Cody Johnson’s hitmaking, hard-touring ways have earned him a spot in the category this year. This marks Wilson’s first year as a solo host of the CMA Awards, while she’s also embarked on her Whirlwind World Tour this year, in addition to building on her reputation as a multi-media star. Look for Lainey to reclaim her entertainer of the year title this year.
Will win: Lainey Wilson
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Award goes to artist, producer(s) and mix engineer(s)
Am I Okay? – Megan Moroney (Producer: Kristian Bush; Mix Engineer: Justin Niebank)Cold Beer & Country Music – Zach Top (Producer: Carson Chamberlain ;Mix Engineer: Matt Rovey)F-1 Trillion – Post Malone (Producers: Louis Bell, Charlie Handsome, Hoskins; Mix Engineer: Ryan Gore)I’m The Problem – Morgan Wallen (Producers: Jacob Durrett, Charlie Handsome, Joey Moi; Mix Engineers: Charlie Handsome, Joey Moi)Whirlwind – Lainey Wilson (Producer: Jay Joyce; Mix Engineers: Jason Hall, Jay Joyce)
Newman: Newcomers Moroney and Top are taking the genre by storm, with Moroney also bringing a raft of young girls into the country tent, similar to how Taylor Swift did nearly 20 (!!) years ago… just go to one of her concerts and you’ll see. Top is leading a neo-traditionalist movement that has endearing him to the industry who likes his pure country stance, similar to last year’s winner, Cody Johnson (with his Leather album). Even though it came out too late to be eligible last year, it feels like Post Malone’s F-1 Trillion’s time has come and gone. Wallen clearly had the most commercially successfully album and Wilson continues to do excellent work, but it feels like Top’s year.
Will win: Cold Beer and Country Music
Nicholson: Megan Moroney’s Am I Okay? has propelled her career to new heights thanks to hits like the title track and “No Caller ID.” Meanwhile, Whirlwind saw Wilson drop new hits including the romantic “4x4xU” and “Somewhere Over Laredo,” and Wallen’s I’m The Problem spent 12 nonconsecutive weeks atop the all-genre Billboard 200. Post Malone’s collaborative-heavy F-1 Trillion also proved a favorite with country fans, while Zac Top’s Cold Beer & Country Music declared the talented country newcomer has arrived in a major way. However, Wilson previously won in this category for her album Bell Bottom Country, and her music has surged even more in depth and popularity since then, so look for Wilson to take home the win here.
Will win: Whirlwind
SONG OF THE YEAR
Award goes to songwriter(s)
“4x4xU” (Songwriters: Jon Decious, Aaron Raitiere, Lainey Wilson)“Am I Okay?” (Songwriters: Jessie Jo Dillon, Luke Laird, Megan Moroney)“I Never Lie” (Songwriters: Carson Chamberlain, Tim Nichols, Zach Top)“Texas” (Songwriters: Johnny Clawson, Josh Dorr, Lalo Guzman, Kyle Sturrock)“you look like you love me” (Songwriters: Riley Green, Ella Langley, Aaron Raitiere)
Newman: Each one of these songs feels like it took the artist, whether established superstar or newbie or somewhere in between, to a new level, becoming an important part of their identity. “Texas,” the only entry not co-written by the performing artist, gave Blake Shelton one of his biggest hits in five years (and his first on new label home, BBR/BMG Nashville), while “Am I Okay” and “I Never Lie” helped solidify Moroney and Top as artists who look like they’ll be here a while. Wilson just keeps getting stronger and stronger with the creative “4X4XU,” while Green and Langley have already shown that “you look like you love me” is a career song for them. But again, Top should have the inside track here.
Will win: “I Never Lie”
Nicholson: The song of the year category places more weight on top-shelf songcraft rather than commercial success, and each of these songs has become a signature hit for the artist that recorded it (or, for four out of five of this year’s nominees, also co-wrote it). Country fans were treated to the dreaminess of “4x4xU,” the bewildered romance of “Am I Okay?,” the flirty “You Look Like You Love Me,” and the slow-burn yearning of “Texas.” But Zach Top’s neo-traditional “I Never Lie,” with its sing-along charm and sly hook, has taken the Washington native to new career heights and will be a tough competitor in this category.
Will win: “I Never Lie”
SINGLE OF THE YEAR
Award goes to artist(s), producer(s) and mix engineer(s)
“4x4xU” – Lainey Wilson (Producer: Jay Joyce; Mix Engineers: Jason Hall, Jay Joyce)“Ain’t No Love in Oklahoma” – Luke Combs (Producers: Luke Combs, Chip Matthews, Jonathan Singleton; Mix Engineer: Chip Matthews)“Am I Okay?” – Megan Moroney (Producer: Kristian Bush; Mix Engineer: Justin Niebank)“I Never Lie” – Zach Top (Producer: Carson Chamberlain; Mix Engineer: Matt Rovey)“you look like you love me” – Ella Langley & Riley Green (Producer: Will Bundy; Mix Engineer: Jim Cooley)
Newman: There’s not a lot of difference between this category and song of the year, other than “Texas” is replaced by “Ain’t No Love in Oklahoma,” Combs’ tune from Twisters. Each song resonated with listeners, with all at least reaching the top five on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart, but there are some notable omissions, including Jelly Roll’s emotional “Liar” and Morgan Wallen’s “I’m the Problem.” Of this batch, Top’s delivery on “I Never Lie,” combined with the neo-traditionalist production, was the best-sounding song of the batch.
Will win: “I Never Lie”
Nicholson: Each of the songs nominated here made an indelible impact on the Billboard charts this year, but the double-shot charisma of Langley and Green, plus the song’s old-school charm and flirty talking verses, was inescapable over the past year. Look for “You Look Like You Love Me” to take the win here.
Will win: “You Look Like You Love Me”
FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Kelsea BalleriniMiranda LambertElla LangleyMegan MoroneyLainey Wilson
Newman: With her eighth nomination, inconceivably Ballerini is still looking for her first win here — while Wilson has created her own mini-dynasty, winning the past three years. The OG is Lambert, with seven wins, and she returns to the category after not being nominated last year. Langley and Moroney are the newcomers who are blazing paths with their big voices. It feels almost impossible to choose, and it may be a little too early for Langley and Moroney (though Wilson won both best new artist and this category in 2022). Still, feels like Wilson has the momentum behind her.
Will win: Lainey Wilson
Nicholson: Lainey Wilson has emerged as the winner in this category for the past three consecutive years, and with another entertainer of the year nomination and her role as host this year, she is a strong contender to maintain her winning streak. But she also has stiff competition, thanks to Megan Moroney, whose Am I Okay? album and accompanying singles have further propelled her career. Ella Langley has lobbed hits at the charts including “Weren’t For The Wind” and “You Look Like You Love Me,” while Kelsea Ballerini had one of her biggest years to date, hitting new chart milestones and launching her successful headlining arena tour. Miranda Lambert also keeps cementing her status as a legendary artist, thanks to touring and her album Postcards From Texas. Still, this category will likely see the multi-talented Wilson continue her winning ways.
Will win: Lainey Wilson
MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Luke CombsCody JohnsonChris StapletonZach TopMorgan Wallen
Newman: Stapleton has won eight of the last 10 years, with a brief punctuation when Combs took home the award twice. All are repeat nominees from last year, except Top, who replaces Jelly Roll. Stapleton hasn’t put out a full new album since 2023, but he just feels unbeatable… and with that voice, who is going to say he isn’t deserving? Zach Top has come on so strong, it wouldn’t be surprising it voters to decide it’s time to anoint a new king. But it still feels like Stapleton has a lock on this category.
Will win: Chris Stapleton
Nicholson: While Stapleton is the perennial favorite in this category, he has plenty of competition this year from fellow stadium tour headliners Luke Combs and Morgan Wallen, while Cody Johnson has proven himself to be a steady hitmaker and concert headliner, and neo-traditional artist Zach Top’s star continues to surge. But Stapleton has had a stranglehold on this category for good reason, so look for him to continue his reign.
Will win: Chris Stapleton
VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
Lady ALittle Big TownOld DominionRascal FlattsThe Red Clay Strays
Newman: This category repeats from last year other than Rascal Flatts, who takes Zac Brown Band’s spot, returning for the first time since 2020. Acts tend to start winning in this category and just keep winning: Old Dominion has won the past seven years, Little Big Town for the six consecutive years before that, Lady A for three years in a row before that and Rascal Flatts for six years before that. Old Dominion has a good chance to prevail again — and is more than deserving — but the Red Clay Strays are bringing an exciting energy and new audience into the genre. Time to pass the torch, even if for just one year.
Will win: The Red Clay Strays
Nicholson: Old Dominion, who released its latest project Barbara this year, is looking to pick up an eighth consecutive win in this category, and is up against other previous category winners Little Big Town, Lady A and Rascal Flatts. The Red Clay Strays pick up their second nomination in the category, thanks to impactful songs like “Drowning,” as well as treks both as openers on The Rolling Stones’ Hackney Diamonds Tour and as headliners at some pretty big venues. The Red Clay Strays are carving their own path and steadily gaining fans with their electrifying performances, while Old Dominion has also stayed consistent in touring and recording, while showcasing an ever-deeping songcraft.
Will win: Old Dominion
VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR
Brooks & DunnBrothers OsborneDan + ShayMaddie & TaeThe War and Treaty
Newman: This category has been among the most static, with the same contenders for the third year in a row. Brooks & Dunn are the reigning champs, winning last year for the first time since 2006 and breaking Brothers Osbornes’ three-year streak. Maddie & Tae are looking for their first win with their 11th nomination. Dan + Shay are gearing up for a second act — but this is a contest between Brooks & Dunn, who continue to enjoy their revival more than 30 years into their career, and Brothers Osborne.
Will win: Brooks & Dunn
Nicholson: Last year, Brooks & Dunn made a major comeback in this category, after winning their 15th vocal duo of the accolade and first trophy in the category since 2006. In late 2024, they also issued their Reboot II project, teaming again with many of their country music colleagues to record versions of B&D classics. Brothers Osborne is a longtime favorite in this category with six total wins, while Dan + Shay previously won this category twice. Maddie & Tae have earned their 11th nomination in the category, while The War and Treaty have picked up three total nominations in the category. Look for Brooks & Dunn to reclaim their winner status in this category again this year.
Will win: Brooks & Dunn
NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Ella LangleyShaboozeyZach TopTucker WetmoreStephen Wilson Jr.
Newman: One of this year’s most competitive categories features five acts, all of whom have had breakthrough years. The CMA Awards allow artists to be nominated up to two times in this category and Shaboozey and Top return after losing to Megan Moroney last year. Though he hasn’t had the radio success that the other four nominees have, Stephen Wilson Jr. continues to increase his critical acclaim and has a deeply passionate fan base within the voting body. Langley is the only previous CMA Awards winner, having snagged the musical event trophy last year for “You Look Like You Love Me” with Riley Green. It’s almost impossible to choose between Langley, Shaboozey and Top, all of whom are leaving their marks already on country music.
Will win: Zach Top
Nicholson: Each of the artists in this category had incredible years, including the first-timers in this category, Langley, Wetmore and Wilson Jr. Langley followed her Country Airplay chart-topper, the Riley Green collab “You Look Like You Love Me,” with the top five hit “Weren’t For The Wind,” embarked on a headlining tour, as well as opening some shows on Morgan Wallen’s stadium tour. Shaboozey headlined his Great American Roadshow Tour, and followed his Billboard Hot 100 chart-topping hit “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” with another Country Airplay chart-topper, “Good News.”
Meanwhile, Top followed his breakthrough album with his sophomore set Ain’t In It For My Health, and continued headlining his own shows, in addition to opening for Dierks Bentley’s Broken Branches Tour and earned a top 10 Country Airplay hit with “I Never Lie.” Wetmore issued his debut album What Not To, which included his Country Airplay top 5 hit “Wind Up Missin’ You.” Wilson Jr. continued building his fanbase and issued the critically acclaimed album søn of dad, while releasing collabs with Shaboozey and Noah Cyrus. Still, as one of the evening’s overall top nominees, look for Langley to pull off the win here.
Will win: Ella Langley
MUSICAL EVENT OF THE YEAR Award goes to Artists and Producer(s)
“Don’t Mind If I Do” – Riley Green (featuring Ella Langley) (Producers: Scott Borchetta, Jimmy Harnen, Dann Huff)“Hard Fought Hallelujah” – Brandon Lake with Jelly Roll (Producer: Micah Nichols)“I’m Gonna Love You” – Cody Johnson (with Carrie Underwood) (Producer: Trent Willmon)“Pour Me A Drink” – Post Malone (feat. Blake Shelton) (Producers: Louis Bell, Charlie Handsome)“You Had To Be There” – Megan Moroney (feat. Kenny Chesney) (Producer: Kristian Bush)
Newman: Green and Langley won this award last year for “You Look Like You Love Me,” and they face stiff competition again for their follow up, “Don’t Mind If I Do.” All five songs are strong, and feature partnerships that feel like great, natural fits, as opposed to sounding Frankensteined together for commercial effect. For example, Moroney and Chesney’s ode to her rise sounds organic given her time opening for him, while Jelly Roll and Brandon Lake take Lake’s song to a new level, given Jelly Roll’s public struggles. Not a clear leader here, but a slight edge goes to Jelly Roll and Lake — especially given how, oddly, this is the only award that Jelly Roll is up for this year.
Will win: “”Hard Fought Hallelujah”
Nicholson: Riley Green and Ella Langley took this category last year with their hit collab “You Look Like You Love Me,” and their latest collab again showcases their musical chemistry. They also have tough competition, as the Jelly Roll/Brandon Lake collaboration “Hard Fought Hallelujah” found success on both the Hot Country Songs and Hot Christian Songs charts, while “I’m Gonna Love You,” “Pour Me a Drink” and “You Had to Be There” also each found country chart success. Still, the multi-genre juggernaut duet between the charismatic Jelly Roll and top CCM artist Brandon Lake is likely to take the lead here.
Will win: “Hard Fought Hallelujah”
Trending on Billboard
Ashley Gorley and Shaboozey won top honors at the 2025 ASCAP Nashville Songwriters Celebration, with Gorley winning ASCAP country music songwriter of the year for a record 12th time. That’s more times than anyone has won songwriter of the year at an ASCAP awards celebration in any genre.
Related
ASCAP celebrated the winners at an invitation-only party on Monday (Nov. 17) in Nashville. ASCAP chairman of the board and president Paul Williams, ASCAP CEO Elizabeth Matthews, ASCAP executive vp and head of creative membership Nicole George-Middleton and ASCAP vp of Nashville membership Mike Sistad handed out awards.
Among ASCAP’s most-performed country songs of the year, penned by Gorley, are “Fix What You Didn’t Break” (Nate Smith), “I Am Not Okay” (Jelly Roll), “Liar” (Jelly Roll) and “Park” (Tyler Hubbard). In June, Gorley was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Shaboozey received the ASCAP country music songwriter/artist of the year honor. In addition to his “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” earning ASCAP’s country music song of the year, his “Good News” (co-written by Sean Cook) is also among ASCAP’s most-performed country songs of the year.
“A Bar Song (Tipsy)” was co-written by Sean Cook, Jerrell “J-Kwon” Jones, Joe Capo Kent and Mark “Tarboy” Williams. It was published by Sony Music Publishing, Essancy Music, Seeker Music, Range Music Publishing, Tarpo Music Publishing, Hood Hop Music, Kreshendo and Warner Chappell Music. The song topped the Billboard Hot 100 for 19 weeks, tying Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road” (featuring Billy Ray Cyrus) as the longest-running No. 1 song in Hot 100 history (which dates to 1958).
Additionally, “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” won a CMA Award for single of the year, a Billboard Music Award for top country song and top-selling song, and a Brit Award for international song of the year. Shaboozey is nominated for new artist of the year at Wednesday’s CMA Awards and recently received Grammy nominations for best country solo performance, best country duo/group performance and best country song.
Sony Music Publishing is the ASCAP country music publisher of the year. Among their awarded titles are “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” for the second consecutive year, “Fix What You Didn’t Break” (Nate Smith), “Hard Fought Hallelujah” (Brandon Lake, Jelly Roll), “Good News” (Shaboozey), “Cowboys Cry Too” (Kelsea Ballerini, Noah Kahan), “Coming Home” (Old Dominion), “Country House” (Sam Hunt), “I Am Not Okay” (Jelly Roll), “4x4xU” (Lainey Wilson) and “Love You, Miss You, Mean It” (Luke Bryan).
The ASCAP writers and publishers of the most-performed Christian music songs also received their awards at the celebration.
A complete list of ASCAP country music winners can be found at the ASCAP site.
Trending on Billboard Just two years after singer-songwriter Dasha released her breakthrough hit “Austin (Boots Stop Workin’),” the dance-fueled song has surpassed one billion streams on Spotify, joining the streaming service’s Billions Club. Explore See latest videos, charts and news In reaching the milestone, Dasha becomes just the second solo female country artist to ever […]
