Music
And ahead of the 2026 CMA Awards airing Nov. 18, the Country Music Association launched its slate of candidates on Sept. 10.
Leading this year’s pack is Ella Langleywho made 9 elections, simply shy of Alan Jackson‘s record of 10 in 2002. The 27-year-old has actually made nods in classifications such as Entertainer and Female Vocalist of the Year, while her album Dandelionremains in the running for the year’s finest.
When it comes to her Entertainer of the year competitors, Langley will need to vanquish Luke Combs Cody Johnson Lainey Wilson and Chris Stapleton
Following her practically record-tying elections, the “Choosin’ Texas” vocalist commemorated her achievement on social networks, composing on Instagram, “What an honor @cma.”
After Langley, Miranda Lambert made the second-highest variety of nods at 7. She’ll take on together with Langley along with Wilson, Megan Moroneyand Kacey Musgravesfor Female Vocalist of the Year.
Picture by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for TAS Rights Management
When it comes to the guys, Combs, Johnson, Stapleton, Zach Top and Stephen Wilson Jrhave actually all been chosen for Male Vocalist of the Year, while the band chemistry of Girl A Little Big Town Midland Old Dominion and The Red Clay Straysall made them elections for Vocal Group of the Year.
The Country Music Association will likewise honor newbies to the c and w scene, with vocalists Emily Ann Roberts Avery Anna Carter Faith Tucker Wetmore and Wilson Jr. chose for New Artist of the Year.
This year’s event will see Wilson go back to host for her 3rd year in a row.
In addition to feeling most thrilled about “commemorating c and w,” Wilson stated following the statement, “I’m delighted to commemorate my pals. It’s simply been a big couple of years for c and w, so, it’s gon na be a celebration.”
This year’s event likewise marks the 60th year of the award program.
“I’ve had a lot enjoyable hosting the last 2 years,” Wilson included“and this one’s going to be additional unique.”
Do not miss out on the 2026 CMA Awards, airing live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Nov. 18. And in the meantime, keep reading for the complete list of candidates at this year’s program.
PERFORMER OF THE YEAR
- Luke Combs
- Cody Johnson
- Ella Langley
- Chris Stapleton
- Lainey Wilson
SINGLE OF THE YEAR
“Be Her”– Ella Langley
- “Choosin’ Texas”– Ella Langley
- “I Knew It, I Knew You”– Taylor Swift
- “Somewhere Over Laredo”– Lainey Wilson
- “The Fall”– Cody Johnson
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
- Ain’t In It For My Health — Zach Top
- Dandelion– Ella Langley
- Middle of Nowhere — Kacey Musgraves
- Parker McCollum — Parker McCollum
- The Way I Am — Luke Combs
TUNE OF THE YEAR
- “Be Her,” Songwriters: Smith Ahnquist, Michael Hardy, Ella Langley, Jordan Schmidt
- “Beautiful Things,” Songwriters: Jessi Alexander, Jessie Jo Dillon, Connie Harrington, Megan Moroney
- “Choosin’ Texas,” Songwriters: Luke Dick, Ella Langley, Miranda Lambert, Joybeth Taylor
- “Dry Spell,” Songwriters: Luke Laird, Shane McAnally, Kacey Musgraves, Josh Osborne
- “Gary,” Songwriter: Stephen Wilson Jr.
FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
- Miranda Lambert
- Ella Langley
- Megan Moroney
- Kacey Musgraves
- Lainey Wilson
MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
- Luke Combs
- Cody Johnson
- Chris Stapleton
- Zach Top
- Stephen Wilson Jr.
SINGING GROUP OF THE YEAR
- Girl A
- Little Big Town
- Midland
- Old Dominion
- The Red Clay Strays
SINGING DUO OF THE YEAR
- Brooks & & Dunn
- Bro Osborne
- Dan + Shay
- Muscadine Bloodline
- Thelma & & James
MUSICAL EVENT OF THE YEAR
- “A Song To Sing”– Miranda Lambert (with Chris Stapleton)
- “Horses and Divorces”– Kacey Musgraves (accomplishment. Miranda Lambert)
- “I Can’t Love You Anymore”– Ella Langley & & Morgan Wallen
- “If I Don’t Leave I’m Gon na Stay”– Carly Pearce & & Riley Green
- “McArthur”– HARDY, Eric Church, Morgan Wallen & & Tim McGraw
ARTIST OF THE YEAR
- Tom Bukovac– Guitar
- Jenee Fleenor– Fiddle
- Paul Franklin– Steel Guitar
- Rob McNelley– Guitar
- Charlie Worsham– Guitar
VIDEO OF THE YEAR
- “Choosin’ Texas”– Ella Langley
- “Dry Spell”– Kacey Musgraves
- “Gary”– Stephen Wilson Jr.
- “The Fall”– Cody Johnson
- “White Horse”– Chris Stapleton
BRAND-NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
- Avery Anna
- Carter Faith
- Emily Ann Roberts
- Tucker Wetmore
- Stephen Wilson Jr.
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