BREAKING: Lainey Wilson, Ashley McBryde, Carly Pearce, and Chris Stapleton Lead CMA Awards Nominees

Nominees for the 56th Annual CMA Awards were revealed on Wednesday (Sept. 7) and Lainey Wilson, Ashley McBryde, Carly Pearce, and Chris Stapleton are among the most nominated. 

Wilson, a first-time nominee, leads the pack with a whopping six nominations, including Album of the Year (Sayin’ What I’m Thinkin’), Female Vocalist of the Year, Music Video of the Year (“Never Say Never”), Musical Event of the Year (“Never Say Never”), New Artist of the Year,  Song of the Year (“Things A Man Oughta Know”)  

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Country Music Association (@cma)

McBryde, Pearce, Stapleton and songwriter/producer Shane McAnally follow behind with five nods each with Cody Johnson and producer/songwriter Josh Osborne after with four nominations. 

Luke Combs, HARDY, Miranda Lambert, Midland, and Carrie Underwood secure three nominations a piece. 

Wilson, BRELAND, Walker Hayes, Parker McCollum, and more are first-time CMA Awards nominees.

Stapleton, Morgan Wallen, Carrie Underwood, Miranda Lambert, and Luke Combs are vying for the night’s highest honor, Entertainer Of The Year, an award Combs won in 2021.

“It’s thrilling to celebrate these deserving nominees while our industry is returning to live music,” says Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “This year’s slate is impressive, with some nominees logging historic milestones while others are just getting started. No matter what stage in their career, they each bring a unique voice and unforgettable story to life, showing that Country Music is stronger than ever! We look forward to honoring them this November.” 

“Country Music’s Biggest Night” will be co-hosted by two-time CMA Entertainer Of The Year Luke Bryan and NFL superstar Peyton Manning, 

“Being a part of such a historical night that honors my peers and Country Music is such a privilege,” Bryan previously stated. “When I was asked if Peyton Manning was someone I would consider co-hosting with, I didn’t hesitate. We have become great friends through the years and what he brings to the table is gonna make it even more of a blast. I know he’s been to the CMA Awards before, but he’s never been with me. Hey Peyton, I hope you’re ready for the night of your life!”

“I cannot wait to head to Nashville and take the CMA Awards stage alongside my friend Luke 

Bryan,” Manning added. “I am such a huge fan of Country Music, so to have the chance to stand among so many incredibly talented artists is an absolute honor.”

The 56th Annual CMA Awards will air LIVE from Nashville on Wednesday, November 9 (8-11 pm EST) on ABC.

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR

• Luke Combs   
• Miranda Lambert    
• Chris Stapleton  
• Carrie Underwood   
• Morgan Wallen 

SINGLE OF THE YEAR
Award goes to Artist(s), Producer(s) and Mix Engineer  

• “Buy Dirt” – Jordan Davis featuring Luke Bryan 
  Producer: Paul DiGiovanni 
  Mix Engineer: Jim Cooley 
• “half of my hometown” – Kelsea Ballerini (feat. Kenny Chesney) 
  Producers: Kelsea Ballerini, Ross Copperman, Jimmy Robbins 
  Mix Engineer: Dan Grech-Marguerat 
• “Never Wanted To Be That Girl” – Carly Pearce and Ashley McBryde 
  Producers: Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne 
  Mix Engineer: Ryan Gore 
• “’Til You Can’t” – Cody Johnson 
  Producer: Trent Willmon 
  Mix Engineer: Jack Clarke 
• “You Should Probably Leave” – Chris Stapleton 
  Producers: Dave Cobb, Chris Stapleton 
  Mix Engineer: Vance Powell 

ALBUM OF THE YEAR  
Award goes to Artist(s), Producer(s) and Mix Engineer(s) 

• Growin’ Up – Luke Combs 
  Producers: Luke Combs, Chip Matthews, Jonathan Singleton 
  Mix Engineers: Jim Cooley, Chip Matthews 
• Humble Quest – Maren Morris 
  Producer: Greg Kurstin 
  Mix Engineer: Serban Ghenea 
• Palomino – Miranda Lambert 
  Producers: Luke Dick, Miranda Lambert, Jon Randall, Mikey Reaves 
  Mix Engineer: Jason Lehning 
• Sayin’ What I’m Thinkin’ – Lainey Wilson 
  Producer: Jay Joyce 
  Mix Engineer: F. Reid Shippen 
• Time, Tequila & Therapy – Old Dominion 
  Producers: Shane McAnally, Old Dominion 
  Mix Engineer: Justin Niebank 

SONG OF THE YEAR
Award goes to Songwriter(s) 

• “Buy Dirt” 
  Songwriters: Jacob Davis, Jordan Davis, Josh Jenkins, Matt Jenkins 
• “Never Wanted To Be That Girl” 
  Songwriters: Shane McAnally, Ashley McBryde, Carly Pearce 
• “Sand In My Boots”  
  Songwriters: Ashley Gorley, Michael Hardy, Josh Osborne 
• “Things A Man Oughta Know” 
  Songwriters: Jason Nix, Jonathan Singleton, Lainey Wilson 
• “You Should Probably Leave” 
  Songwriters: Chris DuBois, Ashley Gorley, Chris Stapleton 

FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR   

• Miranda Lambert 
• Ashley McBryde 
• Carly Pearce 
• Carrie Underwood 
• Lainey Wilson 

MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR 

• Eric Church 
• Luke Combs 
• 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 
• LOCASH 
• Maddie & Tae 

MUSICAL EVENT OF THE YEAR
Award goes to Artist(s) and Producer(s)  

• “Beers On Me” – Dierks Bentley with BRELAND & HARDY 
  Producers: Dierks Bentley, Ross Copperman 
• “If I Didn’t Love You” – Jason Aldean & Carrie Underwood 
  Producer: Michael Knox 
• “Longneck Way To Go” – Midland (featuring Jon Pardi) 
  Producers: Dann Huff, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne
• “Never Say Never” – Cole Swindell (with Lainey Wilson) 
  Producer: Zach Crowell 
• “Never Wanted To Be That Girl” – Carly Pearce and Ashley McBryde 
  Producers: Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne 

MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR

• Jenee Fleenor, Fiddle 
• Paul Franklin, Steel guitar 
• Brent Mason, Guitar 
• Ilya Toshinskiy, Banjo 
• Derek Wells, Guitar 

MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR   
Award goes to Artist(s) and Director(s)  

• “I Bet You Think About Me” (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault) – Taylor Swift (featuring Chris Stapleton) 
  Director: Blake Lively 
• “Longneck Way To Go” – Midland (featuring Jon Pardi) 
  Director: Harper Smith 
• “Never Say Never” – Cole Swindell (with Lainey Wilson) 
  Director: Michael Monaco 
• “Never Wanted To Be That Girl” – Carly Pearce and Ashley McBryde 
  Director: Alexa Campbell 
• “’Til You Can’t” – Cody Johnson 
  Director: Dustin Haney 

NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR  

• HARDY 
• Walker Hayes 
• Cody Johnson 
• Parker McCollum 
• Lainey Wilson