How To Watch the Country Now Awards
Tonight is the night – The winners of the inaugural Country Now Awards will be revealed during a livestream, airing…
Country Now Awards
Tonight is the night – The winners of the inaugural Country Now Awards will be revealed during a livestream, airing at 8/7c!
The winners were 100% determined by the fans with over 1.1 million total votes submitted between November 15 and November 30.
The livestream will feature special appearances by Brantley Gilbert, Carly Pearce, Chayce Beckham, Chelcie Lynn (a.k.a. Trailer Trash Tammy), Elle King, ERNEST, Kaleb Austin, Katie Austin, Kierra Lewis, Lindsay Ell, Morgan Wallen, and Walker Hayes.
Plus – George Birge, HARDY, Jameson Rodgers, Jimmie Allen, Laine Hardy, Lainey Wilson, Restless Road and Lily Rose will perform during the stream.
Country Now is proud to support the Love Music. Stop Cancer. Campaign to raise awareness and support for kids with cancer and other catastrophic diseases at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®. Visit musicgives.org to learn more about Love Music. Stop Cancer.
We hope you can join us for this special night.
To watch, click HERE at 8/7c.
Country Now Awards 2021
Favorite Party Song
This award goes to an artist whose song was released or reached peak chart position in 2021.
“Bar Friends” – Restless Road
Written by: Jordan Schmidt, Kyle Clark, Tyler Filmore and Geoff Warburton
“Beer With My Friends” Shy Carter, Cole Swindell, David Lee Murphy
Written by: Shy Carter, Bryan Simpson and David Lee Murphy
“Beers And Sunshine” – Darius Rucker
Written by: Darius Rucker, Ross Copperman, J.T. Harding and Josh Osborne
“Cold Beer Calling My Name” Jameson Rodgers, Luke Combs
Written by: Jameson Rodgers, Alysa Vanderheym, Brett Tyler and Hunter Phelps
“Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home)” Elle King, Miranda Lambert
Written by: Elle King and Martin Johnson
“Good Time” Niko Moon
Written by: Niko Moon, Anna Moon, Jordan Minton, Joshua Murty and Mark Trussell
“Hole in the Bottle” – Kelsea Ballerini
Written by: Kelsea Ballerini, Jesse Frasure, Hillary Lindsey, Ashley Gorley and Steph Jones
“I Was On A Boat That Day” Old Dominion
Written by: Brad Tursi, Shane McAnally, Geoff Sprung, Josh Osborne, Matthew Ramsey, Trevor Rosen and Whit Sellers
“Tequila On A Boat” – Dustin Lynch and Chris Lane
Written by: Hillary Lindsey, Justin Ebach and Matt Alderman
“Throw It Back” BRELAND, Keith Urban
Written by: BRELAND and Keith Urban
Favorite Female Empowerment Anthem
This award goes to an artist whose song was released or reached peak chart position in 2021.
“Footprints On The Moon” Gabby Barrett
Written by: Gabby Barrett, Zachary Kale and Jon Nite
“Girl Who Didn’t Care” Tenille Townes
Written by: Tenille Townes, David Pramik and Steph Jones
“It’s ‘Cause I Am” Callista Clark
Written by: Callista Clark, Cameron Jaymes and Laura Veltz
“Lady Like” Ingrid Andress
Written by: Ingrid Andress, Derrick Southerland and Sam Ellis
“Like A Lady” Lady A
Written by: Hillary Scott, Dave Barnes, Michelle Buzz, Martin Johnson and Brandon Paddock
“Raised Right” Reyna Roberts
Written by: Reyna Roberts, Danny Myrick and Kylie Sackley
“Remember Her Name” Mickey Guyton
Written by: Mickey Guyton, Blake Hubbard, Jarrod Ingram and Parker Welling
“Somebody Does” Tigirlily
Written by: Kendra Slaubaugh, Krista Slaubaugh and Zarni Devette
“Things A Man Oughta Know” Lainey Wilson
Written by: Lainey Wilson, Jason Nix and Jonathan Singleton
“Woman You Got” Maddie & Tae
Written by: Maddie Font, Taylor Kerr, Laura Veltz and Mark Holman
Favorite Breakup Song
This award goes to an artist whose song was released or reached peak chart position in 2021.
“ABBY” – Travis Denning
Written by: Ashley Gorley, Matt Jenkins and Chase McGill
“Breakups” – Seaforth
Written by: Liz Rose, Cameron Bedell, Tom Jordan and Mitch Thompson
“Just About Over You” – Priscilla Block
Written by: Priscilla Block, Sarah Jones and Emily Kroll
“Memory I Don’t Mess With” Lee Brice
Written by: Lee Brice, Billy Montana and Brian Davis
“New Truck” – Dylan Scott
Written by: Hardy, Ashley Gorley, Hunter Phelps and Ben Johnson
“Should Have Known Better” – Jessie James Decker
Written by: Tom Barnes, Peter Kelleher, Ben Kohn and Madi Yanofsky
“That Ain’t Me No More” – Matt Stell
Written by: Hunter Phelps, Jake Mitchell, Hardy, Nick Donley and Smith Ahnquist
“Truth About You” Mitchell Tenpenny
Written by: Mitchell Tenpenny, Matt Alderman and Thomas Archer
“Villain” – Lily Rose
Written by: Lily Rose, Kyle Clark and Mackenzie Carpenter
“What He Didn’t Do” – Carly Pearce
Written by: Carly Pearce, Emily Shackelton and Ashley Gorley
Favorite Sentimental Song
This award goes to an artist whose song was released or reached peak chart position in 2021.
“Ain’t Even Met You Yet” – Chris Lane
Written by: Chris Lane, Michael Lotten and Jordan Walker.
“Bye Mom” – Chris Janson
Written by: Chris Janson and Brandon Kinney
“Forever After All” – Luke Combs
Written by: Luke Combs, Drew Parker and Rob Williford
“Gone But Not Forgotten” – Brantley Gilbert
Written by: Brantley Gilbert, Brock Berryhill, Jason Blaine and Jay Brunswick
“Knowing You” – Kenny Chesney
Written by: Adam James, Brett James and Kat Higgins
“Made For Me To Love” – RaeLynn
Written by: RaeLynn, Drew Kennedy and Ben Stennis
“Made For You” – Jake Owen
Written by: Joey Hyde, Neil Medley and Benjy Davis
“My Boy” – Elvie Shane
Written by: Elvie Shane, Lee Starr, Nick Columbia and Russell Sutton
“Songs You Never Heard” – Luke Bryan
Written by: Luke Bryan, Luke Laird and Josh Osborne
“The Good Ones” – Gabby Barrett
Written by: Gabby Barrett, Emily Landis, Jim McCormick and Zachary Kale
“We Didn’t Have Much” – Justin Moore
Written by: Randy Montana, Jeremy Stover and Paul DiGiovanni
Favorite Viral Song
This award goes to an artist whose song gained notoriety through a viral trend or sound in 2021.
“Beer Beer, Truck Truck” George Birge
Written by: George Birge and Erynn Chambers
“Fancy Like” Walker Hayes
Written by: Walker Hayes, Cameron Bartolini, Josh Jenkins and Shane Stevens
“I’m A Survivor” Reba
Written by: Shelby Kennedy and Philip White
“Just The Way” Parmalee, Blanco Brown
Written by: Matt Thomas, Kevin Bard and Nolan Sipe
“Neon Moon” Brooks & Dunn
Written by: Ronnie Dunn
“Payin’ For It” Levi Hummon feat. Walker Hayes
Written by: Levi Hummon, Walker Hayes and Eric Arjes
“Redneck Be Like” Thomas Rhett
Written by: Thomas Rhett, Parker Welling, Jordan Reynolds, Josh Miller and Rhett Akins
“Stop Draggin’ Your Boots” Danielle Bradbery
Written by: Josh Kear, Hillary Lindsey and Gordie Sampson
Favorite Collaboration
This award goes to the artists whose collaboration was released or reached peak chart position in 2021.
“Beers On Me” Dierks Bentley, BRELAND, HARDY
Written by: Ashley Gorley, Luke Dick, Ross Copperman, Breland, Hardy and Bentley
“Buy Dirt” Jordan Davis & Luke Bryan
Written by: Jordan Davis, Jacob Davis, Matt Jenkins and Josh Jenkins
“Drinkin’ Beer, Talkin’ God. Amen.” Chase Rice & Florida Georgia Line
Written by: Chase Rice, Hunter Phelps, Cale Dodds and Corey Crowder
“Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home)” Elle King & Miranda Lambert
Written by: Elle King and Martin Johnson
“Famous Friends” Chris Young and Kane Brown
Written by: Chris Young, Corey Crowder and Cary Barlowe
“Freedom Was A Highway” Jimmie Allen & Brad Paisley
Written by: Jimmie Allen, Ash Bowers and Matt Rogers
“Never Wanted To Be That Girl” Carly Pearce & Ashley McBryde
Written by: Shane McAnally, Ashley McBryde and Carly Pearce
“Chasing After You” Ryan Hurd & Maren Morris
Written by: Brinley Addington and Jerry Flowers
“Getting Over Him” Lauren Alaina, Jon Pardi
Written by: Lauren Alaina with Emily Weisband and Paul DiGiovanni
“Half Of My Hometown” Kelsea Ballerini, Kenny Chesney
Written by: Kelsea Ballerini, Ross Copperman, Nicolle Galyon, Shane McAnally and Jimmy Robbins
“If I Didn’t Love You” Jason Aldean & Carrie Underwood
Written by: Tully Kennedy, John Morgan, Kurt Allison and Lydia Vaughan
“Thinking ‘Bout You” Dustin Lynch & MacKenzie Porter
Written by: Dustin Lynch, Andy Albert, Hunter Phelps and Will Weatherly
Favorite Debut Album
This award goes to an artist whose debut album was released between Jan.1 and Nov. 1, 2021.
“Backslider” – Elvie Shane
Produced by: Oscar Charles
“Bet You’re From a Small Town” – Jameson Rodgers
Produced by: Chris Farren and Jake Mitchell
“Gold Chain Cowboy” Parker McCollum
Produced by: Jon Randall
“Here’s To Anyone” Laine Hardy
Produced by: Michael Knox
“Pelago” Ryan Hurd
Produced by: Ryan Hurd and Aaron Eshuis
“Remember Her Name” Mickey Guyton
Produced by: Nathan Chapman, David Kalmusky, Karen Kosowski, Jimmy Robbins, Johnny Simmen, Andy Skib, Gavin Slate and Forest Whitehead
“Sayin’ What I’m Thinkin’” Lainey Wilson
Produced by: Jay Joyce
“Stack of Records” – Larry Fleet
Produced by: Joey Moi
“Stronger Than I Am” Lily Rose
Produced by: Joey Moi, Matthew Morrisey and Julian Bunetta
“Travelin’ Kind” – Ashland Craft
Produced by: Jonathan Singleton
Favorite Album
This award goes to an artist whose album was released between Jan.1 and Nov. 1, 2021.
29: Written In Stone – Carly Pearce
Produced by: Shane McAnally and Josh Osborne
Body Language – Blake Shelton
Produced by: Scott Hendricks
Country Again: Side A – Thomas Rhett
Produced by: Dann Huff, Jesse Frasure and Matt Dragstrem
Dangerous: The Double Album – Morgan Wallen
Produced by: Joey Moi, Jacob Durrett, Charlie Handsome, Matt Dragstrem and Dave Cohen
Famous Friends – Chris Young
Produced by: Chris Young, Corey Crowder, Mark Holman and Chris DeStefano
Good Things – Dan + Shay
Produced by: Dan Smyers, Jason Evigan, Jordan Reynolds and Scott Hendricks
Heart- Eric Church
Produced by: Jay Joyce
Human (The Double Album) – Cody Johnson
Produced by: Trent Willmon
Same Truck – Scotty McCreery
Produced by: Frank Rogers, Aaron Eshuis and Derek Wells
Star-Crossed – Kacey Musgraves
Produced by: Ian Fitchuk, Daniel Tashian and Kacey Musgraves
Straight Outta The Country – Justin Moore
Produced by: Jeremy Stover
Weekends Look A Little Different These Days – Brett Young
Produced by: Dann Huff
What a Song Can Do – Lady A
Produced by: Dann Huff, Martin Johnson and Brandon Paddock
Where Have You Gone – Alan Jackson
Produced by: Keith Stegall
Favorite TikTok Artist
This award goes to an artist who gained notoriety through a viral video(s) or sound on TikTok in 2021.
Alexandra Kay
Ashley Cooke
Bear Bailey
Brandon Davis
Cooper Alan
Josh Woods
Kaleb Austin
Noah Schnacky
Ryan Griffin
Spencer Crandall
Thomas Mac
Favorite Singing Competition Contestant
This award goes to an artist who gained notoriety by performing on a competition show in 2021.
Alex Miller (American Idol – Season 19)
Carson Peters (The Voice – Season 21)
Chayce Beckham (American Idol – Season 19)
Hunter Metts (American Idol – Season 19)
Kenzie Wheeler (The Voice – Season 20)
Kinsey Rose (The Voice – Season 21)
Lana Scott (The Voice – Season 21)
Rachel Mac (The Voice – Season 20)
Favorite Breakthrough Artist
This award goes to an artist who enjoyed breakthrough success in 2021.
Callista Clark
Drew Parker
Elvie Shane
HARDY
Jameson Rodgers
Lainey Wilson
Matt Stell
Mickey Guyton
Parker McCollum
Priscilla Block
Restless Road
Tenille Arts
Travis Denning
Walker Hayes
Favorite Duo or Group
This award goes to the duo or group.
Brooks & Dunn
Brothers Osborne
Dan + Shay
Florida Georgia Line
Lady A
Little Big Town
LOCASH
Maddie & Tae
Old Dominion
Parmalee
Pistol Annies
Runaway June
Zac Brown Band
The Cadillac Three
Favorite Male Artist
This award goes to the artist.
Blake Shelton
Chris Stapleton
Chris Young
Dustin Lynch
Eric Church
Jason Aldean
Kane Brown
Lee Brice
Luke Bryan
Luke Combs
Morgan Wallen
Dierks Bentley
Scotty McCreery
Thomas Rhett
Favorite Female Artist
This award goes to the artist.
Ashley McBryde
Carly Pearce
Carrie Underwood
Gabby Barrett
Kacey Musgraves
Kelsea Ballerini
Lauren Alaina
Lindsay Ell
Maren Morris
Miranda Lambert
RaeLynn
Lauren Jo Black is a longtime country music journalist, editor, host, and media personality whose work has helped shape the conversation around country music for nearly two decades. As the current Editor-in-Chief of Country Now, she has become one of the genre’s most respected voices, interviewing hundreds of country music’s biggest stars, including Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire, Shania Twain, Randy Travis, Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, and countless others. Over the course of her career, Black’s written work and interviews have reached billions of country music fans worldwide. A 2009 graduate of the University of Central Florida, Black began her career by founding Country Music Is Love, one of country music’s earliest independent digital publications, which she later sold to a major record label in 2015 before it was rebranded as Sounds Like Nashville. She then served as the publication’s Editor-in-Chief for more than two years. Her work has also appeared in Forbes, and she previously served as the Country Music Expert for Answers.com. Widely recognized for her expertise, Black has appeared as a featured guest on The Bobby Bones Show, BobbyCast, and Scripps News Morning Rush, providing insight on country music’s biggest moments. She has also hosted Country Now Live, a concert series featuring performances from artists including Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Riley Green, Jordan Davis, Dustin Lynch, Gabby Barrett, Brett Young, Jon Pardi, Kip Moore, Chris Young, and more. The series has welcomed thousands of fans in person while reaching millions more online. In addition, she hosted Connect With Country Now, a weekly interview series featuring conversations with rising country stars. Throughout her career, Black has earned a reputation for discovering and championing artists long before they become household names. She has covered Luke Bryan since the early days of his career, beginning when he was writing songs for other artists, including Billy Currington’s No. 1 hit “Good Directions,” before stepping into the spotlight with his debut single, “All My Friends Say” and eventually becoming one of biggest names in music. She also gave Megan Moroney her first opportunity to walk a major red carpet as Country Now’s official guest correspondent at the 2022 CMA Awards. An interview she conducted in 2018 for Forbes.com with Luke Combs that inspired his multi-week No. 1 hit, “Doin’ This.” She has also hosted stages at CMA Fest, moderated an industry panel at Country Radio Seminar, and helped lead important conversations about the evolving landscape of country music media. Beyond journalism, Black has also used her platform to support charitable causes and highlight organizations making an impact. Through Country Now Live, she has helped raise awareness and support for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, while also advocating for animal rescue through Country Now’s Pupdate series, spotlighting organizations including MuttNation Foundation, Wags & Walks, and Proverbs 12:10 Animal Rescue. Black has been recognized as one of Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. She is a longtime member of both the Country Music Association (CMA) and the Academy of Country Music (ACM). After nearly 20 years covering country music, Lauren Jo Black has spent her career telling the stories behind the artists, songs, and moments that have shaped the genre. Her first-ever book, Country Music Forever: An A-to-Z Celebration of Icons, Songs and Stories, brings that same passion and firsthand knowledge to the page, celebrating not only the legendary artists and timeless songs that have become the soundtrack to generations of fans, but also the places, traditions, and cultural moments that have made country music one of the most beloved genres around the world.
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