It’s Been 11 Years Since A Female Won CMA Entertainer of the Year: Will Miranda Lambert or Carrie Underwood Change That?

If a female artist wins CMA Entertainer of the Year, it will be a history-making moment.

By

Lauren Jo Black

| Posted on

November 6, 2022

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Miranda Lambert; Photo by John Shearer, Carrie Underwood; Photo by Jeff Johnson

This Wednesday, this Country Music Association will crown a new Entertainer of the Year. The winner will be announced during the final moments of the 56th Annual CMA Awards, where reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year, Luke Combs, will face off against Miranda Lambert, Chris Stapleton, Carrie Underwood, and Morgan Wallen for the night’s highest honor. 

It’s no secret that the Entertainer of the Year category is typically a male-dominated one, so if a female were to win, it would, without a doubt, be a history-making moment. 

If Miranda Lambert or Carrie Underwood take home the crown on Wednesday, it will mark the first time a female artist has won the trophy in 11 years, since Taylor Swift took home the EOTY title in 2011. 

If either artist wins, she will become only the eighth female artist in history to be crowd CMA Entertainer of the Year.

Miranda Lambert, Carrie Underwood; Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images
Miranda Lambert, Carrie Underwood; Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images

Female CMA Entertainer of the Year Winners: 

2011- Taylor Swift 

2009 – Taylor Swift

2000 – The Chicks 

1999 – Shania Twain 

1986 – Reba McEntire 

1981 – Barbara Mandrell 

1980 – Barbara Mandrell 

1978 – Dolly Parton 

1972 – Loretta Lynn 

Miranda Lambert; Photo by Tyler Conrad
Miranda Lambert; Photo by Tyler Conrad

Both artists are due for a win. Lambert was previously nominated for CMA Entertainer of the Year in 2010, 2014, 2015, 2020, and 2021, while Underwood earned nods in 2016, 2019, 2020, and 2021. 

Lambert is a favorite among voters as she remains the most nominated female artist in CMA Awards history with a total of 61 career nominations. The is also the third most-nominated artist, following George Strait (83) and Alan Jackson (81). 

Underwood has an impressive history with the CMA Awards as well, with 40 career nominations. 

Carrie Underwood; Photo by Jeff Johnson
Carrie Underwood; Photo by Jeff Johnson

Combs, Stapleton, and Wallen could easily take home the title as each of their careers has climbed to new heights throughout the past year. 

Who will take home the win? Fans can tune into the 56th Annual CMA Awards on Wednesday, November 9 to find out. 

The 56th Annual CMA Awards, co-hosted by Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning, will broadcast live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, November 9 (8:00-11:00 PM/EST) on ABC and will be available the next day on Hulu. 

Luke Bryan, Peyton Manning; Photo Courtesy ABC, CMA
Luke Bryan, Peyton Manning; Photo Courtesy ABC, CMA

All five Entertainer of the Year nominees are set to perform during the star-studded broadcast alongside Brothers Osborne, Brandy Clark, Caylee Hammack, Cody Johnson, Elle King, Patty Loveless, Ashley McBryde, Reba McEntire, John Osborne, Katy Perry, Pillbox Patti, Cole Swindell, The Black Keys, The War and Treaty, Thomas Rhett, Jimmie Allen, Kelsea Ballerini, Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, Kelly Clarkson, HARDY, Marcus King, Jon Pardi, Carly Pearce, Lainey Wilson, and Zac Brown Band. 

This year’s CMA Awards presenters include two-time World Series champ, MVP and Los Angeles Dodgers star Mookie Betts, CMA Musical Event of the Year nominee this year, BRELAND, from the much-anticipated upcoming limited series, “George & Tammy,” Academy Award winner, Jessica Chastain, two-time CMA nominee this year, Jordan Davis, Apple TV’s “Amber Brown” and Lifetime’s “Reindeer Games Homecoming,” Sarah Drew, Paramount Network’s “Yellowstone” star Cole Hauser, multi-platinum and award-winning songwriter/artist Tyler Hubbard, five-time Grammy winner, Country Music Hall of Fame Member, and one-half of the legendary duo, The Judds, Wynonna Judd, CMA Vocal Group of the Year nominee this year, Lady A, CBS’s “Young Sheldon” and ABC’s “Big Sky” actor Rex Linn, multiple CMA Award-winning band and Vocal Group of the Year nominee this year, Little Big Town, CMA New Artist of the Year nominee this year, Parker McCollum, six-time CMA Awards winner and Country Music Hall of Fame member, Reba McEntire, stars of the hit HGTV shows “HomeTown” and “HomeTown Takeover,” Ben and Erin Napier, 55-year Grand Ole Opry member with over 5,000 performances, and the third female Country artist to win a Grammy, Jeannie Seely, from the much-anticipated upcoming limited series, “George & Tammy,” Academy Award nominee, Michael Shannon, and six-time CMA nominee this year, Lainey Wilson. 

Stay tuned to Country Now for additional CMA Awards updates. 

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