Excitement Builds For The 2023 CMA Awards: Nominees And Highlights

CMA season has begun! Nominees for the 2023 CMA Awards reveal a wide-open field of artists competing for Entertainer of the Year and more. The anticipation surrounding this prestigious event is palpable, and fans are eager to see who will take home the coveted awards this year.

Lainey Wilson leads the charge with an impressive nine nominations. Her nominations come from both her solo work and her hit collaboration with Hardy, "Wait in the Truck." This marks her first year in contention for the top honor of Entertainer of the Year, elevating her status in the country music scene.

Joining her as a strong contender is first-time nominee Jelly Roll, who has garnered five nominations. Hardy and Luke Combs follow closely behind with four nominations each. The competition is fierce, and this year’s awards showcase a mix of established stars and fresh talent, highlighting the evolving landscape of country music.

Notably, the list includes several first-time nominees, emphasizing the genre's growth. Among them is musical icon Tracy Chapman, who is in the running for Song of the Year thanks to Combs' acclaimed cover of her classic "Fast Car." Other newcomers include the War and Treaty, Zach Bryan, Megan Moroney, Hailey Whitters, and Charlie Worsham, all making their mark in the industry.

As the CMA Awards approach, excitement builds for the ceremony, scheduled for November 8 on ABC. Nominees and performers will be announced in the coming weeks, and the event will be hosted by Luke Bryan and NFL star Peyton Manning. Fans are encouraged to tune in, as this is a momentous occasion in country music!

2023 CMA Awards Nominees:

Entertainer of the Year

Luke Combs
Chris Stapleton
Carrie Underwood
Morgan Wallen
Lainey Wilson

Female Vocalist of the Year

Kelsea Ballerini
Miranda Lambert
Ashley McBryde
Carly Pearce
Lainey Wilson

Male Vocalist of the Year

Luke Combs
Jelly Roll
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
Maddie & Tae
The War and Treaty

New Artist of the Year

Zach Bryan
Jelly Roll
Parker McCollum
Megan Moroney
Hailey Whitters

Album of the Year (Awarded to Artist(s) and Producer(s))

Ashley McBryde, Ashley McBryde Presents: Lindeville (Producers: John Osborne, John Peets; Mix Engineers: Jason Hall, Jay Joyce)
Lainey Wilson, Bell Bottom Country (Producer: Jay Joyce)
Luke Combs, Gettin' Old (Producers: Luke Combs, Chip Matthews, Jonathan Singleton; Mix Engineers: Michael H. Brauer, Jim Cooley, Chip Matthews)
Morgan Wallen, One Thing at a Time (Producers: Jacob Durrett, Charlie Handsome, Joey Moi, Cameron Montgomery; Mix Engineers: Josh Ditty, Joey Moi, Eivind Nordland)
Kelsea Ballerini, Rolling Up the Welcome Mat (Producers: Kelsea Ballerini, Alysa Vanderheym; Mix Engineers: Dan Grech-Marguerat, Alysa Vanderheym)

Song of the Year (Awarded to Songwriters)

Luke Combs, "Fast Car" (Songwriter: Tracy Chapman)
Lainey Wilson, "Heart Like a Truck" (Songwriters: Trannie Anderson, Dallas Wilson, Lainey Wilson)
Jordan Davis, "Next Thing You Know" (Songwriters: Jordan Davis, Greylan James, Chase McGill, Josh Osbourne)
Megan Moroney, "Tennessee Orange" (Songwriters: David Fanning, Paul Jenkins, Megan Moroney, Ben Williams)
Hardy (feat. Lainey Wilson), "Wait in the Truck" (Songwriters: Renee Blair, Michael Hardy, Hunter Phelps, Jordan Schmidt)

Single of the Year (Awarded to Artist(s), Producer(s) and Mix Engineer(s))

Luke Combs, "Fast Car" (Producers: Luke Combs, Chip Matthews, Jonathan Singleton; Mix Engineer: Chip Matthews)
Lainey Wilson, "Heart Like a Truck" (Producer: Jay Joyce; Mix Engineers: Jason Hall, Jay Joyce)
Jelly Roll, "Need a Favor" (Producer: Austin Nivarel)
Jordan Davis, "Next Thing You Know" (Producer: Paul Giovanni; Mix Engineer: Jim Cooley)
Hardy (feat. Lainey Wilson), "Wait in the Truck" (Producers: Hardy, Joey Moi, Jordan Schmidt, Derek Walls; Mix Engineer: Joey Moi)

Musical Event of the Year (Awarded to Artist(s) and Producers)

Jelly Roll (with Lainey Wilson), "Save Me" (Producers: Zach Crowell, David Ray Stevens)
Cole Swindell & Jo Dee Messina, "She Had Me at Heads Carolina (Remix)" (Producer: Zach Crowell)
Kane Brown (with Katelyn Brown), "Thank God" (Producer: Dann Huff)
Hardy (feat. Lainey Wilson), "Wait in the Truck" (Producers: Hardy, Joey Moi, Jordan Schmidt, Derek Walls)
Carly Pearce (feat. Chris Stapleton), "We Don't Fight Anymore" (Producers: Shane McAnally, Josh Osbourne, Carly Pearce)

Music Video of the Year (Awarded to Artist(s) and Director(s))

Ashley McBryde, "Light on in the Kitchen" (Director: Reid Long)
Old Dominion, "Memory Lane" (Directors: Mason Allen, Nicki Fletcher)
Jelly Roll, "Need a Favor" (Director: Patrick Tohill)
Jordan Davis, "Next Thing You Know" (Director: Running Bear)
Hardy (feat. Lainey Wilson), "Wait in the Truck" (Director: Justin Clough)

Musician of the Year

Jenee Fleenor,
Paul Franklin
Rob McNelley
Derek Walls
Charlie Worsham