LAINEY WILSON
LEADS CMA NOMS

Lainey Wilson has not only secured her first Country Music Association Awards nomination, but she’s topped the 56th CMA Awards list with six noms. Right behind her are Ashley McBryde, Carly Pearce, Chris Stapleton and Shane McAnally with five apiece.

Vying for Entertainer of the Year is the reigning champ Luke Combs along with Stapleton, Miranda Lambert, Carrie Underwood and Morgan Wallen. Lambert and Underwood have three noms apiece as do HARDY and Midland. Cody Johnson and Josh Osborne have four noms each.

Wilson becomes the fourth artist in CMA Awards history to nab six noms, the last being Kacey Musgraves in 2013. She’s up for Album, Female Vocalist, Music Video, Musical Event, New Artist and Song of the Year.

Joining her in the class of first-timers are BRELAND, Alexa Campbell, Jack Clarke, Dan Grech-Marguerat, Jacob Davis, Dustin Haney, Walker Hayes, Josh Jenkins, Matt Jenkins, Jason Lehning, Blake Lively, Chip Matthews, Parker McCollum, Michael Monaco, Jason Nix, Mikey Reaves, Harper Smith and Trent Willmon.

“This year’s slate is impressive, with some nominees logging historic milestones while others are just getting started,” CMA Chief Executive Officer Sarah Trahern said. “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.”

The 56th CMA Awards will be handed out 11/9 from Nashville with Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning as hosts. ABC will broadcast the show.

The final ballot will be emailed to CMA members on 10/3. Ballots must be returned by the evening of 10/28. CMA Broadcast Awards winners will be determined by a final round of judging this month.

THE 56th ANNUAL CMA AWARDS NOMINEES

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 (f/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 Songwriters

• “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 Directors

• “I Bet You Think About Me” (Taylor’s Version) (From the Vault) – Taylor Swift (f/Chris Stapleton) Director: Blake Lively
• “Longneck Way to Go” – Midland (f/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