The 58th Annual Country Music Awards (CMA) explodes onto screens on Wednesday, November 20. The awards recognize extraordinary talent that has transformed country music. The genre rocketed upward in 2023, growing 23.3% and topping 20 billion streams worldwide according to Lumiate’s year-end report. Young audiences now flock to country music as artists like Morgan Wallen, Zach Bryan, and Luke Combs command the spotlight.
Luke Bryan, Lainey Wilson, and NFL Hall of Famer Peyton Manning will host this landmark show. Post Malone, Chris Stapleton, Luke Bryan, and other top artists will light up the stage in Nashville, Tennessee.
The CMA Album of the Year nominations spotlight “Fathers&Sons” by Luke Combs, “Deeper Well” by Kacey Musgraves, Chris Stapleton’s “Higher”, “Leather” by Cody Johnson, and “Whitsitt Chapel” by Jelly Roll.
Entertainer of the Year pits Luke Combs, Jelly Roll, Chris Stapleton, Lainey Wilson, and Morgan Wallen against each other. Morgan Wallen smashed records this year, surpassing even Garth Brooks’ achievements.
Single of the Year nominations feature rising star Shaboozey’s hit “A Bar Song (Tipsy)”, “Dirt Cheap” by Cody Johnson, “I Had Some Help” from Post Malone and Morgan Wallen, “Watermelon Moonshine” by Lainey Wilson, and “White Horse” by Chris Stapleton.
Music Video of the Year nominations include “Dirt Cheap” and “The Painter” by Cody Johnson, “I Had Some Help” by Post Malone and Morgan Wallen, “I’m Not Pretty” by rising star Megan Moroney, and “Wildflowers and Wild Horses” by Lainey Wilson.
Musical Event of the Year showcases “Cowboys Cry Too” by Kelsea Ballerini and Noah Kahan, the summer anthem “I Had Some Help” by Morgan Wallen and Post Malone, “I Remember Everything” by Zach Bryan and Kacey Musgraves, “Man Made A Bar” by Morgan Wallen and Eric Church, and the TikTok sensation “You Look Like You Love Me” by Riley Green and Ella Langley.
New Artist of the Year spotlights Bailey Zimmerman, who dazzled audiences on The Jimmy Show with his single “Holding On”. Megan Moroney, known for “Tennessee Orange”, joins the category alongside Shaboozey, whose “A Bar Song” earned a Single of the Year nomination. Nate Smith of “Whiskey on You” fame, Mitchell Tenpenny of “We Got History”, and Zach Top, currently ranked 5th on Billboard’s emerging stars list, round out the nominations.
As we celebrate these artists we must look at how these artists were not always the person they are now, these artists faced adversity and struggles, the dedication and hard work they put into their music must be celebrated. These artists embody perseverance through adversity. Their dedication and hard work deserve celebration. Jelly Roll stands as a prime example, transforming his life to become a respected artist and inspiration. The CMAs will honor these remarkable, crazy and inspiring journeys that deserve praise and recognition, and the incredible stories that shape country music today.
