The 2025 CMA Awards nominations have arrived with a clear message: female artists are commanding country music’s biggest stage.
Ella Langley, Megan Moroney, and Lainey Wilson each secured six nominations for the 59th annual ceremony, establishing themselves as the frontrunners.
The trio’s dominance extends across multiple categories, with all three earning recognition for Female Vocalist of the Year alongside Kelsea Ballerini and Miranda Lambert. Wilson’s presence reaches even further, securing a coveted spot in the Entertainer of the Year category, where she’ll compete against Luke Combs, Cody Johnson, Chris Stapleton, and defending champion Morgan Wallen.
Langley’s breakthrough year receives validation through her New Artist of the Year nomination, where she faces Shaboozey, Zach Top, Tucker Wetmore, and Stephen Wilson Jr. This year’s field notably contracts to five nominees, down from last year’s six, with both Shaboozey and Top returning as repeat contenders.
The Album of the Year race showcases diverse sounds within contemporary country. Moroney’s Am I Okay? competes against Top’s Cold Beer & Country Music, Post Malone‘s crossover effort F-1 Trillion, Wallen’s I’m the Problem, and Wilson’s Whirlwind.
Single of the Year nominations reflect the year’s biggest commercial successes. Wilson’s “4x4xU” competes alongside Combs’ “Ain’t No Love in Oklahoma”, Moroney’s “Am I Okay?”, Top’s “I Never Lie”, and the collaborative effort “You Look Like You Love Me” from Langley and Riley Green.
The Musical Event category emphasises collaboration’s importance in modern country, featuring Green and Langley’s “Don’t Mind If I Do”, Brandon Lake with Jelly Roll on “Hard Fought Hallelujah”, Johnson with Carrie Underwood on “I’m Gonna Love You”, Post Malone featuring Blake Shelton on “Pour Me a Drink”, and Moroney with Kenny Chesney on “You Had to Be There”.
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Male Vocalist of the Year maintains its competitive edge with Combs, Johnson, Stapleton, Top, and Wallen all vying for recognition. The category reflects country music’s established hierarchy whilst acknowledging newcomer Top’s rapid ascent.
The ceremony will broadcast live from Nashville on Wednesday, November 19th at 8pm ET on ABC, with streaming available on Hulu the following day.
