CMA Awards 2025 Nominations
The full list of CMA Awards 2025 nominees got announced, and wow—talk about a stacked deck. In the headline “Entertainer of the Year” category, you’ve got Luke Combs, Cody Johnson, Morgan Wallen, and Lainey Wilson all up for the big one. Frankly, that lineup is like the country equivalent of an NBA All-Star game—each one could bring the trophy home, and there’ll probably be nonstop social media debates till November.
Of course, every awards season sparks commentary from fans who insist their favorite “deserves it more,” but look at the consistency here. Lainey Wilson is riding a wave with six nominations (how does she find time for sleep?), Ella Langley matches her, Zach Top isn’t far behind with five, and Riley Green and Cody Johnson both landed four apiece. You can almost picture their group texts—someone probably sent a “next round’s on me!” after those nominations dropped.
Single of the Year: Who’s Got the Big Tune?
Right upfront: Single of the Year at the CMA means recognizing the song that dominated airwaves and playlists. The nominees hit the full spectrum of country—from the heartbreak anthem “I Never Lie” (Zach Top) to the rollicking “Ain’t No Love In Oklahoma” (Luke Combs), and of course, the emotional gut-punch “4x4xU” from Lainey Wilson.
A little music-nerd aside: The producers and mix engineers get their due too, so hats off to Jay Joyce, Carson Chamberlain, and Justin Niebank, whose names keep popping up behind the scenes. Those guys probably have a wall of gold records and a playlist nobody else in Nashville gets to hear.
If you want to sound like a real insider, slip “you look like you love me” (Ella Langley & Riley Green) into a conversation; anyone who’s been spinning that track on repeat definitely belongs in the fan club.
SINGLE OF THE YEAR
Award goes to Artist(s), Producer(s) and Mix Engineer(s)
“4x4xU” – Lainey Wilson
- Producer: Jay Joyce
- Mix Engineer: Jay Joyce
“Ain’t No Love In Oklahoma” – Luke Combs
- Producer: Luke Combs
“Am I Okay?” – Megan Moroney*
- Producer: Kristian Bush
- Mix Engineer: Justin Niebank
“I Never Lie” – Zach Top
- Producer: Carson Chamberlain
- Mix Engineer: Matt Rovey
“you look like you love me” – Ella Langley & Riley Green
https://www.instagram.com/p/DOWXVxqCRWP/?img_index=1
Albums That Changed the Game This Year
The Album of the Year category is stacked. My personal pick? It’s tough, but Am I Okay? by Megan Moroney has been the soundtrack for both road trips and those “adulting is hard” evenings, so it’s close to my heart.
Here’s a quick look at what’s up for the big gold:
- Am I Okay? (Megan Moroney)
- Cold Beer & Country Music (Zach Top)
- F-1 Trillion (Post Malone)
- I’m The Problem (Morgan Wallen)
- Whirlwind (Lainey Wilson)
https://www.instagram.com/p/DOWYBSNCUbT/?img_index=1
Songwriters Step Into the Spotlight
Song of the Year is always a sentimental section, mostly because these are the folks who pen the lines we quote in breakups, weddings, and bonfire nights. “Texas” rings out with the kind of longing you feel after a summer drive—credit to Johnny Clawson and Josh Dorr there. And yeah, Jon Decious, Aaron Raitiere, and Lainey Wilson crushed it with “4x4xU.”
One story: a friend swears she played “I Never Lie” as her alarm for three weeks, just for the lyric that makes her laugh even when she’s running late. That’s country: lyrics that feel like someone wrote them about your life, even when they probably didn’t know you exist.
SONG OF THE YEAR
Award goes to Songwriter(s)
“4x4xU”
Songwriters: Jon Decious, Aaron Raitiere, Lainey Wilson
“Am I Okay?”
Songwriter: Jessie Jo Dillon
“I Never Lie”
Songwriters: Carson Chamberlain, Tim Nichols, Zach Top
“Texas”
Songwriters: Johnny Clawson and Josh Dorr
“you look like you love me”
Songwriters: Riley Green, Ella Langley, Aaron Raitiere
https://www.instagram.com/p/DOWXDJ_CcMC/?img_index=1
Vocalists: Who Raised the Roof?
This year’s Female Vocalist group would be a killer lineup for a summer festival. Miranda Lambert, Ella Langley, and Lainey Wilson. That’s range, folks.
The Male Vocalist side is equally heavyweight: Luke Combs, Cody Johnson, Zach Top, Morgan Wallen. Not a weak voice among them. Morgan Wallen probably has more memes made about him than anyone else on the list, but people can’t stop listening.
FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
- Miranda Lambert
- Ella Langley
- Lainey Wilson
https://www.instagram.com/p/DOWXuJ6CaN4/?img_index=1
MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
- Luke Combs
- Cody Johnson
- Zach Top
- Morgan Wallen
https://www.instagram.com/p/DOWXqNQCYfa/?img_index=1
Groups, Duos, and Musical Events: All About That Collaboration
A lot of music fans skip straight to this part because it’s where the genre’s communal spirit really comes through. Lady A, Little Big Town, Rascal Flatts, and The Red Clay Strays are up for Vocal Group of the Year—if you get chills harmonizing, this is your section.
Duos? Brooks & Dunn (didn’t they invent country duo coolness?), Dan + Shay, Maddie & Tae, The War And Treaty. Hear any of these live, and you’ll know why they keep getting nominations.
Musical Event of the Year is always fun—these are the mashups and guest features people buzz about. Post Malone and Blake Shelton on “Pour Me A Drink” is peak unexpected. Cody Johnson bringing Carrie Underwood into “I’m Gonna Love You” is just a flex—imagine that vocal power. Brandon Lake with Jelly Roll? Not on my bingo card, but it absolutely works.
VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
- Lady A
- Little Big Town
- Rascal Flatts
- The Red Clay Strays
VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR
- Brooks & Dunn
- Dan* + Shay
- Maddie* & Tae
- The War And Treaty
Videos that Made Us Watch Again (And Again)
Music video nominations usually spotlight creativity. This year: Cody Johnson and Carrie Underwood’s “I’m Gonna Love You” got a nod, as did “Somewhere Over Laredo” from Lainey Wilson, and Chris Stapleton’s “Think I’m In Love With You”.
Side anecdote: One pal told me she screenshotted frames from the Ella Langley & Riley Green “you look like you love me” video because the lighting is “absolute TikTok goals.” The music nerds might debate directors, but fans just want something that’s worth rewatching.
MUSICAL EVENT OF THE YEAR
Award goes to Artists and Producer(s)
“Don’t Mind If I Do” – Riley Green (featuring Ella Langley)
Producer: Scott Borchetta
“Hard Fought Hallelujah” – Brandon Lake* with Jelly Roll
Producer: Micah Nichols
“I’m Gonna Love You” – Cody Johnson (with Carrie Underwood)
Producer: Trent Willmon*
“Pour Me A Drink” – Post Malone* (feat. Blake Shelton)
Producer: Charlie Handsome
“You Had To Be There” – Megan Moroney* (feat. Kenny Chesney)
Producer: Kristian Bush
https://www.instagram.com/p/DOWWq2UCR7F/?img_index=1
MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Award goes to Artist(s) and Director(s)
“I’m Gonna Love You” – Cody Johnson (with Carrie Underwood)
Director: Dustin Haney
“Somewhere Over Laredo” – Lainey Wilson
Director: TK McKamy
“Think I’m In Love With You” – Chris Stapleton
Director: Running Bear
“you look like you love me” – Ella Langley & Riley Green
Directors: Ella Langley, John Park, Wales Toney
https://www.instagram.com/p/DOWWf-6CWFl/?img_index=1
New Artists: The Future Looks Bright
Every year, there’s a breakout star (or three) whose career explodes because their debut single just hits right. This year, Ella Langley, Zach Top, and Tucker Wetmore climbed up as the fresh faces for New Artist of the Year.
A little confession: I stumbled onto Zach Top while trying to find a live stream of a totally different act. Totally got hooked. Sometimes it works like that—the algorithm flexes, but the music sticks for totally random reasons.
NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
- Ella Langley
- Zach Top
- Tucker Wetmore
