CMA Awards 2025: All You Need to Know

Updated November 6, 2025

The Country Music Association has officially unveiled the nominees for the 59th Annual CMA Awards, setting the stage for country music’s biggest night. Airing live on Wednesday, November 19 (8:00 – 11:00 PM EST) on ABC and streaming the next day on Hulu, the event will celebrate the genre’s most impactful artists, songwriters, producers, and industry professionals.

“Each year, the CMA Awards shine a light on the creativity, passion and dedication of our community,” said Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “The nominees announced today represent some of the most impactful work happening across Country Music, and we are deeply appreciative of our voting members for lending their time and expertise to this process.”

Lainey Wilson Returns as Host

Lainey Wilson, a nine-time CMA Award winner, is set to host “The 59th Annual CMA Awards” once again, marking her second year in a row at the helm. This year, Wilson leads the field with a tie for the most nominations, including the highly coveted Entertainer of the Year category. She will guide the star-filled celebration as the CMA Awards honor country music’s biggest achievements and most memorable moments.

CMA Awards Performers

This year’s CMA Awards will feature an exciting mix of first-time nominees, returning performers, and some of music’s biggest names across genres, coming together to deliver an unforgettable night of performances.

Zach Top
Lainey Wilson
Luke Combs
Megan Moroney
Tucker Wetmore
Ella Langley
Stephen Wilson Jr.
Shaboozey
BigXthaPlug

Top Nominees

This year’s leading nominees reflect the depth and variety within country music.

Ella Langley, Megan Moroney, and Lainey Wilson each lead with six nominations.
Zach Top follows closely with five nominations.
Riley Green and Cody Johnson earn four nominations each.
Kristian Bush, Carson Chamberlain, Luke Combs, Charlie Handsome, Chris Stapleton, and Morgan Wallen secure three nominations each.

The coveted Entertainer of the Year category will see Luke Combs, Cody Johnson, Chris Stapleton, Morgan Wallen, and Lainey Wilson competing for the night’s top honor.

Rising Stars and First-Time Nominees

A new wave of talent joins the CMA stage with first-time nominations for Johnny Clawson, Jon Decious, Jessie Jo Dillon, Josh Dorr, Alexandra Gavillet, Lalo Guzman, Jimmy Harnen, Brandon Lake, Micah Nichols, John Park, Aaron Raitiere, Matt Rovey, Kyle Sturrock, Wales Toney, Tucker Wetmore, and Stephen Wilson Jr.

These names highlight the growing diversity and reach of the genre, showing that fresh voices continue to find space alongside established stars.

Highlights by Artist

Ella Langley – Six Nominations

Langley’s breakout year is marked by nominations across major categories, including Single, Song, Female Vocalist, Musical Event, Music Video, and New Artist of the Year. Her duet with Riley Green, “you look like you love me”, earned nods for both Single and Song of the Year.

Megan Moroney – Six Nominations

Moroney builds on her momentum as last year’s New Artist of the Year with six nominations. Her hit “Am I Okay?” and the album of the same name earned recognition in Single, Album, Song, and Music Video of the Year, while her collaboration with Kenny Chesney secured a nod for Musical Event of the Year.

Lainey Wilson – Six Nominations

Wilson, already one of country’s brightest stars, scores nominations in Entertainer of the Year, Album, Single, Song, Female Vocalist, and Music Video of the Year. Her critically acclaimed album Whirlwind and single “4x4xU” showcase her continued dominance in the genre.

Zach Top – Five Nominations

One of Country Evolution’s 2024 Artists to Watch, Zach Top proves he’s a force to be reckoned with. His traditional style shines through with five nominations, including Single and Song of the Year for “I Never Lie,” Album of the Year for Cold Beer & Country Music, Male Vocalist, and New Artist of the Year.

Riley Green – Four Nominations

Green’s collaboration with Ella Langley on “you look like you love me” brought him four nods, including Single, Song, Music Video, and Musical Event of the Year.

Cody Johnson – Four Nominations

Johnson cements his place as a fan favorite with four nominations, including his first-ever nod for Entertainer of the Year. His duet with Carrie Underwood, “I’m Gonna Love You”, earned recognition for both Musical Event and Music Video of the Year.

Full List of CMA Awards Nominees 2025

Entertainer of the Year

Luke Combs
Cody Johnson
Chris Stapleton
Morgan Wallen
Lainey Wilson

Single of the Year

Award goes to Artist(s), Producer(s) and Mix Engineer(s)

“4x4xU” – Lainey Wilson
- Producer: Jay Joyce
- Mix Engineers: Jason Hall, Jay Joyce
“Ain’t No Love In Oklahoma” – Luke Combs
- Producers: Luke Combs, Chip Matthews, Jonathan Singleton
- Mix Engineer: Chip Matthews
“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
- Producer: Will Bundy
- Mix Engineer: Jim Cooley

Album of the Year

Award goes to Artist, Producer(s) and Mix Engineer(s)

Am I Okay? – Megan Moroney
- Producer: Kristian Bush
- Mix Engineer: Justin Niebank
Cold Beer & Country Music – Zach Top
- Producer: Carson Chamberlain
- Mix Engineer: Matt Rovey
F-1 Trillion – Post Malone
- Producers: Louis Bell, Charlie Handsome, Hoskins
- Mix Engineer: Ryan Gore
I’m The Problem – Morgan Wallen
- Producers: Jacob Durrett, Charlie Handsome, Joey Moi
- Mix Engineers: Charlie Handsome, Joey Moi
Whirlwind – Lainey Wilson
- Producer: Jay Joyce
- Mix Engineers: Jason Hall, Jay Joyce

Song of the Year

Award goes to Songwriter(s)

“4x4xU” – Jon Decious, Aaron Raitiere, Lainey Wilson
“Am I Okay?” – Jessie Jo Dillon, Luke Laird, Megan Moroney
“I Never Lie” – Carson Chamberlain, Tim Nichols, Zach Top
“Texas” – Johnny Clawson, Josh Dorr, Lalo Guzman, Kyle Sturrock
“you look like you love me” – Riley Green, Ella Langley, Aaron Raitiere

Female Vocalist of the Year

Kelsea Ballerini
Miranda Lambert
Ella Langley
Megan Moroney
Lainey Wilson

Male Vocalist of the Year

Luke Combs
Cody Johnson
Chris Stapleton
Zach Top
Morgan Wallen

Vocal Group of the Year

Lady A
Little Big Town
Old Dominion
Rascal Flatts
The Red Clay Strays

Vocal Duo of the Year

Brooks & Dunn
Brothers Osborne
Dan + Shay
Maddie & Tae
The War And Treaty

Musical Event of the Year

Award goes to Artists and Producer(s)

“Don’t Mind If I Do” – Riley Green (feat. Ella Langley)
- Producers: Scott Borchetta, Jimmy Harnen, Dann Huff
“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)
- Producers: Louis Bell, Charlie Handsome
“You Had To Be There” – Megan Moroney (feat. Kenny Chesney)
- Producer: Kristian Bush

Musician of the Year

Jenee Fleenor – Fiddle
Paul Franklin – Steel Guitar
Brent Mason – Guitar
Rob McNelley – Guitar
Derek Wells – Guitar

Music Video of the Year

Award goes to Artist(s) and Director(s)

“Am I Okay?” – Megan Moroney
- Directors: Alexandra Gavillet, Megan Moroney
“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

New Artist of the Year

Ella Langley
Shaboozey
Zach Top
Tucker Wetmore
Stephen Wilson Jr.

Looking Ahead

With a mix of superstar veterans and rising talent, the 59th Annual CMA Awards promises to be one of the most exciting nights in recent memory. From breakout artists like Ella Langley and Zach Top to established hitmakers like Lainey Wilson, Luke Combs, and Chris Stapleton, the night will celebrate the full spectrum of country music.

The show airs November 19 on ABC, with streaming available the next day on Hulu.