The Country Music Association has announced the nominees for the 59th Annual CMA Awards, and this year’s ballot tells a striking story: the future of country music is female.
Lainey Wilson, Megan Moroney and Ella Langley each top the nominations list with six apiece, while fast-rising traditionalist Zach Top follows closely with five. It’s a lineup that signals both the resilience of Nashville’s seasoned stars and the undeniable energy of a new generation coming through.
The awards will take place on 19 November at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, airing live on ABC with UK fans able to catch up the following day on Hulu.
Lainey Wilson: Cementing Superstardom
It’s no surprise to see Lainey Wilson leading the way once again. Having won Entertainer of the Year in 2023, Wilson remains one of the genre’s hardest-working and most bankable acts. With a sold-out arena tour under her belt, she’s nominated for Entertainer again this year alongside five additional nods, including album (Whirlwind), single (“4x4xU”), and music video (“Somewhere Over Laredo”).
For Wilson, it feels less like a hot streak and more like the steady building of a legacy. She’s not just competing with country peers now — she’s carving her place among the biggest live acts in any genre.
Megan Moroney: Country’s Next Superstar
If Wilson represents the current benchmark, Megan Moroney is the heir apparent. Her album Am I Okay? has marked her out as one of the brightest voices of this new wave, earning her nominations across nearly every major category: female vocalist, album, single, song, video, and musical event (for her duet with Kenny Chesney).
Moroney’s candid songwriting and effortless charisma have made her a favourite among younger fans. While she may not yet be in the Entertainer of the Year conversation, it feels inevitable she’ll be there sooner rather than later.
Ella Langley: The Wildcard with Momentum
Perhaps the most exciting story of all is Ella Langley. Just a year on from her breakout duet with Riley Green (“You Look Like You Love Me”), she’s suddenly one of the night’s most-nominated artists. That duet alone accounts for three of her six nominations, while her fiery live presence has secured her a spot in both female vocalist and new artist of the year categories.
For a debut-album artist to land this kind of recognition is rare, and Langley’s arrival adds fresh unpredictability to the CMAs. She’s the kind of artist who could either walk away with multiple trophies or use this year as a launching pad for bigger wins down the line.
Zach Top: Tradition Lives On
While the headlines belong to the women, Zach Top has quietly built one of the most compelling cases of the year. A throwback to the neo-traditionalist sound of the ’90s, Top’s Cold Beer & Country Music has struck a chord with fans craving fiddles, steel guitars, and storytelling rooted in country’s foundations.
With five nominations — including male vocalist, album, and both single and song of the year for “I Never Lie” — Top proves that there’s still room for traditional sounds on the modern stage. His showdown with Langley in the new artist of the year category could be one of the night’s defining battles.
Entertainer of the Year: A Clash of Titans
At the top of the billing sits Entertainer of the Year, the CMA’s crown jewel. This year pits:
- Luke Combs – still a touring juggernaut.
- Chris Stapleton – the critical darling with unmatched vocal power.
- Morgan Wallen – the reigning champ, commercially untouchable, though his decision to skip last year’s ceremony when he won has left a cloud over his candidacy.
- Cody Johnson – who breaks into the category for the first time, buoyed by his duet with Carrie Underwood.
- Lainey Wilson – hungry to reclaim the title she first earned in 2023.
It’s a field that mixes superstardom with fresh energy, but don’t be surprised if this turns into a Wilson vs. Wallen rematch.
Album of the Year: A Wildly Eclectic Mix
Few categories show the breadth of country music right now quite like Album of the Year. The nominees include:
- 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
That Post Malone is in the mix tells you everything you need to know about the current crossover moment, while Moroney and Top carry the torch for fresh Nashville storytelling.
The Bigger Picture
While it’s thrilling to see women lead the pack, there’s a stark reminder of country’s ongoing challenges: at the time of nominations, not a single woman was in the Billboard Country Airplay Top 15, and only Lainey Wilson appeared in the Top 25. The UK Country Radio airplay chart typically paints a similar picture but this week’s chart includes Lainey Wilson, Ella Langley, Megan Moroney in the top 10.
The CMAs have often been accused of lagging behind commercial trends, but in this case, they may actually be ahead of them — recognising where the genre’s energy and innovation are truly coming from.
Looking Ahead
Voting for winners runs 1–29 October, with more than 7,000 CMA members (including CountryMusic.co.uk) casting ballots. CMA CEO Sarah Trahern summed it up best, noting that this year’s nominees “represent some of the most impactful work happening across country music.”
For UK fans, the big takeaway is clear: if you want to know where country is heading, look to Lainey Wilson, Megan Moroney, Ella Langley and Zach Top. Whether it’s powerhouse arena shows, raw storytelling, or a return to tradition, these names are set to shape the sound of Nashville for years to come.
The CMAs will crown their winners on 19 November — but the real victory may already belong to the new wave of artists redefining what country can be.
Full List of 2025 CMA Awards Nominees
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
Luke Combs • Cody Johnson • Chris Stapleton • Morgan Wallen • Lainey Wilson
SINGLE OF THE YEAR
“4x4xU” – Lainey Wilson • “Ain’t No Love in Oklahoma” – Luke Combs • “Am I Okay?” – Megan Moroney • “I Never Lie” – Zach Top • “You Look Like You Love Me” – Ella Langley & Riley Green
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
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
SONG OF THE YEAR
“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
“Don’t Mind if I Do” – Riley Green ft. Ella Langley • “Hard Fought Hallelujah” – Brandon Lake with Jelly Roll • “I’m Gonna Love You” – Cody Johnson with Carrie Underwood • “Pour Me a Drink” – Post Malone ft. Blake Shelton • “You Had to Be There” – Megan Moroney ft. Kenny Chesney
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
“Am I Okay?” – Megan Moroney • “I’m Gonna Love You” – Cody Johnson with Carrie Underwood • “Somewhere Over Laredo” – Lainey Wilson • “Think I’m in Love With You” – Chris Stapleton • “You Look Like You Love Me” – Ella Langley & Riley Green
NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Ella Langley • Shaboozey • Zach Top • Tucker Wetmore • Stephen Wilson Jr.
(The Broadcast Personality and Radio Station nominees are also confirmed — see CMA’s official site for the full breakdown.)
