CMA Maren Morris leads the pack at the 53rd CMA Awards, bringing home the most nominations ahead of Country Music’s Biggest Night this November.
Maren’s up for Single, Song, Music Video and Album, all for her single and latest project, both titled “GIRL.” She also competes for Female Vocalist, as well as Musical Event for the GIRL track “All My Favorite People” with her pals Brothers Osborne.
John and T.J. Osborne happen to be right behind her when it comes to nominations: They have four, picking up mentions for Single and Music Video of the Year for “Burning Man” with Dierks Bentley. They also have a chance to take home their fourth Vocal Duo trophy.
Dierks is among a long list of artists with three nods, including Eric Church, Luke Combs, Dan + Shay, Kacey Musgraves, Blake Shelton, Chris Stapleton, and CMA host Carrie Underwood.
Carrie picks up the torch for the women of country as the sole female nominee for Entertainer of the Year: She’s the first female to appear in the category since she was last nominated in 2016.
Garth Brooks — who became the winningest Entertainer in CMA history in 2017 — returns to the category on the strength of his Stadium Tour. Noticeably absent this year: 2014 and 2015 winner Luke Bryan.
Dan + Shay’s “Tequila” will also get another shot at winning Song of the Year: It was also nominated in 2018, but lost to Chris Stapleton’s “Broken Halos.”
Brooks & Dunn rejoin Dan + Shay in the Vocal Duo roundup, being recognized once again in the category they practically own. They’ve won Vocal Duo fourteen times — most recently in 2006 — and were last nominated in 2010. No doubt their impending induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame and their successful REBOOT record are to thank.
The Country Music Association rightfully recognizes Kelsea Ballerini as a contender for the genre’s best Female Vocalist once again, after she was inexplicably snubbed by the ACMs earlier this year.
In the end, the rap/country crossover smash “Old Town Road” only netted one nom — for Musical Event of the Year — for Lil Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus
Carly Pearce, Cody Johnson, Ashley McBryde, and Morgan Wallen all enjoy their first shot at a CMA Award in 2019 for New Artist: “CAN’T BREATHE,” Carly tweeted, shortly after finding out.
You’ll be able to see all the unforgettable performances and find out who wins on Wednesday, November 13, when Carrie Underwood, Dolly Parton, and Reba McEntire host the 53rd CMAs live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. You can watch the show — which will also pay tribute to country’s most unforgettable female voices — starting at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.
Copyright © 2019, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.