The nominations for the 2018 CMA Awards have been revealed.
Videos by Wide Open Country
Early this morning (Aug. 28), the Country Music Association shared their list of honorees during a live national broadcast from Luke Bryan's new Nashville restaurant, Luke's 32 Bridge Food + Drink, on ABC's Good Morning America.
Although a few more categories have yet to be revealed, the six shared show a few surprises. Garth Brooks, who won Entertainer of the Year in 2016 and 2017, is not nominated this year. This time, Jason Aldean and Kenny Chesney are up against last year's contenders, Luke Bryan and Chris Stapleton. Kacey Musgraves earned a Female Vocalist of the Year and Album of the Year nod for her critically acclaimed record Golden Hour. Three out of the five picks for Best New Artist were nominated in 2017 (Lauren Alaina, Luke Combs and Brett Young) while Chris Janson and Midland earn their first nominations in the category.
The 52nd CMA Awards, featuring co-hosts Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley, will air live from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on Wednesday, Nov. 14 at 8/7 PM CT on ABC.
2018 CMA Awards Nominees:
Entertainer of the Year
Jason Aldean
Luke Bryan
Kenny Chesney
Chris Stapleton
Keith Urban
Female Vocalist of the Year
Kelsea Ballerini
Miranda Lambert
Maren Morris
Kacey Musgraves
Carrie Underwood
Male Vocalist of the Year
Dierks Bentley
Luke Combs
Thomas Rhett
Chris Stapleton
Keith Urban
Album of the Year
From a Room: Volume 2, Chris Stapleton
Golden Hour, Kacey Musgraves
Grafitti U, Keith Urban
Life Changes, Thomas Rhett
The Mountain, Dierks Bentley
New Artist of the Year
Lauren Alaina
Luke Combs
Chris Janson
Midland
Brett Young
Song of the Year (Awarded to Songwriters)
"Body Like A Back Road"
"Broken Halos"
"Drowns the Whiskey"
"Drunk Girl"
"Tequila"
Single of the Year
"Broken Halos," Chris Stapleton
Producers: Dave Cobb, Chris Stapleton
Mix Engineer(s): Vance Powell
"Drinkin' Problem," Midland
Producer(s): Dann Huff, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne
Mix Engineer(s): Justin Niebank
"Drowns the Whiskey," Jason Aldean ft. Miranda Lambert
Producer(s): Michael Knox
Mix Engineer(s): Jeff Braun
"Meant to Be," Bebe Rexha ft. Florida Georgia Line
Producer(s): Willshire
Mix Engineer(s): Serban Ghenea
"Tequila," Dan + Shay
Producer(s): Scott Hendricks, Dan Smyers
Mix Engineer(s): Jeff Juliano
Vocal Group of the Year
Lady Antebellum
LANCO
Little Big Town
Midland
Old Dominion
Vocal Duo of the Year
Brothers Osborne
Dan + Shay
Florida Georgia Line
Maddie & Tae
Sugarland
Musical Event of the Year
"Burning Man," Dierks Bentley ft. Brothers Osborne
"Dear Hate," Maren Morris ft. Vince Gill
"Drowns the Whiskey," Jason Aldean ft. Miranda Lambert
"Everything's Gonna Be Alright," David Lee Murphy with Kenny Chesney
"Meant To Be," Bebe Rexha and Florida Georgia Line
Music Video of the Year
"Babe," Sugarland ft. Taylor Swift
"Cry Pretty," Carrie Underwood
"Drunk Girl," Chris Janson
"Marry Me," Thomas Rhett
"Tequila," Dan + Shay
Musician of the Year
Jerry Douglas
Paul Franklin
Dann Huff
Mac McAnally
Derek Wells