Country music artists Eric Church, first-time nominee Maren Morris, and Chris Stapleton earned the most 50th Annual CMA Awards nominations with five each. Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, and Dierks Bentley follow close behind with four 2016 CMA Awards nominations, and Tim McGraw picked up three nominations. Hosted by Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood, this year’s CMA Awards will take place on November 2nd and will air live from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on ABC.
“I am very excited about this year’s list of nominees,” stated Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “We have artists who received their first CMA Awards nominations decades ago alongside first-timers; we have critically-acclaimed songwriters and artists who have reset the bar for Country Music. This is going to be an exciting year in addition to celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the CMA Awards.”
Church’s nominations come in the Male Vocalist, Album of the Year, Single of the Year, Song of the Year, and Music Video of the Year categories. Morris is nominated in the Female Vocalist, Album of the Year, Single of the Year, Song of the Year, and New Artist of the Year categories. And Stapleton’s five nominations were in the Entertainer of the Year, Male Vocalist, Single of the Year, Music Video of the Year, and Musical Event of the Year categories.
50th Annual CMA Awards Nominees:
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
Garth Brooks
Luke Bryan
Chris Stapleton
Carrie Underwood
Keith Urban
SINGLE OF THE YEAR
“Die a Happy Man” -Thomas Rhett
“Humble and Kind” – Tim McGraw
“My Church” – Maren Morris
“Nobody To Blame” – Chris Stapleton
“Record Year” – Eric Church
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Black – Dierks Bentley
Hero – Maren Morris
Mr. Misunderstood – Eric Church
Ripcord – Keith Urban
Storyteller – Carrie Underwood
SONG OF THE YEAR
“Burning House” – Camaron “Cam” Ochs, Tyler Johnson, Jeff Bhasker
“Die a Happy Man” – Sean Douglas, Thomas Rhett, and Joe Spargur
“Humble and Kind” – Lori McKenna
“My Church” – busbee and Maren Morris
“Record Year” – Eric Church and Jeff Hyde
FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Kelsea Ballerini
Miranda Lambert
Maren Morris
Kacey Musgraves
Carrie Underwood
MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Dierks Bentley
Eric Church
Tim McGraw
Chris Stapleton
Keith Urban
VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
Lady Antebellum
Little Big Town
Old Dominion
Rascal Flatts
Zac Brown Band
VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR
Brothers Osborne
Dan + Shay
Florida Georgia Line
Joey + Rory
Maddie & Tae
MUSICAL EVENT OF THE YEAR
“Different For Girls” – Dierks Bentley feat. Elle King
“Home Alone Tonight” – Luke Bryan featuring Karen Fairchild
“The Fighter” – Keith Urban (featuring Carrie Underwood)
“Think of You” – Chris Young (duet with Cassadee Pope)
“You Are My Sunshine” – Morgane Stapleton with Chris Stapleton
MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR
Jerry Douglas (Dobro/Lap Steel Guitar)
Paul Franklin (Steel Guitar)
Dann Huff (Guitar)
Brent Mason (Guitar)
Derek Wells (Guitar)
MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR
“Burning House” – Cam
“Fire Away” – Chris Stapleton
“Humble and Kind” – Tim McGraw
“Record Year” – Eric Church
“Somewhere On A Beach” – Dierks Bentley
NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Kelsea Ballerini
Brothers Osborne
Maren Morris
Old Dominion
Cole Swindell
