The Country Music Association announced the nominees for the 58th annual CMA Awards, with Morgan Wallen and Post Malone each earning multiple nominations. The CMA noticeably snubbed Beyoncé, despite the release of her country-themed album Cowboy Carter – one of the year’s biggest country albums, which included the smash hit “Texas Hold ‘Em.” The final nominations list is determined by eligible voting CMA members comprised of professionals within the country music industry.
Wallen leads the nominees with seven nods, followed by Chris Stapleton and Cody Johnson with five each, and Malone and Lainey Wilson picked up four apiece. The coveted CMA ‘Entertainer of the Year’ award sees reigning winner Wilson competing against Wallen, Stapleton, Luke Combs and Jelly Roll.
Despite being shut out of the nominations, Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter made history this year when it spent four weeks on top of Billboard’s Top country albums chart — making her the first Black woman to achieve the feat. She also became the first Black woman to hit the No. 1 spot on Billboard’s Hot country songs chart with “Texas Hold ‘Em,” which held the top position for 10 weeks. The 27-track project featured collaborations with Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, Linda Martell, Miley Cyrus and Post Malone.
Winners will be determined in a Final Round of voting by eligible voting CMA members. The third and final ballot will be emailed to members on Tuesday, Oct. 1. Voting for the CMA Awards Final Ballot ends Tuesday, Oct. 29 at 6:00 p.m. CT.
The 58th annual CMA Awards airs live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 20 at 7 p.m. CT on ABC and next day on Hulu. Tickets go on sale on this Friday (Sept. 13) starting at 10 a.m. CT.
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