Ella Langley Leads 2026 CMA Awards Nominations With Nine Nods

Ella Langley is the leading nominee for the 60th annual CMA Awards with nine nominations. This total ties the record for the most nods in a single year by a female artist, a mark previously reached by Miranda Lambert in 2010 and 2014, and Lainey Wilson in 2023. Langley is one nomination short of the all-time record of 10, set by Alan Jackson in 2002. She is a finalist for Entertainer of the Year alongside Luke Combs, Cody Johnson, Chris Stapleton, and Lainey Wilson.

Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas” is the only work this year nominated for single, song, and music video of the year. The track has spent 21 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, marking the longest run for a non-holiday hit in the chart's 68-year history. Langley is also the eighth artist in CMA history to receive two nominations in the Single of the Year category in the same year, recognized for both “Choosin’ Texas” and “Be Her.”

For the first time in CMA history, female artists account for four of the five nominees for Single of the Year. The list includes Langley’s two entries, Taylor Swift’s “I Knew It, I Knew You,” and Lainey Wilson’s “Somewhere Over Laredo.” Cody Johnson’s “The Fall” is the only single by a male artist in the category.

Miranda Lambert earned her 19th nomination for Female Vocalist of the Year, surpassing Reba McEntire’s previous record of 18. Shane McAnally broke the record for most Song of the Year nominations with his 11th nod for co-writing Kacey Musgraves’ “Dry Spell,” moving past Alan Jackson’s 10. Little Big Town set a record for the longest consecutive streak of nominations for Vocal Group of the Year, appearing on the final ballot for the 21st year in a row since 2006.

Jay Joyce, who produced “Somewhere Over Laredo,” received his 14th nomination for Single of the Year. This puts him second only to Tony Brown, who has 16. Wilson’s track interpolates the melody of “Over the Rainbow,” while Swift’s “I Knew It, I Knew You” is considered a front-runner for the Best Original Song Oscar.

The New Artist of the Year category features Avery Anna, Carter Faith, Emily Ann Roberts, Tucker Wetmore, and Stephen Wilson Jr. Both Wetmore and Wilson Jr. are nominated in the category for the second consecutive year. First-time CMA nominees include Jack Antonoff, Smith Ahnquist, Tim Cofield, Austin Goodloe, Muscadine Bloodline, Caylee Robillard, Laura Sisk, Joybeth Taylor, Thelma & James, and Ben West. According to Billboard, the 60th annual ceremony will be hosted by Lainey Wilson.