HARDY and Lainey Wilson Top The 2023 ACM Award Nominations

14 April 2023 | 9:48 am | Mallory Arbour

The 2023 ACM Awards will take place on Thursday, May 11.

(Image: Supplied/Alysse Gafkjen)

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The nominations for the 58th ACM Awards have been announced.

HARDY leads with a staggering seven nominations, including ‘Song of the Year’ and ‘Artist-Songwriter of the Year’. He also shares three of his nominations with fellow artist and collaborator Lainey Wilson for their song, wait in the truck.  

Wilson receives the most nods for a female artist with six nominations including ‘Female Artist of the Year’, ‘Album of the Year’ and ‘Single of the Year’. She is nominated in more categories than any other artist. Last year, Wilson won in both categories she was nominated in.

“I am so honoured to be nominated among some of the best in the business. A few years ago, I wouldn't even have been able to dream of a day like this,” said Wilson “Thank you to the Academy of Country Music for believing in me and my work, this is an absolute honour.”


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Other top nominees include Kane Brown, Luke Combs, Miranda Lambert and Cole Swindell, each with five.

Brown receives his first ever nominations for ‘Entertainer of the Year’ and ‘Male Artist of the Year’. He and his wife Katelyn Brown receive three nominations together for their song Thank God in the ‘Single’, ‘Music Event’, and ‘Visual Media of the Year’ categories.

This is the fourth year in a row that Combs is nominated for both ‘Male Artist’ and ‘Entertainer of the Year’. A win in the ‘Entertainer of the Year’ category will also clinch the coveted Triple Crown Award, which consists of an ‘Entertainer of the Year’ win, plus wins in an act's respective ‘New Artist’ (male, female, or duo or group) and ‘Artist’ (Male, female, duo or group) categories. Should Chris Stapleton be awarded ‘Entertainer of the Year’, he will also claim the coveted triple title.

Most-awarded artist in ACM history, Lambert, receives her record-breaking 17th ‘Female Artist of the Year’ nomination (passing Reba McEntire with 16). 

Swindell receives first-time nominations in three categories including ‘Single of the Year’, ‘Visual Media of the Year’, and ‘Music Event of the Year’, in which he shares a nomination with Jo Dee Messina who receives her first nomination in 22 years.

Additionally, at least one woman is nominated in Every Eligible Main Awards Category this year.

Also, for the second time in ACM history, three albums released by all-female acts have been nominated for ‘Album of the Year’ in the same year, with Ashley McBryde Presents: Lindeville by Ashley McBryde, Bell Bottom Country by Wilson, and Palomino by Lambert each receiving nominations. The only other time three all-female acts had albums nominated for ‘Album of the Year’ in the same year was in 1999 with Faith by Faith Hill, I'm Alright by Jo Dee Messina, and Wide Open Spaces by The Chicks all receiving nominations.

John Osborne of Brothers Osborne receives his first solo nomination as a producer for producing McBryde's album Ashley McBryde Presents: Lindeville. Brothers Osborne's nomination for ‘Duo of the Year’ also marks their 16th ACM nomination and their ninth year in a row being nominated for ACM ‘Duo of the Year’, an award they have brought home three times, including last year.

Among others, Brothers Osborne are against The War And Treaty, who receive their first nomination for ‘Duo of the Year’, making them the first Black duo to receive a nomination in the category.

Dustin Lynch and MacKenzie Porter have also claimed their first ever nominations, with their hit Thinking ‘Bout You earning the duo a nod for ‘Music Event Of The Year.’

“I couldn’t be more thrilled to be sharing my first ACM nomination with MacKenzie [Porter]. We’ve had quite the journey with this song, and it’s been such a thrill to do it with a great new friend,” shared Lynch. “Thinking ‘Bout You being the most-played song of 2022 at Country radio, and now scoring an ACM nomination is icing on the cake for a chapter that has already been so good to us.”




'Country Music's Party of the Year,' hosted by Dolly Parton and Garth Brooks returns exclusively on Prime Video from Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas on Thursday, May 11. 

The event will celebrate country music's biggest stars and emerging talent, and feature unforgettable performances, exclusive collaborations, and unexpected moments that will captivate fans worldwide.

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR

  • Jason Aldean
  • Kane Brown
  • Luke Combs
  • Miranda Lambert
  • Chris Stapleton
  • Carrie Underwood
  • Morgan Wallen


FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR

  • Kelsea Ballerini
  • Miranda Lambert
  • Ashley McBryde
  • Carly Pearce
  • Lainey Wilson


MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR

  • Kane Brown
  • Luke Combs
  • Jordan Davis
  • Chris Stapleton
  • Morgan Wallen


DUO OF THE YEAR

  • Brooks & Dunn
  • Brothers Osborne
  • Dan + Shay
  • Maddie & Tae
  • The War and Treaty


GROUP OF THE YEAR

  • Lady A
  • Little Big Town
  • Midland
  • Old Dominion
  • Zac Brown Band


NEW FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR

  • Priscilla Block
  • Megan Moroney
  • Caitlyn Smith
  • Morgan Wade
  • Hailey Whitters

NEW MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR

  • Zach Bryan
  • Jackson Dean
  • ERNEST
  • Dylan Scott
  • Nate Smith
  • Bailey Zimmerman


ALBUM OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company-Label(s)]

  • Ashley McBryde Presents: Lindeville - Ashley McBryde Producer: John Osborne Record Company-Label: Warner Music Nashville
  • Bell Bottom Country - Lainey Wilson Producer: Jay Joyce Record Company-Label: Broken Bow Records
  • Growin' Up - Luke Combs Producers: Luke Combs, Chip Matthews, Jonathan Singleton Record Company-Label: Columbia Records
  • Mr. Saturday Night - Jon Pardi Producers: Jon Pardi, Bart Butler, Ryan Gore Record Company-Label: Capitol Records Nashville
  • Palomino - Miranda Lambert Producers: Jon Randall, Luke Dick, Miranda Lambert, Mikey Reaves Record Company-Label: Vanner Records/RCA Records Nashville


SINGLE OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company-Label(s)]

  • Heart Like A Truck - Lainey Wilson Producer: Jay Joyce Record Company-Label: Broken Bow Records
  • Never Wanted To Be That Girl - Carly Pearce & Ashley McBryde Producers: Josh Osborne, Shane McAnally Record Company-Label: Big Machine Records/Warner Music Nashville
  • She Had Me At Heads Carolina - Cole Swindell Producer: Zach Crowell Record Company-Label: Warner Music Nashville
  • Thank God - Kane Brown with Katelyn Brown Producer: Dann Huff Record Company-Label: RCA Nashville
  • 'Til You Can't - Cody Johnson Producer: Trent Willmon Record Company-Label: Warner Music Nashville/CoJo Music


SONG OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Songwriter(s)/Publisher(s)/Artist(s)]

  • Sand In My Boots - Morgan Wallen Songwriters: Ashley Gorley, Josh Osborne, Michael Hardy Publishers: Relative Music Group; Sony/ATV Accent; Sony/ATV Cross Keys Publishing; Sony/ATV Tree Publishing
  • She Had Me At Heads Carolina - Cole Swindell Songwriters: Ashley Gorley, Cole Swindell, Jesse Frasure, Mark D. Sanders, Thomas Rhett, Tim Nichols Publishers: Ashley Gorley Publishing Designee; Be A Light Publishing; Colden Rainey Music; EMI Blackwood Music Inc; Songs Of Roc Nation Music; Sony Tree Publishing; Telemitry Rhythm House Music; Universal Music Corp; WC Music Corp; Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp
  • 'Til You Can't - Cody Johnson Songwriters: Ben Stennis, Matt Rogers Publishers: Anthem Canalco Publishing; Dead Aim Music; The Stennis Mightier Music
  • wait in the truck - HARDY feat. Lainey Wilson Songwriters: Hunter Phelps, Jordan Schmidt, Michael Hardy, Renee Blair Publishers: Humerus Publishing Global; Nontypical Music; Pile of Schmidt Songs; Rednecker Music; Relative Music Group; Round Hill Verses Publishing; Sony/ATV Accent; Sony/ATV Tree Publishing; The Money Tree Vibez; WC Music Corp; Who Wants to Buy My Publishing
  • You Should Probably Leave - Chris Stapleton Songwriters: Ashley Gorley, Chris DuBois, Chris Stapleton Publishers: One77 Songs; Sea Gayle Music; Songs of Southside Independent Music Publishing; Spirit Two Nashville; WC Music Corp


VISUAL MEDIA OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Producer(s)/Director(s)/Artist(s)]

  • HEARTFIRST - Kelsea Ballerini Producers: Christen Pinkston & Wesley Stebbins-Perry Director: P Tracy
  • She Had Me At Heads Carolina - Cole Swindell Producer: Troy Jackson Director: Spidey Smith
  • Thank God - Kane Brown with Katelyn Brown Producer: Luke Arreguin Director: Alex Alvga
  • 'Til You Can't - Cody Johnson Producer: Maddy Hayes Director: Dustin Haney
  • wait in the truck - HARDY feat. Lainey Wilson Producer: Inkwell Productions Director: Justin Clough
  • What He Didn't Do - Carly Pearce Producer: Ryan Byrd Director: Alexa Campbell


SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR

  • Nicolle Galyon
  • Ashley Gorley
  • Chase McGill
  • Josh Osborne
  • Hunter Phelps


ARTIST-SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR

  • Luke Combs
  • ERNEST
  • HARDY
  • Miranda Lambert
  • Morgan Wallen


MUSIC EVENT OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company-Label(s)]

  • At the End of a Bar - Chris Young with Mitchell Tenpenny Producers: Chris DeStefano, Chris Young Record Company-Label: RCA Nashville
  • She Had Me At Heads Carolina [Remix] - Cole Swindell & Jo Dee Messina Producer: Zach Crowell Record Company-Label: Warner Music Nashville
  • Thank God - Kane Brown with Katelyn Brown Producer: Dann Huff Record Company-Label: RCA Nashville
  • Thinking 'Bout You - Dustin Lynch feat. MacKenzie Porter Producer: Zach Crowell Record Company-Label: Broken Bow Records
  • wait in the truck - HARDY feat. Lainey Wilson Producers: Derek Wells, HARDY, Joey Moi, Jordan Schmidt Record Company-Label: Big Loud Records

Additional nominations can be found via acmcountry.com.