Lainey Wilson Tops CMA Awards With Six Nominations

The nominations to the 56th CMA Awards have been announced.

Lainey Wilson leads with a staggering six nods including ‘Female Vocalist of the Year’, ‘New Artist of the Year’ and ‘Album of the Year’ for Sayin’ What I’m Thinkin’ and ‘Song of the Year’ for Things A Man Oughta Know. Her Never Say Never collaboration with Cole Swindell is up for ‘Music Video of the Year’ and ‘Musical Event of the Year’. With these six nominations, Wilson becomes the most nominated artist of the year and the fourth artist ever to receive six nominations in their first eligible year, following Glen Campbell, Brad Paisley and Kacey Musgraves.

She said in a statement, “This is my first time being cordially invited to the CMA Awards and what a wonderful invitation it is. It has been such a challenging but beautiful journey up until this point and to see the country music community and the incredible fans be so receptive to me and my music is such a blessing. I’m so grateful for this moment.”

6 NOMINATIONS!?!? I’m speechless. While I try to find the words just know that I’m blown away and so so honored and proud to be nominated. Thank you to the entire country music community! @CountryMusic #CMAawards pic.twitter.com/zdYp42tvtD

— Lainey Wilson (@laineywilson) September 7, 2022

Other top nominees include Ashley McBryde, Carly Pearce, and Chris Stapleton, along with songwriter and producer Shane McAnally, each with five nominations.

Vying for the night’s highest honour, ‘Entertainer of the Year’, is Stapleton, Luke Combs, Miranda Lambert, Carrie Underwood, and Morgan Wallen. The nomination now sees Lambert extend her historic run as the most nominated female artist in CMA history, with now 61 nominations. 

First-time CMA Awards nominees include BRELAND, Alexa Campbell, Jack Clarke, Dan Grech-Marguerat, Jacob Davis, Dustin Haney, Walker Hayes, Josh Jenkins, Matt Jenkins, Jason Lehning, actress Blake Lively, Chip Matthews, Parker McCollum, Michael Monaco, Jason Nix, Mikey Reaves, Harper Smith, Trent Willmon, and Wilson.

“It’s thrilling to celebrate these deserving nominees while our industry is returning to live music,” says Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “This year’s slate is impressive, with some nominees logging historic milestones while others are just getting started. No matter what stage in their career, they each bring a unique voice and unforgettable story to life, showing that country music is stronger than ever! We look forward to honouring them this November.”

Hosted by Luke Bryan and NFL superstar Peyton Manning, the 2022 CMA Awards will take place in Nashville on Wednesday, November 9.

See the full list of nominees below:

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
– Luke Combs
– Miranda Lambert
– Chris Stapleton
– Carrie Underwood
 – Morgan Wallen

SINGLE OF THE YEAR
Award goes to Artist(s), Producer(s) and Mix Engineer
– “Buy Dirt” – Jordan Davis featuring Luke Bryan; Producer: Paul DiGiovanni; Mix Engineer: Jim Cooley
– “half of my hometown” – Kelsea Ballerini (feat. Kenny Chesney); Producers: Kelsea Ballerini, Ross Copperman, Jimmy Robbins; Mix Engineer: Dan Grech-Marguerat
– “Never Wanted To Be That Girl” – Carly Pearce and Ashley McBryde; Producers: Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne; Mix Engineer: Ryan Gore
– “’Til You Can’t” – Cody Johnson; Producer: Trent Willmon; Mix Engineer: Jack Clarke
 – “You Should Probably Leave” – Chris Stapleton; Producers: Dave Cobb, Chris Stapleton; Mix Engineer: Vance Powell

ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Award goes to Artist(s), Producer(s) and Mix Engineer(s)
 – Growin’ Up – Luke Combs; Producers: Luke Combs, Chip Matthews, Jonathan Singleton; Mix Engineers: Jim Cooley, Chip Matthews
 – Humble Quest – Maren Morris; Producer: Greg Kurstin; Mix Engineer: Serban Ghenea
 – Palomino – Miranda Lambert; Producers: Luke Dick, Miranda Lambert, Jon Randall, Mikey Reaves; Mix Engineer: Jason Lehning
 – Sayin’ What I’m Thinkin’ – Lainey Wilson; Producer: Jay Joyce; Mix Engineer: F. Reid Shippen
 – Time, Tequila & Therapy – Old Dominion; Producers: Shane McAnally, Old Dominion; Mix Engineer: Justin Niebank

SONG OF THE YEAR
Award goes to Songwriters
– “Buy Dirt” Songwriters: Jacob Davis, Jordan Davis, Josh Jenkins, Matt Jenkins
– “Never Wanted To Be That Girl” Songwriters: Shane McAnally, Ashley McBryde, Carly Pearce
– “Sand In My Boots” Songwriters: Ashley Gorley, Michael Hardy, Josh Osborne
– “Things A Man Oughta Know” Songwriters: Jason Nix, Jonathan Singleton, Lainey Wilson
 – “You Should Probably Leave” Songwriters: Chris DuBois, Ashley Gorley, Chris Stapleton

FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
– Miranda Lambert
– Ashley McBryde
– Carly Pearce
– Carrie Underwood
 – Lainey Wilson

MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
– Eric Church
– Luke Combs
– Cody Johnson
– Chris Stapleton
 – Morgan Wallen

VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
– Lady A
– Little Big Town
– Midland
– Old Dominion
 – Zac Brown Band

VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR
– Brooks & Dunn
– Brothers Osborne
– Dan + Shay
– LOCASH
 – Maddie & Tae

MUSICAL EVENT OF THE YEAR
Award goes to Artist(s) and Producer(s)
– “Beers On Me” – Dierks Bentley with BRELAND & HARDY; Producers: Dierks Bentley, Ross Copperman
– “If I Didn’t Love You” – Jason Aldean & Carrie Underwood; Producer: Michael Knox
– “Longneck Way To Go” – Midland (featuring Jon Pardi); Producers: Dann Huff, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne
– “Never Say Never” – Cole Swindell (with Lainey Wilson); Producer: Zach Crowell
 – “Never Wanted To Be That Girl” – Carly Pearce and Ashley McBryde; Producers: Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne

MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR
– Jenee Fleenor, Fiddle
– Paul Franklin, Steel guitar
– Brent Mason, Guitar
– Ilya Toshinskiy, Banjo
 – Derek Wells, Guitar

MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Award goes to Artist(s) and Directors
– “I Bet You Think About Me” (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault) – Taylor Swift (featuring Chris
Stapleton); Director: Blake Lively
– “Longneck Way To Go” – Midland (featuring Jon Pardi); Director: Harper Smith
– “Never Say Never” – Cole Swindell (with Lainey Wilson); Director: Michael Monaco
– “Never Wanted To Be That Girl” – Carly Pearce and Ashley McBryde; Director: Alexa Campbell
 – “’Til You Can’t” – Cody Johnson; Director: Dustin Haney

NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
– HARDY
– Walker Hayes
– Cody Johnson
– Parker McCollum
 – Lainey Wilson