2023 CMA Awards nominations include Morgan Wallen, Carrie Underwood and more.
The Country Music Association has revealed the nominees for The 57th Annual CMA Awards. Lainey Wilson leads the pack with nine nominations, making her the most-nominated artist this year. The list reflects a mix of established stars and newer faces across categories such as Entertainer of the Year, Single and Album of the Year, Song of the Year, and the key vocal and new artist categories.
First-time CMA nominee Jelly Roll earned five nominations, while Luke Combs and HARDY each received four. Several artists and industry contributors garnered three nominations apiece, including Jordan Davis, Ashley McBryde, producer and mix engineer Joey Moi, songwriter-producer Jordan Schmidt, Chris Stapleton, Morgan Wallen, and session musician-producer Derek Wells. These nominations highlight both mainstream chart successes and critical recognition within the country music community.
The night’s top prize, Entertainer of the Year, will once again be hotly contested. Reigning Entertainer Luke Combs is nominated to defend his title, facing competition from Chris Stapleton, Carrie Underwood, Morgan Wallen and Lainey Wilson. The 57th Annual CMA Awards will be hosted by Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning and will broadcast live from Nashville on Wednesday, Nov. 8 (8:00–11:00 p.m. EST) on ABC.
Some notable omissions drew attention when the nominations were announced. Scotty McCreery, who continues to receive regular radio play, did not appear among nominees. Carrie Underwood, despite her long and successful career, is not listed in the Female Vocalist of the Year category this year. Observers have noted that her role in country music seems to be shifting as she balances ongoing achievements with a legacy status in the genre.
One surprising and newsworthy aspect of the nominations is the recognition of Tracy Chapman as the songwriter of “Fast Car,” a track that has found new life through Luke Combs’ rendition. That song’s nomination for Song of the Year underscores how covers and reinterpretations can bring older material back into contemporary award conversations.
2023 CMA Awards Nominees
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
- Luke Combs
- Chris Stapleton
- Carrie Underwood
- Morgan Wallen
- Lainey Wilson
SINGLE OF THE YEAR
Award goes to Artist(s), Producer(s) and Mix Engineer(s)
- “Fast Car” – Luke Combs
Producers: Luke Combs, Chip Matthews, Jonathan Singleton
Mix Engineer: Chip Matthews - “Heart Like A Truck” – Lainey Wilson
Producer: Jay Joyce
Mix Engineers: Jason Hall, Jay Joyce - “Need A Favor” – Jelly Roll
Producer: Austin Nivarel
Mix Engineer: Jeff Braun - “Next Thing You Know” – Jordan Davis
Producer: Paul DiGiovanni
Mix Engineer: Jim Cooley - “wait in the truck” – HARDY (feat. Lainey Wilson)
Producers: HARDY, Joey Moi, Jordan Schmidt, Derek Wells
Mix Engineer: Joey Moi
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Award goes to Artist, Producer(s) and Mix Engineer(s)
- Ashley McBryde Presents: Lindeville – Ashley McBryde
Producers: John Osborne, John Peets
Mix Engineers: Gena Johnson, John Osborne - Bell Bottom Country – Lainey Wilson
Producer: Jay Joyce
Mix Engineers: Jason Hall, Jay Joyce - Gettin’ Old – Luke Combs
Producers: Luke Combs, Chip Matthews, Jonathan Singleton
Mix Engineers: Michael H. Brauer, Jim Cooley, Chip Matthews - One Thing At A Time – Morgan Wallen
Producers: Jacob Durrett, Charlie Handsome, Joey Moi, Cameron Montgomery
Mix Engineers: Josh Ditty, Joey Moi, Eivind Nordland - Rolling Up the Welcome Mat – Kelsea Ballerini
Producers: Kelsea Ballerini, Alysa Vanderheym
Mix Engineers: Dan Grech-Marguerat, Alysa Vanderheym
SONG OF THE YEAR
Award goes to Songwriter(s)
- “Fast Car”
Songwriter: Tracy Chapman - “Heart Like A Truck”
Songwriters: Trannie Anderson, Dallas Wilson, Lainey Wilson - “Next Thing You Know”
Songwriters: Jordan Davis, Greylan James, Chase McGill, Josh Osborne - “Tennessee Orange”
Songwriters: David Fanning, Paul Jenkins, Megan Moroney, Ben William - “wait in the truck”
Songwriters: Renee Blair, Michael Hardy, Hunter Phelps, Jordan Schmidt
FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
- Kelsea Ballerini
- Miranda Lambert
- Ashley McBryde
- Carly Pearce
- Lainey Wilson
MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
- Luke Combs
- Jelly Roll
- 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
- Maddie & Tae
- The War And Treaty
MUSICAL EVENT OF THE YEAR
Award goes to Artists and Producer(s)
- “Save Me” – Jelly Roll (with Lainey Wilson)
Producers: Zach Crowell, David Ray Stevens - “She Had Me At Heads Carolina (Remix)” – Cole Swindell & Jo Dee Messina
Producer: Zach Crowell - “Thank God” – Kane Brown (with Katelyn Brown)
Producer: Dann Huff - “wait in the truck” – HARDY (feat. Lainey Wilson)
Producers: HARDY, Joey Moi, Jordan Schmidt, Derek Wells - “We Don’t Fight Anymore” – Carly Pearce (featuring Chris Stapleton)
Producers: Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne, Carly Pearce
MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR
- Jenee Fleenor
- Paul Franklin
- Rob McNelley
- Derek Wells
- Charlie Worsham
MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Award goes to Artist(s) and Director(s)
- “Light On In The Kitchen” – Ashley McBryde
Director: Reid Long - “Memory Lane” – Old Dominion
Directors: Mason Allen, Nicki Fletcher - “Need A Favor” – Jelly Roll
Director: Patrick Tohill - “Next Thing You Know” – Jordan Davis
Director: Running Bear - “wait in the truck” – HARDY (feat. Lainey Wilson)
Director: Justin Clough
NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
- Zach Bryan
- Jelly Roll
- Parker McCollum
- Megan Moroney
- Hailey Whitters
These nominations reflect the wide range of talent and creative collaboration defining country music this year—from breakout newcomers to veteran performers, from songwriters and producers to engineers and session musicians. The CMA Awards ceremony will celebrate those contributions while announcing the winners across categories when the show airs live from Nashville.