Luke Bryan helped announce the 2018 CMA nominees this morning in Nashville. No surprise, critical fave Chris Stapleton leads the way with five nominations, including in the album and male vocalist categories. In a nine-way tie for 2nd place with three nominations each: Dan + Shay, Chris Janson, Midland, Thomas Rhett, Dierks Bentley, Jason Aldean, Miranda Lambert, Keith Urban and Florida Georgia Line. The show, again hosted this year by Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood, airs November 14th on ABC.
Here are your major categories
Entertainer of the year
Jason Aldean
Luke Bryan
Kenny Chesney
Chris Stapleton
Keith Urban
Single of the Year (goes to the artist)
“Broken Halos” – Chris Stapleton
“Drinkin’ Problem” – Midland
“Drowns the Whiskey” – Jason Aldean (Feat. Miranda Lambert)
“Meant to Be” – Bebe Rexha & Florida Georgia Line
“Tequila” – Dan + Shay
Song of the year (goes to songwriter)
“Body Like A Back Road”
Songwriter(s): Zach Crowell, Sam Hunt, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne
“Broken Halos”
Songwriter(s): Mike Henderson, Chris Stapleton
“Drowns the Whiskey”
Songwriter(s): Brandon Kinney, Jeff Middleton, Josh Thompson
“Drunk Girl”
Songwriter(s): Scooter Carusoe, Tom Douglas, Chris Janson
“Tequila”
Songwriter(s): Nicolle Galyon, Jordan Reynolds, Dan Smyers
Male vocalist of the year
Dierks Bentley
Luke Combs
Thomas Rhett
Chris Stapleton
Keith Urban
Female vocalist of the year
Kelsea Ballerini
Miranda Lambert
Maren Morris
Kacey Musgraves
Carrie Underwood
Vocal duo of the year
Brothers Osborne
Dan + Shay
Florida Georgia Line
Maddie & Tae
Sugarland
New artist of the year
Lauren Alaina
Luke Combs
Chris Janson
Midland
Brett Young
Album of the Year
“From A Room: Volume 2” – Chris Stapleton
Producer(s): Dave Cobb, Chris Stapleton
“Golden Hour” – Kacey Musgraves
Producer(s): Ian Fitchuk, Daniel Tashian, Kacey Musgraves
“Graffiti U” – Keith Urban
Producer(s): Keith Urban, Dan McCarroll, J.R. Rotem, Josh Kerr, Jason Evigan, Greg Wells, Benny Blanco, Ed Sheeran, Johnny McDaid, Jesse Shatkin, Jimmy Robbins, Oscar Holter, Matt Rad, Eric Valentine, Ian Kirkpatrick, Mike Elizondo, Captain Cuts, Ross Copperman, Dann Huff, Peter Karlsson
“Life Changes” – Thomas Rhett
Producer(s): Julian Bunetta, Jesse Frasure, Dann Huff, Joe London, Thomas Rhett
“The Mountain” – Dierks Bentley
Producer(s): Ross Copperman, Jon Randall Stewart, Arturo Buenahora Jr.
Vocal Group of the Year
Lady Antebellum
LANCO
Little Big Town
Midland
Old Dominion
Musical Event of the Year
“Burning Man” – Dierks Bentley Feat. Brothers Osborne
“Dear Hate” – Maren Morris (Feat. Vince Gill)
“Drowns the Whiskey” – Jason Aldean (Feat. Miranda Lambert)
“Everything’s Gonna Be Alright” – David Lee Murphy (with Kenny Chesney)
“Meant to Be” – Bebe Rexha & Florida Georgia Line
Music Video of the Year
“Babe” – Sugarland (featuring Taylor Swift)
Director(s): Anthony Mandler
“Cry Pretty” – Carrie Underwood
Director(s): Randee St. Nicholas
“Drunk Girl”– Chris Janson
Director(s): Jeff Venable
Marry Me” – Thomas Rhett
Director(s): TK McKamy
“Tequila” – Dan + Shay
Director(s): Patrick Tracy