The nominees are in for the 60th Annual CMA Awards, and Ella Langley is officially playing in country music’s biggest league.
Langley earned her first Entertainer of the Year nomination alongside Luke Combs, Cody Johnson, Chris Stapleton and returning CMA Awards host Lainey Wilson.
That alone would make this a landmark year for Langley. However, her name appears nine times across the newly announced ballot.
She landed two nominations for Single of the Year, two for Song of the Year and additional recognition in the Female Vocalist, Album, Musical Event and Music Video categories.
Her second album, Dandelion, is nominated for Album of the Year. Meanwhile, “Be Her” and “Choosin’ Texas” compete against one another for Single of the Year.
Lainey Wilson Returns to Host the CMA Awards
Wilson will return to host the ceremony for the third consecutive year. This will be her second year handling the job solo.
The 12-time CMA Award winner is also nominated for Entertainer of the Year, Female Vocalist of the Year and Single of the Year for “Somewhere Over Laredo.”
Wilson announced her return during ESPN’s College GameDay broadcast from Louisiana State University. The Louisiana native said the ceremony’s 60th anniversary will make this year particularly special.
The 60th Annual CMA Awards will air live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, November 18, at 8/7c on ABC and Disney+. The ceremony will stream the following day on Hulu.
New Names Move Into Major Categories
Langley is not the only artist breaking into new territory.
Stephen Wilson Jr. earned nominations for Male Vocalist and New Artist of the Year. His deeply personal song “Gary” is also nominated for Song and Music Video of the Year.
Muscadine Bloodline and Thelma & James join veteran acts Brooks & Dunn, Brothers Osborne and Dan + Shay in the Vocal Duo category.
The Red Clay Strays return to the Vocal Group field alongside Lady A, Little Big Town, Midland and Old Dominion.
Taylor Swift also makes a notable return to the country ballot. Her Toy Story 5 song “I Knew It, I Knew You” is nominated for Single of the Year.
Here is the complete list of nominees announced for the 2026 CMA Awards.
Entertainer of the Year
Female Vocalist of the Year
Male Vocalist of the Year
Vocal Group of the Year
Vocal Duo of the Year
Single of the Year
Awarded to the artist, producer and mix engineer.
Album of the Year
Awarded to the artist, producer and mix engineer.
Song of the Year
Awarded to the songwriters.
- “Be Her”
Songwriters: Smith Ahnquist, Michael Hardy, Ella Langley and Jordan Schmidt - “Beautiful Things”
Songwriters: Jessi Alexander, Jessie Jo Dillon, Connie Harrington and Megan Moroney - “Choosin’ Texas”
Songwriters: Luke Dick, Ella Langley, Miranda Lambert and Joybeth Taylor - “Dry Spell”
Songwriters: Luke Laird, Shane McAnally, Kacey Musgraves and Josh Osborne - “Gary”
Songwriter: Stephen Wilson Jr.
Musical Event of the Year
Musician of the Year
- Tom Bukovac, guitar
- Jenee Fleenor, fiddle
- Paul Franklin, steel guitar
- Rob McNelley, guitar
- Charlie Worsham, guitar
Music Video of the Year
Awarded to the artist and director.
New Artist of the Year
- Avery Anna
- Carter Faith
- Emily Ann Roberts
- Tucker Wetmore
- Stephen Wilson Jr.
When Are the 2026 CMA Awards?
The 60th Annual CMA Awards will be broadcast live from Nashville on Wednesday, November 18.
Viewers can watch the ceremony at 8/7c on ABC and Disney+. It will also be available the next day on Hulu.
Lainey Wilson will host the milestone broadcast while competing for the night’s biggest award. Still, this year’s nominations make one thing especially clear: Ella Langley has moved from country music’s rising class directly into the Entertainer of the Year conversation.