Watch: Taylor Swift Drops “I Knew It, I Knew You,” Reunites With Jack Antonoff for ‘Toy Story 5’ Song
Country’s biggest night is almost here.
And ahead of the 2026 CMA Awards airing Nov. 18, the Country Music Association released its slate of nominees on Sept. 10.
Leading this year’s pack is Ella Langley who earned nine nominations, just shy of Alan Jackson’s record of 10 in 2002. The 27-year-old has earned nods in categories such as Entertainer and Female Vocalist of the Year, while her album Dandelion is in the running for the year’s best.
As for her Entertainer of the year competition, Langley will have to beat out Luke Combs, Cody Johnson, Lainey Wilson and Chris Stapleton.
Following her almost record-tying nominations, the “Choosin’ Texas” singer celebrated her accomplishment on social media, writing on Instagram, “What an honor @cma.”
After Langley, Miranda Lambert earned the second-highest number of nods at seven. She’ll face off alongside Langley as well as Wilson, Megan Moroney and Kacey Musgraves for Female Vocalist of the Year.
Also making an appearance on this year’s list is Taylor Swift, whose Toy Story 5 song “I Knew It, I Knew You” earned her a nod for Single of the Year. It’s the first time the 36-year-old has been nominated in the category since 2013, when she featured on Tim McGraw’s “Highway Don’t Care.”
Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for for TAS Rights Management
As for the men, Combs, Johnson, Stapleton, Zach Top and Stephen Wilson Jr. have all been nominated for Male Vocalist of the Year, while the band chemistry of Lady A, Little Big Town, Midland, Old Dominion and The Red Clay Strays all earned them nominations for Vocal Group of the Year.
The Country Music Association will also honor newcomers to the country music scene, with singers Emily Ann Roberts, Avery Anna, Carter Faith, Tucker Wetmore and Wilson Jr. nominated for New Artist of the Year.
This year’s ceremony will see Wilson return to host for her third year in a row.
In addition to feeling most excited about “celebrating country music,” Wilson said following the announcement, “I’m excited to celebrate my friends. It’s just been a huge few years for country music, so, it’s gonna be a party.”
After all, this year’s ceremony also marks the 60th year of the award show.
“I’ve had so much fun hosting the last two years,” Wilson added, “and this one’s going to be extra special.”
So don’t miss the 2026 CMA Awards, airing live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Nov. 18. And in the meantime, read on for the full list of nominees at this year’s show.
David Becker/Getty Images
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
- Luke Combs
- Cody Johnson
- Ella Langley
- Chris Stapleton
- Lainey Wilson
SINGLE OF THE YEAR
“Be Her” – Ella Langley
- “Choosin’ Texas” – Ella Langley
- “I Knew It, I Knew You” – Taylor Swift
- “Somewhere Over Laredo” – Lainey Wilson
- “The Fall” – Cody Johnson
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
- Ain’t In It For My Health – Zach Top
- Dandelion – Ella Langley
- Middle of Nowhere – Kacey Musgraves
- Parker McCollum – Parker McCollum
- The Way I Am – Luke Combs
SONG OF THE YEAR
- “Be Her,” Songwriters: Smith Ahnquist, Michael Hardy, Ella Langley, Jordan Schmidt
- “Beautiful Things,” Songwriters: Jessi Alexander, Jessie Jo Dillon, Connie Harrington, Megan Moroney
- “Choosin’ Texas,” Songwriters: Luke Dick, Ella Langley, Miranda Lambert, Joybeth Taylor
- “Dry Spell,” Songwriters: Luke Laird, Shane McAnally, Kacey Musgraves, Josh Osborne
- “Gary,” Songwriter: Stephen Wilson Jr.
Jason Kempin/Getty Images
FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
- Miranda Lambert
- Ella Langley
- Megan Moroney
- Kacey Musgraves
- Lainey Wilson
MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
- Luke Combs
- Cody Johnson
- Chris Stapleton
- Zach Top
- Stephen Wilson Jr.
VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
- Lady A
- Little Big Town
- Midland
- Old Dominion
- The Red Clay Strays
VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR
- Brooks & Dunn
- Brothers Osborne
- Dan + Shay
- Muscadine Bloodline
- Thelma & James
Taylor Hill/WireImage
MUSICAL EVENT OF THE YEAR
- “A Song To Sing” – Miranda Lambert (with Chris Stapleton)
- “Horses and Divorces” – Kacey Musgraves (feat. Miranda Lambert)
- “I Can’t Love You Anymore” – Ella Langley & Morgan Wallen
- “If I Don’t Leave I’m Gonna Stay” – Carly Pearce & Riley Green
- “McArthur” – HARDY, Eric Church, Morgan Wallen & Tim McGraw
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
- “Choosin’ Texas” – Ella Langley
- “Dry Spell” – Kacey Musgraves
- “Gary” – Stephen Wilson Jr.
- “The Fall” – Cody Johnson
- “White Horse” – Chris Stapleton
NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
- Avery Anna
- Carter Faith
- Emily Ann Roberts
- Tucker Wetmore
- Stephen Wilson Jr.
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