2020 CMA Awards: Full List of Nominees

This year’s CMA Nominations have been announced. Here’s who will compete this fall at the 54th Annual CMA Awards:

Entertainer of the Year

• Eric Church
• Luke Combs
• Miranda Lambert
• Carrie Underwood
• Keith Urban

Who’s In: Luke Combs, Miranda Lambert

Who’s Out: Garth Brooks, Chris Stapleton

Last year’s winner Garth Brooks has gotten his wish, and he’s not in the running this year.  Luke Combs earns his first nomination and Miranda Lambert returns with her fourth nomination, her first since 2015.   Two time winner Keith Urban remains in the race, as do two artists that have yet to win: Eric Church, who earns his fourth nomination, and Carrie Underwood, who earns her third.

Male Vocalist of the Year

• Eric Church
• Luke Combs
• Thomas Rhett
• Chris Stapleton
• Keith Urban

Who’s in: Eric Church

Who’s Out: Dierks Bentley

Eric Church takes Dierks Bentley’s slot, with the rest of the lineup unchanged.  Defending champ Luke Combs is looking for his second win, while Chris Stapleton looks for his fifth win, and Keith Urban looks for his fourth.  Among the nominees who have yet to win, Thomas Rhett earns his fourth consecutive nomination, while Church is competing for the seventh time overall, with his first nomination since 2017.

Female Vocalist of the Year

• Miranda Lambert
• Ashley McBryde
• Maren Morris
• Kacey Musgraves
• Carrie Underwood

Who’s In:  Ashley McBryde

Who’s Out: Kelsea Ballerini

With Musgraves finally winning in 2019, the only returning nominee without at least one trophy is Maren Morris, who earns her fifth consecutive nomination.   Seven time winner Miranda Lambert and five time winner Carrie Underwood compete against Morris and Musgraves, alongside first time nominee Ashley McBryde.

Vocal Group of the Year

• Lady A
• Little Big Town
• Midland
• Old Dominion
• Rascal Flatts

Who’s In: Rascal Flatts

Who’s Out: Zac Brown Band

Retiring Rascal Flatts get a farewell nomination, their first since 2017.  If they triumph, it would be their seventh victory overall.  Little Big Town is looking for its seventh win as well, as their streak was broken by Old Dominion last year, who are looking for their second victory.  Lady A also has three wins under their belts, leaving Midland as the only band in the running who hasn’t won at least once before.

Vocal Duo of the Year

• Brooks & Dunn
• Brothers Osborne
• Dan + Shay
• Florida Georgia Line
• Maddie & Tae

Who’s In: Nobody

Who’s Out: Nobody

Nothing too exciting this year, with Maddie & Tae being the only nominee that hasn’t won before.  Dan + Shay look to repeat their victory from last year.  A win for Brooks & Dunn would be #15, while Florida Georgia Line and Brother Osborne look for #4.

New Artist of the Year

• Jimmie Allen
• Ingrid Andress
• Gabby Barrett
• Carly Pearce
• Morgan Wallen

Who’s In:  Jimmie Allen, Ingrid Andress, Gabby Barrett

Who’s Out: Cody Johnson, Ashley McBryde (2019 winner), Midland

The two year limit forces a refresh in this category, with only Carly Peace and Morgan Wallen returning this year.

Album of the Year

• Luke Combs, What You See is What You Get
• Miranda Lambert, Wildcard
• Ashley McBryde, Never Will
• Old Dominion, Old Dominion
• Jon Pardi, Heartache Medication

Only Miranda Lambert has won this award before!

Single of the Year

• “Beer Never Broke My Heart,” Luke Combs
• “Bluebird,” Miranda Lambert
• “The Bones,” Maren Morris
• “I Hope,” Gabby Barrett
• “10,000 Hours,” Dan + Shay and Justin Bieber

Miranda Lambert is the only previous winner in this category, though Dan + Shay and Maren Morris have competed multiple times before.

Song of the Year

• “Bluebird,” Luke Dick, Natalie Hemby, and Miranda Lambert
• “The Bones,” Maren Morris, Jimmy Robbins, and Laura Veltz
• “Even Though I’m Leaving,” Luke Combs, Wyatt Durrette, and Ray Fulcher
• “I Hope You’re Happy Now,” Luke Combs, Randy Montana, Carly Pearce, and Jonathon Singleton
• “More Hearts Than Mine,” Ingrid Andress, Sam Ellis, and Derek Southerland

The single/song split continues this year, with only two songs surfacing in both categories.

Music Video of the Year

• “10,000 Hours,” Dan + Shay and Justin Bieber
  Directed by Dan Smyers
• “Bluebird,” Miranda Lambert
  Directed by Trey Fanjoy
• “Homemade,” Jake Owen
  Directed by Justin Clough
• “I Hope You’re Happy Now,” Carly Pearce and Lee Brice
  Directed by Sam Siske
• “Second One to Know,” Chris Stapleton
  Directed by David Coleman

Jake Owen and Chris Stapleton are the only ones nominated with a song represented only in this category.

Musical Event of the Year

• Dan + Shay and Justin Bieber, “10,000 Hours”
• Miranda Lambert with Maren Morris, Ashley McBryde, Tenille Townes, Caylee Hammack, and Elle King, “Fooled Around and Fell in Love”
• Maren Morris featuring Hozier, “The Bones”
• Carly Pearce and Lee Brice, “I Hope You’re Happy Now”
• Thomas Rhett with Reba McEntire, Hillary Scott, Chris Tomlin, and Keith Urban, “Be a Light”

A more crowded field than usual, although nothing rivaling the 86 people who backed up George Jones when he won this category for “I Don’t Need Your Rockin’ Chair.”  Step it up next year, Miranda.

Musician of the Year

• Jenee Fleenor (Fiddle)
• Paul Franklin (Steel Guitar)
• Rob McNelley (Guitar)
• Ilya Toshinsky (Banjo/Guitar)
• Derek Wells (Guitar)

Who’s In: Rob McNelley

Who’s Out:  Mac McAnally

[Insert obligatory Paul Franklin is overdue comment here]