Ladies Lead: What the 59th CMA Award Nominations Signal for Country Music’s Future
- All Country News
- 9 minutes ago
- 5 min read
The Country Music Association pulled back the curtain on this year’s CMA Awards nominees, and one message rang loud and clear: the women of country music aren’t just participating, they’re dominating. For the first time in years, three female artists sit at the very top of the leaderboard. Ella Langley, Megan Moroney, and Lainey Wilson each walked away with six nominations apiece, tying for the most nods of the night and reshaping the narrative about who is steering the genre forward.
In a space long criticized for its gender imbalance, this year’s CMA slate feels like both a milestone and a reckoning. For years, airplay charts and award ballots tilted heavily toward men, sparking debates about equity, access, and the way the industry measures star power. But now, in 2025, three powerhouse women not only lead the charge but do so across every marquee category: Single, Song, Album, Female Vocalist, and even Entertainer of the Year. It’s a statement that resonates far beyond the trophies themselves.
“Each year, the CMA Awards shine a light on the creativity, passion and dedication of our community,” says Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “The nominees announced today represent some of the most impactful work happening across Country Music." Impactful may be an understatement, this year’s nominee list looks like a cultural reset.
The Big Three: Langley, Moroney, Wilson
Ella Langley’s six nominations underscore her rapid ascent from breakout newcomer to award-season heavyweight. Her duet with Riley Green, “you look like you love me,” scored recognition in both Single and Song of the Year, while its self-directed music video earned her a visual nod. Add in Female Vocalist, Musical Event, and New Artist of the Year, and Langley has positioned herself as the genre’s next multi-hyphenate star.
Megan Moroney, the reigning New Artist of the Year, proved her momentum was no fluke. With her deeply personal Am I Okay? pulling in nominations for Album, Single, Song, and Music Video, she has emerged as both a storyteller and a brand-builder. Her collaboration with Kenny Chesney earned her a Musical Event nomination, and her Female Vocalist nod cements her transition from rising star to established force.
And then there’s Lainey Wilson, the reigning CMA powerhouse who, with 25 career nominations, now stands shoulder to shoulder with the genre’s greats. Her six nods include Entertainer of the Year, where she’ll face off against Luke Combs, Cody Johnson, Chris Stapleton, and Morgan Wallen. Wilson’s recognition across Single, Song, Album, and Music Video categories speaks to her status as country’s most versatile and influential artist of the moment.
The Men Still in the Mix
That’s not to say the men have been sidelined. Zach Top’s five nominations, led by his traditionalist gem Cold Beer & Country Music, signal the arrival of a new generation of male stars. Riley Green and Cody Johnson earned four nods each, while stalwarts like Chris Stapleton, Luke Combs, and Morgan Wallen continue to dominate Entertainer and Male Vocalist categories. Kristian Bush and Carson Chamberlain, two behind-the-scenes titans, picked up well-deserved production and songwriting nominations.
But while the men’s names are familiar, it’s clear the narrative has shifted. For the first time in decades, the industry conversation isn’t about whether women can compete at the same level. It’s about the fact that they already are and in some cases, surpassing expectations.
The Bigger Picture
The CMA Awards are, of course, just one night in November. But nominations carry weight. They tell booking agents who to put on festival lineups, radio programmers whose singles to prioritize, and labels where to invest their resources. Seeing three women tied for the top spot isn’t just symbolic, it’s industry-shaping.
And with newer names like Tucker Wetmore, Shaboozey, and Stephen Wilson Jr. appearing alongside the heavy hitters, the genre’s future looks increasingly diverse, dynamic, and unpredictable.
As country music heads into its biggest night of the year, November 19 at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, one question lingers: will the final ballot reflect this same energy? Whether or not Langley, Moroney, or Wilson walk away with Entertainer of the Year, their collective dominance has already made history.
For an industry that’s long talked about change, the 59th CMA Awards might just be the night we stop talking and start seeing it happen.
THE 59TH ANNUAL CMA AWARDS – FINAL NOMINEES
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
Luke Combs
Cody Johnson
Chris Stapleton
Morgan Wallen
Lainey Wilson
SINGLE OF THE YEAR
Award goes to Artist(s), Producer(s) and Mix Engineer(s)
“4x4xU” – Lainey Wilson
Producer: Jay Joyce
Mix Engineers: Jason Hall, Jay Joyce
“Ain’t No Love In Oklahoma” – Luke Combs
Producers: Luke Combs, Chip Matthews, Jonathan Singleton
Mix Engineer: Chip Matthews
“Am I Okay?” – Megan Moroney
Producer: Kristian Bush
Mix Engineer: Justin Niebank
“I Never Lie” – Zach Top
Producer: Carson Chamberlain
Mix Engineer: Matt Rovey
“you look like you love me” – Ella Langley & Riley Green
Producer: Will Bundy
Mix Engineer: Jim Cooley
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Award goes to Artist, Producer(s) and Mix Engineer(s)
Am I Okay? – Megan Moroney
Producer: Kristian Bush
Mix Engineer: Justin Niebank
Cold Beer & Country Music – Zach Top
Producer: Carson Chamberlain
Mix Engineer: Matt Rovey
F-1 Trillion – Post Malone
Producers: Louis Bell, Charlie Handsome, Hoskins
Mix Engineer: Ryan Gore
I’m The Problem – Morgan Wallen
Producers: Jacob Durrett, Charlie Handsome, Joey Moi
Mix Engineers: Charlie Handsome, Joey Moi
Whirlwind – Lainey Wilson
Producer: Jay Joyce
Mix Engineers: Jason Hall, Jay Joyce
SONG OF THE YEAR
Award goes to Songwriter(s)
“4x4xU”
Songwriters: Jon Decious, Aaron Raitiere, Lainey Wilson
“Am I Okay?”
Songwriters: Jessie Jo Dillon, Luke Laird, Megan Moroney
“I Never Lie”
Songwriters: Carson Chamberlain, Tim Nichols, Zach Top
“Texas”
Songwriters: Johnny Clawson, Josh Dorr, Lalo Guzman, Kyle Sturrock
“you look like you love me”
Songwriters: Riley Green, Ella Langley, Aaron Raitiere
FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Kelsea Ballerini
Miranda Lambert
Ella Langley
Megan Moroney
Lainey Wilson
MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Luke Combs
Cody Johnson
Chris Stapleton
Zach Top
Morgan Wallen
VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
Lady A
Little Big Town
Old Dominion
Rascal Flatts
The Red Clay Strays
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)
“Don’t Mind If I Do” – Riley Green (featuring Ella Langley)
Producers: Scott Borchetta, Jimmy Harnen, Dann Huff
“Hard Fought Hallelujah” – Brandon Lake with Jelly Roll
Producer: Micah Nichols
“I’m Gonna Love You” – Cody Johnson (with Carrie Underwood)
Producer: Trent Willmon
“Pour Me A Drink” – Post Malone (feat. Blake Shelton)
Producers: Louis Bell, Charlie Handsome
“You Had To Be There” – Megan Moroney (feat. Kenny Chesney)
Producer: Kristian Bush
MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Award goes to Artist(s) and Director(s)
“Am I Okay?” – Megan Moroney
Directors: Alexandra Gavillet, Megan Moroney
“I’m Gonna Love You” – Cody Johnson (with Carrie Underwood)
Director: Dustin Haney
“Somewhere Over Laredo” – Lainey Wilson
Director: TK McKamy
“Think I’m In Love With You” – Chris Stapleton
Director: Running Bear
“you look like you love me” – Ella Langley & Riley Green
Directors: Ella Langley, John Park, Wales Toney
NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Ella Langley
Shaboozey
Zach Top
Tucker Wetmore
Stephen Wilson Jr.
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