Awards show will air live Wednesday, November 14th on ABC

The Country Music Association has announced the final nominees for The 52nd Annual CMA Awards, as Chris Stapleton tops the list of finalists with five nominations. Producer and musician Dann Huff receives four nominations, the second most nominations this year, while nine artists garner three each — Jason Aldean, Dierks Bentley, Dan + Shay, Florida Georgia Line, Chris Janson, Miranda Lambert, Midland, Thomas Rhett and Keith Urban.

Luke Bryan, Dan + Shay and Sugarland appeared on ABC’s Good Morning America today (Tues, Aug 28th), live from Luke’s 32 Bridge Food + Drink, Bryan’s new restaurant and bar in downtown Nashville, to reveal six of the 12 categories on air. Immediately following the broadcast, Dan + Shay and Sugarland announced the remaining six categories in addition to the CMA Broadcast Awards nominees on GoodMorningAmerica.com as well as their Facebook Live and simulcast on the top-rated show’s YouTube channel. The livestream was also viewed on CMA’s Facebook page.

“Today kicks off CMA Awards season where we get to honor the best of the best in our outstanding format,” says CMA Chief Executive Officer Sarah Trahern. “There were some great breakout performances this year and the diversity of the nominations honors new faces and some favorite returning names.”

Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood return for an 11th year to host The 52nd Annual CMA Awards, Country Music’s Biggest Night, broadcasting live from Bridgestone Arena in Nashville Wednesday, November 14th at 8/7c on the ABC Television Network.

Final Nominees:

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
  • Jason Aldean
  • Luke Bryan
  • Kenny Chesney
  • Chris Stapleton
  • Keith Urban
SINGLE OF THE YEAR

(Award goes to Artist, Producer(s), and Mix Engineer(s))

  • “Broken Halos” – Chris Stapleton
    Producers: Dave Cobb, Chris Stapleton
    Mix Engineer: Vance Powell
  • “Drinkin’ Problem” – Midland
    Producers: Dann Huff, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne
    Mix Engineer: Justin Niebank
  • “Drowns the Whiskey” – Jason Aldean (Feat. Miranda Lambert)
    Producer: Michael Knox
    Mix Engineer: Jeff Braun
  • “Meant to Be” – Bebe Rexha & Florida Georgia Line
    Producer: Willshire
    Mix Engineer: Serban Ghenea
  • “Tequila” – Dan + Shay
    Producers: Scott Hendricks, Dan Smyers
    Mix Engineer: Jeff Juliano
ALBUM OF THE YEAR

(Award goes to Artist and Producer(s))

  • From A Room: Volume 2 – Chris Stapleton
    Producers: Dave Cobb, Chris Stapleton
    Golden Hour – Kacey Musgraves
    Producers: Ian Fitchuk, Daniel Tashian, Kacey Musgraves
  • Graffiti U – Keith Urban
    Producers: 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
    Producers: Julian Bunetta, Jesse Frasure, Dann Huff, Joe London, Thomas Rhett
    The Mountain – Dierks Bentley
    Producers: Ross Copperman, Jon Randall Stewart, Arturo Buenahora Jr.
SONG OF THE YEAR

(Award goes to Songwriter(s))

  • “Body Like A Back Road”
    Songwriters: Zach Crowell, Sam Hunt, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne
  • “Broken Halos”
    Songwriters: Mike Henderson, Chris Stapleton
  • “Drowns the Whiskey”
    Songwriter: Brandon Kinney, Jeff Middleton, Josh Thompson
  • “Drunk Girl”
    Songwriter: Scooter Carusoe, Tom Douglas, Chris Janson
  • “Tequila”
    Songwriter: Nicolle Galyon, Jordan Reynolds, Dan Smyers
FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
  • Kelsea Ballerini
  • Miranda Lambert
  • Maren Morris
  • Kacey Musgraves
  • Carrie Underwood
MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
  • Dierks Bentley
  • Luke Combs
  • Thomas Rhett
  • Chris Stapleton
  • Keith Urban
VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
  • Lady Antebellum
  • LANCO
  • Little Big Town
  • Midland
  • Old Dominion
VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR
  • Brothers Osborne
  • Dan + Shay
  • Florida Georgia Line
  • Maddie & Tae
  • Sugarland
MUSICAL EVENT OF THE YEAR

(Award goes to each Artist)

  • “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
MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR
  • Jerry Douglas, Dobro
  • Paul Franklin, Steel Guitar
  • Dann Huff, Guitar
  • Mac McAnally, Guitar
  • Derek Wells, Guitar
MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR

(Award goes to Artist and Director(s))

  • “Babe” – Sugarland (Featuring Taylor Swift)
    Director: Anthony Mandler
  • “Cry Pretty” – Carrie Underwood
    Director: Randee St. Nicholas
  • “Drunk Girl” – Chris Janson
    Director: Jeff Venable
  • “Marry Me” – Thomas Rhett
    Director: TK McKamy
  • “Tequila” – Dan + Shay
    Director: Patrick Tracy
NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
  • Lauren Alaina
  • Luke Combs
  • Chris Janson
  • Midland
  • Brett Young