The 61st Academy of Country Music Awards will be doled out this coming Sunday at a ceremony broadcast on Amazon Prime, live from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Of note, Shania Twain will be hosting the show during a year when the slate of nominees is dominated by women. Megan Moroney leads with 9 nominations (…), with Miranda Lambert (8), Ella Langley (7), and Lainey Wilson (7) right behind her.
Beyond the usual crop of A-listers, this year also saw a few very pleasant, very richly deserved surprises among the nominees. Most notably, Carter Faith’s Cherry Valley landed in the Album of the Year category, while Thelma & James, Muscadine Bloodline, 49 Winchester, and Flatland Cavalry all brought decades-overdue new life into the Vocal Duo and Vocal Group categories.
Our picks and predictions for this year’s show follow here.
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
Luke Combs – Should Win
Jelly Roll
Cody Johnson
Megan Moroney
Chris Stapleton
Morgan Wallen – Will Win
Lainey Wilson
It’s indicative of how deeply Jelly Roll Fatigue has (finally…) set in that this is his sole solo nomination for the year. Had he landed more nominations, I’d be more tempted to predict him as a winner here as a send-off gesture, if the industry might be ready to put him out to pasture. Maybe if he’d dropped that inspired, unifying political message he promised after his Grammy win, eh?
Instead, it’s more likely that Wallen takes this, as his commercial fortunes remain undiminished and there are entirely too many apologists willing to carry water for his supposed redemption narrative.
His “good friend” Moroney’s nomination is appalling. No one who demonstrates this level of utter incompetence every time she sets foot on stage should be in the running for an award that’s ostensibly about their touring presence and live show.
Wilson remains well-regarded by her peers in a way that is disproportionate to the level of passion audiences have for her. A win in an off-cycle year like this would only fuel the simmering backlash to her awards circuit dominance, but that’s not out of the question.
Combs is the only winner here I could abide, in all honesty, and Kane Brown’s snub here is particularly egregious. And she wasn’t shortlisted by the ACMs, but by CMA time, Ella Langley’s coming for this award, too.
FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Kelsea Ballerini
Miranda Lambert
Ella Langley – Will & Should Win
Megan Moroney
Lainey Wilson
Lambert’s nomination is absurd, though her contributions to Langley’s star turn are substantial and make for an interesting new wrinkle in her career arc. Ballerini is clearly being phased out by the powers that be, so there’s a small chance this could go to her as a way of shooing her out the door. And Wilson is certainly a threat to repeat if only because she’s always a threat to win.
But this really comes down to Moroney and Langley, who’ve been paired up and pitted against each other in the media all year. Moroney continues to rack up a ton of CMA and ACM nominations without actually winning much, which is an indicator of her label’s investments in her supposed artistic cachet in a way that, to date, has outstripped the industry’s actual respect for the quality of her work.
While that’s actually the correct take on her, she is the year’s leading nominee. Which means she has to win something, though she’s not a clear favorite in any of the other categories where she’s nominated.
I’d probably pick her as the winner here if her album weren’t actively sinking– it’s already outside the top 60- without boosted algorithm placements during the voting period. Whereas Langley has become the biggest new star the genre’s seen in generations during that exact same voting period. Surreptitiously, Langley’s ascent is well-timed enough to give her the edge here and downballot.
MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Luke Combs – Should Win
Riley Green
Cody Johnson – Will Win
Chris Stapleton
Zach Top
This seems like a straightforward enough victory for Johnson, despite his squandering of a hell of a lot of goodwill on a rendition of “Travelin’ Soldier” that is one of the worst, most point-missing covers ever recorded. Outside of that, he’s continued to balance solid commercial stats with decent-enough quality control to win here.
The shine has come nearly the whole way off Top’s star; he simply has not built on the momentum of “I Never Lie” in early 2025. His nomination is its own reward, at least in this category. Stapleton didn’t release anything particularly great in the last year, but he’s enough of an awards magnet that he’s at least an outside threat in an off year. And Green’s spot, full stop, should’ve gone to Kane Brown.
Combs seems like the most likely runner-up to Johnson, though he continues to be one of the mainstream country space’s bright lights. That he has two massive radio hits right now could sway some voters, which could make for a pleasant surprise win.
GROUP OF THE YEAR
49 Winchester
Flatland Cavalry – Should Win
Old Dominion
Rascal Flatts
The Red Clay Strays – Will Win
Look for the ACMs to follow suit after the CMAs’ shocker last fall, when they finally exploded the illusion that anyone really and truly loves Old Dominion enough to keep giving them awards just for not being Parmalee. With both 49 Winchester and Flatland Cavalry– who released the best music of this lot during the last year– both in play, this could even be competitive?
All of which is to say: Just go ahead and nominate Turnpike.
DUO OF THE YEAR
Brooks & Dunn – Will Win
Brothers Osborne
Dan + Shay
Muscadine Bloodline – Should Win
Thelma & James
Of these five, it’s a toss-up between Muscadine Bloodline and Thelma & James as to which duo released the best music last year. Dan + Shay are still somehow getting radio hits, which Brothers Osborne should’ve also gotten last year for “Finish this Drink.”
So they’ll probably just rubberstamp yet another Brooks & Dunn victory like the CMAs did.
But swap out Brooks & Dunn, BrOs, and Dan+Shay for The Band Loula, Crowe Boys, and The War & Treaty? Now there’s’ a murderer’s row of Vocal Duos who are doing the thing right now.
NEW FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Avery Anna – Winner
Mackenzie Carpenter
Dasha
Caroline Jones
Emily Ann Roberts
A category that’s already been announced, with the more interesting than great Avery Anna triumphing over Emily Ann Roberts.
That Carter Faith isn’t here is puzzling for a litany of reasons.
NEW MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Gavin Adcock
Vincent Mason
Shaboozey
Hudson Westbrook
Tucker Wetmore – Winner
That voters went for Temu Morgan Wallen here has me feeling confident about that EotY pick…
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
[Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]
Ain’t In It For My Health – Zach Top – Will Win
Producer: Carson Chamberlain
Record Company-Label: Leo33
Cherry Valley – Carter Faith – Should Win
Producer: Tofer Brown
Record Company-Label: Gatsby Records / MCA
Don’t Mind If I Do (Deluxe) – Riley Green
Producer: Dann Huff, Michael Knox
Record Company-Label: Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment
I’m The Problem – Morgan Wallen
Producers: Joey Moi, Charlie Handsome, Jacob Durrett
Record Company-Label: Big Loud Records
Parker McCollum – Parker McCollum
Producers: Frank Liddell, Eric Masse
Record Company-Label: MCA
In terms of quality, this is in no way a close contest. Cherry Valley is so superior to the other four albums in every meaningful way that it’s almost insulting to have to consider it in the same conversation, let alone to recognize that the industry will most likely say that one of those albums is actually the better work.
As to which of those four albums will win, I think this is Top’s best bet. He nabbed the Grammy for Best Traditional Country Album– over a stronger overall slate of competitors than this– just months ago, and, for as much as he seems to have stalled, he is still well-regarded by both contemporary and traditionalist country fans.
Still, when the second-best album in the category can scarcely rise above pastiche and a slew of wink-wink allusions to specific 90s hits? Take me back to Cherry Valley, immediately.
SONG OF THE YEAR
[Awarded to Songwriter(s)/Publisher(s)/Artist(s)]
“A Song To Sing” – Miranda Lambert & Chris Stapleton
Songwriters: Chris Stapleton, Miranda Lambert, Jenee Fleenor, Jesse Frasure
Publishers: I Wrote These Songs; Pink Dog Publishing; Songs for the Munch Music; Songs of Influence; Sony/ATV Tree Publishing; Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp
“Am I Okay?” – Megan Moroney
Songwriters: Megan Moroney, Luke Laird, Jessie Jo Dillon
Publishers: Big Ass Pile of Dimes Music; Big Music Machine
“Choosin’ Texas” – Ella Langley – Will & Should Win
Songwriters: Ella Langley, Luke Dick, Miranda Lambert, Joybeth Taylor
Publishers: Bada Bing & Bada Langley Publishing; Little Louder Songs; Sony Music Publishing
“I Never Lie” – Zach Top
Songwriters: Zach Top, Carson Chamberlain, Tim Nichols
Publishers: Music and Magazine Publishing; Rio Bravo Music Inc; Sony/ATV Tree Publishing; Too Broke to Quit Music; Zach Top Music
“Somewhere Over Laredo” – Lainey Wilson
Songwriters: Lainey Wilson, Trannie Anderson, Dallas Wilson, Andy Albert, Harold Arlen & Yip Harburg
Publishers: Concord Sounds; Dtown Boogie Music; Emi Feist Catalog Inc; Songs Of Riser House; Songs Of Wild Cat Well Music; Sony/ATV Countryside; Story Farmer; Tacklebox Music Publishing
Wild to see the writers of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” on the slate of ACM nominees, and at least part of me wonders if the interpolation of such a genuine standard might be appealing to enough voters to win here.
That might be more persuasive an argument if the field didn’t include the absolute juggernaut that is “Choosin’ Texas.” It’s the best-written song of the lot– though I’d have loved a bit more melodic range– and it has the added appeal of having Lambert as a songwriter.
And there’s literally nothing ACM voters love more than giving trophies to Miranda Lambert. She’s deserved an awful lot of them over the years, too, and that’s certainly the case with “Choosin’ Texas.”
SINGLE OF THE YEAR
[Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]
“6 Months Later” – Megan Moroney
Producers: Kristian Bush
Record Company-Label: Sony Music Nashville / Columbia Records
“Choosin’ Texas” – Ella Langley – Will & Should Win
Producers: Ella Langley, Miranda Lambert, Ben West
Record Company-Label: SAWGOD / Columbia Records
“I Never Lie” – Zach Top
Producers: Carson Chamberlain
Record Company-Label: Leo33
“Somewhere Over Laredo” – Lainey Wilson
Producers: Jay Joyce
Record Company-Label: BBR Music Group / BMG Nashville / Broken Bow Records
“The Fall” – Cody Johnson
Producers: Trent Willmon
Record Company-Label: CoJo Music / Warner Records Nashville
Honestly, it’s unfathomable that anything other than “Choosin’ Texas” would win this. It isn’t just the biggest country single in a generation; its crossover success has been the story in all of popular music in 2026, and it has barely shown signs of slowing down yet. The bigger question, at this point, is whether or not the song overcomes the country field’s relatively small voting base to land Record and Song of the Year nominations at the Grammys.
And how refreshing is it to be able to say all of this about a single that’s actually great on its merits? It isn’t just a matter of giving an award to the most popular song: It’s that the most popular song has a thoughtful, trend-setting production, a distinct POV in its composition, and an ingratiating performance by the lead artist.
MUSIC EVENT OF THE YEAR
[Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]
“A Song To Sing” – Miranda Lambert & Chris Stapleton
Producers: Dave Cobb
Record Company-Label: Republic Records
“Amen” – Shaboozey & Jelly Roll – Will Win
Producers: Danny Majic, Nevin Sastry, Sean Cook
Record Company-Label: Empire
“Don’t Mind If I Do” – Riley Green feat. Ella Langley
Producers: Dann Huff, Michael Knox
Record Company-Label: Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment
“Trailblazer” – Reba McEntire, Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson – Should Win
Producers: Tony Brown, Reba McEntire
Record Company-Label: MCA
“You Had To Be There” – Megan Moroney & Kenny Chesney
Producers: Kristian Bush
Record Company-Label: Sony Music Nashville / Columbia Records
An underwhelming slate of nominees here. Green and Langley could win if she just runs the entire table, but surely “Don’t Mind if I Do” will correctly be perceived as diminishing returns on their collaborations. The Lambert & Stapleton single is a complete non-event in every way, but it was at least better than the two tone-deaf A-listers daring the other to find the right key to sing in.
“Trailblazer” was also underwhelming, but it’s the best of these five. Shaboozey & Jelly Roll will follow-up their Grammy win here; again, look for that to be announced “pre-show.”
VISUAL MEDIA OF THE YEAR
[Awarded to Producer(s)/Director(s)/Artist(s)]
“6 Months Later” – Megan Moroney
Producers: Christen Pinkston & Wesley Stebbins-Perry
Director: CeCe Dawson, Megan Moroney
“A Song To Sing” – Miranda Lambert & Chris Stapleton
Producers: James Stratakis
Director: Alexa King Stone, Stephen Kinigopoulos
“Cuckoo” -Stephen Wilson, Jr. – Winner
Producers: Tim Cofield
Director: Tim Cofield
“Somewhere Over Laredo” – Lainey Wilson
Producers: Katie Babbage
Director: TK McKamy
“The Fall” – Cody Johnson
Producers: Christen Pinkston & Wesley Stebbins-Perry
Director: Dustin Haney
Enlisting internet personality and musician Joey Breaux to star in the video for “Cuckoo” is almost too on-the-nose, but at least it’s one of the more memorable country videos in quite some time. A deserved win.
SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR
Jessie Jo Dillon – Winner
Ashley Gorley
Charlie Handsome
Chase McGill
Blake Pendergrass
The quantity over quality read is starting to take root when it comes to Gorley, and rightfully so.
ARTIST-SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR
Luke Combs
Riley Green
Ella Langley – Should Win
Megan Moroney – Will Win
Morgan Wallen
No one seems to know what to make of this category, other than it’s supposed to keep A-listers with major label contracts out of the Songwriter Of The Year category but not out of the Song Of The Year category. Which seems like an awful lot of mental gymnastics just to give out an extra non-broadcast award.
Again, on the assumption that they’re not going to allow Moroney to go 0-for-9 because that makes for a very poor return-on-investment, she has to win something. So perhaps this is where they can reward her (allegedly great) songwriting?
We’ll be live-posting reactions to the show on BlueSky on Sunday, for those so inclined. With Carter Faith, Kane Brown, Kacey Musgraves, and Lee Ann Womack all on the docket to perform– and both Moroney and Wallen conspicuously absent from the performers roster– we’re hoping for a good time to go along with some deserving winners.
As glad as I am to see them branch out a bit with groups like Flatland and 49 Winchester getting nominations, it truly is wild that the CMA and ACM still refuse to give Turnpike their flowers.
Re. Ella Langley: Besides the mind-busting pop/country crossover success she is having with “Choosin’ Texas”, some of the biggest talk about Ella is how in appearance she seems to be a cross between Jessi Colter and Linda Ronstadt, which is of course a happy coincidence.