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Nominees For The 58th Annual CMA Awards Were Announced On Monday, September 9

The list of nominations for this year’s CMA Awards includes some big surprises and snubs. The CMA revealed the full list of nominees early Monday (September 9).

Morgan Wallen earned the highest total of nominations, with seven. Chris Stapleton and Cody Johnson followed with five nods each. Post Malone and reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year, Lainey Wilson, both secured four nominations.

This year’s nominees for Entertainer of the Year include Wilson, Wallen, Stapleton, Luke Combs, and Jelly Roll.

RELATED: SEE THE COMPLETE LIST OF WINNERS FROM LAST YEAR’S (2023) CMA AWARDS

Keep reading for some of the biggest snubs and surprises to come out of the nominations for the 58th CMA Awards.

The Greatest Surprises & Snubs From This Year’s CMA Award Nominations

Snub – Carrie Underwood

Carrie Underwood didn’t release a new album or single within the eligibility window this year. So, fans (rightfully) didn’t expect to see her name in any of the song, music video, or album categories.

Underwood’s hit duet with Papa Roach, “Leave a Light On (Talk Away the Dark),” was released on August 2. To be considered for a CMA nomination, a piece of media had to be released or reach major prominence between July 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024.

But Underwood still had a busy year as a performer, thanks in large part to her popular Reflection residency in Las Vegas.

Because of this, fans thought Underwood could earn a nomination for Female Vocalist of the Year or Entertainer of the Year. However, she did not.

The biggest shock is Underwood’s exclusion from the Entertainer of the Year category. She was nominated for the award every year from 2019 to 2023 and also in 2016.

Underwood is shaping up to have an even busier year in 2025 as a new judge on American Idol, so maybe we’ll see her back in the list of nominees then.

Surprise – Jelly Roll

As one of country music’s biggest stars, it is no surprise that Jelly Roll earned three nominations from the CMA this year. Though fans were surprised to see his name among the list of Entertainer of the Year nominees, since this is his first time ever being nominated in the category.

Jelly Roll just won New Artist of the Year last year. If hle wins Entertainer of the Year this year, he’ll follow in the footsteps of his “Save Me” duet partner, Lainey Wilson, who claimed the New Artist trophy in 2022 and Entertainer of the Year in 2023.

Snub – Scotty McCreery

Following the success of his #2 single “Cab in a Solo” and the release of his Top 25 album Rise & Fall, fans fully expected to see Scotty McCreery earn a few nominations from the CMA this year.

However, the new Grand Ole Opry member was completely snubbed, and didn’t receive a single nod.

Surprise – Post Malone

Country fans weren’t sure how the CMA would react to Post Malone. The singer released his debut country album, F-1 Trillion, in August, making it ineligible for nomination this year.

However, Post Malone’s hit collaboration with Morgan Wallen, “I Had Some Help,” was eligible for nomination. It ended up securing nominations for Single of the Year, Song of the Year, Music Video of the Year, and Musical Event of the Year.

This was a big surprise, as this is Post Malone’s first time ever being nominated for a CMA Award!

Snub – Carly Pearce

Grand Ole Opry member Carly Pearce is usually a mainstay at country music awards shows. Her latest album, Hummingbird, received a warm response from fans, and it ranked at #31 on the Top Country Albums chart. She’s also a busy live performer, having toured with Tim McGraw earlier this year and headlining her own tour as well.

Despite her incredible year, Pearce didn’t earn any nominations from the CMA and was completely snubbed.

Snub – Beyoncé

Beyoncé released her country-influenced album Cowboy Carter in March. The album features contributions from artists such as Shaboozey, Dolly Parton, and Willie Nelson.

Before Cowboy Carter‘s release, Beyoncé herself said, “This ain’t a Country album. This is a ‘Beyoncé’ album.” But Cowboy Carter did hit #1 on the Top Country Albums chart and the all-genre Billboard 200.

Beyoncé’s single “Texas Hold’ Em” also reached #1 on the Hot Country Songs chart.

Despite the popularity of Cowboy Carter and “Texas Hold ‘Em,” Beyoncé didn’t receive any CMA nominations.

Snub – Riley Green

There’s no arguing Riley Green’s popularity right now. Fans fully expected to see him earn several CMA nominations this year, especially for his song “Jesus Saves.”

However, “Jesus Saves” was not nominated for any CMA Awards. Green did earn one nomination for Musical Event of the Year for his hit duet with Ella Langley, “you look like you love me.”

Snub – Zach Bryan

Zach Bryan is one of country music’s hottest stars right now. That’s why it came as a shock to many fans that he only received one nomination from the CMA this year. That nomination was in the Musical Event of the Year category for his “I Remember Everything” duet with Kacey Musgraves.

Due to his general popularity and his Quittin Time Tour, fans expected to see Bryan earn nods for Male Vocalist of the Year and Entertainer of the Year. But he was snubbed in those categories.

Surprise – Morgan Wallen

As mentioned previously, Morgan Wallen received seven CMA nominations this year, more than any other artist. This doesn’t come as a surprise, considering Wallen’s superstar status.

What made his nominations so surprising is that Wallen was previously deemed ineligible to be nominated in any individual categories at the 2021 CMA Awards following his racial slur controversy earlier that year. Wallen was still nominated for Album of the Year in 2021 and has been nominated for individual CMA Awards in years since.

Snub – Miranda Lambert

Country fans are used to seeing Miranda Lambert at awards ceremonies, especially the CMA Awards. She was nominated for Female Vocalist of the Year for 17 years in a row, but that nomination streak ended this year.

Lambert was completely snubbed by the CMA this year and didn’t receive a single nomination.

Snub – Kenny Chesney

Decades after his debut, Kenny Chesney is still one of the biggest stars in country music. His Sun Goes Down stadium tour was a huge draw this year, leaving fans to believe he was a top contender for CMA Entertainer of the Year.

Chesney’s “Take Her Home” was also a #1 hit on the Country Airplay chart. Fans expected the song would earn a nod for Single or Song of the Year.

However, Chesney was snubbed by the CMA and didn’t earn any nominations this year.

Surprise – Cody Johnson

Country fans were pleasantly surprised to see Cody Johnson receive so much love from the CMA this year! He earned nominations for Male Vocalist of the Year, Single of the Year (for “Dirt Cheap”), Album of the Year (for Leather), and Music Video of the Year (for “Dirt Cheap” and “The Painter”).

Additionally, Johnson’s “Dirt Cheap” and “The Painter” were both nominated for Song of the Year. That award is given to the songwriters. So, if “Dirt Cheap” wins, songwriter Josh Phillips will take home that trophy. If “The Painter” wins, songwriters Benjy Davis, Kat Higgins, and Ryan Larkins will walk home with the award.

See the complete list of nominees for the 2024 CMA Awards here.

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