Country music’s biggest stars—and two familiar names from Pensacola—are among the nominees for the 60th Annual CMA Awards.

Ella Langley leads this year’s artist nominees with nine nominations, powered by the success of “Choosin’ Texas,” “Be Her” and her album Dandelion. Langley is nominated for several of the night’s top honors, including Entertainer of the Year, Female Vocalist of the Year, Album of the Year, Single of the Year and Song of the Year.

The Alabama native earned two nominations in the Single of the Year category for “Choosin’ Texas” and “Be Her.” “Choosin’ Texas,” which Langley co-wrote with Miranda Lambert, also helped her become the first woman to simultaneously top the Billboard Hot 100, Hot Country Songs and Country Airplay charts.

Miranda Lambert is also among the year’s leading nominees, while Kacey Musgraves, Ben West, Cody Johnson, Chris Stapleton and Stephen Wilson Jr. received multiple nominations.

2026 CMA Awards Entertainer of the Year Nominees

• Luke Combs
• Cody Johnson
• Ella Langley
• Chris Stapleton
• Lainey Wilson

Wilson enters this year’s ceremony as the reigning Entertainer of the Year.

Album of the Year Nominees

• Dandelion — Ella Langley
• Ain’t In It for My Health — Zach Top
• Middle of Nowhere — Kacey Musgraves
• Parker McCollum — Parker McCollum
• The Way I Am — Luke Combs

Female Vocalist of the Year Nominees

• Ella Langley
• Miranda Lambert
• Megan Moroney
• Kacey Musgraves
• Lainey Wilson

Lambert’s latest nomination gives her a record 19 career nominations in the Female Vocalist of the Year category.

Male Vocalist of the Year Nominees

• Luke Combs
• Cody Johnson
• Chris Stapleton
• Zach Top
• Stephen Wilson Jr.

Vocal Group of the Year Nominees

• Lady A
• Little Big Town
• Midland
• Old Dominion
• The Red Clay Strays

New Artist of the Year Nominees

• Avery Anna
• Carter Faith
• Emily Ann Roberts
• Tucker Wetmore
• Stephen Wilson Jr.

When Are the 2026 CMA Awards?

The 60th Annual CMA Awards will take place Wednesday, November 18, 2026, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.

Lainey Wilson will return as host for the third consecutive year and her second year as the show’s solo host. The ceremony will air live on ABC and Disney+, with next-day streaming available on Hulu.

The CMA Broadcast Award winners, including Small Market Radio Station and Broadcast Personality of the Year, will be honored ahead of the televised ceremony.

Listen to Cat Country 98.7 for the latest CMA Awards news, artist interviews and updates from Nashville. Hear The Cat Pak Morning Show with Brent Lane and Jordan Glass weekday mornings on 98.7 FM, stream at CatCountry987.com or listen through the Cat Country 98.7 mobile app.

Cat Country 98.7 Earns Two CMA Broadcast Awards Nominations

Pensacola will also be represented during the CMA Awards celebration.

Cat Country 98.7, WYCT-FM, is nominated for Small Market Radio Station of the Year. “The Cat Pak Morning Show with Brent and Friends,” featuring Brent Lane and Jordan Glass with Guest Hosts Dana Cervantes and Candy Boyd, is nominated for Small Market Broadcast Personality of the Year.

The two nominations recognize Cat Country’s local programming, community service and connection with country music listeners throughout Pensacola, Northwest Florida and coastal Alabama.

“To have both The Cat Pak and Cat Country 98.7 recognized by the Country Music Association is incredibly special,” said Cat Country 98.7 Program Director and Cat Pak co-host Brent Lane. “These nominations belong to Jordan, Chris and our entire Cat Country team, our community partners and the Listener Family that allows us to be part of their lives every day. We are so proud to represent Pensacola.”

Cat Country 98.7 previously won CMA Station of the Year in 2017, 2019 and 2024. Lane received the CMA Broadcast Personality of the Year award in 2022 with then partner Mel McRae, and The Cat Pak Morning Show was also named a CMA Broadcast Awards finalist in 2025.