The 58th Annual CMA Awards, held in November 2024, celebrated the most impactful artists in country music, with Morgan Wallen leading the field with seven nominations. Other top contenders included Chris Stapleton, Cody Johnson, Post Malone, and Lainey Wilson, each securing five nominations, highlighting a year defined by blockbuster collaborations and genre-blurring hits.
The Significance of the 2024 CMA Awards
The 2024 CMA Awards arrived at a pivotal moment for country music, a period where the genre experienced unprecedented global growth and mainstream chart dominance. Hosted at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee, the ceremony was anchored by the returning duo of Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning, who were joined for the first time by reigning Entertainer of the Year, Lainey Wilson. This hosting trio brought a blend of athletic charisma, veteran musical insight, and modern star power to the stage.
From a historical perspective, looking back from 2026, the 2024 nominations reflected the industry’s embrace of both traditionalist sounds and the "country-curious" movement led by artists like Post Malone and Shaboozey. The nominations weren't merely a list of names; they represented the shifting demographics of the country music audience and the commercial juggernaut that the genre had become on streaming platforms.
Leading the Pack: Morgan Wallen’s Dominance
Morgan Wallen entered the 2024 cycle as the most nominated artist, a testament to his continued stranglehold on the charts despite a lack of previous "Entertainer of the Year" wins. His seven nominations spanned the most prestigious categories, including Entertainer of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, and Single of the Year for his massive collaboration with Post Malone, "I Had Some Help."
Wallen’s presence in the 2024 list was significant because it showcased his ability to thrive through partnerships. While his solo work remained a staple of country radio, his work with Post Malone bridged the gap between Nashville and the global pop charts, setting a new standard for how country artists could leverage collaborations to expand their reach.
The Complete List of 2024 CMA Awards Nominees
The following sections detail the finalists across all major categories for the 58th Annual CMA Awards. These nominations were determined by the 7,000+ professional members of the Country Music Association, representing every facet of the music industry.
Entertainer of the Year
The Entertainer of the Year award is the highest honor bestowed by the CMA, recognizing the artist who has displayed the greatest competence in all aspects of the field, including recorded performance, live touring, and overall industry impact.
- Luke Combs
- Jelly Roll
- Chris Stapleton
- Morgan Wallen
- Lainey Wilson
In 2024, this category was particularly competitive. Jelly Roll’s inclusion marked his rapid ascent from a newcomer to a staple of the genre, while Lainey Wilson sought to defend her 2023 title. Chris Stapleton and Luke Combs represented the steady, critically acclaimed pillars of the industry.
Single of the Year
This award is presented to the Artist, Producer, and Mix Engineer. It focuses on the specific recording of a song rather than the composition itself.
- "A Bar Song (Tipsy)" – Shaboozey (Producers: Sean Cook, Nevin Sastry; Mix Engineer: Raul Lopez)
- "Dirt Cheap" – Cody Johnson (Producer: Trent Willmon; Mix Engineer: Jack Clarke)
- "I Had Some Help" – Post Malone (Feat. Morgan Wallen) (Producers: Louis Bell, Charlie Handsome, Hoskins; Mix Engineer: Ryan Tedder)
- "Watermelon Moonshine" – Lainey Wilson (Producer: Jay Joyce; Mix Engineer: Jason Hall, Jay Joyce)
- "White Horse" – Chris Stapleton (Producers: Dave Cobb, Chris Stapleton, Morgane Stapleton; Mix Engineer: Vance Powell)
Album of the Year
The Album of the Year award recognizes the artist, producer, and editorial team. To be eligible, the album must have reached a certain threshold of new content and chart performance during the eligibility period.
- Deeper Well – Kacey Musgraves (Producers: Ian Fitchuk, Kacey Musgraves, Daniel Tashian)
- Fathers & Sons – Luke Combs (Producers: Luke Combs, Chip Matthews, Jonathan Singleton)
- Higher – Chris Stapleton (Producers: Dave Cobb, Chris Stapleton, Morgane Stapleton)
- Leather – Cody Johnson (Producer: Trent Willmon)
- Whitsitt Chapel – Jelly Roll (Producers: Andrew Baylis, Brock Berryhill, Zach Crowell, David Ray Stevens)
Song of the Year
Unlike Single of the Year, Song of the Year is a songwriter’s award. It honors the craft of lyricism and melody.
- "Burn It Down" – Songwriters: Hillary Lindsey, Parker McCollum, Lori McKenna, Liz Rose
- "Dirt Cheap" – Songwriter: Josh Phillips
- "I Had Some Help" – Songwriters: Louis Bell, Ashley Gorley, Charlie Handsome, Hoskins, Austin Post, Ernest Keith Smith, Ryan Vojtesak, Morgan Wallen
- "The Painter" – Songwriters: Benjy Davis, Kat Higgins, Ryan Larkins
- "White Horse" – Songwriters: Chris Stapleton, Dan Wilson
Comprehensive Nominee Summary Table
| Category | Nominee 1 | Nominee 2 | Nominee 3 | Nominee 4 | Nominee 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Female Vocalist | Kelsea Ballerini | Ashley McBryde | Megan Moroney | Kacey Musgraves | Lainey Wilson |
| Male Vocalist | Luke Combs | Jelly Roll | Cody Johnson | Chris Stapleton | Morgan Wallen |
| Vocal Group | Lady A | Little Big Town | Old Dominion | The Red Clay Strays | Zac Brown Band |
| Vocal Duo | Brooks & Dunn | Brothers Osborne | Dan + Shay | Maddie & Tae | The War and Treaty |
| New Artist | Crystal Gayle | Megan Moroney | Post Malone | Mitchell Tenpenny | Zach Top |
| Music Video | "I’m Not Pretty" | "The Painter" | "Wildflowers and Wild Horses" | "White Horse" | "I Had Some Help" |
*Note: The New Artist category occasionally features six nominees due to tie-breaks in the voting process.
Breaking Down the Major Vocal Categories
Female Vocalist of the Year
The 2024 field for Female Vocalist of the Year was a mix of seasoned veterans and rising superstars. Lainey Wilson entered as the heavy favorite, having dominated the previous year's awards. However, Megan Moroney emerged as a significant threat following the success of her album Am I Okay? and her widespread appeal among younger listeners. Kacey Musgraves returned to the fold with Deeper Well, bringing her signature introspective folk-country blend back to the forefront of the CMA conversation.
Male Vocalist of the Year
The Male Vocalist category reflected the sheer vocal power currently present in Nashville. Chris Stapleton remained the gold standard for vocal performance, having won this category numerous times. Cody Johnson earned his place through a breakout year of traditionalist hits like "The Painter" and "Dirt Cheap," which resonated deeply with the core country fanbase. Jelly Roll provided the emotional core of the category, with a narrative of redemption that endeared him to both voters and fans.
New Artist of the Year
Perhaps the most discussed category in 2024 was New Artist of the Year. The inclusion of Post Malone sparked debate among purists, but his chart success and the quality of his F-1 Trillion project made him an undeniable force. He faced stiff competition from Bailey Zimmerman, who had become a streaming giant, and Zach Top, who was hailed as the savior of 90s-style neo-traditional country. This category highlighted the CMA’s effort to remain relevant to contemporary trends while honoring those who keep traditional sounds alive.
The Technical Side: How CMA Nominees Are Selected
Understanding the "Complete List" requires an understanding of the rigorous three-round voting process utilized by the Country Music Association. As we evaluate these lists in 2026, it is important to remember that these are not popular vote awards (unlike the AMAs) but peer-voted accolades.
- The Nomination Ballot: In the first round, CMA members vote for one nominee in each category. The top twenty point-getters in each category move on to the second round.
- The Second Ballot: Members vote for five nominees from the top twenty. The five (or sometimes six) artists with the most votes become the official finalists announced to the public.
- The Final Ballot: In the third and final round, members vote for one winner in each category from the list of finalists.
To be eligible for the 2024 awards, product must have been released during the eligibility period, which typically runs from mid-summer of the previous year to late spring of the current year. This explains why certain late-2024 hits might not appear until the 2025 cycle.
Crossover Success and Genre Fluidity
A defining characteristic of the 2024 nominee list was the presence of artists who did not start in the country genre. Post Malone and Shaboozey represented a major shift. Shaboozey’s "A Bar Song (Tipsy)" became one of the biggest hits of the decade, crossing over from country to pop and hip-hop charts seamlessly.
This inclusivity was a strategic move by the CMA to acknowledge the "Big Tent" philosophy of modern country music. By nominating these artists, the CMA recognized that the definition of country music was expanding. In 2026, we see this as the moment when Nashville officially opened its doors to a more global, genre-agnostic approach to production and promotion.
Musical Event and Musician of the Year
While the "Big Four" categories get the most headlines, the Musical Event and Musician of the Year categories provide insight into the industry's inner workings.
- Musical Event of the Year: This category was dominated by collaborations. Post Malone and Morgan Wallen’s "I Had Some Help" was the commercial titan, but Kelsea Ballerini and Noah Kahan’s "Cowboys Cry Too" offered a more sensitive, alternative take on the country duet.
- Musician of the Year: This category honors the studio and touring musicians who define the Nashville sound. Nominees like Charlie Worsham (Guitar) and Jenee Fleenor (Fiddle) are perennial favorites who have shaped the instrumental landscape of nearly every hit record on the list.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who had the most nominations at the 2024 CMA Awards?
Morgan Wallen led the 2024 CMA Awards with seven nominations. These included Entertainer of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, Single of the Year, Song of the Year, Musical Event of the Year, and Music Video of the Year. His high nomination count was largely driven by his massive collaboration with Post Malone on the track "I Had Some Help."
Can an artist be nominated for New Artist of the Year more than once?
Yes, an artist can be nominated for New Artist of the Year multiple times, provided they have not previously won the award or reached certain disqualifying milestones in other major categories. For example, Bailey Zimmerman and Megan Moroney have seen multiple years of eligibility as their careers built momentum toward headliner status.
What is the difference between Single of the Year and Song of the Year?
Single of the Year recognizes the overall recording, honoring the artist, the producer, and the mix engineer. It is about the "sound" and the final product heard on the radio. Song of the Year is specifically for the songwriters (lyricists and composers). It honors the "bones" of the song—the writing and the melody—regardless of how it was produced.
Why was Post Malone nominated for CMA Awards in 2024?
Post Malone was nominated due to his significant contributions to the country genre during the eligibility period, specifically through his album F-1 Trillion. His collaboration with Morgan Wallen and his solo country singles met the CMA's criteria for chart performance and industry impact, and his transition was supported by many of Nashville's top songwriters and producers.
Where were the 2024 CMA Awards held?
The ceremony took place at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. As the spiritual home of country music, Nashville serves as the permanent backdrop for the awards, emphasizing the "Music City" brand.
Future Outlook: The Impact of the 2024 Nominations
The 2024 CMA nominee list serves as a historical marker for a year when country music was the most popular genre in America. For fans and researchers in 2026, these nominations illustrate the transition from the "stadium country" era of the early 2020s to a more diverse, collaboration-heavy landscape.
If you are looking to explore the music of these nominees, the best next step is to listen to the CMA Awards Nominees Playlist typically found on major streaming services. Reviewing the "Album of the Year" nominees provides the best comprehensive look at the artistic direction of the genre during that timeframe. For those interested in the technical craft, studying the "Song of the Year" nominees offers a masterclass in modern storytelling and songwriting.
