Country sensation Ella Langley has tied the record for the most nominations in a single year by a female artist, leading the 60th Annual CMA Awards with nine nods.
- Ella Langley ties the female record with 9 nominations, matching Miranda Lambert and Lainey Wilson.
- 'Choosin’ Texas' is the only work nominated for Single, Song, and Music Video of the Year.
- Miranda Lambert breaks Reba McEntire's record for most Female Vocalist of the Year nominations (19).
- The 60th CMA Awards will broadcast live from Bridgestone Arena on November 18.
The 60th annual Country Music Association (CMA) Awards have unveiled a historic slate of nominees, with Ella Langley emerging as the dominant force of the year. With nine nominations, Langley has tied the record for the most nods in a single year by a female artist, a feat previously achieved by Miranda Lambert in 2010 and 2014, and Lainey Wilson in 2023. She now sits just one nomination shy of the all-time record of 10 held by Alan Jackson.
Central to Langley's success is her smash hit “Choosin’ Texas,” which has rewritten the history books by logging 21 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. This marks the longest run for any non-holiday hit in the chart's 68-year history. The track is the only entry this year to secure nominations across three major categories: Single, Song, and Music Video of the Year.
Why This Matters
BozokMedia analysis shows a significant shift in the gender dynamics of the CMA Awards. For the first time in history, female artists account for four out of the five nominees for Single of the Year. This trend indicates a broader systemic shift in the country music industry, where female voices are not just participating but are now defining the commercial and critical standards of the genre.
"Ella Langley's trajectory represents a fusion of traditional country roots and modern pop-chart dominance that is rare in today's fragmented music market."
Other veteran powerhouses also made their mark. Miranda Lambert earned seven nominations, and in doing so, secured her 19th nomination for Female Vocalist of the Year, officially surpassing the legendary Reba McEntire's record of 18. Additionally, Little Big Town continued their unprecedented streak, appearing on the Vocal Group of the Year ballot for 21 consecutive years since 2006.
The competition for 'Entertainer of the Year' remains fierce, with Luke Combs, Cody Johnson, Ella Langley, Chris Stapleton, and Lainey Wilson all in contention. Notably, 14-time Grammy winner Jack Antonoff has entered the CMA fold for the first time as a co-producer for Taylor Swift’s “I Knew It, I Knew You.”
| Artist | Total Nominations (2026) | Key Milestone |
|---|---|---|
| Ella Langley | 9 | Tied Female Record |
| Miranda Lambert | 7 | Broke Female Vocalist Record |
| Kacey Musgraves | 5 | Songwriting Dominance |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: When and where will the 60th CMA Awards take place?
The event will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 18, at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, broadcasting on ABC and Disney+.
Q2: What is the significance of the song 'Choosin’ Texas'?
It is the longest-running non-holiday No. 1 hit in Billboard Hot 100 history, spending 21 weeks at the top.
