The Undisputed MVP: Ella Langley
To say Ella Langley is having a moment is an understatement; she is the moment. Leading the entire field with a staggering nine nominations, Langley isn't just a performer—she's the primary creative force behind her success. For our scorecard, she's in a league
of her own. Langley is a credited writer on two different songs in the Song of the Year category: 'Be Her' and 'Choosin' Texas'. Both of those tracks are also nominated for Single of the Year. Add her songwriting credits across her Album of the Year-nominated project 'Dandelion' and a nod for Musical Event of the Year with Morgan Wallen, and it's clear Langley is the most powerful pen of 2026. This isn't just a successful year; it's a historic takeover by an artist fully in control of her craft.
The Veteran Power Players: Lambert and Musgraves
While Langley dominates the conversation, two of country music's most decorated artists also put up major points on the songwriter scorecard. Miranda Lambert, the most nominated female artist in CMA history, adds to her legacy with a writing credit on the Song of the Year nominee 'Choosin' Texas'. She also has two nominations in the Musical Event of the Year category. Kacey Musgraves made a triumphant return to the CMAs, nabbing five nominations in total. For songwriters, the key nods are for Song of the Year with 'Dry Spell' and her artist-writer role on the Album of the Year nominee 'Middle of Nowhere'. Both Lambert and Musgraves reaffirm a crucial point: longevity in country music often comes from holding the pen.
The Rise of the Artist-Writer
The 2026 nominations are a testament to the power of the artist who is also a primary writer. Beyond Langley, several other performers are nominated for songs they co-wrote. Michael Hardy, known as HARDY, earned a Song of the Year nod as a co-writer on Ella Langley's 'Be Her' and a Musical Event nomination for 'McArthur'. And in one of the category's most impressive feats, Stephen Wilson Jr. is nominated for 'Gary', a song for which he is the sole credited songwriter—a rarity in modern Nashville. Megan Moroney also joins this class, earning a nomination for co-writing 'Beautiful Things'. These artists represent a major trend where the person on stage is increasingly the same person who imagined the song into existence.
Nashville's Hitmaking Machines
Of course, it wouldn't be a Nashville awards show without the behind-the-scenes titans who consistently craft the genre's biggest hits. The Song of the Year category is filled with these A-listers. The team behind Kacey Musgraves' 'Dry Spell' includes Luke Laird, Shane McAnally, and Josh Osborne—a trio with countless hits and awards to their names. Similarly, 'Beautiful Things' was penned by the powerhouse group of Jessi Alexander, Jessie Jo Dillon, and Connie Harrington. Dillon was even honored as a CMA Triple Play recipient in 2026, an award for landing three No. 1 songs in a year, underscoring her prolific talent. These are the names you might not know, but you've been listening to their work for years.
