In a year that’s been defined by Ella Langley, it’s no surprise that the “Choosin’ Texas”singer is the top nominee at the 60th Annual CMA Awards.
Langley landed nine total nominations when the Country Music Association announced its nominees on Thursday
morning. The Hope Hull, Alabama, native is up for the top prize of Entertainer of the Year, along with Album of the Year for her LP Dandelion. Of course, “Choosin’ Texas” is recognized throughout: for Single of the Year, Song of the Year, and Music Video of the Year. Langley will also compete for Female Vocalist of the Year.
Miranda Lambert is just behind Langley in the nominations tally, with seven. Lambert co-wrote “Choosin’ Texas” with Langley, Luke Dick, and Joybeth Taylor, and also co-produced Langley’s Dandelion album.
Arguably the biggest surprise of the nominations is Stephen Wilson Jr. The grunge-country singer-songwriter-guitarist scored four nominations, including one for Male Vocalist of the Year and one for Song of the Year, for his solo composition “Gary,”a salute to the working class.
Also of note: the return of Taylor Swift. The global superstar landed her first CMA Awards nomination in four years. She’s up for Single of the Year for “I Knew It, I Knew You.”
The 2026 CMA Awards air Wednesday, Nov. 18, on ABC and Disney+, and stream the next day on Hulu. Lainey Wilson, the reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year, will host.
The 60th annual CMA Awards nominees:
Entertainer of the Year
Luke Combs
Cody Johnson
Ella Langley
Chris Stapleton
Lainey Wilson
Single of the Year
“Be Her,” Ella Langley
“Choosin’ Texas,” Ella Langley
“I Knew It, I Knew You,” Taylor Swift
“Somewhere Over Laredo,” Lainey Wilson
“The Fall,” Cody Johnson
Album of the Year
Ain’t in It for My Health, Zach Top
Dandelion, Ella Langley
Middle of Nowhere, Kacey Musgraves
Parker McCollum, Parker McCollum
The Way I Am, Luke Combs
Song of the Year
“Be Here,” Ella Langley (Smith Ahnquist, Michael Hardy, Ella Langley, Jordan Schmidt)
“Beautiful Things,” Megan Moroney (Jessi Alexander, Jessie Jo Dillon, Connie Harrington, Megan Moroney)
“Choosin’ Texas,” Ella Langley (Luke Dick, Ella Langley, Miranda Lambert, Joybeth Taylor)
“Dry Spell,” Kacey Musgraves (Luke Laird, Shane McAnally, Kacey Musgraves, Josh Osborne)
“Gary,” Stephen Wilson Jr. (Stephen Wilson Jr.)
Female Vocalist of the Year
Miranda Lambert
Ella Langley
Megan Moroney
Kacey Musgraves
Lainey Wilson
Male Vocalist of the Year
Luke Combs
Cody Johnson
Chris Stapleton
Zach Top
Stephen Wilson Jr.
Vocal Group of the Year
Lady A
Little Big Town
Midland
Old Dominion
The Red Clay Strays
Vocal Duo of the Year
Brooks & Dunn
Brothers Osborne
Dan + Shay
Muscadine Bloodline
Thelma & James
Musical Event of the Year
“A Song to Sing,” Miranda Lambert (with Chris Stapleton)
“Horses and Divorces,” Kacey Musgraves (feat. Miranda Lambert)
“I Can’t Love You Anymore,” Ella Langley & Morgan Wallen
“If I Don’t Leave I’m Gonna Stay,” Carly Pearce & Riley Green
“McArthur,” Hardy, Eric Church, Morgan Wallen & Tim McGraw
Musician of the Year
Tom Bukovac – Guitar
Jenee Fleenor – Fiddle
Paul Franklin – Steel Guitar
Rob McNelley – Guitar
Charlie Worsham – Guitar
Music Video of the Year
“Choosin’ Texas,” Ella Langley
“Dry Spell,” Kacey Musgraves
“Gary,” Stephen Wilson Jr.
“The Fall,” Cody Johnson
“White Horse,” Chris Stapleton
New Artist of the Year
Avery Anna
Carter Faith
Emily Ann Roberts
Tucker Wetmore
Stephen Wilson Jr.
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