The list of 2026 CMA Awards nominees shows just how far voters will go to protect traditional country music. It’s a curious stance given how important pop-country is to the genre’s health and future.
Here;s the full story from our partners at Taste of Country!
For over a decade I’ve assembled a biannual list of snubs and surprises. In many ways it’s a bellwether assessment of where country music is heading that often answers difficult questions with an exclamation point.
- The 2026 CMA Awards will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 18.
- Once again, the broadcast will originate from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena.
- Lainey Wilson is set to host this 60th annual CMA Awards.
Ella Langley‘s domination in 2026 came after she led the CMAs with six nominations in 2025. Conversely, Jelly Roll‘s limited participation at the 2025 show (just one nomination) foreshadowed an even less enthusiastic response in 2026.
Pull the camera back further to reveal real trends in country music. This year’s list of snubs and surprises shows voters are all-in on anything with twang.
That’s bad news for hitmakers like Megan Moroney, Stella Lefty and Shaboozey. All three have been hit with the absurd “not real country” label throughout their careers (criticism of Lefty comes with a specific vigor that fellow TOC editor Carena Liptak did her best to explain) but all three had huge hits during the eligibility period (July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026).
All three were snubbed by CMA voters.
This matters because — as much as purists don’t want to admit it — country music has a long history of borrowing from pop to support and grow the genre. Kenny Rogers, Shania Twain, Rascal Flatts and more are as essential as George Strait and Loretta Lynn. If the established country music sound isn’t challenged it splinters and dies (see rock music).
The Grand Ole Opry figured this out years ago and started to invite younger, more pop-friendly artists to perform and join. Despite critics, this institution has thrived as others have flat-lined or died (see most modern awards shows).
Voters may not like “Boston” and they may think Chase Matthew and Lauren Alaina‘s “All My Exes” is too pop to be nominated. They may remain skeptical of single-name artists like Shaboozey despite his growing list of No. 1 hits. They may believe Moroney’s music is too pink for a dirt road genre.
Dan + Shay bring new fans to country music. They should be perennial awards winners, not also-rans. Taylor Swift‘s return to the genre is a win for everyone.
A failure to assess these artists with a sober mind over a long period of time is going to shrink the genre. Nobody wins when awards shows set record low audiences.
*Remember: The best way to watch the CMA Awards is on ABC with ToC on your phone.
2026 CMA Awards Nominations – Snubs + Surprises Reveal a Dangerous Trend
This isn’t the year for fans of traditional country music to complain. Anyone who does it like Alan, and George was rewarded while those who pushed the boundaries of the genre were forgotten. Here are seven snubs and two surprises from the 2026 CMA Awards nominations list.
Gallery Credit: Billy Dukes
Sony Music Nashville
Snubbed: Megan Moroney, ‘Cloud 9’
The CMA Awards Album of the Year category is particularly stacked in 2026, so Megan Moroney‘s miss may not be the slight it feels like. It speaks to a theme however. The five nominees are far more traditional than Cloud 9.
Overall, Moroney only picked up recognition in the Female Vocalist and Song of the Year categories one year after leading all artists with six nominations.
Ethan Miller, Getty Images
Surprise: Kacey Musgraves, “Dry Spell”
It turns out CMA Awards voters are a horny group. “Dry Spell” earned two nominations and Kacey Musgraves finds herself in five categories. The CMAs are not the country awards show prone to letting the freak flag fly so this unabashed love is shocking.
Jason Kempin, Getty Images
Snubbed: Jelly Roll
Jelly Roll‘s snubbing in 2026 isn’t as blatant as it was in 2025. He’s firmly between albums and not really touring as a headliner.
He makes this list in the same capacity Luke Bryan, Jason Aldean etc …. did for several years. It’s surprising until it’s not.
The real test will come when he drops new music. It it’s good (or at least popular) will voters choose Jelly Roll again?
Matt Winkelmeyer, Getty Images
Surprise: Taylor Swift Returns!
Taylor Swift is a CMA Awards nominee for the first time since 2017. “I Knew It, I Knew You” (from the new Toy Story movie) is up for Single of the Year and fans believe this signals a return to country music.
The chance of her appearing at the CMAs is only slightly better than Beyoncé’s return to that stage, but there’s a chance! If this upsets you, get over yourself. Every traditional country singer that takes that stage will get more attention if Swfities tune in too.
David Becker, Getty Images
Snubbed: Stella Lefty, “Boston”
Someone is going to claim “Boston” wasn’t a hit when the eligibility period closed on June 30, but that’s not true. It was sitting inside the Top 20 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart and it was dominating streaming platforms.
Haters are so desperate to criticize Stella Lefty that they’re claiming she ripped the song off from Noah Kahan. “Stick Season” fans are crawling out of the woodwork and suddenly everyone is familiar with the inner-workings of GroupOn (her dad co-founded the company and did quite well when it went public).
The are excuses to support an anti-pop bias.
Jason Kempin, Getty Images
Snubbed: Shaboozey + Jelly Roll’s “Amen”
Shaboozey now has three Billboard Country Airplay No. 1 hits. “Amen” (with Jelly Roll) topped the charts in 2026. It should have been nominated in the Musical Event category.
Nicola Gell, Getty Images
Snubbed: Rascal Flatts
Midland replacing Rascal Flatts in the Vocal Group category exemplifies this new trend in country music. Meanwhile Brooks & Dunn — who haven’t released an actual new song since President Obama’s first term — are looking to win their third straight award in the Duo category.
What’s the difference?
Jason Kempin, Getty Images
Snubbed: Morgan Wallen
Morgan Wallen doesn’t care about awards, so voters have stopped voting for him. He’s also between albums and tour dates are becoming precious.
New music would give fans more to be angry about but it’s likely they’ll still be angry about his snubbing in 2027.
Joshua Applegate, Getty Images
Snubbed: Tyler Nance, “Keeps Me Sane”
This is the critic’s pick for 2026. It’s great to see Stephen Wilson Jr. getting so much love from CMA Awards voters. Tyler Nance should too.
Both songs are important and both artists fly under the radar with intention. Don’t be surprised if “Keeps Me Sane” tops year-end best songs list for 2026.