With the 59th annual CMA Awards airing live from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville in just TWO days on November 19th, the buzz surrounding the show keeps growing with each passing day. With Lainey Wilson, Ella Langley and Megan Moroney leading the way with six nominations across the 12 major categories, Zach Top, Morgan Wallen, Cody Johnson and Chris Stapleton are also among the night’s top-nominated artists.
Unsurprisingly, there are plenty of storylines to watch throughout the night, notably Chris Stapleton, who’s primed to pass Brooks & Dunn for most CMA Awards in history with 20 wins. With that being said, however, since the announcement of this year’s nominees back in September, the leading story going into this year’s CMAs has been the fact that both Wilson, who is also hosting the show, Langley and Moroney lead all nominees with six nominations apiece.
Of course, this comes at a time in country music history where the genre itself seems equally propped up by the talented women as it does forgetful of the same stars. It should go without saying that female star power in the genre at large is at a high that it hasn’t seen in years. Along with all of your mainstream staples, such as Wilson, Langley, Moroney and other stars such as Miranda Lambert and Kacey Musgraves, we’ve seen a brand-new crop of future stars in the genre, highlighted by the likes of Sierra Ferrell, Kaitlin Butts, Willow Avalon and more.
Despite this, country radio and other legacy media outlets still continue to remain behind the curve when it comes to showcasing female talent. Notably, there was an incredible 11-week stretch on country radio from July to September where no women occupied the Top 10. Ironically, it was none other than Wilson herself who broke the streak when “Somewhere Over Laredo” entered the Top 10 in late September.
All of this is to say that there is certainly a bond built between female artists in the genre, and Wilson herself expressed this during a recent press conference ahead of the CMA Awards on Wednesday.
Discussing the fact that she, along with Langley and Moroney, is primed for a big night, the “4X4XU” singer would go on to praise all the women in country music as of late, noting that they have to “really make it” to be on the level that they are currently at today.
“The girls are doing it, y’all. And they’re not just like half-a** doing it. They’re like really doing it. For a girl to make it, she has to really make it.”
Wilson would then go on to praise both Langley and Moroney for their monster years and subsequent nominations. Of course, the two have been nothing short of superstars in the making, with Langley riding out the continued success of “you look like you love me” and her sophomore effort, hungover, and Moroney carrying the massive success of Am I Okay? (which is nominated for Album of the Year) straight into her recently announced third album, Cloud 9.
Giving both a shoutout, the Louisiana native would sing their praises before saying what many of us are currently thinking and noting that they’ll be around the industry for a “long time.”
“Megan and Ella both, it’s just so cool and refreshing to see these ladies who like, have a vision. They have their eye on the prize. They work hard. They show up when they say they’re gonna show up. I think both of those girls right here are going to be around for a long time, so I’m excited to see some ladies like that who are not going anywhere.”
@girlsinlowplacespodcast @Lainey Wilson doing it for all the girls at #cmawards press conference #cmaawards #laineywilson #nashville
During the same press conference, Wilson also shared that she has big shoes to fill following in the footsteps of the likes of Reba McEntire and Dolly Parton at this year’s CMA Awards.
“It’s a big deal. I mean, I’ve got some big ole shoes to fill. So I don’t take it lightly.”
Wilson shares that it’s “wild” for her to be only the third woman in country music history to host the CMA Awards, and noted that she reached out to Reba to see if she could give her any pointers before she’s under the spotlight on November 19.
“I texted Reba last night and I said, ‘If you had one piece of advice to give me going into this week, what would it be?’ And I thought she was just going to say something like, ‘Just be yourself and have fun.’ She sent me a list. I was like, ‘Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, one piece of advice!’
But yeah, like I said, I got some really big shoes to fill and I just feel so honored, so thank y’all for letting me run my mouth and celebrate country music.”
The CMA Awards, which are hosted by Wilson, air live from the Bridgestone Arena this Wednesday, November 19 at 7 p.m. CT on ABC.
@girlsinlowplacespodcast @Lainey Wilson doing it for all the girls at #cmawards press conference #cmaawards #laineywilson #nashville
2025 CMA Awards Nominees
Entertainer of the Year
- Morgan Wallen
- Luke Combs
- Lainey Wilson
- Cody Johnson
- Chris Stapleton
Album of the Year
- Am I Okay? – Megan Moroney
- Producer: Kristian Bush
- Mix Engineer: Justin Niebank
- Cold Beer & Country Music – Zach Top
- Producer: Carson Chamberlain
- Mix Engineer: Matt Rovey
- F-1 Trillon – Post Malone
- Producers: Louis Bell, Charlie Handsome, Hoskins
- Mix Engineer: Ryan Gore
- I’m The Problem – Morgan Wallen
- Producers: Jacob Durrett, Charlie Handsome, Joey Moi
- Mix Engineers: Charlie Handsome, Joey Moi
- Whirlwind – Lainey Wilson
- Producer: Jay Joyce
- Mix Engineers: Jason Hall, Jay Joyce
Male Vocalist of the Year
- Chris Stapleton
- Morgan Wallen
- Luke Combs
- Cody Johnson
- Zach Top
Female Vocalist of the Year
- Lainey Wilson
- Ella Langley
- Megan Moroney
- Kelsea Ballerini
- Miranda Lambert
Vocal Group of the Year
- Old Dominion
- The Red Clay Strays
- Little Big Town
- Lady A
- Rascal Flatts
Vocal Duo of the Year
- Brooks & Dunn
- Dan + Shay
- Brothers Osborne
- The War and Treaty
- Maddie & Tae
Single of the Year
- “4X4XU” – Lainey Wilson
- Producer: Jay Joyce
- Mix Engineers: Jason Hall, Jay Joyce
- “Ain’t No Love In Oklahoma” – Luke Combs
- Producers: Luke Combs, Chip Matthews, Jonathan Singleton
- Mix Engineer: Chip Matthews
- “Am I Okay?” – Megan Moroney
- Producer: Kristian Bush
- Mix Engineer: Justin Niebank
- “I Never Lie” – Zach Top
- Producer: Carson Chamberlain
- Mix Engineer: Mat Rovey
- “You Look Like You Love Me” – Ella Langley ft. Riley Green
- Producer: Will Bundy
- Mix Engineer: Jim Cooley
Song of the Year
- “4X4XU” – Lainey Wilson
- Songwriters: Jon Decious, Aaron Raitiere, Lainey Wilson
- “Am I Okay? – Megan Moroney
- Songwriters: Jessie Jo Dillon, Luke Laird, Megan Moroney
- “I Never Lie” – Zach Top
- Songwriters: Carson Chamberlain, Tim Nichols, Zach Top
- “Texas” – Blake Shelton
- Songwriters: Johnny Clawson, Josh Dorr, Lalo Guzman, Kyle Sturrock
- “You Look Like You Love Me” – Ella Langley ft. Riley Green
- Songwriters: Riley Green, Ella Langley, Aaron Raitiere
New Artist of the Year
- Zach Top
- Ella Langley
- Stephen Wilson Jr.
- Tucker Wetmore
- Shaboozey
Musician of the Year
- Jenee Fleenor (Fiddle)
- Paul Franklin (Steel Guitar)
- Brett Mason (Guitar)
- Rob McNelley (Guitar)
- Derek Wells (Guitar)
Music Video of the Year
- “Am I Okay?” – Megan Moroney
- Directors: Alexander Gavillet, Megan Moroney
- “I’m Gonna Love You” – Cody Johnson & Carrie Underwood
- Director: Dustin Haney
- “Somewhere Over Laredo” – Lainey Wilson
- Director: TK McKamy
- “Think I’m In Love With You” – Chris Stapleton
- Director: Running Bear
- “You Look Like You Love Me” – Ella Langley & Riley Green
- Directors: Ella Langley, John Park, Wales Toney
Musical Event of the Year
- “Don’t Mind If I Do” – Riley Green ft. Ella Langley
- Producers: Scott Borchetta, Jimmy Harnen, Dann Huff
- “Hard Fought Hallelujah” – Brandon Lake w/ Jelly Roll
- Producer: Micha Nichols
- “I’m Gonna Love You” – Cody Johnson w/ Carrie Underwood
- Producer: Trent Willmon
- “Pour Me A Drink” – Post Malone ft. Blake Shelton
- Producers: Louis Bell, Charlie Handsome
- “You Had to Be There” – Megan Moroney ft. Kenny Chesney
- Producer: Kristian Bush
