Finally getting the respect they deserve.
This morning, the Academy of Country Music announced its picks for the 2026 ACM Awards. After what seems like well over a decade of head-scratching nominations, snubs and wins, many were wondering if they would finally diverge from the mainstream stranglehold that they’ve so clearly found themselves in despite the growth of the independent and alt. country scene over the past five years.
The nominees are in, and I have to admit, it’s one of the more interesting set of nominees we’ve seen in quite some time.
Following the trend set last November at the CMA Awards, women absolutely dominate this year’s set of nominees. Riding the highs of her sophomore album, Cloud 9, Megan Moroney leads all artists with a staggering nine nominations. Highlighted by her first-ever Entertainer of the Year nod, she’d also receive nominations for Female Artist, Single (“6 Months Later”), Song (“Am I Okay”) and Artist-Songwriter of the Year.
Ella Langley was shown a lot of love, getting seven nominations. These include her first-ever Female Artist of the Year nod as well as a Single and Song of the Year nomination for her record-breaking hit, “Choosin’ Texas,” and an Artist-Songwriter nod.
Zach Top is also riding the well-deserved buzz gained at both the CMA Awards and Grammys recently, picking up four nominations for Male Artist of the Year (his first), Album of the Year (Ain’t In It For My Health) and Single and Song of the Year (“I Never Lie”).
A familiar cast of characters (for the most part) occupy the Entertainer of the Year nominees, with Luke Combs, Jelly Roll, Cody Johnson, Megan Moroney, Chris Stapleton, Morgan Wallen and Lainey Wilson all receiving nods in the jam-packed category.
With that being said, however, there were a few surprises and extremely encouraging first-time nominations.
From a mainstream perspective, it seems like Riley Green is finally getting the love that he deserves. Despite being one of the hottest artists in the genre as of late, Green was still being left off major categories such as Male Artist. This time around, however, he picked up nods for Male Artist of the Year, Album of the Year (Don’t Mind If I Do: Deluxe), Artist-Songwriter and Music Event of the Year (“Don’t Mind If I Do”).
The most celebrated nomination of the morning, however, is none other than 49 Winchester finally receiving their first-career nod for Group of the Year. Despite being one of the most talented bands in the genre for years at this point, they, along with bands like Turnpike Troubadours, Whiskey Myers, Shane Smith & the Saints, were consistently getting snubbed year in and year out.
All things considered, the Group of the Year nominees might be the strongest in the entire show. 49 will be facing off against fellow alternative darlings, Flatland Cavalry and The Red Clay Strays, as well as Old Dominion and Rascal Flatts (no comment on the last two…).
It’s still a disservice that Turnpike has yet to secure a nomination, especially considering the huge year they had in 2025, but it’s great to see 49 Winchester finally get the national attention they deserve.
Another fascinating first-time nominee is none other than Carter Faith. It’s been pretty apparent that she’s destined to be one of the biggest female stars in today’s ultra-talented crop of women in country. With that being said, however, instead of receiving a New Female Artist nomination, her first ACM nod is for her stellar debut album, Cherry Valley, which is competing for the highly coveted Album of the Year. Undoubtedly, Faith and Cherry Valley absolutely deserve the nomination; however, it’s incredibly interesting (and rare) to see an artist’s first nomination be for Album of the Year.
Stephen Wilson Jr. secured his first ACM nomination. Though it would have felt fitting for him to be nominated for New Artist of the Year, given the massive breakout he’s had over the past 12 months, he instead received a nod for his cinematic music video for “Cuckoo.” I would have liked to see Wilson Jr. receive a nom for something centering around his music first and foremost, but it’s still nice to see him continue to receive some national attention.
Rounding out the first-time nominees are the likes of Hudson Westbrook, Avery Anna, Emily Ann Roberts, Mackenzie Carpenter, Caroline Jones and Thelma & James.
Take a look at the entire list of nominees below:
Entertainer of the Year
Luke Combs
Jelly Roll
Cody Johnson
Megan Moroney
Chris Stapleton
Morgan Wallen
Lainey Wilson
Female Artist of the Year
Kelsea Ballerini
Miranda Lambert
Ella Langley
Megan Moroney
Lainey Wilson
Male Artist of the Year
Luke Combs
Riley Green
Cody Johnson
Chris Stapleton
Zach Top
Group of the Year
49 Winchester
Flatland Cavalry
Old Dominion
Rascal Flatts
The Red Clay Strays
Duo of the Year
Brooks & Dunn
Brothers Osborne
Dan + Shay
Muscadine Bloodline
Thelma & James
Album of the Year
[Awarded to artist(s)/producer(s)/record Company–label(s)]
Ain’t In It For My Health – Zach Top; Producer: Carson Chamberlain; Record Company-Label: Leo33
Cherry Valley – Carter Faith; Producer: Tofer Brown; Record Company-Label: Gatsby Records / MCA
Don’t Mind If I Do (Deluxe) – Riley Green; Producers: Dann Huff, Michael Knox; Record Company-Label: Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment
I’m The Problem – Morgan Wallen; Producers: Joey Moi, Charlie Handsome, Jacob Durrett; Record Company-Label: Big Loud Records
Parker McCollum – Parker McCollum; Producers: Frank Liddell, Eric Masse; Record Company-Label: MCA
Song of the Year
“A Song To Sing” – Miranda Lambert & Chris Stapleton; Songwriters: Chris Stapleton, Miranda Lambert, Jenee Fleenor, Jesse Frasure
“Am I Okay?” – Megan Moroney; Songwriters: Megan Moroney, Luke Laird, Jessie Jo Dillon
“Choosin’ Texas” – Ella Langley; Songwriters: Ella Langley, Luke Dick, Miranda Lambert, Joybeth Taylor
“I Never Lie” – Zach Top; Songwriters: Zach Top, Carson Chamberlain, Tim Nichols
“Somewhere Over Laredo – Lainey Wilson; Songwriters: Lainey Wilson, Trannie Anderson, Dallas Wilson, Andy Albert, Harold Arlen & Yip Harburg
Single of the Year
“6 Months Later” – Megan Moroney
“Choosin’ Texas” – Ella Langley
“I Never Lie” – Zach Top
“Somewhere Over Laredo” – Lainey Wilson
“The Fall” – Cody Johnson
Visual Media of the Year
“6 Months Later” – Megan Moroney
“A Song To Sing” – Miranda Lambert & Chris Stapleton
“Cuckoo” -Stephen Wilson, Jr.
“Somewhere Over Laredo” – Lainey Wilson
“The Fall” – Cody Johnson
Music Event of the Year
“A Song To Sing” – Miranda Lambert & Chris Stapleton
“Amen” – Shaboozey & Jelly Roll
“Don’t Mind If I Do” – Riley Green feat. Ella Langley
“Trailblazer” – Reba McEntire, Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson
“You Had To Be There” – Megan Moroney & Kenny Chesney
Songwriter of the Year
Jessie Jo Dillon
Ashley Gorley
Charlie Handsome
Chase McGill
Blake Pendergrass
Artist-Songwriter of the Year
Luke Combs
Riley Green
Ella Langley
Megan Moroney
Morgan Wallen
New Male Artist of the Year
Gavin Adcock
Vincent Mason
Shaboozey
Hudson Westbrook
Tucker Wetmore
New Female Artist of the Year
Avery Anna
Mackenzie Carpenter
Dasha
Caroline Jones
Emily Ann Roberts
