Devendra Kumar
Country superstar Lainey Wilson is having another remarkable year, topping the CMA Awards nominations for the second year in a row. In 2022, she made her debut as a nominee, claiming six nominations. This year, Wilson has made history by becoming the first and only artist to top the nominations list in her first two appearances on the ballot. Her impressive nine nominations include nods for album, song, music video, entertainer, and female vocalist of the year, as well as separate nominations in the single of the year and musical event of the year categories. Wilson now ties Merle Haggard and Miranda Lambert for the most nominations in one year, just behind Alan Jackson’s record of 10 nods in 2002.
Notably, Wilson’s success comes just after her first-time nomination last year, which is a testament to her rapid rise to fame. She is followed by first-time nominee Jelly Roll, who boasts five nominations, and Luke Combs and Hardy, with four each. Combs and Hardy, however, could take home six trophies if they sweep their categories, with Combs’ fast-paced cover of Tracy Chapman’s “Fast Car” and Hardy’s “Wait In The Truck” likely to impress critics.
Meanwhile, Chris Stapleton, Carrie Underwood, and Morgan Wallen are vying for the entertainer of the year title, while Megan Moroney’s “Tennessee Orange” and Jordan Davis’ “Next Thing You Know” are contending for song of the year. The 2023 CMA Awards will air on November 8 on ABC at 8pm Eastern, with viewers eagerly anticipating the winners to be revealed live on Country Music’s Biggest Night.