Chris Stapleton, Dann Huff Lead CMA Awards Nominees

Dierks Bentley, Dan+Shay, Midland each earn three nominations; Sam Hunt, Kelsea Ballerini, Brett Young and more nominees announced for “Country Music’s Biggest Night”

The nominees for the 52nd annual CMA Awards were announced on August 28 on Good Morning America, live from downtown Nashville and hosted in part by ASCAP members Sugarland and Dan+Shay. Longtime ASCAP songwriter Chris Stapleton tops the list of finalists with five nominations: Entertainer, Male Vocalist, Song, Single and Album of the Year. Producer and musician Dann Huff received four nominations, the second most nominations this year, and Dierks Bentley, Dan+Shay and Midland earned three each.

Recent ASCAP Vanguard Award honoree Kelsea Ballerini returns with a nomination for Female Vocalist, Dierks Bentley receives a nod for Male Vocalist, and the New Artist category includes both Midland and Brett Young. Vocal Duo nominations were dominated by ASCAP’s Brothers Osborne, Dan+Shay, Maddie & Tae and Sugarland, and songwriters Scooter Carusoe, Zach Crowell, Sam Hunt, Josh Osborne, Jordan Reynolds and Dan Smyers all received nominations for Song of the Year.

Brad Paisley will return for an 11th year to co-host the 52nd annual CMA Awards, dubbed “Country Music’s Biggest Night,” and will be broadcast live from Nashville on Wednesday, November 14 at 8:00PM ET on ABC.

Entertainer of the Year
Chris Stapleton

Male Vocalist of the Year
Dierks Bentley
Chris Stapleton

Female Vocalist of the Year
Kelsea Ballerini

New Artist of the Year
Midland
Brett Young

Single of the Year
(Award goes to Artist, Producer(s), and Mix Engineer(s))

“Broken Halos” – Chris Stapleton
Producers: Chris Stapleton

“Drinkin’ Problem” – Midland
Producers: Dann Huff, Josh Osborne

“Tequila” – Dan + Shay
Producers: Dan Smyers

Vocal Duo of the Year
Brothers Osborne
Dan+Shay
Maddie & Tae
Sugarland

Album of the Year
(Award goes to Artist and Producer(s))

From A Room: Volume 2 – Chris Stapleton
Producer: Chris Stapleton

Graffiti U
Producers: Josh Kerr, Greg Wells, Jesse Shatkin, Jimmy Robbins, Oscar Holter, Mike Elizondo, Captain Cuts, Dann Huff

Life Changes
Producer: Dann Huff

The Mountain – Dierks Bentley

Song of the Year
(Award goes to Songwriter(s))

“Body Like a Back Road”
Songwriters: Zach Crowell, Sam Hunt, Josh Osborne

“Broken Halos”
Songwriter: Chris Stapleton

“Drunk Girl”
Songwriter: Scooter Carusoe

“Tequila”
Songwriters: Jordan Reynolds, Dan Smyers

Vocal Group of the Year
Lady Antebellum
LANCO
Midland
Old Dominion

Musical Event of the Year
“Burning Man,” Dierks Bentley ft. Brothers Osborne
“Everything’s Gonna Be Alright,” David Lee Murphy

Music Video of the Year
(Award goes to Artist and Director(s))

“Babe” – Sugarland
Director: Anthony Mandler

“Tequila” – Dan + Shay
Director: Patrick Tracy

Musician of the Year
Paul Franklin – Steel Guitar
Dann Huff – Guitar

Broadcast Personality of the Year - National
Charlie Monk - The Mayor Of Music Row, SiriusXM