Who Got Snubbed? The 12 Biggest CMA Nomination Snubs of 2016

Entertainer of the Year

  • Garth Brooks
  • Luke Bryan
  • Chris Stapleton
  • Carrie Underwood
  • Keith Urban

Biggest Snub: Jason Aldean

Female Vocalist of the Year

  • Kelsea Ballerini
  • Miranda Lambert
  • Maren Morris
  • Kacey Musgraves
  • Carrie Underwood

Biggest Snubs: Jennifer Nettles, Brandy Clark

Male Vocalist of the Year

  • Dierks Bentley
  • Eric Church
  • Tim McGraw
  • Chris Stapleton
  • Keith Urban

Biggest Snubs: Chris Young, Blake Shelton

Album of the Year

  • Black – Dierks Bentley
  • Hero – Maren Morris
  • Mr. Misunderstood – Eric Church
  • Ripcord – Keith Urban
  • Storyteller – Carrie Underwood

Biggest Snubs: A Sailor’s Guide to Earth – Sturgill Simpson; Big Day in a Small Town – Brandy Clark

Vocal Group of the Year

  • Lady Antebellum
  • Little Big Town
  • Old Dominion
  • Rascal Flatts
  • Zac Brown Band

Biggest Snub: None

Vocal Duo of the Year

  • Brothers Osborne
  • Dan + Shay
  • Florida Georgia Line
  • Joey + Rory
  • Maddie & Tae

Biggest Snub: LoCash

New Artist of the Year

  • Kelsea Ballerini
  • Brothers Osborne
  • Maren Morris
  • Old Dominion
  • Cole Swindell

Biggest Snub: Sam Hunt

Song of the Year (Awarded to Songwriters)

  • “Burning House” – Cam, Tyler Johnson, Jeff Bhasker
  • “Die a Happy Man” – Sean Douglas, Thomas Rhett, Joe Spargur
  • “Humble and Kind” – Lori McKenna
  • “Record Year” – Eric Church, Jeff Hyde
  • “My Church” – busbee, Maren Morris

Biggest Snub: “You Should Be Here” ­– Cole Swindell, Ashley Gorley

Single of the Year

  • “Die a Happy Man” – Thomas Rhett
  • “Humble and Kind” – Tim McGraw
  • “My Church” – Maren Morris
  • “Nobody to Blame” – Chris Stapleton
  • “Record Year” – Eric Church

Biggest Snub: “Burning House” ­– Cam

Musical Event of the Year

  • “Different for Girls” – Dierks Bentley feat. Elle King
  • “Home Alone Tonight” – Luke Bryan feat. Karen Fairchild
  • “The Fighter” – Keith Urban feat. Carrie Underwood)
  • “Think of You” – Chris Young with Cassadee Pope
  • “You Are My Sunshine” – Morgane Stapleton with Chris Stapleton

Biggest Snub: None

Video of the Year

  • “Burning House” – Cam, directed by Trey Fanjoy
  • “Fire Away” – Chris Stapleton, directed by Tim Mattia
  • “Humble and Kind” – Tim McGraw, directed by Wes Edwards
  • “Record Year” – Eric Church, directed by Jon Peets and Reid Long
  • “Somewhere on a Beach” – Dierks Bentley, directed by Wes Edwards

Biggest Snub: “Brace for Impact (Live a Little)” – Sturgill Simpson

Blogs

Eric Church Announces 2025 Free The Machine North American Tour

On Wednesday (April 30), Eric Church announced the dates and details of his 2025 Free The Machine Tour of North America. The 22-date arena tour starts in Pittsburgh on September 12 and finishes in Los Angeles on November 15, hitting cities like Philadelphia, Boston, Detroit, and Seattle along the way. Church will be joined by…

Eric Church Announces 2025 Free The Machine North American Tour

On Wednesday (April 30), Eric Church announced the dates and details of his 2025 Free The Machine Tour of North America. The 22-date arena tour starts in Pittsburgh on September 12 and finishes in Los Angeles on November 15, hitting cities like Philadelphia, Boston, Detroit, and Seattle along the way. Church will be joined by…

Jessi Alexander Shares Her Journey From Fledgling Artist To Hit Country Songwriter

Prior to being honored during Variety’s Power of Women: Nashville event, Jessi Alexander spoke with the publication about her journey from fledgling artist to blockbuster country songwriter. Alexander broke gender stereotypes in the Music Row writers' rooms by penning chart-topping hits like Lee Brice’s “I Drive Your Truck,” Miranda Lambert’s “Things That Break,” Blake Shelton’s…

Jessi Alexander Shares Her Journey From Fledgling Artist To Hit Country Songwriter

Prior to being honored during Variety’s Power of Women: Nashville event, Jessi Alexander spoke with the publication about her journey from fledgling artist to blockbuster country songwriter. Alexander broke gender stereotypes in the Music Row writers’ rooms by penning chart-topping hits like Lee Brice’s “I Drive Your Truck,” Miranda Lambert’s “Things That Break,” Blake Shelton’s…

Minority Stake In Morgan Wallen’s Catalog Sold By Big Loud For $200 Million

Nashville-based label Big Loud, home to Morgan Wallen, has reportedly sold a minority stake in the country superstar’s master recordings to Chord Music Partners for over $200 million. The deal is for a minority holding in Wallen’s first three studio albums, which includes his blockbuster 2023 double album, One Thing at a Time. The deal…

Minority Stake In Morgan Wallen’s Catalog Sold By Big Loud For $200 Million

Nashville-based label Big Loud, home to Morgan Wallen, has reportedly sold a minority stake in the country superstar’s master recordings to Chord Music Partners for over $200 million. The deal is for a minority holding in Wallen’s first three studio albums, which includes his blockbuster 2023 double album, One Thing at a Time. The deal…

2025 ACM Awards Will Open With 12-Minute “Songs Of The Decades’ Medley, With Special Collaborations Planned During Ceremony

The 2025 ACM Awards will begin with a 12-minute music showcase honoring ACM Award-winning Songs of the Year over six decades. The segment will feature Clint Black, Dan + Shay, Wynonna Judd, Reba McEntire, LeAnn Rimes, and Sugarland, and will likely include hit songs like “Tequila,” “Why Not Me,” “Blue,” and “Stay” in the medley.…

2025 ACM Awards Will Open With 12-Minute “Songs Of The Decades’ Medley, With Special Collaborations Planned During Ceremony

The 2025 ACM Awards will begin with a 12-minute music showcase honoring ACM Award-winning Songs of the Year over six decades. The segment will feature Clint Black, Dan + Shay, Wynonna Judd, Reba McEntire, LeAnn Rimes, and Sugarland, and will likely include hit songs like “Tequila,” “Why Not Me,” “Blue,” and “Stay” in the medley.…

Chase McDaniel Shares Insight Into His Debut Radio Single, “Burned Down Heaven”

Chase McDaniel believes that listening to music in real-time can have a significant impact on listeners, rather than letting an algorithm choose what they hear. The new country artist recalls three life-changing moments he’s had while hearing songs on country radio, and McDaniel hopes his first radio single, "Burned Down Heaven," has a similar effect…

Chase McDaniel Shares Insight Into His Debut Radio Single, “Burned Down Heaven”

Chase McDaniel believes that listening to music in real-time can have a significant impact on listeners, rather than letting an algorithm choose what they hear. The new country artist recalls three life-changing moments he’s had while hearing songs on country radio, and McDaniel hopes his first radio single, “Burned Down Heaven,” has a similar effect…