Vote Now: Who Should Win the CMA Single & Musical Event of the Year Awards

In the lead-up to the CMA Awards on Nov. 2, Nash Country Daily will be conducting its own election to let you—the readers—decide who should win each of the 12 categories at this year’s show. We’re taking politics out of the equation and letting the popular vote speak for itself.

The good news is there is no voter registration. The bad news is we aren’t giving out any trophies. It’s just for bragging rights.

Every two or three days, we will provide a new ballot for one of the 12 categories and allow fans to vote until the next category is announced. Along the way, we’ll post our winners.

Single of the Year: Oct. 28

(Looks like you missed your opportunity to vote on this poll. Vote for Video and Musician of the Year now!)

  • “Humble and Kind” – Tim McGraw: 37%
  • “Die a Happy Man” – Thomas Rhett: 28%
  • “Record Year” – Eric Church: 15%
  • “My Church” – Maren Morris: 10%
  • “Nobody to Blame” – Chris Stapleton: 9%

 

Come back soon to participate in our next poll!

Musical Event of the Year: Oct. 28

(Looks like you missed your opportunity to vote on this poll. Vote for Video and Musician of the Year now!)

  • “Think of You” – Chris Young with Cassadee Pope: 40%
  • “The Fighter” – Keith Urban feat. Carrie Underwood: 27%
  • “Different for Girls” – Dierks Bentley feat. Elle King: 14%
  • “Home Alone Tonight” – Luke Bryan feat. Karen Fairchild: 13%
  • “You Are My Sunshine” – Morgane Stapleton with Chris Stapleton: 6%

Come back soon to participate in our next poll!

Entertainer of the Year: Oct. 10 – WINNER Carrie Underwood

  1. Carrie Underwood: 34%
  2. Keith Urban: 32%
  3. Luke Bryan: 19%
  4. Garth Brooks: 9%
  5. Chris Stapleton: 6%

Female Vocalist of the Year: Oct. 12 – WINNER Carrie Underwood

  1. Carrie Underwood: 58%
  2. Miranda Lambert: 24%
  3. Kelsea Ballerini: 8%
  4. Maren Morris: 5%
  5. Kacey Musgraves: 5%

Male Vocalist of the Year: Oct. 14 – WINNER Keith Urban

  1. Keith Urban: 40%
  2. Eric Church: 20%
  3. Tim McGraw: 17%
  4. Dierks Bentley: 14%
  5. Chris Stapleton: 9%

Album of the Year: Oct. 17 – WINNER Storyteller – Carrie Underwood

  1. Storyteller – Carrie Underwood 41%
  2. Ripcord – Keith Urban 27%
  3. Mr. Misunderstood – Eric Church 18%
  4. Black – Dierks Bentley 10%
  5. Hero – Maren Morris 4%

Vocal Group of the Year: Oct. 19 – WINNER Little Big Town

  • Little Big Town 47%
  • Old Dominion 15%
  • Zac Brown Band 15%
  • Lady Antebellum 14%
  • Rascal Flatts 9%

Vocal Duo of the Year: Oct. 21 – WINNER Joey + Rory

  1. Joey + Rory: 60%
  2. Florida Georgia Line: 17% 
  3. Brothers Osborne: 9% 
  4. Dan + Shay: 8% 
  5. Maddie & Tae: 6%

New Artist of the Year: Oct. 24 – WINNER Cole Swindell

  1. Cole Swindell: 37%
  2. Kelsea Ballerini: 32%
  3. Maren Morris: 14%
  4. Old Dominion: 9%
  5. Brothers Osborne: 8%

Song of the Year (Awarded to Songwriters): Oct. 26

– WINNER “Record Year” – Eric Church, Jeff Hyde

  1. “Record Year” – Eric Church, Jeff Hyde: 33%
  2. “Humble and Kind” – Lori McKenna: 27%
  3. “Die a Happy Man” – Sean Douglas, Thomas Rhett, Joe Spargur: 21%
  4. “Burning House” – Cam, Tyler Johnson, Jeff Bhasker: 9%
  5. “My Church” – busbee, Maren Morris: 9%

Video of the Year: Oct. 31

  • “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

Musician of the Year: Oct. 31

  • Jerry Douglas – Dobro/Lap Steel Guitar
  • Paul Franklin – Steel Guitar
  • Dan Huff – Guitar
  • Brent Mason – Guitar
  • Derek Wells – Guitar

Hosted by Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood, The 50th annual CMA Awards will air live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 2, at 7 p.m. CT on ABC.

Blogs

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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…