Chris Stapleton Earns Three Early Billboard Music Awards

Chris Stapleton leads country artists with the most early wins leading into Sunday evening’s (May 20) Billboard Music Awards, which airs on NBC at 8 p.m. ET. Winners in non-televised categories were announced Sunday afternoon via social media.

Stapleton earned awards for Top Country Artist, Top Country Male Artist, and Top Country Album (for From A Room: Volume 1).

Maren Morris was named Top Country Female Artist, while Florida Georgia Line was named Top Duo/Group Artist. Luke Bryan earned Top Country Tour.

MercyMe earned Top Christian Artist, while Alan Jackson‘s Precious Memories Collection earned Top Christian Album. Hillsong Worship‘s “What A Beautiful Name” took home Top Christian Song honors. Tasha Cobbs Leonard earned two wins for Top Gospel Artist and Top Gospel Album (for Heart. Passion. Pursuit.).

Kendrick Lamar, who is tied with Bruno Mars and Ed Sheeran this year for most nominations (15), leads in overall early wins, having already won six awards leading into Sunday evening’s show. Those honors include Top Billboard 200 Album, Top Rap Artist, Top Rap Male Artist, Top Rap Album, Top Streaming Songs Artist and Top Streaming Song (Audio). Bruno Mars follows Lamar with five wins.

Nashville resident Kelly Clarkson will host the 2018 Billboard Music Awards.

Billboard Music Awards nominees and winners are based on key fan interactions with music, including album and digital song sales, streaming, radio airplay, touring and social engagement, tracked by Billboard and its data partners, including Nielsen Music and Next Big Sound. The awards are based on the chart period of April 8, 2017 through March 31, 2018.

The 2018 Billboard Music Awards is produced by dick clark productions. Mark Bracco, Barry Adelman, Kelly Clarkson and Robert Deaton are executive producers.

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Jessica Nicholson

Jessica Nicholson serves as the Managing Editor for MusicRow magazine. Her previous music journalism experience includes work with Country Weekly magazine and Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) magazine. She holds a BBA degree in Music Business and Marketing from Belmont University. She welcomes your feedback at jnicholson@musicrow.com.

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