MusicRow Weekly (CMA Awards, News, Charts, More…)

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The latest edition of the MusicRow Weekly covers a busy week in Nashville, from the announcement of the 60th annual CMA Awards nominees to a number of new artist and songwriter deals. The week’s news also includes a familiar face returning to the CMA Awards stage, along with several songwriters and artists making moves with new publishing and label partnerships. Click here to see the full edition.

The final nominees for the 60th annual CMA Awards have been revealed, with Ella Langley leading the way with nine nominations, including her first nomination for Entertainer of the Year. She joins Luke Combs, Cody Johnson, Chris Stapleton and Lainey Wilson in the category. Miranda Lambert follows with seven nominations, while Kacey Musgraves and Ben West each earned five. Johnson, Stapleton and Stephen Wilson Jr. received four nominations each, while Dave Clauss, Combs and Lainey Wilson earned three apiece.

The 2026 CMA Awards nominee class also includes 13 first-time nominees: Smith Ahnquist, Avery Anna, Jack Antonoff, Tim Cofield, Carter Faith, Austin Goodloe, Muscadine Bloodline, Emily Ann Roberts, Caylee Robillard, Laura Sisk, Joybeth Taylor, Thelma & James and West.

Wilson will also return to host The 60th Annual CMA Awards. The 12-time CMA Award winner will take on hosting duties for the third consecutive year and will serve as solo host for the second year in a row.

Elsewhere in the industry, George Birge has signed with Black River Entertainment. Joybeth Taylor has extended her worldwide publishing deal with Sony Music Publishing Nashville and Verse 2 Music, with TAYCAN Entertainment joining as a creative partner. Justin Dukes has signed his first-ever publishing deal with Reservoir, while Matt Koziol has inked with Casual Records. Katlin Owen has also signed a joint-venture publishing deal with Brian Kelley’s Song Hunter Publishing and Warner Chappell Music.

In addition, the latest MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart is included. Morgan Wallen takes the No. 1 spot with “Been By Now.” Explore more chart data here.

The MusicRow Weekly is delivered every Friday, featuring Nashville’s top music industry news, exclusive interviews, song reviews, radio and songwriter charts and more. Sign up for free here.

Madison Hahnen
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