
Leading nominee Miranda Lambert earned nine nods.
Miranda Lambert tops the list of final nominees for
The 48th Annual CMA Awards with nine nominations, matching the record she set in 2010: the most for a female artist in a single year in the history of the awards.
Dierks Bentley received five nominations in 2014, making a major comeback thanks to latest album
Riser, after being completely shut out of
last year’s nominations.
Eric Church and
Keith Urban collected four nominations each, followed by
Luke Bryan,
Kacey Musgraves,
Blake Shelton, and
Carrie Underwood who each received three nominations.
Eyeing the revered Entertainer category, there are a few noteworthy news items.
George Strait, the reigning Entertainer of the Year, returns to ride again for the trophy. Urban also re-enters the category after being absent since 2011. And noticeably missing from the race for the night’s biggest prize is mega-sellers
Florida Georgia Line, who received one nomination for Vocal Duo.
Reigning CMA Vocal Group of the Year
Little Big Town joined CMA Award winner
Darius Rucker in New York City this morning (Sept. 3) to reveal the final nominees
. The announcement of five categories took place on
Good Morning America during the 8:30 AM/ET half hour.
Following the ABC morning show, Little Big Town and Rucker were at the Best Buy Theater in Times Square to announce the finalists in the remaining seven categories, along with the announcement of the
CMA Broadcast Awards for Personality and Radio Station of the Year.
Tonight marks the 10th anniversary celebration of the CMA Songwriters Series at the Best Buy Theater with Rucker and hit tunesmiths
Rivers Rutherford, Luke Laird and
Bob DiPiero for an in-the-round performance streamed live via
CMASongwritersSeries.com.
The
48th Annual CMA Awards will take place Nov. 5, airing live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena.
CMA Awards winners will be determined in a final round of voting by eligible voting members of the Country Music Association. The third and final ballot will be emailed to CMA members Thursday, Oct. 9.
Voting for the CMA Awards final ballot ends Monday, Oct. 27 (5:00 PM/CT).

Pictured at this morning’s announcement (L-R): Robert Deaton, Executive Producer “The 48th Annual CMA Awards;” Karen Fairchild and Jimi Westbrook of Little Big Town; Darius Rucker; Kimberly Schlapman and Phillip Sweet of Little Big Town; Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. Photo: Heidi Gutman / ABC
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
Luke BryanMiranda LambertBlake SheltonGeorge StraitKeith Urban
FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Miranda LambertMartina McBrideKacey MusgravesTaylor SwiftCarrie Underwood
MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Dierks BentleyLuke BryanEric ChurchBlake SheltonKeith Urban
ALBUM OF THE YEAR (Award goes to Artist and Producer(s))
Crash My Party, Luke Bryan; Produced by Jeff Stevens; Capitol Records Nashville
Fuse, Keith Urban; Produced by Benny Blanco, Nathan Chapman, Ross Copperman, Zach Crowell, Mike Elizondo, Dann Huff, Jay Joyce, Stargate, Keith Urban, Butch Walker; Capitol Records NashvillePlatinum, Miranda Lambert; Produced by Frank Liddell, Chuck Ainlay, Glenn Worf; RCA Records Nashville
Riser, Dierks Bentley; Produced by Ross Copperman, Arturo Buenahora, Jaren Johnston; Capitol Records Nashville
The Outsiders, Eric Church; Produced by Jay Joyce, Arturo Buenahora; EMI Records Nashville
VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
Eli Young BandLady Antebellum
Little Big Town
The Band PerryZac Brown Band
NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Brandy Clark
Brett Eldredge
Kip Moore
Thomas Rhett
Cole Swindell
VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR
Dan+Shay
Florida Georgia Line
Love and Theft
Swon Brothers
Thompson Square
SONG OF THE YEAR (Award goes to Songwriter(s))
“Automatic,” (Artist: Miranda Lambert, Songwriters: Nicolle Galyon, Natalie Hemby, Miranda Lambert)
“Follow Your Arrow” (Artist: Kacey Musgraves; Songwriters: Kacey Musgraves, Brandy Clark, Shane McAnally)
“Give Me Back My Hometown” (Artist: Eric Church; Songwriters: Eric Church and Luke Laird)
“I Don’t Dance” (Artist: Lee Brice; Songwriters: Lee Brice, Rob Hatch, and Dallas Davidson)
“I Hold On” (Artist: Dierks Bentley; Songwriters: Brett James, Dierks Bentley)
SINGLE OF THE YEAR (Award goes to Artist and Producer(s))
“Automatic” (Artist: Miranda Lambert; Producers: Frank Liddell, Glenn Worf and Chuck Ainlay); RCA Nashville
“Drunk On A Plane” (Artist: Dierks Bentley; Producers: Ross Copperman, Jaren Johnston and Arturo Buenahora, Jr.); Capitol Records Nashville
“Give Me Back My Hometown” (Artist: Eric Church; Producers: Jay Joyce and Arturo Buenahora, Jr.); EMI Records Nashville
“Meanwhile, Back at Mama’s” (Artist: Tim McGraw; Producers: Byron Gallimore and Tim McGraw); Big Machine Records
“Mine Would Be You” (Artist: Blake Shelton; Producer: Scott Hendricks); Warner Bros./Warner Music Nashville
MUSICAL EVENT OF THE YEAR (Award goes to each Artist)
“Bakersfield,” Vince Gill and Paul Franklin (Mercury Nashville)
“Meanwhile, Back at Mama’s,” Tim McGraw, featuring Faith Hill (Big Machine)
“Somethin’ Bad,” Miranda Lambert featuring Carrie Underwood (RCA Nashville)
“We Were Us,” Keith Urban featuring Miranda Lambert (Capitol)
“You Can’t Make Old Friends,” Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton (Warner Bros./WMN)
MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR (Award goes to Artist and Director)
“Automatic,” Miranda Lamabert. Director: Trey Fanjoy
“Bartender,” Lady Antebellum. Director: Shane Drake
“Drunk On A Plane,” Dierks Bentley. Director: Wes Edwards
“Follow Your Arrow,” Kacey Musgraves. Directors: Kacey Musgraves and Honey
“Somethin’ Bad,” Miranda Lambert featuring Carrie Underwood. Director: Trey Fanjoy
MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR
Sam Bush, mandolin
Jerry Douglas, dobro
Paul Franklin, steel guitar
Dann Huff, guitar
Mac McAnally, guitar
MusicRow Award Winners Among CMA Nominees
/by Jessica NicholsonCole Swindell
Winners of the 2014 MusicRow awards racked up nominations for the upcoming 48th annual CMA Music Awards, continuing a long-standing correlation between both industry-voted honors.
Hit songwriter-turned-Slate Creek Records artist Brandy Clark, who was honored as MusicRow‘s Breakthrough Artist of the Year for 2014, scored a nomination in the CMA New Artist of the Year category, alongside Brett Eldredge, Kip Moore, Thomas Rhett and Cole Swindell. Clark is also nominated in the Song of the Year category, for “Follow Your Arrow,” co-written with Kacey Musgraves and Shane McAnally.
“I’ve watched the CMA awards every year for as long as I can remember,” said Clark. “To be a nominee in both Song and New Artist is truly a thrill and a dream come true.”
Nicolle Galyon and Cole Swindell who tied for MusicRow Breakthrough Songwriter of the Year, also earned CMA Music Awards nominations. Galyon is up for CMA Song of the Year for co-writing Miranda Lambert’s “Automatic,” with Lambert and Natalie Hemby. Swindell was nominated for CMA Best New Artist.
MusicRow‘s 2014 Producer of the Year Frank Liddell is nominated in the CMA Single of the Year category for producing “Automatic,” as well as the Album of the Year category, for producing Lambert’s RCA Records Nashville project Platinum, alongside Chuck Ainlay and Glenn Worf.
The MusicRow Awards, voted by subscribed industry members of the publication, are often a key predictor for select CMA Awards. Almost every year since 2006, MusicRow’s Breakthrough Artist winners also received the CMA New Artist/Horizon Award later the same year, including Kacey Musgraves (2013), The Band Perry (2011), Zac Brown Band (2010), Lady Antebellum (2008), Taylor Swift (2007), and Carrie Underwood (2006).
See coverage of the 2014 MusicRow awards here.
Brandy Clark accepts her honor as MusicRow’s Breakthrough Artist of the Year for 2014, with Sarah Skates (L) and Sherod Robertson (R).
Nicolle Galyon performs her MusicRow CountryBreakout chart-topping hit “Automatic” at the 26th annual MusicRow awards. Photo: Bev Moser, Moments By Moser
Industry Ink: ole, Big Machine Label Group, TFEMC
/by Jessica NicholsonErin Aldridge has been named the Vice President of Bankable Star Music Publishing.
“With our growing presence in the TV and film world along with our stable of world class music talent, it just makes sense to us to be in the elite content business. ole …is on a commendable growth trajectory. They have values that align well with our culture at Invictus Entertainment Group,” says Invictus Entertainment Group/Big Star Recordings president Jim Cressman. “Bankable Star Music Publishing will be where elite content and commerce converge and we could not be more proud of this new venture.”
Says Robert Ott, ole Chairman & CEO, “We look forward to a successful venture with the Invictus team who have shown themselves to be an exciting, entrepreneurial force to be reckoned with. The scope of activities Invictus is active in is a natural fit for ole’s range of services and we look forward to supporting and adding to their success.”
• • •
The label group will fill her position this fall, and will begin accepting applications next week.
• • •
Church Plots "The Outsiders World Tour"
/by Sarah SkatesMusic legend Dwight Yoakam will join Church as special guest for the entire outing. Rising country music duo Brothers Osborne, critically acclaimed singer/songwriter Brandy Clark, and hard rocking band Halestorm will open on various dates.
The initial leg includes an Oct. 17 stop at New York City’s Madison Square Garden. Church will also perform on NBC’s The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Oct. 15.
Fans at the upcoming tour can expect a high tech design and 360° view of the entertainer and his band.
Earlier today, Church received four CMA Award nominations: Male Vocalist of the Year, Album of the Year for The Outsiders (produced by Jay Joyce), and both Single and Song of the Year for “Give Me Back My Hometown” (written by Church and Luke Laird and produced by Joyce).
Details on VIP tickets, pre-sale and more at ericchurch.com.
First leg of The Outsiders World Tour
Sept. 11 | Bossier City, LA | CenturyLink Center*
Sept. 12 | Little Rock, AR | Verizon Arena*
Sept. 13 | St. Louis, MO | Scottrade Center*
Sept. 16 | Minneapolis, MN | Target Center*
Sept. 17 | Des Moines, IA | Wells Fargo Arena*
Sept. 18 | Omaha, NE | CenturyLink Center*
Sept. 25 | Louisville, KY | KFC Yum! Center*
Sept. 26 | Charleston, WV | Charleston Civic Center*
Sept. 27 | Greensboro, NC | Greensboro Coliseum*
Oct. 9 | Grand Rapids, MI | Van Andel Arena*
Oct. 10 | Cleveland, OH | Quicken Loans Arena*
Oct. 11 | Pittsburgh, PA | Consol Energy Center*
Oct. 16 | Charlottesville, VA | John Paul Jones Arena**
Oct. 17 | New York, NY | Madison Square Garden**
Oct. 18 | Philadelphia, PA | Wells Fargo Center**
Oct. 23 | Manchester, NH | Verizon Wireless Arena**
Oct. 24 | Uncasville, CT | Mohegan Sun**
Oct. 25 | Uncasville, CT | Mohegan Sun**
Oct. 30 | Knoxville, TN |Thompson-Boling Arena**
Oct. 31 | Memphis, TN | FedExForum**
Nov. 1 | Tulsa, OK | BOK Center**
Nov. 13 | London, ON | Budweiser Gardens**
Nov. 14 | Hamilton, ON | FirstOntario Centre**
Nov. 15 | Ottawa, ON | Canadian Tire Centre**
Nov. 20 | Green Bay, WI | Resch Center
Nov. 21 | Peoria, IL | Peoria Civic Center***
Nov. 22 | Evansville, IN | The Ford Center***
Dec. 4 | Wichita, KS | INTRUST Bank Arena***
Dec. 5 | Kansas City, MO | Sprint Center
Dec. 6 | Sioux Falls, SD | Denny Sanford Premier Center***
Dec. 11 | Atlanta, GA | The Arena at Gwinnett Center***
Dec. 12 | Greenville, SC | Bon Secours Wellness Arena
Dec. 13 | Birmingham, AL | BJCC Arena***
All dates with special guest Dwight Yoakam
*denotes Brothers Osborne
**denotes Brandy Clark
***denotes Halestorm
Industry Signings: Webster PR, Word Music Publishing, Music Mill
/by Jessica Nicholson• • •
Stephen Cristian with his team and family.
Anberlin frontman Stephen Cristian has inked a long-term publishing deal with Word Music Publishing. As part of Anberlin, he has sold more than 1 million records; their single “Feel Good Drag” was certified gold by the RIAA. Cristian will continue his work on side project Anchor & Braille and will continue writing after Anberlin wraps their farewell world tour in November.
• • •
Pictured (standing L-R): Ray Horton, Head of Publishing, A&R; Jack Key, Chief
Executive Officer; Jeff Brothers, Creative Director, Head of Operations. (Seated) Larry Fleet
Nashville’s Music Mill, established in 1999 by Harold Shedd, Jack Key and Jeff Brothers, has signed Larry Fleet. The firm will handle all aspects of his release, including production, distribution, sales, booking, marketing and management. “Larry came to us a songwriter,” says Key. “We were blown away by the depth and integrity of his songs. There was just this sense of believability in his voice. We knew right away that he had something special.” Fleet’s debut single, “Damn This Storm,” from his five-song EP, has been released to radio.
BMI To Launch Free Weekly Music Series at Acme Feed & Seed
/by Troy_StephensonBroadcast Music, Inc. has joined forces with Acme Feed & Seed for a free weekly concert series, beginning Wednesday, Sept. 3, from 8 to 11 p.m. The “Trapped Above Ground” series will feature Guthrie Trapp and the Mulekickers, along with special guests.
The kick-off event tonight (Sept. 3) will host Big Al Anderson, whose songs have been recorded by Tim McGraw, George Strait, Bonnie Raitt, and Chance McCoy, member of the Old Crow Medicine Show.
Award-winning performer and songwriter Jason White and country hit writer Kendall Marvell will play the series on Sept. 10. The Sept. 17 show will feature Loving Mary, a four-piece Nashville-based band, and Leslie Satcher, whose songs have been covered by country greats such as George Strait and Martina McBride.
Guthrie Trapp is a unique guitarist who has recorded and performed with Pistol Annies, George Jones, Lyle Lovett, Garth Brooks, Alison Krauss, R.E.M.’s Mike Mills, Phish’s Mike Gordon, and many others. There is no cover for the event and those aged 21 and older are welcome.
Big Machine Music, Warner/Chappell Extend Deal With Veltz
/by Jessica NicholsonLaura Veltz
Big Machine Music and Warner/Chappell Nashville have mutually announced the extension of a co-publishing contract with songwriter Laura Veltz. Veltz recently scored her first No. 1 song as a co-writer on “Drunk Last Night,” recorded by Eli Young Band. She is also a co-writer on two current singles: Chris Young‘s “Lonely Eyes” (RCA Nashville) and Dean Alexander‘s “Live A Little” (Warner Music Nashville).
“I’m overjoyed that I get to continue to work with these two incredible companies,” said Veltz. “It’s such a blessing to focus on what I do and know that I’m in the right hands.”
“Laura brings an energy to all that she does and on behalf of the team at W/C we’re excited to continue to see her thrive in this partnership and her two singles on the chart are further proof of her talent,” said Ben Vaughn, Exec. VP of Warner/Chappell Nashville.
Big Machine Music VP Mike Molinar comments, “Laura is such a special songwriter and is just beginning to hit her stride. Our crew at Big Machine is excited to extend our successful relationship with her and our partners at Warner/Chappell.”
Cole Swindell Announces "Down Home Tour" To Start In November
/by Troy_StephensonAs a songwriter, Swindell co-penned “This Is How We Roll” (Florida Georgia Line), “Get Me Some of That” (Thomas Rhett), “Roller Coaster” (Luke Bryan‘s current single), as well as songs for Chris Young, Craig Campbell and Scotty McCreery.
Swindell will bring his show to fans on his Down Home Tour, which will launch in Davie, Fla. on Nov. 13, and wrap Dec. 20 in Fort Wayne, Ind. He will bring special guest Kelleigh Bannen for the trek.
“It has been a crazy whirlwind year and I feel so fortunate that country music fans and country radio has embraced me in such a huge way. It’s what an artist dreams about,” says Swindell. “I’ve been lucky enough to get a jump start performing alongside Luke Bryan in front of massive crowds, and while I wouldn’t change anything for the experience I’ve gained so far, I know I still have a lot of work to do on the road.”
He adds, “I’m really excited to get to it on my Down Home Tour this winter where I’ll have a new experience with my fans at shows.”
Down Home Tour Dates:
Nov. 13 | Davie, Fla. |The Roundup/Ft. Lauderdale
Nov. 14 | Cape Coral, Fla. |Dixie Roadhouse
Nov. 15 | Deland, Fla. |Volusia County Fair**
Nov. 20 | Tulsa, Okla. |Cain’s Ballroom
Nov. 21 | Fort Worth, Texas |Billy Bob’s Texas
Nov. 22 | San Antonio, Texas |Cowboys Dance Hall
Nov. 28 | N. Myrtle Beach, S.C. |House of Blues
Nov. 29 | Charlotte, N.C. |Coyote Joe’s
Dec. 3 | Oxford, Ohio| Brick Street Bar – Miami University
Dec. 4 | Grand Rapids, Mich. |The Intersection
Dec. 5 | South Bend, Ind. |Legends of Notre Dame
Dec. 6 | Rootstown, Ohio |Dusty Armadillo
Dec. 11 | Chicago |Joe’s Sports Bar
Dec. 13 | Milwaukee, Wis. |The Rave
Dec. 18 | Springfield, Ill. |Boondocks
Dec. 19 | Indianapolis, Ind. |8 Seconds Saloon
Dec. 20| Fort Wayne, Ind. | Rusty Spur
All dates featuring Kelleigh Bannen except where noted (**)
CMA Broadcast Awards Finalists Announced
/by Jessica NicholsonFinalists were selected for CMA Broadcast Personality, as well as CMA Radio Station of the Year in four categories (Small, Medium, Large, and Major Market).
Small Market Personality of the Year
Barrett, Fox and Berry, KKNU
Craig Allen, WHWY
Dex and Mo Show, WUSY
Gator and The Styckman, WUSY
Scotty & Cara In The Morning, KCLR
Radio Station of the Year, Small Market
KCLR, Columbia, Mo.
KKNU, Springfield, Ore.
WHWY, Fort Walton Beach, Fla.
WKSF, Asheville, N.C.
WUSY, Chattanooga, Tenn.
Medium Market Personality of the Year
97 Country Breakfast, WPCV
Buzz Jackson, KIIM
Electric Barnyard, WWYZ
Kevin Richards Show, WGNA
The Kat 103.7, KXKT
Radio Station of the Year, Medium Market
KATM, Stockton, Calif.
KUZZ, Bakersfield, Calif.
KXKT, Omaha, Neb.
WKSJ, Mobile, Ala.
WQMX, Medina, Ohio
Large Market Personality of the Year
Chris Carr and Company, WUBE
FM 106.1 Morning Show with Karen and Scott, WMIL
Jim Deb and Kevin, WFMS
KJ and Friends with Randy and Jamie, KAJA
Lisa McKay, WQDR
Radio Station of the Year, Large Market
KAJA, San Antonio, Texas
WMIL, Milwaukee, Wis.
WQDR, Raleigh-Durham, N.C.
WUBE, Cincinnati, Ohio
WWKA, Orlando, Fla.
Major Market Personality of the Year
K102 Wakeup Crew, KEEY
Laurie Deyoung, WPOC
Michael J Show, WMZQ
Paul Schadt and Meg, WKKT
Q Morning Zoo, KKBQ
Razz on the Radio, WXTU
Radio Station of the Year, Major Market
CKRY, Calgary
KKBQ, Houston
KYGO, Denver
WIL, St. Louis
WKLB, Boston
National Broadcast Personality
The Big D and Bubba Show (Compass Media)
Country Countdown USA (Westwood One)
Zmax Racing Country (Performance Racing Network)
The CMA Broadcast Award winners will be acknowledged at The 48th Annual CMA Awards, to be held Wed., Nov. 5 on ABC, and broadcast live by ABC from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood return to host the event.
Brooks Debuts Single, Announces More Tour Dates
/by Sarah SkatesAlso announced today, Brooks is set to make his first appearance in Florida in 17 years. The Garth Brooks World Tour with Trisha Yearwood will stop in Jacksonville on Friday, Oct. 10; Saturday, Oct. 11; and Sunday, Oct. 12. Tickets will go on sale Friday, Sept. 12 at 10:00 AM EST, with an eight ticket limit per purchase at ticketmaster.com/garthbrooks. Utilizing a one-price-house method, all tickets cost $68.00, including fees.
Brooks’ tour launches tomorrow in Chicago, where he will give multiple performances.
Yearwood also debuted a single on RCA Nashville, “PrizeFighter,” which won MusicRow critic Robert K. Oermann’s Disc of the Day honor today.
2014 CMA Awards Nominations [Full List]
/by Jessica NicholsonLeading nominee Miranda Lambert earned nine nods.
Miranda Lambert tops the list of final nominees for The 48th Annual CMA Awards with nine nominations, matching the record she set in 2010: the most for a female artist in a single year in the history of the awards.
Dierks Bentley received five nominations in 2014, making a major comeback thanks to latest album Riser, after being completely shut out of last year’s nominations.
Eric Church and Keith Urban collected four nominations each, followed by Luke Bryan, Kacey Musgraves, Blake Shelton, and Carrie Underwood who each received three nominations.
Eyeing the revered Entertainer category, there are a few noteworthy news items. George Strait, the reigning Entertainer of the Year, returns to ride again for the trophy. Urban also re-enters the category after being absent since 2011. And noticeably missing from the race for the night’s biggest prize is mega-sellers Florida Georgia Line, who received one nomination for Vocal Duo.
Reigning CMA Vocal Group of the Year Little Big Town joined CMA Award winner Darius Rucker in New York City this morning (Sept. 3) to reveal the final nominees. The announcement of five categories took place on Good Morning America during the 8:30 AM/ET half hour.
Following the ABC morning show, Little Big Town and Rucker were at the Best Buy Theater in Times Square to announce the finalists in the remaining seven categories, along with the announcement of the CMA Broadcast Awards for Personality and Radio Station of the Year.
Tonight marks the 10th anniversary celebration of the CMA Songwriters Series at the Best Buy Theater with Rucker and hit tunesmiths Rivers Rutherford, Luke Laird and Bob DiPiero for an in-the-round performance streamed live via CMASongwritersSeries.com.
The 48th Annual CMA Awards will take place Nov. 5, airing live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena.
CMA Awards winners will be determined in a final round of voting by eligible voting members of the Country Music Association. The third and final ballot will be emailed to CMA members Thursday, Oct. 9. Voting for the CMA Awards final ballot ends Monday, Oct. 27 (5:00 PM/CT).
Pictured at this morning’s announcement (L-R): Robert Deaton, Executive Producer “The 48th Annual CMA Awards;” Karen Fairchild and Jimi Westbrook of Little Big Town; Darius Rucker; Kimberly Schlapman and Phillip Sweet of Little Big Town; Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. Photo: Heidi Gutman / ABC
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
Luke Bryan
Miranda Lambert
Blake Shelton
George Strait
Keith Urban
FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Miranda Lambert
Martina McBride
Kacey Musgraves
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood
MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Dierks Bentley
Luke Bryan
Eric Church
Blake Shelton
Keith Urban
ALBUM OF THE YEAR (Award goes to Artist and Producer(s))
Crash My Party, Luke Bryan; Produced by Jeff Stevens; Capitol Records Nashville
Fuse, Keith Urban; Produced by Benny Blanco, Nathan Chapman, Ross Copperman, Zach Crowell, Mike Elizondo, Dann Huff, Jay Joyce, Stargate, Keith Urban, Butch Walker; Capitol Records Nashville
Platinum, Miranda Lambert; Produced by Frank Liddell, Chuck Ainlay, Glenn Worf; RCA Records Nashville
Riser, Dierks Bentley; Produced by Ross Copperman, Arturo Buenahora, Jaren Johnston; Capitol Records Nashville
The Outsiders, Eric Church; Produced by Jay Joyce, Arturo Buenahora; EMI Records Nashville
VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
Eli Young Band
Lady Antebellum
Little Big Town
The Band Perry
Zac Brown Band
NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Brandy Clark
Brett Eldredge
Kip Moore
Thomas Rhett
Cole Swindell
VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR
Dan+Shay
Florida Georgia Line
Love and Theft
Swon Brothers
Thompson Square
SONG OF THE YEAR (Award goes to Songwriter(s))
“Automatic,” (Artist: Miranda Lambert, Songwriters: Nicolle Galyon, Natalie Hemby, Miranda Lambert)
“Follow Your Arrow” (Artist: Kacey Musgraves; Songwriters: Kacey Musgraves, Brandy Clark, Shane McAnally)
“Give Me Back My Hometown” (Artist: Eric Church; Songwriters: Eric Church and Luke Laird)
“I Don’t Dance” (Artist: Lee Brice; Songwriters: Lee Brice, Rob Hatch, and Dallas Davidson)
“I Hold On” (Artist: Dierks Bentley; Songwriters: Brett James, Dierks Bentley)
SINGLE OF THE YEAR (Award goes to Artist and Producer(s))
“Automatic” (Artist: Miranda Lambert; Producers: Frank Liddell, Glenn Worf and Chuck Ainlay); RCA Nashville
“Drunk On A Plane” (Artist: Dierks Bentley; Producers: Ross Copperman, Jaren Johnston and Arturo Buenahora, Jr.); Capitol Records Nashville
“Give Me Back My Hometown” (Artist: Eric Church; Producers: Jay Joyce and Arturo Buenahora, Jr.); EMI Records Nashville
“Meanwhile, Back at Mama’s” (Artist: Tim McGraw; Producers: Byron Gallimore and Tim McGraw); Big Machine Records
“Mine Would Be You” (Artist: Blake Shelton; Producer: Scott Hendricks); Warner Bros./Warner Music Nashville
MUSICAL EVENT OF THE YEAR (Award goes to each Artist)
“Bakersfield,” Vince Gill and Paul Franklin (Mercury Nashville)
“Meanwhile, Back at Mama’s,” Tim McGraw, featuring Faith Hill (Big Machine)
“Somethin’ Bad,” Miranda Lambert featuring Carrie Underwood (RCA Nashville)
“We Were Us,” Keith Urban featuring Miranda Lambert (Capitol)
“You Can’t Make Old Friends,” Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton (Warner Bros./WMN)
MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR (Award goes to Artist and Director)
“Automatic,” Miranda Lamabert. Director: Trey Fanjoy
“Bartender,” Lady Antebellum. Director: Shane Drake
“Drunk On A Plane,” Dierks Bentley. Director: Wes Edwards
“Follow Your Arrow,” Kacey Musgraves. Directors: Kacey Musgraves and Honey
“Somethin’ Bad,” Miranda Lambert featuring Carrie Underwood. Director: Trey Fanjoy
MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR
Sam Bush, mandolin
Jerry Douglas, dobro
Paul Franklin, steel guitar
Dann Huff, guitar
Mac McAnally, guitar