Chris Janson earned his very first CMA nominations this year with three – New Artist of the Year, and Song and Video of the Year for his current single, “Drunk Girl.” He said, “My heart is full. This has been an unbelievable morning. I’m humbled by the nominations and thankful to everyone for believing in me. The opportunity to make music for a living is beyond anything I could’ve ever have imagined and for that I’ll forever be grateful. Thank you. To be nominated as new artist after 10 years in this town – I’m proof that dreams do really come true. This is for every one of you that has been in my life along the way and listened to my songs.”
Dan + Shay picked up four nominations between them including Song, Single and Video of the Year for their hit “Tequila” as well as a Duo of the Year nod. Dan Smyers said, “Our fans reward us every time we go on stage, and without them none of this would be possible. To be recognized by our peers in the music industry with these nominations adds to what has been the best year of our music career so far. We’ll surely be pouring some tequila to celebrate!”
Florida Georgia Line (Vocal Duo, Single & Musical Event for “Meant To Be”): This means so much to us 🙏🙏 THANK YOU @cma for these 3 nominations!!! @beberexha – ever been nominated for a CMA before??
Midland (Vocal Group, New Artist, Single) – “Honestly kinda speechless. How did three guys who started jamming in a converted garage scrape far enough to get 3 nominations from the G-dang CMAs!? This is surreal! Thank you to our team for helping us get this far. Lots of close shaves along the way, y’all never doubted us. We’ve already won just being mentioned here. Wow. Thank you fans, MIDLANDEROS, for supporting us!”
Luke Combs (Male Vocalist, New Artist) – “Humbled and honored to have been nominated for Male Vocalist of the Year and New Artist of the Year at the @cma Awards. Thanks to all who made this happen.”
The complete list of the 2018 CMA Nominees are:
Entertainer of the Year
Jason Aldean
Luke Bryan
Kenny Chesney
Chris Stapleton
Keith Urban
Album of the Year (Awarded to Artist(s) and Producer(s))
From A Room: Volume 2 – Chris Stapleton
Golden Hour – Kacey Musgraves
Graffiti U – Keith Urban
Life Changes – Thomas Rhett
The Mountain – Dierks Bentley
Female Vocalist of the Year
Kelsea Ballerini
Miranda Lambert
Maren Morris
Kacey Musgraves
Carrie Underwood
Male Vocalist of the Year
Dierks Bentley
Luke Combs
Thomas Rhett
Chris Stapleton
Keith Urban
Vocal Group of the Year
Lady Antebellum
LANCO
Little Big Town
Midland
Old Dominion
Song of the Year (Awarded to Songwriter(s))
“Body Like a Back Road” (Sam Hunt) – Songwriter(s): Zach Crowell, Sam Hunt, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne
“Broken Halos” (Chris Stapleton) – Songwriter(s): Mike Henderson, Chris Stapleton
“Drowns the Whiskey” (Jason Aldean) – Songwriter(s): Brandon Kinney, Jeff Middleton, Josh Thompson
“Drunk Girl” (Chris Janson) – Songwriter(s): Scooter Carusoe, Tom Douglas, Chris Janson
“Tequila” (Dan + Shay) – Songwriter(s): Nicolle Galyon, Jordan Reynolds, Dan Smyers
Vocal Duo of the Year
Brothers Osborne
Dan + Shay
Florida Georgia Line
Maddie & Tae
Sugarland
New Artist of the Year
Lauren Alaina
Luke Combs
Chris Janson
Midland
Brett Young
Single of the Year (Awarded to Artist(s), Producer(s) and Mix Engineer(s))
“Broken Halos,” Chris Stapleton
“Drinkin’ Problem,” Midland
“Drowns the Whiskey,” Jason Aldean Feat. Miranda Lambert
“Meant to Be,” Bebe Rexha and Florida Georgia Line
“Tequila,” Dan + Shay
Musical Event of the Year
“Burning Man” – Dierks Bentley Feat. Brothers Osborne
“Dear Hate” – Maren Morris (Feat. Vince Gill)
“Drowns the Whiskey” – Jason Aldean (Feat. Miranda Lambert)
“Everything’s Gonna Be Alright” – David Lee Murphy (with Kenny Chesney)
“Meant to Be” – Bebe Rexha & Florida Georgia Line
Music Video of the Year (Awarded to Artist(s) and Director(s))
“Babe” – Sugarland (featuring Taylor Swift)
Director(s): Anthony Mandler
“Cry Pretty” – Carrie Underwood
Director(s): Randee St. Nicholas
“Drunk Girl”– Chris Janson
Director(s): Jeff Venable
“Marry Me” – Thomas Rhett
Director(s): TK McKamy
“Tequila” – Dan + Shay
Director(s): Patrick Tracy
Musician of the Year
Jerry Douglas – Dobro
Paul Franklin – Steel Guitar
Dann Huff – Guitar
Mac McAnally – Guitar
Derek Wells – Guitar
Image: Screenshot