The Country Music Association Awards, also known as the CMA Awards or CMAs, are presented to country music artists and broadcasters to recognize outstanding achievement in the country music industry. The televised annual presentation ceremony features performances and award presentations by popular country music artists, with occasional appearances from pop and rock artists. The CMA Awards were first presented in 1967, and televised for the first time the following year.
History The first CMA awards were presented at an untelevised ceremony at the Nashville Municipal Auditorium on October 20, 1967; the Entertainer of the Year award went to Eddy Arnold that night. The second annual CMA awards were presented in October 1968; NBC taped the ceremony and televised it a few weeks later. Since then, the awards have been televised live, usually in October or November, by NBC from 1969 through 1971, by CBS from 1972 through 2005, and by ABC beginning in 2006. Starting in 1968 they were held at Nashville's Grand Ole Opry (initially at Ryman Auditorium, and from 1974 through 2004 at the new Grand Ole Opry House). In 2005, the awards show was held at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
Since 2006, they have been held at Nashville's Bridgestone Arena.In 2020, due to audience precautions from the COVID-19 pandemic, the 54th CMA Awards were held at Nashville's Music City Center.
Since 2024, the ceremony has been held on the third Wednesday of November. From 2017 to 2023, it was held on the second Wednesday of November. Prior to 2017, the awards were generally held on the first Wednesday of November. The awards have been rescheduled for later in the month to avoid conflict with a possible game seven of Major League Baseball's World Series.In May 2026, the Country Music Association announced that they would extend its broadcast contract with ABC and Disney through 2032. They also announced, for the first time, the ceremony would be simulcast live from ABC and Disney+.
Eligibility and voting Albums and songs released between July 1 of the previous calendar year and June 30 of the award show's year are eligible for consideration.6,678 individuals from the Country Music Association professional members vote for the nominees and winners through three rounds of balloting.
Awards Annual awards are given in the following twelve categories: Entertainer, Male Vocalist, Female Vocalist, New Artist (previously known as the Horizon Award until 2008), Vocal Group, Vocal Duo (introduced in 1970), Single, Album, Song, Musical Event (split off from the Vocal Duo award in 1988 as Vocal Event), Music Video (introduced in 1985), and Musician. The distinction between the Duo and Event awards is that the former is presented to two artists who normally perform together, while the latter was specifically created to honor one-off collaborations. Nine awards are also given to radio broadcasters for Station of the Year and Personality of the Year (divided into four categories each, based on market size), as well as National Personality of the Year to the host of a nationally syndicated show. Since 2012, the ceremony features a Lifetime Achievement Award. Vince Gill, and Alan Jackson are the only individuals to win Entertainer of the Year, Male/Female Vocalist of the Year or Group/Duo of the Year, Album of the Year, and Song of the Year all in the same year.
Categories
Entertainer of the Year Male Vocalist of the Year Female Vocalist of the Year Vocal Group of the Year Vocal Duo of the Year New Artist of the Year Musician of the Year Album of the Year Single of the Year Song of the Year Musical Event of the Year Video of the Year International Achievement Award
Defunct categories Comedian of the Year (1967–1970) Instrumental Group of the Year (1967–1986)
Industry Honors
Award of Excellence Humanitarian Award J. William Denny Award Joe Talbot Award Lifetime Achievement Award Media Achievement Award Pinnacle Award President's Award Songwriter Advocate Award
Radio awards
National Personality of the Year Major Market Personality of the Year Large Market Personality of the Year Medium Market Personality of the Year Small Market Personality of the Year Major Market Station of the Year Large Market Station of the Year Medium Market Station of the Year Small Market Station of the Year
Major awards
Year Entertainer of the Year Male Vocalist of the Year Female Vocalist of the Year Album of the Year Song of the Year New Artist of the Year() 2026(To Be Announced)2025Lainey WilsonCody JohnsonLainey WilsonWhirlwindElla Langley, Riley Green, Aaron Raitiere — "You Look Like You Love Me"Zach Top2024Morgan WallenChris StapletonLeather Chris Stapleton, Dan Wilson — "White Horse"Megan Moroney2023Lainey WilsonBell Bottom CountryTracy Chapman — "Fast Car"Jelly Roll2022Luke CombsGrowin' UpJacob Davis, Jordan Davis, Josh Jenkins, Matt Jenkins — "Buy Dirt"Lainey Wilson2021Carly PearceStarting OverMike Henderson and Chris Stapleton — "Starting Over"Jimmie Allen 2020 Eric ChurchLuke CombsMaren Morris What You See Is What You Get Maren Morris, Jimmy Robbins, and Laura Veltz — "The Bones" Morgan Wallen 2019 Garth BrooksKacey Musgraves Girl Luke Combs, Wyatt B. Durrette III, Robert Williford - "Beautiful Crazy" Ashley McBryde 2018 Keith Urban Chris Stapleton Carrie Underwood Golden Hour Chris Stapleton and Mike Henderson – "Broken Halos" Luke Combs 2017 Garth Brooks Miranda Lambert From A Room: Volume 1 Taylor Swift – "Better Man" Jon Pardi 2016 Carrie Underwood Mr. Misunderstood Lori McKenna – "Humble and Kind" Maren Morris 2015Luke Bryan Miranda Lambert Traveller Liz Rose, Lori McKenna and Hillary Lindsey – "Girl Crush" Chris Stapleton 2014 Blake Shelton Platinum Kacey Musgraves, Shane McAnally, Brandy Clark – "Follow Your Arrow" Brett Eldredge 2013 George Strait Based on a True Story... Jessi Alexander, Connie Harrington, Jimmy Yeary – "I Drive Your Truck" Kacey Musgraves 2012 Blake Shelton Chief Miranda Lambert, Blake Shelton – "Over You" Hunter Hayes 2011 Taylor Swift My Kinda PartyKimberly Perry – "If I Die Young" The Band Perry 2010 Brad Paisley Revolution Tom Douglas, Allen Shamblin – "The House That Built Me" Zac Brown Band 2009 Taylor Swift Brad Paisley Taylor Swift Fearless Jamey Johnson, Lee Thomas Miller, James Otto – "In Color" Darius Rucker 2008 Kenny Chesney Carrie Underwood Troubadour Jennifer Nettles – "Stay" Lady Antebellum 2007 It Just Comes Natural Bill Anderson, Jamey Johnson, Buddy Cannon – "Give It Away" Taylor Swift 2006Keith Urban Time Well Wasted Craig Wiseman, Ronnie Dunn – "Believe" Carrie Underwood 2005 Keith Urban Gretchen Wilson There's More Where That Came From Bill Anderson, Jon Randall – "Whiskey Lullaby" Dierks Bentley 2004 Kenny Chesney Martina McBride When the Sun Goes Down Craig Wiseman, Tim Nichols – "Live Like You Were Dying" Gretchen Wilson 2003Alan Jackson Alan Jackson The Man Comes Around Doug Johnson, Kim Williams – "Three Wooden Crosses" Joe Nichols 2002 Drive Alan Jackson – "Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)" Rascal Flatts 2001Tim McGraw Toby Keith Lee Ann Womack O Brother, Where Art Thou? Larry Cordle, Larry Shell – "Murder on Music Row" Keith Urban 2000Dixie Chicks Tim McGraw Faith Hill Fly Mark D. Sanders, Tia Sillers – "I Hope You Dance" Brad Paisley 1999Shania Twain Martina McBride A Place in the Sun Beth Neilsen Chapman, Annie Roboff, Rob Lerner – "This Kiss" Jo Dee Messina 1998 Garth Brooks George Strait Trisha Yearwood Everywhere Steve Wariner, Billy Kirsch – "Holes in the Floor of Heaven" Dixie Chicks 1997 Carrying Your Love with Me Matraca Berg, Gary Harrison – "Strawberry Wine" LeAnn Rimes 1996Brooks & Dunn Patty Loveless Blue Clear Sky Vince Gill – "Go Rest High on That Mountain" Bryan White 1995 Alan Jackson Vince Gill Alison Krauss When Fallen Angels Fly Gretchen Peters – "Independence Day" Alison Krauss 1994 Vince Gill Pam Tillis Common Thread Alan Jackson, Jim McBride – "Chattahoochee" John Michael Montgomery 1993 Mary Chapin Carpenter I Still Believe in You John Barlow Jarvis, Vince Gill – "I Still Believe in You" Mark Chesnutt 1992 Garth Brooks Ropin' the Wind Max D. Barnes, Vince Gill – "Look at Us" Suzy Bogguss 1991 Tanya Tucker No Fences Tim DuBois, Vince Gill – "When I Call Your Name" Travis Tritt 1990 George Strait Clint Black Kathy Mattea Pickin' on Nashville Don Henry, Jon Vezner – "Where've You Been" Garth Brooks 1989 Ricky Van Shelton Will the Circle Be Unbroken: Volume II Max D. Barnes, Vern Gosdin – "Chiseled in Stone" Clint Black 1988 Hank Williams, Jr. Randy Travis K. T. Oslin Born to Boogie K. T. Oslin – "80's Ladies" Ricky Van Shelton 1987 Reba McEntire Always & Forever Paul Overstreet, Don Schlitz – "Forever and Ever, Amen" Holly Dunn 1986 Reba McEntire George Strait Lost in the Fifties Tonight Paul Overstreet, Don Schlitz – "On the Other Hand" Randy Travis 1985 Ricky Skaggs Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind Lee Greenwood – "God Bless the USA" Sawyer Brown 1984 Alabama Lee Greenwood A Little Good News Larry Henley, Jeff Silbar – "Wind Beneath My Wings" The Judds 1983 Janie Fricke The Closer You Get... Wayne Carson Thompson, Johnny Christopher, Mark James – "Always on My Mind" John Anderson 1982 Ricky Skaggs Always on My Mind Ricky Skaggs 1981 Barbara Mandrell George Jones Barbara Mandrell I Believe in You Bobby Braddock, Curly Putman – "He Stopped Loving Her Today" Terri Gibbs 1980 Emmylou Harris Coal Miner's Daughter Soundtrack No award presented 1979 Willie Nelson Kenny Rogers Barbara Mandrell The Gambler Don Schlitz – "The Gambler" 1978 Dolly Parton Don Williams Crystal Gayle It Was Almost Like a Song Richard Leigh – "Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue" 1977 Ronnie Milsap Ronnie Milsap Ronnie Milsap: LiveRoger Bowling, Hal Bynum – "Lucille" 1976 Mel Tillis Dolly Parton Wanted! The Outlaws Larry Weiss – "Rhinestone Cowboy" 1975 John Denver Waylon Jennings A Legend in My Time John Denver – "Back Home Again" 1974 Charlie Rich Ronnie Milsap Olivia Newton-John A Very Special Love Song Don Wayne – "Country Bumpkin" 1973 Roy Clark Charlie Rich Loretta Lynn Behind Closed Doors Kenny O'Dell – "Behind Closed Doors" 1972 Loretta Lynn Charley Pride Let Me Tell You About a Song Freddie Hart – "Easy Loving" 1971 Charley Pride Lynn Anderson I Won't Mention It Again 1970 Merle Haggard Merle Haggard Tammy Wynette Okie from Muskogee Kris Kristofferson – "Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down" 1969 Johnny Cash Johnny Cash Johnny Cash at San Quentin Bob Ferguson – "The Carroll County Accident" 1968 Glen Campbell Glen Campbell Johnny Cash At Folsom Prison Bobby Russell – "Honey" 1967 Eddy Arnold Jack Greene Loretta Lynn There Goes My Everything Dallas Frazier – "There Goes My Everything"
Country Music Association Award for International Achievement The Country Music Association Award for International Achievement is presented to international artists and executives.
International Artist Achievement Award Formerly presented as the International Touring Artist Award, this award recognizes outstanding achievement by a U.S.-based artist who has demonstrated the most significant creative growth, development and promotion of the country music industry outside of the United States during the eligibility period. The Dixie Chicks were the first artists to receive the award twice. 2008 is the only year in which there were multiple winners.
2023: Luke Combs 2022: Ashley McBryde 2021: Luke Combs 2020: Keith Urban 2019: Kacey Musgraves 2018: Little Big Town 2017: Carrie Underwood 2016: Kacey Musgraves 2015: Not presented 2014: Brad Paisley 2013: Taylor Swift 2012: Lady Antebellum 2011: Brad Paisley 2010: Not presented 2009: Taylor Swift 2008: Dierks Bentley and Brooks & Dunn 2007: Dwight Yoakam 2006: Dixie Chicks 2005: Keith Urban 2004: Dolly Parton 2003: Dixie Chicks 2002: Bellamy Brothers 2001: Lonestar 2000: Reba McEntire 1999: Shania Twain 1998: Trisha Yearwood 1997: The Mavericks 1996: BR5 49
Global Country Achievement Award