CMA Awards Season Brings Louisiana Country Music Into the Spotlight
Louisiana's country music footprint is part of the conversation across two separate CMA awards programs this season: the CMA International Awards, whose finalists were announced September 3, and the main CMA Awards, whose nominees followed a week later on September 10 ahead of the November 18 ceremony at Nashville's Bridgestone Arena.
Lainey Wilson Returns to the Ballot
Lainey Wilson, the Baskin, Louisiana native who will host the CMA Awards for the third consecutive year, picked up three nominations at the main CMA Awards. Wilson is up for Entertainer of the Year, an award she won in 2025, and for Female Vocalist of the Year. Her single Somewhere Over Laredo is also nominated for Single of the Year, a category that includes cuts from Ella Langley, Cody Johnson and Taylor Swift.
Wilson enters the night as the reigning Entertainer of the Year, Female Vocalist of the Year and Album of the Year winner from the 2025 ceremony.
Brooks & Dunn Add a Lifetime Achievement Honor to Their CMA Awards Nomination
Brooks & Dunn are nominated for Vocal Duo of the Year, a category that also includes Brothers Osborne, Dan + Shay, Muscadine Bloodline and Thelma and James. Half of the duo, Kix Brooks, is a Shreveport, Louisiana native, adding another Louisiana thread to this year's ballot.
And the Vocal Duo of the Year nod isn't the only reason Brooks & Dunn are making headlines this fall. On September 14, the CMA announced Brooks & Dunn as the 2026 recipients of the CMA Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award. The duo already holds the record for most CMA Awards won by any artist, with 20 total wins, 16 of them for Vocal Duo of the Year alone.
Unlike the competitive categories, the Lifetime Achievement Award isn't handed out every year and has no field of nominees; the CMA selects a recipient to honor a career's worth of impact on the genre. Past recipients include Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, George Strait and, in 2025, Vince Gill. Brooks & Dunn will accept the honor as part of a special tribute during the November 18 ceremony.
lainey Wilson and Jordan Davis Both Land International Award Nods
Louisiana's presence isn't limited to the main ballot. On September 3, the CMA announced finalists for select 2026 CMA International Awards categories, a program separate from the main CMA Awards that recognizes artists and broadcasters who've helped grow country music's reach outside the United States. Lainey Wilson and Jordan Davis, the Shreveport, Louisiana native, are both finalists for the International Artist Achievement Award, alongside Tucker Wetmore and Drake Milligan.
What's Next
The 60th Annual CMA Awards broadcast live from Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, November 18, airing on ABC and streaming the next day on Hulu. The CMA International Awards honors are typically presented separately as part of the broader awards season.
From Baskin to Shreveport, Louisiana's fingerprints are all over this year's country music awards season. Wherever November takes them, Louisiana will be rooting for its own from back home.
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FAQ's
Which Louisiana artists are nominated at the 2026 CMA Awards?
Lainey Wilson, a Baskin, Louisiana native, is nominated for Entertainer of the Year, Female Vocalist of the Year and Single of the Year. Brooks & Dunn, whose Kix Brooks is from Shreveport, Louisiana, are nominated for Vocal Duo of the Year.
What is the CMA International Artist Achievement Award?
It's a category within the separate CMA International Awards that recognizes U.S.-based artists whose work has helped grow country music's reach outside the United States. Lainey Wilson and Jordan Davis, a Shreveport, Louisiana native, are both finalists for the 2026 award.
What is the CMA Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award?
It's a non-annual honor recognizing an artist's lasting impact on country music through their career, performances and philanthropy. There is no field of nominees; the CMA selects a recipient when it sees fit. Past recipients include Willie Nelson, Kenny Rogers, Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, Kris Kristofferson, Charley Pride, Loretta Lynn, Alan Jackson, George Strait and Vince Gill. Brooks & Dunn are the 2026 recipients.
When do the 2026 CMA Awards air?
The 60th Annual CMA Awards broadcast live from Nashville's Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, November 18, airing on ABC and Disney+, and streaming the next day on Hulu.
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