Ella Langley Tops 2026 CMA Awards Nominations With Nine Nods

Ella Langley, propelled by her crossover hit "Choosin' Texas," has earned a leading nine nominations for the 2026 Country Music Association Awards, with her mentor Miranda Lambert close behind at six.

The nominations, announced Thursday, also placed Kacey Musgraves and Ben West at five each. Cody Johnson, Chris Stapleton and Stephen Wilson Jr. received four apiece, while Dave Clauss, Luke Combs and Lainey Wilson each picked up three.

Langley will compete for entertainer of the year alongside Johnson, Stapleton, Combs and Wilson, the reigning winner in the category.

Two of Langley's songs, "Be Her" and "Choosin' Texas," are nominated for single of the year. They are joined by Taylor Swift's "I Knew It, I Knew You" from the film "Toy Story 5," Wilson's "Somewhere Over Laredo" and Johnson's "The Fall." Jack Antonoff earned his first nomination in the single of the year category as producer of Swift's track.

Earlier this year, Langley became the only woman to simultaneously top the Billboard Hot 100, Hot Country Songs and Country Airplay charts, a feat achieved with "Choosin' Texas," which she co-wrote with Lambert. She also won all seven of her nominations at the 2026 ACM Awards.

Album of the year contenders include Langley's "Dandelion," Zach Top's "Ain't In It For My Health," Musgraves' "Middle of Nowhere," Parker McCollum's self-titled record and Combs' "The Way I Am." Song of the year nominees are "Be Her," "Beautiful Things," "Choosin' Texas," "Dry Spell" and "Gary."

Lambert, the most-winning female artist in CMA history with 14 victories, co-produced "Dandelion" and co-wrote "Choosin' Texas." Langley is also set to appear on Lambert's forthcoming album "Crisco," on the opening track "Snakeskin Boots."

In the female vocalist of the year race, Lambert and Langley face Megan Moroney, Musgraves and Wilson. Lambert's nomination in the category is her 19th, moving her past Reba McEntire for the most all-time. The male vocalist field comprises Combs, Johnson, Stapleton, Top and Wilson.

Vocal group of the year nominees are Lady A, Little Big Town, Midland, Old Dominion and The Red Clay Strays. New artist of the year candidates are Avery Anna, Carter Faith, Emily Ann Roberts, Tucker Wetmore and Wilson.

At last year's ceremony, Wilson took home entertainer of the year and album of the year, Johnson won male vocalist of the year and Brooks & Dunn were named vocal duo of the year.

The awards are nominated and voted on by more than 7,000 members of the Country Music Association, including music executives, artists, publicists, songwriters and other industry professionals. The 60th annual CMA Awards will air live from Nashville's Bridgestone Arena on Nov. 18 on ABC and Disney+, and stream the following day on Hulu.