CMA Awards 2015 – Nominees List
Today saw the announcement of 2015’s CMA Awards nominations, with up-and-coming country queen Kelsea Ballerini and new country convert Steven Tyler (of Aerosmith fame) doing the honours. Airing on the ABC network as part of Good Morning America in the heart of Time Square, New York City, it was a morning to celebrate. Alternating on categories, the pair began with New Artist, before running through Album, Female, Male and Entertainer, highlighting some of the most contested awards each year. When it was announced that Kelsea had not only been nominated for New Artist but also Female Vocalist of the year, she freaked out a bit, promising to keep it together but clearly overwhelmed that she’d received that honour in her first year as a signed artist. It all hit home when Robin Roberts asked her how it felt, “I went to the awards as a fan last year!” She exclaimed, highlighting just how amazing the feat is.
Following a commercial break, Steven Tyler took to the studio’s mini-stage to perform his current (and debut country) single ‘Love Is Your Name’ with a spirited performance (despite the fact it was clearly done to a backing track).
It was then time to switch to ABC News Digital, for an online live stream of the second half of the nominees, which began on the CMA website after a short delay. The host spoke to Steven about his coming to country music and Kelsea on her two nominations thus far, before they got down to the announcements. Heading through Single, Music Video, Musician, Song, Musical Event, Vocal Duo and Vocal Group, they wrapped up to cheers from the small assembled crowd. The host once again talked briefly to the two of them, asking Steven whether he had immersed himself in the country scene (which he said he had, citing his playing with Zac Brown Band recently), and asking Kelsea which performance from the CMA Awards she’s looking forward to most. The jury was out on that one, but it was pretty clear both have a big future in country music. As they said, Steven was not eligible for the CMAs this time around, but next year he may be a force to be reckoned with.
Check out the full list of nominees below!
New Artist of the Year
Sam Hunt Maddie & Tae Thomas Rhett Chris Stapleton Kelsea Ballerini
Album of the Year
Kacey Musgraves Little Big Town Kenny Chesney Jason Aldean Chris Stapleton
Female Vocalist of the Year
Miranda Lambert Kacey Musgraves Carrie Underwood Lee Ann Womack Kelsea Ballerini
Male Vocalist of the Year
Dierks Bentley Luke Bryan Eric Church Blake Shelton Chris Stapleton
Entertainer of the Year
Garth Brooks Luke Bryan Kenny Chesney Eric Church Miranda Lambert
Single of the Year
‘American Kids’ Kenny Chesney (Kenny Chesney, Buddy Cannon)
‘Girl Crush’ Little Big Town (Jay Joyce) ‘I Don’t Dance’ Lee Brice (Lee Brice) ‘Take Your Time’ Sam Hunt (Zach Crowell & Shane McAnally) ‘Talladega’ Eric Church (Jay Joyce)
Music Video of the Year
‘Biscuits’ Kacey Musgraves (Marc Klasfeld) ‘Girl Crush’ Little Big Town (Karla and Matthew Welch) ‘Girl In A Country Song’ Maddie & Tae (TK McKamy) ‘Little Red Wagon’ Miranda Lambert (Trey Fanjoy) ‘Something In The Water’ Carrie Underwood (Raj Kapoor)
Musician of the Year
Sam Bush (mandolin) Jerry Douglas (dobro) Paul Franklin (steel guitar) Dann Huff (guitar) Mac McAnally (guitar)
Song of the Year
‘American Kids’ Kenny Chesney (Rodney Clawson, Luke Laird, Shane McAnally) ‘Girl Crush’ Little Big Town (Lori McKenna, Hillary Lindsey, Liz Rose) ‘Like A Cowboy’ Randy Houser (Randy Houser, Brice Long) ‘Like A Wrecking Ball’ Eric Church (Eric Church, Casey Beathard) ‘Take Your Time’ (Sam Hunt, Josh Osborne, Shane McAnally)
Musical Event of the Year
Django & Jimmie’ Willie Nelson & Merle Haggard ‘Lonely Tonight’ Blake Shelton & Ashley Monroe ‘Raise ‘Em Up’ Keith Urban & Eric Church ‘Smokin’ And Drinkin’’ Miranda Lambert & Little Big Town ‘Wild Child’ Kenny Chesney & Grace Potter
Vocal Duo of the Year
Brothers Osborne Dan + Shay Florida Georgia Line Maddie & Tae Thompson Square
Vocal Group of the Year
Lady Antebellum Little Big Town Rascal Flatts The Band Perry Zac Brown Band