Am Mittwoch morgen (09.September 2015) wurden die Nominierungen für die 49sten jährlichen CMA Awards bekannt gegeben. Das ganze geschah durch Rocklegende Steven Tyler (Aerosmith) und Nachwuchs-Star Kelsea Ballerini im Frühstücksfernsehen auf ABC. Brad Paisley und Carrie Underwood werden den Event zum achten Mal in Reihe moderieren und live in der Bridgestone Arena in Nashville durchs Programm führen. Die Awardshow wird am 04. November 2015 stattfinden.

Eric Church und Little Big Town führen die Liste der Nominierten mit jeweils fünf Nominierungen an. Kenny Chesney und Miranda Lambert erhielten "nur" vier davon. Sam Hunt, Maddie & Tae, Kacey Musgraves und Chris Stapleton konnten sich über jeweils drei der begehrten Nominierungen freuen.

Zusätzlich gabe es eine Nominierung für "Musical Event of the year" für Willie Nelson und Merle Haggard für ihr Gemeinschaftsalbum "Django and Jimmie".

Hier die Nominierungen in den einzelnen Kategorien:

Entertainer of the Year

Garth Brooks
Luke Bryan
Kenny Chesney
Eric Church
Miranda Lambert

Male Vocalist of the Year

Dierks Bentley
Luke Bryan
Eric Church
Blake Shelton
Chris Stapleton

Female Vocalist of the Year

Kelsea Ballerini
Miranda Lambert
Kacey Musgraves
Carrie Underwood
Lee Ann Womack

Album of the Year

Jason Aldean - Old Boots, New Dirt
Kacey Musgraves - Pageant Material
Little Big Town - Pain Killer
Kenny Chesney - The Big Revival
Chris Stapleton - Traveller

New Artist of the Year

Kelsea Ballerini
Sam Hunt
Maddie & Tae
Thomas Rhett
Chris Stapleton

Vocal Duo of the Year

Brothers Osborne
Dan And Shay
Florida Georgia Line
Maddie & Tae
Thompson Square

Vocal Group of the Year

Lady Antebellum
Little Big Town
Rascal Flatts
The Band Perry
The Zac Brown Band

Single of the Year

"American Kids" - Kenny Chesney (Produced by Buddy Cannon and Kenny Chesney)
"Girl Crush" - Little Big Town (Produced by Jay Joyce)
"I Don't Dance" - Lee Brice (Produced by Lee Brice)
"Take Your Time" -  Sam Hunt (Produced by Zach Crowell and Shane McAnally)
"Talladega" - Eric Church (Produced by Jay Joyce and Arturo Buenabora, Jr.)

Music Video of the Year (Artist and Director)

"Biscuits" - Kacey Musgraves (Directed by Mark Klasfeld)
"Girl Crush" - Little Big Town (Directed by Karla Welch and Matthew Welch)
"Girl In A Country Song" - Maddie & Tae (Directed by TK McKamy)
"Little Red Wagon" - Miranda Lambert (Directed by Trey Fanjoy)
"Something in the Water" - Carrie Underwood (Directed by Raj Kapoor)

Song of the Year (Songwriter)

"American Kids" - Kenny Chesney (Songwriters: Rodney Clawson, Luke Laird, Shane McAnally)
"Girl Crush" - Little Big Town (Songwriters: Liz Rose, Lori McKenna, Hillary Lindsay)
"Like a Cowboy" -  Randy Houser  (Songwriters: Randy Houser, Bryce Long)
"Like a Wrecking Ball" -  Eric Church (Songwriters: Eric Church, Casey Beathard)
"Take Your Time" - Sam Hunt (Songwriters: Sam Hunt, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne)

Muscial Event of the Year

Django and Jimmie - Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard
"Lonely Tonight" - Blake Shelton feat. Ashley Monroe
"Raise 'Em Up" - Keith Urban feat. Eric Church
"Smokin' and Drinkin'" - Miranda Lambert feat. Little Big Town
"Wild Child" - Kenny Chesney with Grace Potter

Musician of the Year

Sam Bush - Mandolin
Jerry Douglas - Dobro
Paul Franklin -Steel Guitar
Dan Huff - Guitar
Mac McAnally - Guitar