Country music’s long-overdue transformation is finally taking center stage at the 2025 CMA Awards. In what feels like a seismic shift, female artists aren’t just breaking through – they’re dominating the nominations in a way that would’ve seemed impossible just a few years ago.
The numbers tell quite a story. Lainey Wilson, Megan Moroney, and newcomer Ella Langley have each snagged six nominations apiece, marking the first time in CMA history that women have claimed the top nomination spots. Let that sink in for a moment.
Wilson’s continued reign comes as no surprise to anyone who’s been paying attention. Since claiming the Entertainer of the Year crown in 2023, she’s been selling out arenas faster than you can say “Bell Bottom Country.” Her latest single “4x4xU” has been practically living on the radio – though getting airplay remains a different story for many of her female peers.
Speaking of which… Here’s where things get complicated. Despite this nominations triumph, the Billboard Country Airplay chart still reads like a boys’ club. Wilson’s “Somewhere Over Laredo” sits lonely at No. 16 – the only female voice in the top 25. Two steps forward, one step back? Maybe. But the nominations suggest the tide might finally be turning.
Megan Moroney’s meteoric rise particularly stands out. Her debut album “Am I Okay?” has struck a chord that resonates well beyond traditional country audiences. The title track’s raw honesty about mental health struggles has earned her nominations across three categories – proving that authenticity still cuts through the noise.
Then there’s Ella Langley. Her duet with Riley Green, “You Look Like You Love Me,” came out of nowhere and knocked everyone sideways. For a debut artist to match Wilson’s nomination count? That’s not just impressive – it’s historic.
The men haven’t completely left the building, mind you. Zach Top’s five nominations suggest Nashville isn’t done minting male stars, and Morgan Wallen – despite skipping last year’s ceremony – remains a commercial force with three nods, including a shot at defending his Entertainer title.
CMA Chief Executive Officer Sarah Trahern’s comments about the nominations reflecting the community’s “creativity, passion and dedication” feel particularly weighted this year. After all, it’s one thing to talk about change – it’s another to see it reflected in the industry’s biggest night.
The November 19 ceremony at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena promises to be… different. While the hosts and performers remain under wraps (c’mon, CMA, throw us a bone), the nomination list alone suggests we’re in for something special. Something that might actually reflect what country music could be, rather than what it’s been.
Sure, skeptics might call this a temporary blip rather than lasting change. But standing here in 2025, looking at these nominations? It feels like more than that. It feels like the door’s been kicked wide open – and this time, it might just stay that way.
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