Ella Langley’s Nine CMA Nominations Put a Five-Award Sweep in Reach

An analysis of 25 potential records by ActionNetwork.com identifies Langley’s possible sweep as a central milestone. She is nominated for Entertainer of the Year, Female Vocalist of the Year, Album of the Year, Single of the Year and Song of the Year. Her album “Dandelion” is up for Album of the Year, while “Choosin’ Texas” and “Be Her” each have nominations in the Single and Song categories. Alan Jackson is the only individual previously credited with winning all five in one ceremony, in 2002. Langley could also challenge the record for most CMA wins in a single night.

Langley has another chance to win Single and Song of the Year in consecutive years. She took both awards in 2025 for “You Look Like You Love Me,” her collaboration with Riley Green. “Choosin’ Texas,” which won both corresponding honors at the 2026 ACM Awards, is nominated for both at the CMAs this year.

Miranda Lambert, with seven nominations, could add to her record 14 competitive CMA wins by a female artist, according to ActionNetwork.com. She is nominated as a producer on Langley’s “Dandelion”; a win would add to her Album of the Year credits for “Revolution” (2010) and “Platinum” (2014). Lainey Wilson has three nominations, including Entertainer of the Year. After winning that award in 2023 and 2025, she could become the first woman to win it three times. The analysis credits Wilson with 12 competitive CMA victories.

Brooks & Dunn have 20 competitive awards, compared with Chris Stapleton’s 19, according to the report. The duo is nominated for Vocal Duo of the Year and will receive the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award, which is separate from competitive honors. Stapleton has four nominations, including Entertainer of the Year and Male Vocalist of the Year. He has won the latter eight times, but has yet to take the top award; this is his tenth attempt.

The ceremony will be held at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, November 18. Wilson returns as host for a third consecutive year, and Langley is among the confirmed performers. The announced lineup also includes Lambert, Stapleton, Kacey Musgraves, Cody Johnson, Tim McGraw and Luke Combs. A Dolly Parton tribute is planned, alongside a Brooks & Dunn tribute featuring Brothers Osborne, Luke Bryan, HARDY, Halestorm and Marcus King. The show will air live on ABC and Disney+, with next-day streaming on Hulu.