Category: Music

The nominees for the 61st ACM Awards have been revealed, with Megan Moroney, Miranda Lambert, Ella Langley, and Lainey Wilson leading the pack.

Female artists dominate this year’s nominations, with Megan Moroney leading the way with nine nods, followed by Miranda Lambert with eight, while Ella Langley and Lainey Wilson are tied with seven nominations each.

Other nominees include Chris Stapleton, who earned six nominations, followed by Zach Top with five and Cody Johnson with four.

Performers for the 2026 ACM Awards include Cody Johnson, Kacey Musgraves, Lainey Wilson, Little Big Town, Miranda Lambert, and Riley Green, with more to be announced in the coming weeks.

The show is set to stream live exclusively on Prime Video for a global audience across more than 240 countries and territories on Sunday, May 17, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT / 5 p.m. PT from the iconic MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Fans can also tune in via the Amazon Music channel on Twitch and through the Amazon Music app.

See the full list of nominees below.

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR

• Luke Combs
• Jelly Roll
• Cody Johnson
• Megan Moroney
• Chris Stapleton
• Morgan Wallen
• Lainey Wilson

FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR

• Kelsea Ballerini
• Miranda Lambert
• Ella Langley
• Megan Moroney
• Lainey Wilson

MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR

• Luke Combs
• Riley Green
• Cody Johnson
• Chris Stapleton
• Zach Top

GROUP OF THE YEAR

• 49 Winchester
• Flatland Cavalry
• Old Dominion
• Rascal Flatts
• The Red Clay Strays

DUO OF THE YEAR

• Brooks & Dunn
• Brothers Osborne
• Dan + Shay
• Muscadine Bloodline
• Thelma & James

NEW FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR

• Avery Anna
• Mackenzie Carpenter
• Dasha
• Caroline Jones
• Emily Ann Roberts

NEW MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR

• Gavin Adcock
• Vincent Mason
• Shaboozey
• Hudson Westbrook
• Tucker Wetmore

ALBUM OF THE YEAR

[Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]

• Ain’t In It For My Health – Zach Top

Producer: Carson Chamberlain

Record Company-Label: Leo33

•  Cherry Valley – Carter Faith

Producer: Tofer Brown

Record Company-Label: Gatsby Records / MCA

•  Don’t Mind If I Do (Deluxe) – Riley Green

Producer: Dann Huff, Michael Knox

Record Company-Label: Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment

•  I’m The Problem – Morgan Wallen

Producers: Joey Moi, Charlie Handsome, Jacob Durrett

Record Company-Label: Big Loud Records

• Parker McCollum – Parker McCollum

Producers: Frank Liddell, Eric Masse

Record Company-Label: MCA

SONG OF THE YEAR

[Awarded to Songwriter(s)/Publisher(s)/Artist(s)]

• A Song To Sing – Miranda Lambert & Chris Stapleton

Songwriters: Chris Stapleton, Miranda Lambert, Jenee Fleenor, Jesse Frasure

Publishers: I Wrote These Songs; Pink Dog Publishing; Songs for the Munch Music; Songs of Influence; Sony/ATV Tree Publishing; Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp

•  Am I Okay? – Megan Moroney

Songwriters: Megan Moroney, Luke Laird, Jessie Jo Dillon

Publishers: Big Ass Pile of Dimes Music; Big Music Machine

• Choosin’ Texas – Ella Langley

Songwriters: Ella Langley, Luke Dick, Miranda Lambert, Joybeth Taylor

Publishers: Bada Bing & Bada Langley Publishing; Little Louder Songs; Sony Music Publishing

• I Never Lie – Zach Top

Songwriters: Zach Top, Carson Chamberlain, Tim Nichols

Publishers: Music and Magazine Publishing; Rio Bravo Music Inc; Sony/ATV Tree Publishing; Too Broke to Quit Music; Zach Top Music

• Somewhere Over Laredo – Lainey Wilson

Songwriters: Lainey Wilson, Trannie Anderson, Dallas Wilson, Andy Albert, Harold Arlen & Yip Harburg

Publishers: Concord Sounds; Dtown Boogie Music; Emi Feist Catalog Inc; Songs Of Riser House; Songs Of Wild Cat Well Music; Sony/ATV Countryside; Story Farmer; Tacklebox Music Publishing

SINGLE OF THE YEAR

[Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]

• 6 Months Later – Megan Moroney

Producers: Kristian Bush

Record Company-Label: Sony Music Nashville / Columbia Records

• Choosin’ Texas – Ella Langley

Producers: Ella Langley, Miranda Lambert, Ben West

Record Company-Label: SAWGOD / Columbia Records

• I Never Lie – Zach Top

Producers: Carson Chamberlain

Record Company-Label: Leo33

• Somewhere Over Laredo – Lainey Wilson

Producers: Jay Joyce

Record Company-Label: BBR Music Group / BMG Nashville / Broken Bow Records

• The Fall – Cody Johnson

Producers: Trent Willmon

Record Company-Label: CoJo Music / Warner Records Nashville

MUSIC EVENT OF THE YEAR

[Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]

• A Song To Sing – Miranda Lambert & Chris Stapleton

Producers: Dave Cobb

Record Company-Label: Republic Records

• Amen – Shaboozey & Jelly Roll

Producers: Danny Majic, Nevin Sastry, Sean Cook

Record Company-Label: Empire

• Don’t Mind If I Do – Riley Green feat. Ella Langley

Producers: Dann Huff, Michael Knox

Record Company-Label: Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment

• Trailblazer – Reba McEntire, Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson

Producers: Tony Brown, Reba McEntire

Record Company-Label: MCA

• You Had To Be There – Megan Moroney & Kenny Chesney

Producers: Kristian Bush

Record Company-Label: Sony Music Nashville / Columbia Records

VISUAL MEDIA OF THE YEAR

[Awarded to Producer(s)/Director(s)/Artist(s)]

• 6 Months Later – Megan Moroney

Producers: Christen Pinkston & Wesley Stebbins-Perry

Director: CeCe Dawson, Megan Moroney

• A Song To Sing – Miranda Lambert & Chris Stapleton

Producers: James Stratakis

Director: Alexa King Stone, Stephen Kinigopoulos

• Cuckoo -Stephen Wilson, Jr.

Producers: Tim Cofield

Director: Tim Cofield

• Somewhere Over Laredo – Lainey Wilson

Producers: Katie Babbage

Director: TK McKamy

• The Fall – Cody Johnson

Producers: Christen Pinkston & Wesley Stebbins-Perry

Director: Dustin Haney

SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR

• Jessie Jo Dillon
• Ashley Gorley
• Charlie Handsome
• Chase McGill
• Blake Pendergrass

ARTIST-SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR

• Luke Combs
• Riley Green
• Ella Langley
• Megan Moroney
• Morgan Wallen

The post Megan Moroney, Miranda Lambert, Ella Langley & Lainey Wilson Lead 2026 ACM Awards Nominations appeared first on Country Now.

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At 16 years old, Ashley Persson was diagnosed with Chondrosarcoma, a rare form of cancer that developed in the cartilage cells of her sinuses. While undergoing treatment, she was given the opportunity to meet Luke Bryan back in 2015 as part of Make-A-Wish and now, over a decade later, she got to reunite with the country star in a sweet, full-circle moment.

The Make-A-Wish Alum was recently invited to attend a live taping of Season 24 of American Idol as part of the World Wish Month campaign in April. This celebratory month aims to recognize the incredible role of WishMakers like the country star, whose generosity has created life-changing moments for hundreds of kids over the years.

When Ashley first met Bryan, it was at one of his concerts in Santa Clara, CA at Levi’s Stadium. All these years later she is at a very different place in life, now being cancer-free and working at Clemson University, but she will never forget the impact that Bryan made on her so long ago.

She recalls wanting to use her wish to meet the Georgia native because his music had become such a big part of her life at the time. It was playing through the speakers in the car and was always the soundtrack to happy family memories.

“You’re kind of given this opportunity and you have a lot going on at the time. So you’re focusing on a lot of different things and navigating, okay, I have this opportunity to do something special and unique. What does that look like?” she explained. “And at that time I had been really immersed in listening to Luke Bryan…He was someone who I looked up to and was inspired by who he was to the people around him. And so I decided that would be a fun opportunity or something to ask for. And that’s the wish that was granted for me.”

Make-A-Wish and Luke Bryan went above and beyond to make this a memorable experience for Ashley, starting from the moment she and her family were picked up from their house in a limo and driven down to Santa Clara.

“It was about a three or four day experience. We got picked up in a limo from my house, which I think was crazy in high school. I’m like, this is the coolest thing ever. My name was in the front window and my whole family hopped in. And from the start to finish of the entire experience, we were just treated so well and so special.”

Before the concert, they got to experience Bryan’s true southern charm up close during a meet and greet. In that moment she learned what a kind and genuine person was behind the country star she was about to see light up the stage in front of thousands of screaming fans.

“I’ll never forget, we walked in and it was the meet and greet in the back. And the first two words that Luke Bryan said to me were, ‘Hey, darling.’ And I’m not from the south, so I enjoyed that very much. And he was so kind and so genuine and so sweet and spent a good amount of time talking to me and my family and just asking about my experience. And it was really special.”

The impact that Bryan had on her even during such a short meeting has never faded. In fact, the older she gets, the more she realizes just how generous it was of him to put his busy schedule on hold for her and so many other kids who are a part of the Make-A-Wish family.

“You don’t have to say yes when you’re in a position like that, but I think saying yes to that many opportunities is really special and really unique and shows that he values giving back and supporting people. At the end of the day, everyone is a human being. We’ve all gone through something or are navigating something,” she reflected. “So creating those spaces to connect with people is really special. And I think that he is a very unique and kind individual for doing so. It was really impactful for my life. I can’t even imagine the 50 plus others whose life it impacted.”

On Monday night, Ashley was surprised once again with the chance to interact with Bryan, but this time it wasn’t at one of his concerts, it was on set of the live taping of American Idol. The “Word On The Street” singer serves as a judge on the singing completion series alongside Lionel Richie and Carrie Underwood. The pair got to catch up and reflect on the powerful work of Make-A-Wish.

“I kind of wake up just being a regular everyday guy and a lot of times I don’t realize all of the stuff that I’ve been able to achieve. So when we can have those moments like that, that really motivate or put her in a good mood or any Make-A-Wish kid, it’s really amazing to be in that scenario and that position I’ve always cherished it. I mean, I’ve always felt like it’s just a little way to give back and give smiles and pay things forward.”

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Bryan went on to say that it has been “overwhelmingly fulfilling” to be a WishMaker through the years and getting to bring a moment of joy to so many kids who are enduring challenges at such a young age.

“I mean, they’re going through rough days, tough days. And so the fact that we have the ability to maybe flip the narrative and let them have a great day out on the road or coming backstage is something I’ve always really cherished…And there’s many ways to get involved. You don’t have to obviously be a celebrity. You can do grassroots stuff or behind the scenes, but it’s certainly fulfilling work. And this is the perfect example when I’m sitting here 11 years, almost 12 years later with Ashley.”

Once Bryan made his way back to set, Ashley admitted that she was truly surprised to meet him for a second time. She also noted that he was exactly the same “kind,” “genuine” and “authentic” person that she remembered him being back in 2015.

“As surprising as it was, it was so nice to just connect with another human who has done so many kind things for so many people. I think being a WishMaker is something that’s so unique and so special and really just an opportunity to lean in and give back in any way, shape or form.”

She ended the special moment by encouraging anyone to “lean in” and “say yes” to supporting Make-A-Wish.

“The impact that it can have is truly monumental and it’s something that really sticks with us forever. Something I’ll never forget,” she added.

The post Luke Bryan Reunites With Cancer Survivor on ‘American Idol’ Set 11 Years After Granting Make-A-Wish appeared first on Country Now.

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Billy Ray Cyrus is back with a brand new single, “On Our Way Along,” featuring his youngest daughter, Noah Cyrus. The track, which was released on Friday, April 3,  is the first official preview of Cyrus’ forthcoming album, THE HILL. 

“On Our Way Along” offers a reflective look at life, loss, and everything left behind, with the narrator coming to terms with time running out while finding peace in the people and moments that shaped their journey along the way. 

“Of all the paths we could have walked/ I’m just glad ours crossed/ Of all the battles we have fought/ And many lives it cost on our way along,” they sing. 

The upcoming collection marks Billy Ray Cyrus’ first full set of new studio material in 14 years, and was co-produced by his son, Braison Cyrus, making this project a true family collaboration. 

“Talk about full circle. This is a really special time in my life, after the 20th anniversary of Hannah Montana with Miley last week on Disney, and now releasing ‘On Our Way Along’ with Braison and Noah appropriately taking place on the most sacred of all weekends … Good Friday,” Cyrus said. “Braison put together an eclectic group of musicians when we recorded it at the world-famous Castle studios. It’s a celebration of all things music and family. Made from the heart… for the heart.”

An official music video, directed by Dustin Haney, is out now alongside the single and focuses on the bond between father and daughter. 

“I’m really proud to be teaming up with my dad and my brother Braison (our producer) for this song,” Noah Cyrus added. “Braison’s produced a beautiful album and I’m happy to be just a small part of it and our father’s legacy.”

To celebrate the release of “On Our Way Along,” Billy Ray and Noah performed the song on the TODAY Show. 

The release follows renewed attention surrounding Cyrus’ recent involvement in a Hannah Montana reunion. 

“On Our Way Along” is available now on all streaming platforms. THE HILL is set for release June 16, 2026.

The post Billy Ray Cyrus Teams Up With Daughter Noah Cyrus on New Single ‘On Our Way Along’ appeared first on Country Now.

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