The 2024 CMA Awards, held on Wednesday (Nov. 20) at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, had its fair share of snubs and surprises.
To be sure, many races went exactly as expected. Old Dominion won vocal group of the year for the seventh year in a row, the longest continuous winning streak in that category’s history. Old Dominion surpassed The Statler Brothers, Little Big Town and Rascal Flatts, each of whom won six years in a row. (The Statlers are still ahead in terms of most total awards in the category – nine.)
Chris Stapleton won male vocalist of the year for the fourth year in a row – and for a record-extending eighth time overall. He’s far ahead of the pack in terms of most wins in the category. Runners-up, with five wins each, are Vince Gill, George Strait and Blake Shelton.
Lainey Wilson won female vocalist of the year for the third year in a row. She also took music video of the year for “Wildflowers and Wild Horses.”
Stapleton’s wins for single and song of the year for “White Horse” were also not exactly surprises. It’s the third time Stapleton has walked off with both of those awards. He doubled up in 2018 with “Broken Halos” and in 2021 with “Starting Over.”
The three-hour show was hosted by Luke Bryan and Lainey Wilson and football great Peyton Manning. Tributes to the king of country, George Strait, and rock icon Tom Petty were among the show’s highlights. Here are the biggest snubs and surprises at the 2024 CMA Awards.
Surprise: Brooks & Dunn
Everyone was wondering if Brothers Osborne or Dan + Shay would win vocal duo of the year this time – or if The War and Treaty could possibly win in an upset. Few expected Brooks & Dunn to come back to win for a 15th time in the category. This was their first win in this category since 2006. Kix Brooks was as surprised as anyone that they won. “What a weird business,” he exclaimed on winning the award. “I love it.”
Snub: Shaboozey
Shaboozey was nominated in two high-profile categories – single and new artist of the year – but lost them both. Shaboozey was vying to become the third Black artist to win new artist of the year, following Darius Rucker (2009) and Jimmie Allen (2021). Those who were hoping for more diversity in the CMA picks were probably also disappointed that The War and Treaty didn’t take vocal duo of the year. They were nominated for the second year in a row, but lost to Brooks & Dunn.
Surprise: Cody Johnson
Johnson’s Leather won album of the year, beating albums by three past winners in the category (Kacey Musgraves, Luke Combs and Chris Stapleton), as well as Jelly Roll, whose Whitsitt Chapel was thought to have a good chance to win. Even Johnson expected Stapleton or Jelly Roll to win, he said in his acceptance speech.
Snub: Post Malone
Posty was tied for third place in this year’s nominations with four nods but lost them all. Post may have better luck at the 2025 Grammys, where he’s nominated for seven awards. But his track record at the Grammys also leaves something to be desired. His track record stood at 0-10 prior to this year’s nominations and at the moment is 0-17.
Surprise: Ella Langley (feat. Riley Green)
“you look like you love me” by Ella Langley feat. Riley Green won musical event of the year, beating a pair of songs that made No. 1 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 – “I Had Some Help” by Post Malone (feat. Morgan Wallen) and “I Remember Everything” by Zach Bryan (feat. Kacey Musgraves). In addition to its chart success, “I Had Some Help” was nominated for single and song of the year, making it seem like a clear front-runner in this category. “you look like you love me” peaked at No. 30 on the Hot 100, but made the top 10 on both Hot Country Songs and Country Airplay.
Snub: Paul Franklin
The steel guitarist was nominated for musician of the year for the 32nd time – and lost for the 32nd time. He has been nominated in all but four years since 1989. To be nominated by your peers 32 times is a tremendous achievement, but right about now Franklin would probably like to win the darn thing, already.
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