CMA Awards: Most Nominations for 'Entertainer of the Year' Award

Source: Lainey Wilson accepts the Entertainer of the Year award from Keith Urban onstage during the 57th Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena on November 08, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Astrida Valigorsky/WireImage via Getty Images)

From the very first Country Music Association Awards in 1967, the “Entertainer of the Year” award has been given out every year since. This year’s group of nominees feature two-time winner Luke Combs, Jelly Roll, Chris Stapleton, Morgan Wallen and last year’s winner Lainey Wilson. With her second nomination for the award, Wilson joins a legendary list of country music stars to have been nominated for “Entertainer of the Year” multiple times. From the artist with the most nominations for the “Entertainer of the Year” award to those with just two nominations to their name, here’s every multi-nominee in the CMA’s history:

1. George Strait – 19 nominations

The “King of Country” won the award in 1989, 1990 and 2013.

2. Garth Brooks – 13 nominations

Brooks has won the award more than any artist; in 1991, 1992, 1997, 1998, 2016, 2017 and 2019.

3. Keith Urban – 13 nominations

Urban won the award in 2005 and 2018.

4. Alan Jackson – 12 nominations

Jackson won the award in 1995, 2002 and 2003.

5. Brooks & Dunn – 11 nominations

Brooks & Dunn took home the award in 1996.

6. 7. Kenny Chesney – 11 nominations

Chesney won the award in 2004, 2006, 2007 and 2008.

8. Reba McEntire – 10 nominations

McEntire won the award in 1986.

9. Merle Haggard – nine nominations

Haggard won the award in 1970.

10. Brad Paisley – eight nominations

Paisley won the award in 2010.

11. CMA Songwriters Series Featuring Mary Chapin Carpenter, Vince Gill, Mac McAnally And Don Schlitz

Gill won the award back-to-back in 1993 and 1994.

12. Chris Stapleton – eight nominations

As of 2023, Stapleton has the most nominations for the award without ever winning it.

13. Barbara Mandrell – six nominations

Mandrell won the award back-to-back in 1980 and 1981.

14. Luke Bryan – six nominations

Bryan won the award back-to-back in 2014 and 2015.

15. Charley Pride – six nominations

Pride won the award in 1971.

16. Tim McGraw – six nominations

McGraw won the award in 2001.

17. Carrie Underwood – six nominations

As of 2024, Underwood is tied for the most nominations for the award by a female artist without winning.

18. Miranda Lambert – six nominations

As of 2024, Lambert is tied with Underwood for the most nominations for the award by a female artist without winning.

19. The 53rd Annual CMA Awards – Show

Nelson won the award in 1979.

20. Alabama – five nominations

Alabama was the first to win the award three times, winning in 1982, 1983 and 1984.

21. Luke Combs – five nominations

Combs won the award back-to-back in 2021 and 2022.

22. Eric Church – five nominations

Church won the award in 2020.

23. Kenny Rogers – five nominations

Rogers never won the award, despite five consecutive nominations between 1977 and 1981.

24. Loretta Lynn – five nominations

In 1972 Lynn became the first female artist to win the award.

25. Ronnie Milsap – five nominations

Milsap won the award in 1977.

26. Taylor Swift – four nominations

Swift won the award in 2009 and 2011, making her the youngest artist to ever win at 19.

27. Blake Shelton – four nominations

Shelton won the award in 2012.

28. Jason Aldean – four nominations

Aldean was last nominated for the award in 2018.

29. Randy Travis – four nominations

Travis was last nominated in 1990, his fourth-consecutive nomination.

30. Ricky Skaggs – four nominations

Skaggs won the award in 1985.

31. Toby Keith – four nominations

Keith received four consecutive nominations between 2002 and 2005.

32. Hank Williams Jr. – three nominations

Williams Jr. won the award back-to-back in 1987 and 1988.

33. The Chicks – three nominations

The Chicks won in the award in 2000.

34. Dolly Parton – three nominations

Parton won the award in 1978.

35. Eddy Arnold – three nominations

Arnold won the first award in 1967.

36. Glen Campbell – three nominations

Campbell won the award in 1968.

37. Johnny Cash – three nominations

Cash won the award in 1969.

38. Oak Ridge Boys – three nominations

The Oak Ridge Boys received their last nomination in 1984.

39. Roy Clark – three nominations

Clark won the award in 1973.

40. The Judds – three nominations

The Judds were nominated three times between 1986 and 1988.

41. Morgan Wallen – three times

As of 2024, Wallen’s most recent nomination was received ahead of the 58th annual awards.

42. Waylon Jennings – three nominations

Jennings received three consecutive nominations between 1975 and 1977.

43. Mel Tillis – two nominations

Tillis won the award in 1976.

44. Lainey Wilson – two nominations

Wilson won the award in 2023 after being nominated for the first time. She was nominated for a second time in 2024.

45. Clint Black – two nominations

Black was nominated in 1990 and 1991.

46. Crystal Gayle – two nominations

Gayle was nominated in 1978 and 1979.

47. Lee Greenwood – two nominations

Greenwood was nominated in 1984 and 1985.

48. Conway Twitty – two nominations

Twitty was nominated in 1971 and 1975.

49. Rascal Flatts – two nominations

Rascal Flatts were nominated in 2006 and 2007.

50. Jerry Reed – two nominations

Reed was nominated in 1971 and 1972.

51. Ricky Van Shelton – two nominations

Van Shelton was nominated in 1989 and 1990.