Every CMA Album of the Year Winner and Nominee

Every CMA Album Award Winner

A decade-by-decade look at the albums that earned CMA Awards recognition.

Written by Amanda Tempel

Last Updated: June 2, 2026

First presented in 1967, the CMA Album of the Year Award recognizes the artist, producer, and mix engineer behind the winning album. The album is judged on all aspects including, but not limited to, artist’s performance, musical background, engineering, packaging, design, art, layout and liner notes.

Below is a complete, up-to-date breakdown of every CMA Album of the Year winner and nominee, including artists with the most wins, the most nominations, and a year-by-year list of winners organized by decade.

Note on album credits: “Solo” refers to albums credited to one act, “Duet” indicates a collaborative album between two artists, and “Compilation” applies to multi-artist albums or soundtracks.


Artists With the Most CMA Album of the Year Wins

George Strait has the most wins in the CMA Album of the Year category with a total of five.

  • George Strait - 5 Wins

  • Ronnie Milsap - 4 Wins

  • Johnny Cash and Chris Stapleton - 3 Wins

  • Garth Brooks, Eric Church, Luke Combs, Vince Gill (1 Solo/1 Compilation), Merle Haggard, Alan Jackson (1 Solo/1 Compilation), Miranda Lambert, Tim McGraw, Willie Nelson (1 Solo/1 Compilation), and Charlie Rich - 2 Wins

  • Jason Aldean, Alabama, Jack Greene, Cody Johnson, Patty Loveless, Maren Morris, Anne Murray, Kacey Musgraves, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Brad Paisley, Ray Price, Kenny Rogers, Blake Shelton, Taylor Swift, The Chicks, The Kentucky Headhunters, Randy Travis, Don Williams, Hank Williams Jr, Lee Ann Womack, and Lainey Wilson - 1 Win

    Artists that won by appearing on a compilation album - Only win in this category for these artists:

    Wanted! The Outlaws: Jessi Colter, Tompall Glaser, and Waylon Jennings

    Coal Miner’s Daughter Soundtrack: Beverly D'Angelo, Levon Helm, and Sissy Spacek

    Common Thread: Songs of the Eagles: John Anderson, Suzy Bogguss, Clint Black, Brooks & Dunn, Billy Dean, Diamond Rio, Lorrie Morgan, Little Texas, Travis Tritt, Tanya Tucker, and Trisha Yearwood

    O Brother, Where Art Thou: Norman Blake, Emmylou Harris, John Hartford, Chris Thomas King, Alison Krauss, Harry McClintock, Sarah, Hannah and Leah Peasall, Soggy Bottom Boys, Ralph Stanley, Stanley Brothers, The Whites, and Gillian Welch


Artists With the Most CMA Album of the Year Nominations

George Strait is the most-nominated act for CMA Album of the Year with a total of nineteen.

Note: Alison Krauss appears as a solo artist and has a separate nomination under Alison Krauss and Union Station.

  • George Strait (18 Solo, 1 Compilation)- 19 Nominations

  • Merle Haggard (10 Solo, 1 Duet, 1 Compilation) and Alan Jackson (11 Solo, 1 Compilation)- 12 Nominations

  • Brooks & Dunn (7 Solo, 2 Compilation) and Vince Gill (6 Solo, 3 Compilation) - 9 Nominations

  • Willie Nelson (2 Solo, 3 Duet, 2 Compilation)- 7 Nominations

  • Dierks Bentley, Miranda Lambert, Reba McEntire (5 Solo, 1 Compilation), Ronnie Milsap, Brad Paisley, Conway Twitty (2 Solo, 3 Duet, 1 Compilation), and Keith Urban - 6 Nominations

  • Alabama, Garth Brooks (4 Solo, 1 Compilation), Kenny Chesney, Eric Church, Loretta Lynn (2 Solo, 3 Duet), Tim McGraw, Dolly Parton (3 Solo, 1 Duet, 1 Compilation), Chris Stapleton, and Carrie Underwood - 5 Nominations

  • Glen Campbell, Johnny Cash, Luke Combs, Waylon Jennings (2 Solo, 1 Duet, 1 Compilation), George Jones (3 Solo, 1 Compilation), Kacey Musgraves, Charley Pride, and Trisha Yearwood (2 Solo, 2 Compilation) - 4 Nominations

  • Clint Black (1 Solo, 2 Compilation), Emmylou Harris (1 Solo, 1 Duet, 1 Compilation), Toby Keith, Lady A, Little Big Town, Patty Loveless, Maren Morris, Kenny Rogers, Ricky Skaggs, Taylor Swift, Randy Travis, Tanya Tucker (1 Solo, 2 Compilation), Morgan Wallen, and Lainey Wilson - 3 Nominations

  • Jason Aldean, John Anderson (1 Solo, 1 Compilation), Chet Atkins (2 Compilation), Suzy Bogguss (2 Compilation), Luke Bryan, The Chicks, Sonny James, The Judds, Lyle Lovett (2 Compilation), Kathy Mattea, Ashley McBryde, Old Dominion, Ray Price, Rascal Flatts, Thomas Rhett, Ricky Van Shelton, Blake Shelton, Marty Stuart (2 Compilation), Charlie Rich, Don Williams, Lee Ann Womack, Tammy Wynette, and Travis Tritt (2 Compilation) - 2 Nominations

  • Lynn Anderson, Eddy Arnold, Kelsea Ballerini, Moe Bandy (1 Duet), Jim Ed Brown (1 Duet), Brothers Osborne, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Deana Carter, John Conlee, Helen Cornelius (1 Duet), Rodney Crowell, Dan + Shay, John Denver, Donna Fargo, Freddy Fender, Sara Evans, Jack Greene, Janie Fricke, Vern Gosdin, Tom T. Hall, Faith Hill, Cody Johnson, Jamey Johnson, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, Jelly Roll, Wynonna Judd, The Kendalls, Alison Krauss and Union Station, Martina McBride, John Michael Montgomery, Megan Moroney, Anne Murray, Joe Nichols, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Olivia Newton John, Oak Ridge Boys, Jon Pardi, Johnny Paycheck, Carly Pearce, Post Malone, Jeanne Pruett, Jerry Reed, LeAnn Rimes, Linda Ronstadt (Duet), Leon Russell (Duet), Sammi Smith, Cal Smith, Kenny Starr, Statler Brothers, Joe Stampley (Duet), Red Sovine, Sugarland, The Kentucky Headhunters, Zach Top, Steve Wariner, Keith Whitley, Hank Williams Jr, Gretchen Wilson, Zac Brown Band, and Shania Twain. - 1 Nomination

    Artists that were nominated by appearing on a compilation album. This is the only nomination in this category for these artists:

    Wanted: The Outlaws: Jessi Colter and Tompall Glaser

    Coal Miner’s Daughter Soundtrack: Beverly D'Angelo, Levon Helm, and Sissy Spacek

    Asleep at the Wheel Tribute To the Music Of Bob Wills & The Texas Playboys:Asleep at the Wheel, Johnny Gimble, Huey Lewis, Jody Nix, Lucky Oceans, Leon Rausch, Herb Remington, Riders in the Sky, Johnny Rodriguez, and Eldon Shamblin

    Common Thread: Songs of the Eagles: Billy Dean, Diamond Rio, Little Texas, and Lorrie Morgan

    Rhythm, Country, and Blues: BB King, Al Green, Gladys Knight, Patti Labelle, Sam Moore, Aaron Neville, Pointer Sisters, Staple Singers, Allen Toussaint, and Natalie Cole

    O Brother, Where Art Thou: Norman Blake, James Carter and the Prisoners, Fairfield Four, John Hartford, Chris Thomas King, Alison Krauss, Harry McClintock, Sarah, Hannah and Leah Peasall, Soggy Bottom Boys, Stanley Brothers, Ralph Stanley, Gillian Welch, and The Whites



CMA Album of the Year Winners and Nominees: 1960s

1967 CMA Album of the Year

Winner: There Goes My Everything - Jack Greene

Nominees:

  • Best of Eddy Arnold - Eddy Arnold

  • Best of Sonny James - Sonny James

  • Danny Boy - Ray Price

  • I’m A Lonesome Fugitive - Merle Haggard


1968 CMA Album of the Year

Winner: Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison - Johnny Cash

Nominees:

  • By The Time I Get To Phoenix - Glen Campbell

  • D-I-V-O-R-C-E - Tammy Wynette

  • Gentle On My Mind - Glen Campbell

  • The Best of Merle Haggard - Merle Haggard


1969 CMA Album of the Year

Winner: Johnny Cash at San Quentin - Johnny Cash

Nominees:

  • Charley Pride Live and In Person - Charley Pride

  • Same Train, Different Time - Merle Haggard

  • Stand By Your Man - Tammy Wynette

  • Wichita Lineman - Glen Campbell


CMA Album of the Year Winners and Nominees: 1970s

1970 CMA Album of the Year

Winner: Okie From Muskogee - Merle Haggard

Nominees:

  • Fightin’ Side of Me - Merle Haggard

  • Hello Darlin’ - Conway Twitty

  • Hello, I’m Johnny Cash - Johnny Cash

  • Just Plain Charley - Charley Pride


1971 CMA Album of the Year

Winner: I Won’t Mention It Again - Ray Price

Nominees:

  • A Tribute To The Best Damn Fiddle Player in the World - Merle Haggard

  • Help Me Make It Through The Night - Sammi Smith

  • Rose Garden - Lynn Anderson

  • When You’re Hot, You’re Hot - Jerry Reed


1972 CMA Album of the Year

Winner: Let Me Tell You About A Song - Merle Haggard

Nominees:

  • Charley Pride Sings Heart Songs - Charley Pride

  • Coat of Many Colors - Dolly Parton

  • Lead Me On - Conway Twitty and Loretta Lynn

  • The Happiest Girl in the Whole U.S.A. - Donna Fargo


1973 CMA Album of the Year

Winner: Behind Closed Doors - Charlie Rich

Nominees:

  • Entertainer of the Year - Loretta Lynn

  • Louisiana Woman, Mississippi Man - Conway Twitty and Loretta Lynn

  • Satin Sheets - Jeanne Pruett

  • Tom T. Hall…The Storyteller - Tom T. Hall


1974 CMA Album of the Year

Winner: Very Special Love Songs - Charlie Rich

Nominees:

  • Country Bumpkin - Cal Smith

  • If We Make It Through December - Merle Haggard

  • If You Love Me Let Me Know - Olivia Newton John

  • You’ve Never Been This Far Before - Conway Twitty


1975 CMA Album of the Year

Winner: A Legend In My Time - Ronnie Milsap

Nominees:

  • An Evening with John Denver - John Denver

  • Before the Next Teardrop Falls - Freddy Fender

  • Feelin’s - Loretta Lynn and Conway Twitty

  • Rhinestone Cowboy - Glen Campbell

  • The Ramblin’ Man - Waylon Jennings


1976 CMA Album of the Year

Winner: Wanted -The Outlaws - Jessi Colter, Tompall Glaser, Waylon Jennings, and Willie Nelson

Nominees:

  • 200 Years of Country Music - Sonny James

  • Night Things - Ronnie Milsap

  • Teddy Bear - Red Sovine

  • The Blind Man in the Bleachers - Kenny Starr


1977 CMA Album of the Year

Winner: Ronnie Milsap Live - Ronnie Milsap

Nominees:

  • I Don’t Want To Have To Marry You - Jim Ed Brown and Helen Cornelius

  • I Remember Patsy - Loretta Lynn

  • Kenny Rogers - Kenny Rogers

  • Ol’ Waylon - Waylon Jennings


1978 CMA Album of the Year

Winner: It Was Almost Like A Song - Ronnie Milsap

Nominees:

  • Country Boy - Don Williams

  • Heaven’s Just A Sin Away - The Kendalls

  • Here You Come Again - Dolly Parton

  • Waylon and Willie - Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson


1979 CMA Album of the Year

Winner: The Gambler - Kenny Rogers

Nominees:

  • Armed and Crazy - Johnny Paycheck

  • One For The Road - Willie Nelson and Leon Russell

  • Rose Colored Glasses - John Conlee

  • The Originals - Statler Brothers


CMA Album of the Year Winners and Nominees: 1980s

1980 CMA Album of the Year

Winner: Coal Miner’s Daughter - Soundtrack (Beverly D'Angelo, Levon Helm, and Sissy Spacek)

Nominees:

  • Just Good Ol’ Boys - Moe Bandy and Joe Stampley

  • Kenny - Kenny Rogers

  • Roses in the Snow - Emmylou Harris

  • There’s A Little Bit of Hank In Me - Charley Pride


1981 CMA Album of the Year

Winner: I Believe In You - Don Williams

Nominees:

  • 9 To 5 and Odd Jobs - Dolly Parton

  • Feels So Right - Alabama

  • I Am What I Am - George Jones

  • Out Here Where The Bright Lights Are Glowing - Ronnie Milsap


1982 CMA Album of the Year

Winner: Always On My Mind - Willie Nelson

Nominees:

  • Big City - Merle Haggard

  • Bobbie Sue - Oak Ridge Boys

  • Mountain Music - Alabama

  • Still the Same Ole Me - George Jones


1983 CMA Album of the Year

Winner: The Closer You Get - Alabama

Nominees:

  • Highways & Heartaches - Ricky Skaggs

  • It Ain’t Easy - Janie Fricke

  • Pancho & Lefty - Willie Nelson & Merle Haggard

  • Wild & Blue - John Anderson


1984 CMA Album of the Year

Winner: A Little Good News - Anne Murray

Nominees:

  • Don’t Cheat In Our Hometown - Ricky Skaggs

  • Right or Wrong - George Strait

  • Roll On - Alabama

  • That’s The Way Love Goes - Merle Haggard


1985 CMA Album of the Year

Winner: Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind - George Strait

Nominees:

  • 40 Hour Week - Alabama

  • Country Boy - Ricky Skaggs

  • My Kind of Country - Reba McEntire

  • Why Not Me - The Judds


1986 CMA Album of the Year

Winner: Lost in the Fifties Tonight - Ronnie Milsap

Nominees:

  • #7 - George Strait

  • Rockin’ with the Rhythm - The Judds

  • Storms of Life - Randy Travis

  • Whoever’s In New England - Reba McEntire


1987 CMA Album of the Year

Winner: Always & Forever - Randy Travis

Nominees:

  • Ocean Front Property - George Strait

  • Trio - Emmylou Harris, Dolly Parton, and Linda Ronstadt

  • What Am I Gonna Do About You - Reba McEntire

  • Wine Colored Roses - George Jones


1988 CMA Album of the Year

Winner: Born To Boogie - Hank Williams Jr.

Nominees:

  • Chiseled In Stone - Vern Gosdin

  • Diamonds and Dirt - Rodney Crowell

  • If You Ain’t Lovin’ You Ain’t Livin’ - George Strait

  • Untasted Honey - Kathy Mattea


1989 CMA Album of the Year

Winner: Will the Circle Be Unbroken Volume 2 - Nitty Gritty Dirt Band

Nominees:

  • Beyond The Neon Blue - George Strait

  • Loving Proof - Ricky Van Shelton

  • Old 8x10 - Randy Travis

  • Willow in the Wind - Kathy Mattea


CMA Album of the Year Winners and Nominees: 1990s

1990 CMA Album of the Year

Winner: Pickin’ On Nashville - Kentucky Headhunters

Nominees:

  • Here In The Real World – Alan Jackson

  • I Wonder Do You Think of Me – Keith Whitley

  • Livin’ It Up – George Strait

  • RVS III – Ricky Van Shelton


1991 CMA Album of the Year

Winner: No Fences - Garth Brooks

Nominees:

  • Don’t Rock the Jukebox – Alan Jackson

  • Pocket Full of Gold – Vince Gill

  • Put Yourself In My Shoes – Clint Black

  • Rumor Has It – Reba McEntire


1992 CMA Album of the Year

Winner: Ropin’ The Wind - Garth Brooks

Nominees:

  • Brand New Man - Brooks & Dunn

  • For My Broken Heart - Reba McEntire

  • What Do I Do With Me - Tanya Tucker

  • Wynonna - Wynonna Judd


1993 CMA Album of the Year

Winner: I Still Believe In You - Vince Gill

Nominees:

  • Hard Workin’ Man - Brooks & Dunn

  • A Lot About Livin’ (And A Little ‘Bout Love) - Alan Jackson

  • Come On, Come On - Mary Chapin Carpenter

  • The Chase - Garth Brooks


1994 CMA Album of the Year

Winner: Common Thread: Songs of the Eagles - John Anderson, Clint Black, Suzy Bogguss, Brooks & Dunn, Billy Dean, Diamond Rio, Vince Gill, Alan Jackson, Little Texas, Lorrie Morgan, Travis Tritt, Tanya Tucker, and Trisha Yearwood

Nominees:

  • Asleep at the Wheel Tribute To The Music of Bob Wills & The Texas Playboys - Asleep at the Wheel, Chet Atkins, Suzy Bogguss, Brooks & Dunn, Garth Brooks, Vince Gill, Johnny Gimble, Merle Haggard, Huey Lewis, Lyle Lovett, Lucky Oceans, Willie Nelson, Jody Nix, Dolly Parton, Leon Rausch, Herb Remington, Riders in the Sky, Johnny Rodriguez, Eldon Shamblin, George Strait, and Marty Stuart

  • Easy Come, Easy Go - George Strait

  • Rhythm, Country & Blues - Staple Singers, Chet Atkins, Clint Black, Vince Gill, Al Green, George Jones, B.B. King, Gladys Knight, Patti Labelle, Lyle Lovett, Reba McEntire, Sam Moore, Aaron Neville, Pointer Sisters, Marty Stuart, Allen Toussaint, Travis Tritt, Tanya Tucker, Conway Twitty, Natalie Cole, and Trisha Yearwood

  • Who I Am - Alan Jackson


1995 CMA Album of the Year

Winner: When Fallen Angels Fly - Patty Loveless

Nominees:

  • John Michael Montgomery - John Michael Montgomery

  • Lead On - George Strait

  • When Love Finds You - Vince Gill

  • Who I Am - Alan Jackson


1996 CMA Album of the Year

Winner: Blue Clear Sky - George Strait

Nominees:

  • Borderline - Brooks & Dunn

  • High Lonesome Sound - Vince Gill

  • The Trouble with the Truth - Patty Loveless

  • Wild Angels - Martina McBride


1997 CMA Album of the Year

Winner: Carrying Your Love with Me - George Strait

Nominees:

  • Blue - LeAnn Rimes

  • Did I Shave My Legs For This - Deana Carter

  • Everybody Knows - Trisha Yearwood

  • Everything I Love - Alan Jackson


1998 CMA Album of the Year

Winner: Everywhere - Tim McGraw

Nominees:

  • Come On Over - Shania Twain

  • Long Stretch of Lonesome - Patty Loveless

  • One Step At A Time - George Strait

  • Sevens - Garth Brooks


1999 CMA Album of the Year

Winner: A Place in the Sun - Tim McGraw

Nominees:

  • Always Never the Same - George Strait

  • The Key - Vince Gill

  • Two Teardrops - Steve Wariner

  • Where Your Road Leads - Trisha Yearwood


CMA Album of the Year Winners and Nominees: 2000s

2000 CMA Album of the Year

Winner: Fly - The Chicks

Nominees:

  • Breathe - Faith Hill

  • I Hope You Dance - Lee Ann Womack

  • Under The Influence - Alan Jackson

  • Who Needs Pictures - Brad Paisley


2001 CMA Album of the Year

Winner: O Brother, Where Art Thou - Norman Blake, The Fairfield Four, Emmylou Harris, John Hartford, James Carter and the Prisoners, Chris Thomas King, Alison Krauss, Harry McClintock, Sarah, Hannah and Leah Peasall, Soggy Bottom Boys, Stanley Brothers, Ralph Stanley, Gillian Welch, and The Whites

Nominees:

  • Born To Fly - Sara Evans

  • Set This Circus Down - Tim McGraw

  • Steers & Stripes - Brooks & Dunn

  • When Somebody Loves You - Alan Jackson


2002 CMA Album of the Year

Winner: Drive - Alan Jackson

Nominees:

  • New Favorite - Alison Krauss and Union Station

  • No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems - Kenny Chesney

  • Pull My Chain - Toby Keith

  • The Great Divide - Willie Nelson

  • The Road Less Traveled - George Strait


2003 CMA Album of the Year

Winner: American IV: The Man Comes Around - Johnny Cash

Nominees:

  • Home - The Chicks

  • Man With A Memory - Joe Nichols

  • Tim McGraw and the Dancehall Doctors - Tim McGraw

  • Unleashed - Toby Keith


2004 CMA Album of the Year

Winner: When the Sun Goes Down - Kenny Chesney

Nominees:

  • Here For the Party - Gretchen Wilson

  • Mud on the Tires - Brad Paisley

  • Red Dirt Road - Brooks & Dunn

  • Shock’n Y’all - Toby Keith


2005 CMA Album of the Year

Winner: There’s More Where That Came From - Lee Ann Womack

Nominees:

  • Be Here - Keith Urban

  • Feels Like Today - Rascal Flatts

  • Live Like You Were Dying - Tim McGraw

  • Somewhere Down in Texas - George Strait


2006 CMA Album of the Year

Winner: Time Well Wasted - Brad Paisley

Nominees:

  • Hillbilly Deluxe - Brooks & Dunn

  • Me and My Gang - Rascal Flatts

  • Precious Memories - Alan Jackson

  • The Road and the Radio - Kenny Chesney


2007 CMA Album of the Year

Winner: It Just Comes Natural - George Strait

Nominees:

  • 5th Gear - Brad Paisley

  • Long Trip Alone - Dierks Bentley

  • Love, Pain, and the Whole Crazy Thing - Keith Urban

  • These Days - Vince Gill


2008 CMA Album of the Year

Winner: Troubadour - George Strait

Nominees:

  • Carnival Ride - Carrie Underwood

  • Cowboy Town - Brooks & Dunn

  • Good Time - Alan Jackson

  • Just Who I Am: Poets & Pirates - Kenny Chesney


2009 CMA Album of the Year

Winner: Fearless - Taylor Swift

Nominees:

  • American Saturday Night - Brad Paisley

  • Defying Gravity - Keith Urban

  • Love on the Inside - Sugarland

  • That Lonesome Song - Jamey Johnson


CMA Album of the Year Winners and Nominees: 2010s

2010 CMA Album of the Year

Winner: Revolution - Miranda Lambert

Nominees:

  • Need You Now - Lady A

  • Play On - Carrie Underwood

  • Twang - George Strait

  • Up On The Ridge - Dierks Bentley


2011 CMA Album of the Year

Winner: My Kinda Party - Jason Aldean

Nominees:

  • All About Tonight - Blake Shelton

  • Speak Now - Taylor Swift

  • This Is Country Music - Brad Paisley

  • You Get What You Give - Zac Brown Band


2012 CMA Album of the Year

Winner: Chief - Eric Church

Nominees:

  • Four the Record - Miranda Lambert

  • Home - Dierks Bentley

  • Own the Night - Lady A

  • Tailgates & Tanlines - Luke Bryan


2013 CMA Album of the Year

Winner: Based On A True Story - Blake Shelton

Nominees:

  • Blown Away - Carrie Underwood

  • Red - Taylor Swift

  • Same Trailer, Different Park - Kacey Musgraves

  • Tornado - Little Big Town


2014 CMA Album of the Year

Winner: Platinum - Miranda Lambert

Nominees:

  • Crash My Party - Luke Bryan

  • Fuse - Keith Urban

  • Riser - Dierks Bentley

  • The Outsiders - Eric Church


2015 CMA Album of the Year

Winner: Traveller - Chris Stapleton

Nominees:

  • Old Boots, New Dirt - Jason Aldean

  • Pageant Material - Kacey Musgraves

  • Pain Killer - Little Big Town

  • The Big Revival - Kenny Chesney


2016 CMA Album of the Year

Winner: Mr. Misunderstood - Eric Church

Nominees:

  • Black - Dierks Bentley

  • Hero - Maren Morris

  • Ripcord - Keith Urban

  • Storyteller - Carrie Underwood


2017 CMA Album of the Year

Winner: From A Room: Volume 1 - Chris Stapleton

Nominees:

  • Heartbreak - Lady A

  • The Breaker - Little Big Town

  • The Nashville Sound - Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit

  • The Weight of These Wings - Miranda Lambert


2018 CMA Album of the Year

Winner: Golden Hour - Kacey Musgraves

Nominees:

  • From A Room: Volume 2 - Chris Stapleton

  • Graffiti U - Keith Urban

  • Life Changes - Thomas Rhett

  • The Mountain - Dierks Bentley


2019 CMA Album of the Year

Winner: GIRL - Maren Morris

Nominees:

  • Center Point Road - Thomas Rhett

  • Cry Pretty - Carrie Underwood

  • Dan + Shay - Dan + Shay

  • Desperate Man - Eric Church


CMA Album of the Year Winners and Nominees: 2020s

2020 CMA Album of the Year

Winner: What You See Is What You Get - Luke Combs

Nominees:

  • Heartache Medication - Jon Pardi

  • Never Will - Ashley McBryde

  • Old Dominion - Old Dominion

  • Wildcard - Miranda Lambert


2021 CMA Album of the Year

Winner: Starting Over - Chris Stapleton

Nominees:

  • 29 - Carly Pearce

  • Dangerous: The Double Album - Morgan Wallen

  • Heart - Eric Church

  • Skeletons - Brothers Osborne


2022 CMA Album of the Year

Winner: Growin’ Up - Luke Combs

Nominees:

  • Humble Quest - Maren Morris

  • Palomino - Miranda Lambert

  • Sayin’ What I’m Thinkin’ - Lainey Wilson

  • Time, Tequila, & Therapy - Old Dominion


2023 CMA Album of the Year

Winner: Bell Bottom Country - Lainey Wilson

Nominees:

  • Ashley McBryde Presents Lindeville - Ashley McBryde

  • Gettin’ Old - Luke Combs

  • One Thing At A Time - Morgan Wallen

  • Rolling Up The Welcome Mat - Kelsea Ballerini


2024 CMA Album of the Year

Winner: Leather - Cody Johnson

Nominees:

  • Deeper Well - Kacey Musgraves

  • Fathers & Sons - Luke Combs

  • Higher - Chris Stapleton

  • Whitsitt Chapel - Jelly Roll


2025 CMA Album of the Year

Winner: Whirlwind - Lainey Wilson

Nominees:

  • Am I Okay - Megan Moroney

  • F-1 Trillion - Post Malone

  • Cold Beer & Country Music - Zach Top

  • I’m The Problem - Morgan Wallen


CMA Album of the Year FAQ

What is the CMA Album of the Year Award?
The CMA Album of the Year Award honors the most outstanding album in country music each year, recognizing overall artistic achievement, production quality, and performance.

Who has won the most CMA Album of the Year awards?
George Strait holds the record for the most CMA Album of the Year wins, with a total of five.

When did the CMA Album of the Year category begin?
The CMA Album of the Year Award was first presented in 1967 and has been awarded annually ever since.

Who receives the CMA Album of the Year Award?
The award is presented to the recording artist, producer, and mix engineer responsible for the winning album.

Are compilation albums eligible for CMA Album of the Year?
Yes, compilation and soundtrack albums have been eligible, with participating artists receiving recognition when their work appears on a winning release.

When are the CMA Awards held?
The Country Music Association Awards are typically held annually in the fall, honoring achievements from the previous year.


Sources: CMA Awards official winners and nominees database.

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