Every CMA Award Winner and Nominee for Album of the Year
Since 1965, country’s elite have received this award.
Written by Amanda Tempel
Check out every nominee and winner for Album of the Year at the CMA Awards as well as most nominations and win tallies below. This award goes to the artist, producer, and mix engineer. To qualify as an album, a release must contain at least 6 different songs and have a total playing time of at least 15 minutes. 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.
The 2025 CMA nominations will be announced on September 8 - stay tuned to find out who adds their name to the list!
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.
Solo - Denotes an album credited to one act
Duet - Denotes that the act collaborated with another artist to record an album.
Compilation - Denotes that the act had a song featured on a compilation album or soundtrack.
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
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.
Solo - Denotes an album credited to one act
Duet - Denotes that the act collaborated with another artist to record an album.
Compilation - Denotes that the act had a song featured on a compilation album or soundtrack.
Note: Alison Krauss appears as a solo artist and has a separate nomination with 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, and Tanya Tucker (1 Solo, 2 Compilation) - 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, Morgan Wallen, Lainey Wilson, 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, Anne Murray, Joe Nichols, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Olivia Newton John, Oak Ridge Boys, Jon Pardi, Johnny Paycheck, Carly Pearce, 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, 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
Every CMA Album of the Year Winner
1967
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
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
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
1970
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
1980
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
1990
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
2000
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Winner: Fearless - Taylor Swift
Nominees:
American Saturday Night - Brad Paisley
Defying Gravity - Keith Urban
Love on the Inside - Sugarland
That Lonesome Song - Jamey Johnson
2010
Winner: Revolution - Miranda Lambert
Nominees:
Need You Now - Lady A
Play On - Carrie Underwood
Twang - George Strait
Up On The Ridge - Dierks Bentley
2011
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
Winner: Chief - Eric Church
Nominees:
Four the Record - Miranda Lambert
Home - Dierks Bentley
Own the Night - Lady A
Tailgates & Tanlines - Luke Bryan
2013
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
Winner: Platinum - Miranda Lambert
Nominees:
Crash My Party - Luke Bryan
Fuse - Keith Urban
Riser - Dierks Bentley
The Outsiders - Eric Church
2015
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
Winner: Mr. Misunderstood - Eric Church
Nominees:
Black - Dierks Bentley
Hero - Maren Morris
Ripcord - Keith Urban
Storyteller - Carrie Underwood
2017
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
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
Winner: GIRL - Maren Morris
Nominees:
Center Point Road - Thomas Rhett
Cry Pretty - Carrie Underwood
Dan + Shay - Dan + Shay
Desperate Man - Eric Church
2020
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
Winner: Starting Over - Chris Stapleton
Nominees:
29 - Carly Pearce
Dangerous: The Double Album - Morgan Wallen
Heart - Eric Church
Skeletons - Brothers Osborne
2022
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
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
Winner: Leather - Cody Johnson
Nominees:
Deeper Well - Kacey Musgraves
Fathers & Sons - Luke Combs
Higher - Chris Stapleton
Whitsitt Chapel - Jelly Roll
Don’t miss all the CMA Awards coverage! Check back on September 8, 2025, to find out who is nominated for CMA Album of the Year!
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Look back at every winner and nominee of Album of the Year at the CMA Awards.