Every CMA Musical Event of the Year Winner and Nominee by Year
A complete year-by-year look at every CMA Musical Event of the Year winner and nominee, plus the artists with the most wins and nominations.
Written by Amanda Tempel
Published: October 6, 2026
The CMA Musical Event of the Year Award recognizes artists who collaborate on a song. Introduced in 1988, the category was originally known as Vocal Event of the Year. Below, you’ll find every CMA Musical Event of the Year winner and nominee, listed by year.
CMA Musical Event of the Year Quick Facts
Award first presented: 1988
First winner: Emmylou Harris, Dolly Parton, and Linda Ronstadt
Presented by: Country Music Association
Awarded to: Collaborative song by at least two artists.
2026 winner: To be announced November 18, 2026
2026 eligibility period: July 1, 2025–June 30, 2026
2026 CMA Awards: November 18, 2026, at 8/7c on ABC
2026 CMA Musical Event of the Year
The winner will be announced during the 60th Annual CMA Awards on Wednesday, November 18, 2026, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.
2026 Nominees:
“A Song To Sing” - Miranda Lambert and Chris Stapleton
“Horses and Divorces” - Miranda Lambert and Kacey Musgraves
“I Can’t Love You Anymore” - Ella Langley and Morgan Wallen
“If I Don’t Leave I’m Gonna Stay” - Carly Pearce and Riley Green
“McArthur” - HARDY, Eric Church, Tim McGraw, and Morgan Wallen
See the complete 2026 CMA Awards nominees and follow our CMA Awards guide for the latest details on this year's ceremony.
Who Has Won the Most CMA Musical Event of the Year Awards?
Kenny Chesney, Vince Gill, Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley, and Keith Urban are tied for the most CMA Musical Event of the Year wins, with four each.
Kenny Chesney, Vince Gill, Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley, and Keith Urban - 4 Wins
Alan Jackson, George Jones, Alison Krauss, Patty Loveless, and Dolly Parton - 3 Wins
Carly Pearce, Blake Shelton, George Strait, and Travis Tritt - 2 Wins
Jason Aldean, Trace Adkins, Bill Anderson, Kelsea Ballerini, Dierks Bentley, Clint Black, Lee Brice, Garth Brooks, T. Graham Brown, Jimmy Buffett, Glen Campbell, Mark Chesnutt, Kenny Chesney, Eric Church, Kelly Clarkson, Billy Ray Cyrus, Linda Davis, Joe Diffie, Riley Green, Emmylou Harris, Hardy, Faith Hill, Elle King, Tracy Lawrence, Miranda Lambert, Ella Langley, Reba McEntire, Ashley McBryde, Lorrie Morgan, David Lee Murphy, Willie Nelson, Buck Owens, Robert Plant, Post Malone, Shenandoah, Pam Tillis, Taylor Swift, Marty Stuart, Keith Whitley, Hank Williams Jr, Hank Williams Sr, Lee Ann Womack, Lainey Wilson, and Lil Nas X. - 1 Win
Most CMA Musical Event of the Year Nominations
Kenny Chesney is the most-nominated act for Musical Event of the Year with a total of 14.
Kenny Chesney - 14 Nominations
Vince Gill - 12 Nominations
Alan Jackson and Tim McGraw - 11 Nominations
Alison Krauss and Miranda Lambert - 10 Nominations
George Jones, Reba McEntire, and Willie Nelson - 9 Nominations
Clint Black, Brad Paisley, Dolly Parton, and George Strait - 7 Nominations
Johnny Cash, Emmylou Harris, Faith Hill, Maren Morris, Blake Shelton, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, and Lee Ann Womack - 6 Nominations
Eric Church,Travis Tritt, and Trisha Yearwood - 5 Nominations
Jason Aldean, Dierks Bentley, Garth Brooks, Brooks & Dunn, Jimmy Buffett, Patty Loveless, Buck Owens, Carly Pearce, Marty Stuart, Randy Travis, Dwight Yoakam, Morgan Wallen, and Tammy Wynette - 4 Nominations
Zac Brown Band, Luke Bryan, Kelly Clarkson, Sheryl Crow, Riley Green, Merle Haggard, Hardy, Waylon Jennings, Elle King, Kris Kristofferson, Ella Langley, Martina McBride, Ricky Skaggs, Chris Stapleton, Tanya Tucker, Steve Wariner, Gillian Welch, and Lainey Wilson - 3 Nominations
Chet Atkins, Kelsea Ballerini, T. Graham Brown, Kane Brown, Rosanne Cash, Earl Thomas Conley, Charlie Daniels, Linda Davis, Joe Diffie, Sara Evans, Florida Georgia Line, Jamey Johnson, Toby Keith, Kid Rock, Loretta Lynn, Ashley McBryde, Jelly Roll, Jo Dee Messina, Ashley Monroe, Kacey Musgraves, Mark O'Connor, Lee Roy Parnell, Post Malone, Grace Potter, Linda Ronstadt, Taylor Swift, Pam Tillis, Thomas Rhett, Keith Whitley, Hank Williams Jr, Chris Young, Brothers Osborne, Little Big Town, and Nitty Gritty Dirt Band - 2 Nominations
Aaron Neville, Alabama, Andy Griggs, Anita Cochran, Asleep at the Wheel, Bebe Rexha, Bill Anderson, Billy Currington, Billy Ray Cyrus, Bobby Bare, Bon Jovi, Brandon Lake, Brantley Gilbert, Breland, Cassadee Pope, Caylee Hammack, Chely Wright, Chris Tomlin, Cody Johnson, Conway Twitty, Dan + Shay, Darius Rucker, Dave Matthews, David Lee Murphy, Delbert McClinton, Diamond Rio, Don Henley, Earl Scruggs, Glen Campbell, Gretchen Wilson, Hal Ketchum, Hank Williams Sr., Hillary Scott, Hozier, Jake Owen, James McMurtry, James Taylor, Jeff Foxworthy, Jennifer Nettles, Jerry Reed, Joe Ely, John Berry, John Denver, John Mellencamp, John Prine, John Waite, Jon Pardi, Jordan Davis, Josh Turner, Justin Bieber, Karen Fairchild, Katelyn Brown, Kathy Mattea, Kenny Chesney, Kenny Rogers, Lee Brice, Lil Nas X, Lindsay Ell, Lionel Richie, Lisa Hartman Black, Lorrie Morgan, Luke Combs, Mac McAnally, Mark Chesnutt, Mark Knopfler, Megan Moroney, Mel Tillis, Midland, Montgomery Gentry, Morgane Stapleton, Nelly, Noah Kahan, Norah Jones, Paul Davis, Paul Franklin, Paul Overstreet, Pink, Pistol Annies, Rhiannon Giddens, Ringo Starr, Robert Plant, Rodney Crowell, Roy Rogers, Ryan Hurd, Sam Moore, Shania Twain, Shenandoah, Snoop Dogg, Sons of the Desert, Sugarland, Suzy Bogguss, Tenille Townes, The Chicks, The Civil Wars, The Everly Brothers, The Fairfield Four, The Raconteurs, Trace Adkins, Tracy Byrd, Tracy Lawrence, Uncle Kracker, Wynonna, and Zach Bryan - 1 Nomination
Every CMA Musical Event of the Year Winner
1988 CMA Awards Musical Event of the Year
Winner: Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt, and Emmylou Harris - TRIO
Nominees:
Dwight Yoakam and Buck Owens
Emmylou Harris and Earl Thomas Conley
Rodney Crowell and Rosanne Cash
Tanya Tucker, Paul Davis, and Paul Overstreet
1989 CMA Awards Musical Event of the Year
Winner: “There's A Tear In My Beer” - Hank Williams, Sr. and Hank Williams, Jr.
Nominees:
Buck Owens and Ringo Starr
Hank Williams Jr. and Johnny Cash
John Denver and Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
Johnny Cash, Rosanne Cash, The Everly Brothers
1990 CMA Awards Musical Event of the Year
Winner: “‘Til a Tear Becomes a Rose” – Keith Whitley & Lorrie Morgan
Nominees:
“Highwaymen 2” – Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, and Kris Kristofferson
“Oklahoma Swing” – Vince Gill and Reba McEntire
“Don’t Go Out” – Tanya Tucker and T. Graham Brown
“Gulf Coast Highway” – Willie Nelson and Emmylou Harris
1991 CMA Awards Musical Event of the Year
Winner: “Restless” – The New Nashville Cats: Mark O’Connor, Vince Gill, Ricky Skaggs, and Steve Wariner
Nominees:
Chet Atkins and Mark Knopfler
“Rockin’ Years” - Dolly Parton and Ricky Van Shelton
Highwaymen 2 - Highwaymen (Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings)
“A Few Ole Country Boys” - Randy Travis and George Jones
1992 CMA Awards Musical Event of the Year
Winner: “The Whiskey Ain’t Working” – Marty Stuart and Travis Tritt
Nominees:
“Buzzin' Cousins” - James McMurtry, Dwight Yoakam, John Prine, Joe Ely and John Mellencamp
“Hold On Partner” - Clint Black and Roy Rogers
“Brotherly Love” - Keith Whitley and Earl Thomas Conley
“We’re Strangers Again” - Tammy Wynette and Randy Travis
1993 CMA Awards Musical Event of the Year
Winner: “I Don’t Need Your Rockin’ Chair” – George Jones, Vince Gill, Mark Chesnutt, Garth Brooks, Travis Tritt, Joe Diffie, Alan Jackson, Pam Tillis, T. Graham Brown, Patty Loveless and Clint Black
Nominees:
“A Bad Goodbye” - Clint Black and Wynonna
“Tell Me About It” - Tanya Tucker and Delbert McClinton
“The Heart Won't Lie” - Reba McEntire and Vince Gill
“Walkaway Joe” - Trisha Yearwood and Don Henley
1994 CMA Awards Musical Event of the Year
Winner: “Does He Love You” - Reba McEntire and Linda Davis
Nominees:
“I Fall To Pieces” - Aaron Neville and Trisha Yearwood
“Rainy Night In Georgia” - Conway Twitty and Sam Moore
Tammy Wynette, Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton
“The Devil Comes Back To Georgia” - Johnny Cash, Charlie Daniels, Marty Stuart, Travis Tritt, and Mark O’Connor
1995 CMA Awards Musical Event of the Year
Winner: “Somewhere In The Vicinity of the Heart” - Alison Krauss and Shenandoah
Nominees:
“A Good Year For The Roses” - Alan Jackson and George Jones
“One” - George Jones and Tammy Wynette
“Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word” - Suzy Bogguss and Chet Atkins
“Workin’ Man Blues” - Lee Roy Parnell, Steve Wariner, and Diamond Rio
1996 CMA Awards Musical Event of the Year
Winner: “I Will Always Love You” - Dolly Parton and Vince Gill
Nominees:
“Honky Tonkin’s What I Do Best” - Marty Stuart and Travis Tritt
“On My Own” - Reba McEntire, Martina McBride, Linda Davis, and Trisha Yearwood
“One” - George Jones and Tammy Wynette
“Redneck Games” - Jeff Foxworthy and Alan Jackson
1997 CMA Awards Musical Event of the Year
Winner: “It's Your Love” - Tim McGraw and Faith Hill
Nominees:
“Peace in the Valley” - The Fairfield Four and Lee Roy Parnell
“Long Haired Country Boy” - Charlie Daniels, John Berry, and Hal Ketchum
“Still Holding On” - Clint Black and Martina McBride
“You’ve Got A Friend In Me” - Kathy Mattea and George Jones
1998 CMA Awards Musical Event of the Year
Winner: “You Don't Seem To Miss Me” - Patty Loveless and George Jones
Nominees:
“If You See Him/If You See Her” - Brooks & Dunn and Reba McEntire
“In Another’s Eyes” - Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood
“Just To Hear You Say That You Love Me” - Tim McGraw and Faith Hill
“What If I Said” - Anita Cochran and Steve Wariner
1999 CMA Awards Musical Event of the Year
Winner: “My Kind Of Woman/My Kind Of Man” - Vince Gill and Patty Loveless
Nominees:
“No Place That Far” - Sara Evans and Vince Gill
“Same Old Train” - Clint Black, Joe Diffie, Merle Haggard, Emmylou Harris, Alison Krauss, Patty Loveless, Earl Scruggs, Ricky Skaggs, Marty Stuart, Pam Tillis, Randy Travis, Travis Tritt and Dwight Yoakam
”Old Dogs” - Waylon Jennings, Mel Tillis, Bobby Bare and Jerry Reed
Trio II - Emmylou Harris, Linda Ronstadt, and Dolly Parton
2000 CMA Awards Musical Event of the Year
Winner: “Murder on Music Row” - Alan Jackson and George Strait
Nominees:
“I Hope You Dance” - Lee Ann Womack and Sons of the Desert
“Let's Make Love” - Faith Hill and Tim McGraw
“Roly Poly” - Asleep at the Wheel and Dixie Chicks
“When I Said I Do” - Clint Black and Lisa Hartman Black
2001 CMA Awards Musical Event of the Year
Winner: “Too Country” - Brad Paisley, Buck Owens, George Jones and Bill Anderson
Nominees:
“Alright, I'm Wrong” - Buck Owens and Dwight Yoakam
“Didn't Leave Nobody But The Baby” - Alison Krauss, Gillian Welch and Emmylou Harris
“I'll Fly Away” - Alison Krauss and Gillian Welch
“Hard To Be A Husband, Hard To Be A Wife” - Brad Paisley and Chely Wright
2002 CMA Awards Musical Event of the Year
Winner: “Mendocino County Line” - Willie Nelson and Lee Ann Womack
Nominees:
“Beer Run” - Garth Brooks and George Jones
“Bring On The Rain” - Jo Dee Messina and Tim McGraw
“Designated Drinker” - Alan Jackson and George Strait
“I'll Fly Away” - Alison Krauss and Gillian Welch
2003 CMA Awards Musical Event of the Year
Winner: “It's Five O'Clock Somewhere” - Alan Jackson and Jimmy Buffett
Nominees:
“Tears in the Holston River” - Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and Johnny Cash
“Picture” - Kid Rock and Sheryl Crow
“The Truth About Men” - Tracy Byrd, Andy Griggs, Montgomery Gentry and Blake Shelton
“Beer For My Horses” - Toby Keith and Willie Nelson
2004 CMA Awards Musical Event of the Year
Winner: “Whiskey Lullaby” - Brad Paisley and Alison Krauss
Nominees:
“Creepin' In” - Norah Jones and Dolly Parton
“Hey Good Lookin” - Jimmy Buffett, Clint Black, Kenny Chesney, Alan Jackson, Toby Keith and George Strait
“How's The World Treating You” - James Taylor and Alison Krauss
“When The Sun Goes Down” - Kenny Chesney and Uncle Kracker
2005 CMA Awards Musical Event of the Year
Winner: “Good News, Bad News” - George Strait and Lee Ann Womack
Nominees:
“I'll Never Be Free” - Willie Nelson and Lee Ann Womack
“New Again” - Brad Paisley and Sara Evans
“Party For Two” - Shania Twain and Billy Currington
“Trip Around The Sun” - Jimmy Buffett and Martina McBride
2006 CMA Awards Musical Event of the Year
Winner: “When I Get Where I'm Going” - Brad Paisley and Dolly Parton
Nominees:
“Building Bridges” - Brooks & Dunn, Sheryl Crow and Vince Gill
“Like We Never Loved At All” - Faith Hill and Tim McGraw
“Politically Uncorrect” - Gretchen Wilson and Merle Haggard
“Who Says You Can't Go Home” - Bon Jovi and Jennifer Nettles
2007 CMA Awards Musical Event of the Year
Winner: “Find Out Who Your Friends Are” - Tracy Lawrence, Tim McGraw, and Kenny Chesney
Nominees:
“Because Of You” - Reba McEntire and Kelly Clarkson
“Hey Good Lookin” (Live) - Jimmy Buffett, George Strait and Alan Jackson
“Missing You” - Alison Krauss and John Waite
“The Reason Why” - Vince Gill and Alison Krauss
2008 CMA Awards Musical Event of the Year
Winner: “Gone Gone Gone (Done Moved On)” - Robert Plant and Alison Krauss
Nominees:
“Another Try” - Josh Turner and Trisha Yearwood
“Every Other Weekend” - Reba McEntire and Kenny Chesney
“Life In A Northern Town” - Sugarland, Little Big Town, and Jake Owen
“Shiftwork” - Kenny Chesney and George Strait
2009 CMA Awards Musical Event of the Year
Winner: “Start A Band” - Brad Paisley and Keith Urban
Nominees:
“Cowgirls Don't Cry” - Brooks & Dunn and Reba McEntire
“Down The Road” - Kenny Chesney and Mac McAnally
“Everything But Quits” - Lee Ann Womack and George Strait
“I Told You So” - Carrie Underwood featuring Randy Travis
“Old Enough” - The Raconteurs featuring Ricky Skaggs and Ashley Monroe
2010 CMA Awards Musical Event of the Year
Winner: “Hillbilly Bone” - Blake Shelton and Trace Adkins
Nominees:
“Bad Angel” - Dierks Bentley, Miranda Lambert, and Jamey Johnson
“Don't You See” - Zac Brown Band and Kid Rock
“I'm Alive” - Kenny Chesney and Dave Matthews
“Till The End” - Alan Jackson and Lee Ann Womack
2011 CMA Awards Musical Event of the Year
Winner: “Don’t You Wanna Stay” - Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson
Nominees:
“As She's Walking Away” - Zac Brown Band and Alan Jackson
“Coal Miner's Daughter” - Loretta Lynn, Sheryl Crow, and Miranda Lambert
“Old Alabama” - Brad Paisley and Alabama
“You and Tequila” - Kenny Chesney and Grace Potter
2012 CMA Awards Musical Event of the Year
Winner: “Feel Like A Rock Star” - Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw
Nominees:
“Dixie Highway” - Alan Jackson and Zac Brown
“Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die” - Willie Nelson, Snoop Dogg, Kris Kristofferson, and Jamey Johnson
“Safe & Sound” - Taylor Swift and The Civil Wars
“Stuck On You” - Lionel Richie and Darius Rucker
2013 CMA Awards Musical Event of the Year
Winner: “Highway Don't Care” - Tim McGraw, Taylor Swift, and Keith Urban
Nominees:
“Boys 'Round Here” - Blake Shelton and Pistol Annies
“Cruise” - Florida Georgia Line and Nelly
“Don't Rush” - Kelly Clarkson and Vince Gill
“The Only Way I Know” - Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, and Eric Church
2014 CMA Awards Musical Event of the Year
Winner: “We Were Us” - Keith Urban and Miranda Lambert
Nominees:
Bakersfield - Vince Gill and Paul Franklin
“Meanwhile Back at Mama's” - Tim McGraw and Faith Hill
“Somethin' Bad” - Miranda Lambert and Carrie Underwood
“You Can't Make Old Friends” - Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton
2015 CMA Awards Musical Event of the Year
Winner: “Raise 'Em Up” - Keith Urban and Eric Church
Nominees:
Django and Jimmie - Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard
“Lonely Tonight” - Blake Shelton and Ashley Monroe
“Smokin' and Drinkin” - Miranda Lambert and Little Big Town
“Wild Child” - Kenny Chesney and Grace Potter
2016 CMA Awards Musical Event of the Year
Winner: “Different For Girls” - Dierks Bentley and Elle King
Nominees:
“Home Alone Tonight” - Luke Bryan and Karen Fairchild
“The Fighter” - Keith Urban and Carrie Underwood
“Think of You” - Chris Young and Cassadee Pope
“You Are My Sunshine” - Morgane Stapleton and Chris Stapleton
2017 CMA Awards Musical Event of the Year
Winner: “Funny How Time Slips Away” - Glen Campbell and Willie Nelson
Nominees:
“Craving You” - Thomas Rhett and Maren Morris
“Kill A Word” - Eric Church and Rhiannon Giddens
“Setting the World on Fire” - Kenny Chesney and Pink
“Speak to a Girl” - Tim McGraw and Faith Hill
2018 CMA Awards Musical Event of the Year
Winner: “Everything's Gonna Be Alright” - David Lee Murphy and Kenny Chesney
Nominees:
“Burning Man” - Dierks Bentley and Brothers Osborne
“Dear Hate” - Maren Morris and Vince Gill
“Drowns the Whiskey” - Jason Aldean and Miranda Lambert
“Meant to Be” - Bebe Rexha and Florida Georgia Line
2019 CMA Awards Musical Event of the Year
Winner: “Old Town Road” (Remix) - Lil Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus
Nominees:
“All My Favorite People” - Maren Morris and Brothers Osborne
“Brand New Man” - Brooks & Dunn and Luke Combs
“Dive Bar” - Garth Brooks and Blake Shelton
“What Happens In A Small Town” - Brantley Gilbert and Lindsay Ell
2020 CMA Awards Musical Event of the Year
Winner: “I Hope You're Happy Now” - Carly Pearce and Lee Brice
Nominees:
“10,000 Hours” - Dan + Shay and Justin Bieber
“Be A Light” - Thomas Rhett, Reba McEntire, Hillary Scott, Chris Tomlin, and Keith Urban
“Fooled Around And Fell In Love” - Miranda Lambert, Maren Morris, Elle King, Ashley McBryde, Tenille Townes and Caylee Hammack
“The Bones” - Maren Morris with Hozier
2021 CMA Awards Musical Event of the Year
Winner: “half of my hometown” - Kelsea Ballerini and Kenny Chesney
Nominees:
“Buy Dirt” - Jordan Davis and Luke Bryan
“Chasing After You” - Ryan Hurd and Maren Morris
“Drunk (And I Don't Wanna Go Home)” - Elle King and Miranda Lambert
“Famous Friends” - Chris Young and Kane Brown
2022 CMA Awards Musical Event of the Year
Winner: “Never Wanted To Be That Girl” - Carly Pearce and Ashley McBryde
Nominees:
“Beers On Me” - Dierks Bentley, BRELAND and HARDY
“If I Didn't Love You” - Jason Aldean and Carrie Underwood
“Longneck Way To Go” - Midland and Jon Pardi
“Never Say Never” - Cole Swindell and Lainey Wilson
2023 CMA Awards Musical Event of the Year
Winner: “wait in the truck” - HARDY and Lainey Wilson
Nominees:
“We Don't Fight Anymore” - Carly Pearce and Chris Stapleton
“She Had Me At Heads Carolina” (Remix) - Cole Swindell and Jo Dee Messina
“Save Me” - Jelly Roll and Lainey Wilson
“Thank God” - Kane Brown and Katelyn Brown
2024 CMA Awards Musical Event of the Year
Winner: “you look like you love me” - Ella Langley and Riley Green
Nominees:
“Cowboys Cry Too” - Kelsea Ballerini and Noah Kahan
“I Had Some Help” - Post Malone and Morgan Wallen
“Man Made A Bar” - Morgan Wallen and Eric Church
“I Remember Everything” - Zach Bryan and Kacey Musgraves
2025 CMA Awards Musical Event of the Year
Winner: “Pour Me A Drink” - Post Malone and Blake Shelton
Nominees:
“Don’t Mind If I Do” - Riley Green and Ella Langley
“Hard Fought Hallelujah” - Brandon Lake and Jelly Roll
“I’m Gonna Love You” - Cody Johnson and Carrie Underwood
“You Had To Be There” - Megan Moroney and Kenny Chesney
2026 CMA Awards Musical Event of the Year
Winner: TBA November 18, 2026
Nominees:
“A Song To Sing” - Miranda Lambert and Chris Stapleton
“Horses and Divorces” - Miranda Lambert and Kacey Musgraves
“I Can’t Love You Anymore” - Ella Langley and Morgan Wallen
“If I Don’t Leave I’m Gonna Stay” - Carly Pearce and Riley Green
“McArthur” - HARDY, Eric Church, Tim McGraw, and Morgan Wallen
This page will be updated each year with the latest nominees and winner. For dates, nominations, performers, winners, voting information, and more, visit our complete CMA Awards guide.
Sources: CMA Awards official winners and nominees database.