Every CMA Vocal Duo of the Year Winner and Nominee
A complete year-by-year look at every CMA Vocal Duo of the Year winner and nominee, plus the artists with the most wins and nominations.
Written by Amanda Tempel
Published: August 31, 2026
First presented in 1970, the CMA Duo of the Year Award honors the artists whose work as a partnership has made a significant impact on Country Music. According to the Country Music Association: “A duo is defined as an act composed of two people, both of whom normally perform together and neither of whom is known primarily as an individual performing artist. This Award is based on the musical performance of the duo as a unit on a Country single or album release, as well as their overall contribution to Country Music.”
2026 CMA Vocal Duo of the Year
2026 Nominees: To be announced September 10, 2026
2026 Winner: To be announced November 18, 2026
Most Recent Winner: Brooks & Dunn (2025)
2026 CMA Awards Date: November 18, 2026
The 2026 CMA Vocal Duo of the Year nominees will be announced September 10. This page will be updated with the complete list of nominees once they are revealed. For more on this year’s ceremony, including the date, broadcast details, nominees, and other award categories, see our 2026 CMA Awards guide.
What Is the CMA Vocal Duo of the Year Award?
The CMA Vocal Duo of the Year Award recognizes a country act made up of two performers who regularly perform together as a unit. The category considers the duo's musical performance on country singles or albums, along with its overall contribution to country music during the eligibility period.
The award was first presented in 1970. Over the years, winners have included iconic partnerships such as Loretta Lynn and Conway Twitty, The Judds, Brooks & Dunn, Sugarland, Brothers Osborne, and Dan + Shay.
Who Has Won the Most CMA Vocal Duo of the Year Awards?
Brooks & Dunn have the most wins in the CMA Vocal Duo of the Year category with a total of 16.
Brooks & Dunn - 16 Wins
Brothers Osborne - 6 Wins
Sugarland - 5 Wins
Loretta Lynn & Conway Twitty - 4 Wins
Florida Georgia Line, - 3 Wins
Dolly Parton & Porter Wagoner, Kenny Rogers & Dottie West, David Frizzell & Shelly West, Dan + Shay - 2 Wins
Waylon Jennings & Willie Nelson, Jim Ed Brown & Helen Cornelius, Moe Bandy & Joe Stampley, Willie Nelson & Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson & Julio Iglesias, Anne Murray & Dave Loggins, Dan Seals & Marie Osmond, Ricky Skaggs & Sharon White, Montgomery Gentry, Thompson Square - 1 Win
Who Has the Most CMA Vocal Duo of the Year Nominations?
Brooks & Dunn are the most-nominated act for CMA Duo of the Year with a total of 26 nominations.
Brooks & Dunn - 26 Nominations
Bellamy Brothers - 15 Nominations
Montgomery Gentry - 13 Nominations
Loretta Lynn & Conway Twitty, Dan + Shay - 12 Nominations
Maddie & Tae, Brothers Osborne - 11 Nominations
George Jones & Tammy Wynette, Sweethearts of the Rodeo, Florida Georgia Line - 9 Nominations
Sugarland - 8 Nominations
The Warren Brothers, Big & Rich - 7 Nominations
Dolly Parton & Porter Wagoner, Waylon Jennings & Willie Nelson - 6 Nominations
The Judds, Thompson Square - 5 Nominations
Jack Greene & Jeannie Seely, Moe Bandy & Joe Stampley, Jim Ed Brown & Helen Cornelius, Baillie & The Boys, Foster & Lloyd, The Kinleys - 4 Nominations
Janie Fricke & Johnny Duncan, David Frizzell & Shelly West, Don Williams & Emmylou Harris, Dolly Parton & Kenny Rogers, John & Audrey Wiggins, The Wreckers, Love and Theft, The Civil Wars, Joey + Rory, The War And Treaty - 3 Nominations
Johnny Cash & June Carter Cash, David Houston & Barbara Mandrell, Sherry Bryce & Mel Tillis, Bill Anderson & Mary Lou Turner, Kenny Rogers & Dottie West, George Jones & Merle Haggard, Barbara Mandrell & Lee Greenwood, Dan Seals & Marie Osmond, Gary Morris & Crystal Gayle, Brother Phelps, Thrasher & Shiver, The Lynns, Sons of the Desert, Van Zant, Steel Magnolia, LOCASH , - 2 Nominations
Bill Anderson & Jan Howard, Don Gibson & Dottie West, Merle Haggard & Bonnie Owens, Charlie Louvin & Melba Montgomery, Jody Miller & Johnny Paycheck, Waylon Jennings & Jessi Colter, Willie Nelson & Merle Haggard, Eddie Rabbitt & Crystal Gayle, Willie Nelson & Julio Iglesias, Anne Murray & Dave Loggins, Willie Nelson & Ray Charles, Steve Wariner & Nicolette Larson, Ricky Skaggs & Sharon White, Earl Thomas Conley & Anita Pointer, Michael Martin Murphey & Holly Dunn, The O'Kanes, Darryl & Don Ellis, Orrall & Wright, Raybon Brothers, Big & Rich, Blue County, The Swon Brothers - 1 Nomination
CMA Vocal Duo of the Year Winners and Nominees by Decade
1970 CMA Vocal Duo of the Year
Winner: Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner
Nominees:
Bill Anderson & Jan Howard
Don Gibson & Dottie West
Johnny Cash & June Carter Cash
Merle Haggard & Bonnie Owens
1971 CMA Vocal Duo of the Year
Winner: Dolly Parton & Porter Wagoner
Nominees:
Charlie Louvin & Melba Montgomery
Loretta Lynn & Conway Twitty
George Jones & Tammy Wynette
Johnny Cash & June Carter Cash
1972 CMA Vocal Duo of the Year
Winner: Loretta Lynn & Conway Twitty
Nominees:
George Jones & Tammy Wynette
Jack Greene & Jeannie Seely
Jody Miller & Johnny Paycheck
Dolly Parton & Porter Wagoner
1973 CMA Vocal Duo of the Year
Winner: Loretta Lynn & Conway Twitty
Nominees:
David Houston & Barbara Mandrell
George Jones & Tammy Wynette
Jack Greene & Jeannie Seely
Dolly Parton & Porter Wagoner
1974 CMA Vocal Duo of the Year
Winner: Loretta Lynn & Conway Twitty
Nominees:
David Houston & Barbara Mandrell
George Jones & Tammy Wynette
Jack Greene & Jeannie Seely
Dolly Parton & Porter Wagoner
1975 CMA Vocal Duo of the Year
Winner: Loretta Lynn & Conway Twitty
Nominees:
George Jones & Tammy Wynette
Jack Greene & Jeannie Seely
Sherry Bryce & Mel Tillis
Dolly Parton & Porter Wagoner
1976 CMA Vocal Duo of the Year
Winner: Waylon Jennings & Willie Nelson
Nominees:
Bill Anderson & Mary Lou Turner
Loretta Lynn & Conway Twitty
George Jones & Tammy Wynette
Sherry Bryce & Mel Tillis
1977 CMA Vocal Duo of the Year
Winner: Jim Ed Brown & Helen Cornelius
Nominees:
Bill Anderson & Mary Lou Turner
Loretta Lynn & Conway Twitty
George Jones & Tammy Wynette
Waylon Jennings & Willie Nelson
1978 CMA Vocal Duo of the Year
Winner: Kenny Rogers & Dottie West
Nominees:
Loretta Lynn & Conway Twitty
Janie Fricke and Johnny Duncan
Jim Ed Brown and Helen Cornelius
Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson
1979 CMA Vocal Duo of the Year
Winner: Kenny Rogers & Dottie West
Nominees:
Loretta Lynn & Conway Twitty
Janie Fricke & Johnny Duncan
Jim Ed Brown & Helen Cornelius
Waylon Jennings & Willie Nelson
1980 CMA Vocal Duo of the Year
Winner: Moe Bandy & Joe Stampley
Nominees:
Loretta Lynn & Conway Twitty
George Jones & Tammy Wynette
Janie Fricke & Johnny Duncan
Jim Ed Brown & Helen Cornelius
1981 CMA Vocal Duo of the Year
Winner: David Frizzell & Shelly West
Nominees:
Loretta Lynn & Conway Twitty
George Jones & Tammy Wynette
Moe Bandy & Joe Stampley
Waylon Jennings & Jessi Colter
1982 CMA Vocal Duo of the Year
Winner: David Frizzell & Shelly West
Nominees:
Loretta Lynn & Conway Twitty
Don Williams & Emmylou Harris
George Jones & Merle Haggard
Waylon Jennings & Willie Nelson
1983 CMA Vocal Duo of the Year
Winner: Willie Nelson & Merle Haggard
Nominees:
David Frizzell & Shelly West
Don Williams & Emmylou Harris
Eddie Rabbitt & Crystal Gayle
George Jones & Merle Haggard
1984 CMA Vocal Duo of the Year
Winner: Willie Nelson & Julio Iglesias
Nominees:
Barbara Mandrell & Lee Greenwood
Dolly Parton & Kenny Rogers
Don Williams & Emmylou Harris
Moe Bandy & Joe Stampley
1985 CMA Vocal Duo of the Year
Winner: Anne Murray & Dave Loggins
Nominees:
Barbara Mandrell & Lee Greenwood
Dolly Parton & Kenny Rogers
Moe Bandy & Joe Stampley
Willie Nelson & Ray Charles
1986 CMA Vocal Duo of the Year
Winner: Dan Seals & Marie Osmond
Nominees:
Dolly Parton & Kenny Rogers
Gary Morris & Crystal Gayle
Steve Wariner & Nicolette Larson
Waylon Jennings & Willie Nelson
1987 CMA Vocal Duo of the Year
Winner: Ricky Skaggs & Sharon White
Nominees:
Dan Seals & Marie Osmond
Earl Thomas Conley & Anita Pointer
Gary Morris & Crystal Gayle
Michael Martin Murphey & Holly Dunn
1988 CMA Vocal Duo of the Year
Winner: The Judds
Nominees:
Bellamy Brothers
Foster & Lloyd
The O'Kanes
Sweethearts of the Rodeo
1989 CMA Vocal Duo of the Year
Winner: The Judds
Nominees:
Baillie & The Boys
Bellamy Brothers
Foster & Lloyd
Sweethearts of the Rodeo
1990 CMA Vocal Duo of the Year
Winner: The Judds
Nominees:
Baillie & The Boys
Bellamy Brothers
Foster & Lloyd
Sweethearts of the Rodeo
1991 CMA Vocal Duo of the Year
Winner: The Judds
Nominees:
Baillie & The Boys
Bellamy Brothers
Foster & Lloyd
Sweethearts of the Rodeo
1992 CMA Vocal Duo of the Year
Winner: Brooks & Dunn
Nominees:
Baillie & The Boys
Bellamy Brothers
The Judds
Sweethearts of the Rodeo
1993 CMA Vocal Duo of the Year
Winner: Brooks & Dunn
Nominees:
Bellamy Brothers
Darryl & Don Ellis
Sweethearts of the Rodeo
1994 CMA Vocal Duo of the Year
Winner: Brooks & Dunn
Nominees:
Bellamy Brothers
Brother Phelps
Orrall & Wright
Sweethearts of the Rodeo
1995 CMA Vocal Duo of the Year
Winner: Brooks & Dunn
Nominees:
Bellamy Brothers
Brother Phelps
Sweethearts of the Rodeo
John & Audrey Wiggins
1996 CMA Vocal Duo of the Year
Winner: Brooks & Dunn
Nominees:
Baker & Myers
Bellamy Brothers
Sweethearts of the Rodeo
John & Audrey Wiggins
1997 CMA Vocal Duo of the Year
Winner: Brooks & Dunn
Nominees:
Bellamy Brothers
Raybon Brothers
Thrasher & Shiver
John & Audrey Wiggins
1998 CMA Vocal Duo of the Year
Winner: Brooks & Dunn
Nominees:
Bellamy Brothers
The Kinleys
The Lynns
Thrasher & Shiver
1999 CMA Vocal Duo of the Year
Winner: Brooks & Dunn
Nominees:
The Kinleys
The Lynns
Montgomery Gentry
The Warren Brothers
2000 CMA Vocal Duo of the Year
Winner: Montgomery Gentry
Nominees:
Bellamy Brothers
Brooks & Dunn
The Kinleys
The Warren Brothers
2001 CMA Vocal Duo of the Year
Winner: Brooks & Dunn
Nominees:
Bellamy Brothers
The Kinleys
Montgomery Gentry
The Warren Brothers
2002 CMA Vocal Duo of the Year
Winner: Brooks & Dunn
Nominees:
Bellamy Brothers
Montgomery Gentry
Sons of the Desert
The Warren Brothers
2003 CMA Vocal Duo of the Year
Winner: Brooks & Dunn
Nominees:
Bellamy Brothers
Montgomery Gentry
Sons of the Desert
The Warren Brothers
2004 CMA Vocal Duo of the Year
Winner: Brooks & Dunn
Nominees:
Big & Rich
Blue County
Montgomery Gentry
The Warren Brothers
2005 CMA Vocal Duo of the Year
Winner: Brooks & Dunn
Nominees:
Big & Rich
Montgomery Gentry
Van Zant
The Warren Brothers
2006 CMA Vocal Duo of the Year
Winner: Brooks & Dunn
Nominees:
Big & Rich
Montgomery Gentry
The Wreckers
Van Zant
2007 CMA Vocal Duo of the Year
Winner: Sugarland
Nominees:
Big & Rich
Brooks & Dunn
Montgomery Gentry
The Wreckers
2008 CMA Vocal Duo of the Year
Winner: Sugarland
Nominees:
Big & Rich
Brooks & Dunn
Montgomery Gentry
The Wreckers
2009 CMA Vocal Duo of the Year
Winner: Sugarland
Nominees:
Big & Rich
Brooks & Dunn
Joey + Rory
Montgomery Gentry
2010 CMA Vocal Duo of the Year
Winner: Sugarland
Nominees:
Brooks & Dunn
Joey + Rory
Montgomery Gentry
Steel Magnolia
2011 CMA Vocal Duo of the Year
Winner: Sugarland
Nominees:
Montgomery Gentry
Steel Magnolia
The Civil Wars
Thompson Square
2012 CMA Vocal Duo of the Year
Winner: Thompson Square
Nominees:
Big & Rich
Love and Theft
Sugarland
The Civil Wars
2013 CMA Vocal Duo of the Year
Winner: Florida Georgia Line
Nominees:
Big & Rich
Love and Theft
Sugarland
The Civil Wars
Thompson Square
2014 CMA Vocal Duo of the Year
Winner: Florida Georgia Line
Nominees:
Dan + Shay
Love and Theft
The Swon Brothers
Thompson Square
2015 CMA Vocal Duo of the Year
Winner: Florida Georgia Line
Nominees:
Brothers Osborne
Dan + Shay
Maddie & Tae
Thompson Square
2016 CMA Vocal Duo of the Year
Winner: Brothers Osborne
Nominees:
Dan + Shay
Florida Georgia Line
Joey + Rory
Maddie & Tae
2017 CMA Vocal Duo of the Year
Winner: Brothers Osborne
Nominees:
Dan + Shay
Florida Georgia Line
LOCASH
Maddie & Tae
2018 CMA Vocal Duo of the Year
Winner: Brothers Osborne
Nominees:
Dan + Shay
Florida Georgia Line
Sugarland
Maddie & Tae
2019 CMA Vocal Duo of the Year
Winner: Dan + Shay
Nominees:
Brooks & Dunn
Brothers Osborne
Florida Georgia Line
Maddie & Tae
2020 CMA Vocal Duo of the Year
Winner: Dan + Shay
Nominees:
Brooks & Dunn
Brothers Osborne
Florida Georgia Line
Maddie & Tae
2021 CMA Vocal Duo of the Year
Winner: Brothers Osborne
Nominees:
Brooks & Dunn
Dan + Shay
Florida Georgia Line
Maddie & Tae
2022 CMA Vocal Duo of the Year
Winner: Brothers Osborne
Nominees:
Brooks & Dunn
Dan + Shay
LOCASH
Maddie & Tae
2023 CMA Vocal Duo of the Year
Winner: Brothers Osborne
Nominees:
Brooks & Dunn
Dan + Shay
The War And Treaty
Maddie & Tae
2024 CMA Vocal Duo of the Year
Winner: Brooks & Dunn
Nominees:
Brothers Osborne
Dan + Shay
The War And Treaty
Maddie & Tae
2025 CMA Vocal Duo of the Year
Winner: Brooks & Dunn
Nominees:
Brothers Osborne
Dan + Shay
The War And Treaty
Maddie & Tae
CMA Vocal Duo of the Year FAQ
Who won CMA Vocal Duo of the Year in 2025?
Brooks & Dunn won CMA Vocal Duo of the Year in 2025, defeating Brothers Osborne, Dan + Shay, Maddie & Tae, and The War and Treaty.
Who has won the most CMA Vocal Duo of the Year awards?
Brooks & Dunn hold the record for the most CMA Vocal Duo of the Year wins, with 16.
Who has the most CMA Vocal Duo of the Year nominations?
Brooks & Dunn are also the most-nominated act in the category, with 26 nominations.
Who was the first CMA Vocal Duo of the Year winner?
Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner won the first CMA Vocal Duo of the Year award in 1970.
When are the 2026 CMA Vocal Duo of the Year nominees announced?
The 2026 CMA Vocal Duo of the Year nominees will be announced September 10, 2026.
When will the 2026 CMA Vocal Duo of the Year winner be announced?
The winner will be announced during the 60th Annual CMA Awards on November 18, 2026.
What is the difference between CMA Vocal Duo and Vocal Group of the Year?
CMA Vocal Duo of the Year is for acts consisting of two performers who normally perform together, while Vocal Group of the Year recognizes groups made up of three or more members.
Sources: CMA Awards official winners and nominees database.