Post Malone’s collaboration with country artist Morgan Wallen, titled “I Had Some Help,” is poised to make both artists significant contenders at the upcoming Country Music Association Awards on Wednesday night. This hit track has elevated Wallen to the position of the night’s leading nominee, showcasing the rising trend of crossover appeal in country music, even in light of Beyoncé’s absence from the nominations.
“I Had Some Help” has been nominated for four prestigious awards, including single, song, musical event, and music video of the year, marking Malone’s first nomination at the CMAs. Wallen, on the other hand, has received nominations in seven categories, vying for the coveted entertainer of the year award against notable nominees such as Luke Combs, Jelly Roll, Chris Stapleton, and last year’s winner, Lainey Wilson. Like Malone, Wilson is also competing for four awards.
This year’s awards ceremony is expected to embrace the collaborative spirit, airing at 8 p.m. Eastern on ABC and available for streaming on Hulu starting Thursday. Lainey Wilson will co-host the event alongside Luke Bryan and NFL Hall of Famer Peyton Manning, who also boasts a background with the University of Tennessee.
The show is set to kick off with a dynamic performance from Malone and Stapleton, setting the stage for an exciting night filled with artist collaborations. Additional performances will see pairings such as Shaboozey with Combs and Eric Church, Kelsea Ballerini alongside Noah Kahan, Thomas Rhett teaming up with Teddy Swims, and Brooks & Dunn featuring Jelly Roll. Moreover, there will be a tribute segment honoring George Strait as he receives the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award from the association.
The CMA Awards are determined by voting members of the Country Music Association, which includes a diverse mix of music executives, artists, publicists, songwriters, and other industry personnel. Prior to the nominations being announced, some fans speculated that Beyoncé could be recognized for her genre-blending track “Cowboy Carter,” released during the eligibility period; however, she ultimately did not receive a nomination.
Earlier this year, Beyoncé’s album made history by debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard country albums chart, marking her as the first Black woman to claim that spot since the chart’s inception in 1964. Other notable nominees include Chris Stapleton and Cody Johnson, both of whom have garnered five nominations each. Under the unique nomination structure of the CMAs, Stapleton has the potential to walk away with seven awards, as he is recognized both as an artist and producer for projects such as “White Horse,” nominated for single of the year, and “Higher,” nominated for album of the year. It’s important to note that production credits should not be mistaken as separate nominations, but they do count toward the total number of potential wins.
