Source: Lainey Wilson accepts the Entertainer of the Year award from Keith Urban onstage during the 57th Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena on November 08, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Astrida Valigorsky/WireImage via Getty Images)
From the very first Country Music Association Awards in 1967, the “Entertainer of the Year” award has been given out every year since. This year’s group of nominees feature two-time winner Luke Combs, Jelly Roll, Chris Stapleton, Morgan Wallen and last year’s winner Lainey Wilson.
With her second nomination for the award, Wilson joins a legendary list of country music stars to have been nominated for “Entertainer of the Year” multiple times. From the artist with the most nominations for the “Entertainer of the Year” award to those with just two nominations to their name, here’s every multi-nominee in the CMA’s history:
1. George Strait – 19 nominations
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The “King of Country” won the award in 1989, 1990 and 2013.
2. Garth Brooks – 13 nominations
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Brooks has won the award more than any artist; in 1991, 1992, 1997, 1998, 2016, 2017 and 2019.
3. Keith Urban – 13 nominations
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Urban won the award in 2005 and 2018.
4. Alan Jackson – 12 nominations
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Jackson won the award in 1995, 2002 and 2003.
5. Brooks & Dunn – 11 nominations
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Brooks & Dunn took home the award in 1996.
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7. Kenny Chesney – 11 nominations
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Chesney won the award in 2004, 2006, 2007 and 2008.
8. Reba McEntire – 10 nominations
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McEntire won the award in 1986.
9. Merle Haggard – nine nominations
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Haggard won the award in 1970.
10. Brad Paisley – eight nominations
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Paisley won the award in 2010.
11. CMA Songwriters Series Featuring Mary Chapin Carpenter, Vince Gill, Mac McAnally And Don Schlitz
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Gill won the award back-to-back in 1993 and 1994.
12. Chris Stapleton – eight nominations
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As of 2023, Stapleton has the most nominations for the award without ever winning it.
13. Barbara Mandrell – six nominations
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Mandrell won the award back-to-back in 1980 and 1981.
14. Luke Bryan – six nominations
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Bryan won the award back-to-back in 2014 and 2015.
15. Charley Pride – six nominations
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Pride won the award in 1971.
16. Tim McGraw – six nominations
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McGraw won the award in 2001.
17. Carrie Underwood – six nominations
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As of 2024, Underwood is tied for the most nominations for the award by a female artist without winning.
18. Miranda Lambert – six nominations
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As of 2024, Lambert is tied with Underwood for the most nominations for the award by a female artist without winning.
19. The 53rd Annual CMA Awards – Show
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Nelson won the award in 1979.
20. Alabama – five nominations
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Alabama was the first to win the award three times, winning in 1982, 1983 and 1984.
21. Luke Combs – five nominations
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Combs won the award back-to-back in 2021 and 2022.
22. Eric Church – five nominations
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Church won the award in 2020.
23. Kenny Rogers – five nominations
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Rogers never won the award, despite five consecutive nominations between 1977 and 1981.
24. Loretta Lynn – five nominations
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In 1972 Lynn became the first female artist to win the award.
25. Ronnie Milsap – five nominations
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Milsap won the award in 1977.
26. Taylor Swift – four nominations
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Swift won the award in 2009 and 2011, making her the youngest artist to ever win at 19.
27. Blake Shelton – four nominations
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Shelton won the award in 2012.
28. Jason Aldean – four nominations
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Aldean was last nominated for the award in 2018.
29. Randy Travis – four nominations
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Travis was last nominated in 1990, his fourth-consecutive nomination.
30. Ricky Skaggs – four nominations
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Skaggs won the award in 1985.
31. Toby Keith – four nominations
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Keith received four consecutive nominations between 2002 and 2005.
32. Hank Williams Jr. – three nominations
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Williams Jr. won the award back-to-back in 1987 and 1988.
33. The Chicks – three nominations
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The Chicks won in the award in 2000.
34. Dolly Parton – three nominations
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Parton won the award in 1978.
35. Eddy Arnold – three nominations
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Arnold won the first award in 1967.
36. Glen Campbell – three nominations
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Campbell won the award in 1968.
37. Johnny Cash – three nominations
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Cash won the award in 1969.
38. Oak Ridge Boys – three nominations
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The Oak Ridge Boys received their last nomination in 1984.
39. Roy Clark – three nominations
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Clark won the award in 1973.
40. The Judds – three nominations
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The Judds were nominated three times between 1986 and 1988.
41. Morgan Wallen – three times
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As of 2024, Wallen’s most recent nomination was received ahead of the 58th annual awards.
42. Waylon Jennings – three nominations
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Jennings received three consecutive nominations between 1975 and 1977.
43. Mel Tillis – two nominations
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Tillis won the award in 1976.
44. Lainey Wilson – two nominations
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Wilson won the award in 2023 after being nominated for the first time. She was nominated for a second time in 2024.
45. Clint Black – two nominations
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Black was nominated in 1990 and 1991.
46. Crystal Gayle – two nominations
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Gayle was nominated in 1978 and 1979.
47. Lee Greenwood – two nominations
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Greenwood was nominated in 1984 and 1985.
48. Conway Twitty – two nominations
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Twitty was nominated in 1971 and 1975.
49. Rascal Flatts – two nominations
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Rascal Flatts were nominated in 2006 and 2007.
50. Jerry Reed – two nominations
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Reed was nominated in 1971 and 1972.
51. Ricky Van Shelton – two nominations
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Van Shelton was nominated in 1989 and 1990.
