Country Music's Big Night: Who's Leading the Pack?

The 60th ACM Awards are coming up, and the nominations are out. This year, Ella Langley is the big star with nine nods. She's got a lot of competition, though, with Lainey Wilson, Cody Johnson, and Morgan Wallen all close behind with seven or eight nominations each. Chris Stapleton is also in the mix with six noms. The ACMs have a unique way of handing out nominations. If an artist writes, produces, or directs their own work, they can get multiple nods in a single category. This year, nearly all the top nominees benefited from this rule, except for Cody Johnson. Ella Langley's big break came with her hit song "You Look Like You Love Me, " a duet with Riley Green. This track has earned her nominations in six categories, including female artist of the year and new female artist of the year. The song's success is notable because female artists often struggle to gain traction in the country music scene. The entertainer of the year category is packed with talent. Lainey Wilson is defending her title against Cody Johnson, Morgan Wallen, Chris Stapleton, Kelsea Ballerini, Luke Combs, and Jelly Roll. The album of the year race is also intense, with Megan Moroney, Jelly Roll, Zach Top, Post Malone, and Lainey Wilson all in the running. Interestingly, Beyoncé's country-leaning album "Cowboy Carter" didn't get any nods, despite its success at the Grammys. The single of the year category features a mix of established and up-and-coming artists. Shaboozey's "A Bar Song (Tipsy)" is a crossover hit, while Cody Johnson's "Dirt Cheap" and Post Malone and Morgan Wallen's duet "I Had Some Help" are also in the running. Ella Langley and Riley Green's "You Look Like You Love Me" is another strong contender. This year's ACMs are happening in Frisco, Texas, and will be hosted by Reba McEntire. The event will be streamed live on Prime Video, making it accessible to fans across the country. With fewer country music awards shows this year, the ACMs are taking center stage. The CMAs won't air until November, and the CMT Music Awards have been put on hold. This gives the ACMs a unique opportunity to shine and celebrate the best in country music. The ACMs have a history of recognizing both established and emerging talent. This year's nominations reflect that, with a mix of veteran artists and newcomers. The awards show is a chance to celebrate the diversity and innovation in country music, and this year's nominees are a testament to that. From Ella Langley's breakout hit to Lainey Wilson's defense of her entertainer of the year title, there's plenty to look forward to at the 60th ACM Awards.