9 CMA Awards Nominations Snubs in 2023, Ranked

If you see Morgan Wallen today, give him a knowing nod, but leave him alone to get over an egregious CMA Awards nominations snub.

The hitmaker — yes, we know he's an Entertainer of the Year nominee — deserved better from CMA voters, but his snub (No. 2 on our list below) shines a bright light on a place where logic should live. Awards show voters lead with their hearts and try to spread the joy. They also forget about the only country group to notch a No. 1 hit on radio since Donald Trump was president, but that rant can wait until No. 3.

Typically we focus on snubs and surprises after the CMA nominations are revealed, but there was really only one surprise: Lainey Wilson's inclusion in the Entertainer of the Year category was the breath of fresh air the nominations list needed to avoid being thought of as same-old, same-old. With nine nominations in 2023, it's clear Wilson's hard work has paid off. The "Watermelon Moonshine" singer is the poster child for achieving your dreams the old fashioned way.

The 2023 CMA Awards will air on ABC on Nov. 8. Performers will be announced in the coming weeks. Luke Bryan and NFL quarterback Peyton Manning were previously announced as hosts.

*Remember: The best way to watch the CMA Awards is on ABC with ToC on your phone.

2023 CMA Awards Nominations Snubs, Ranked

The nine snubs found on this reaction to Thursday's (Sept. 7) 2023 CMA Awards nominations announcement range from "Drat!" to "Aww, come on!" to "You've gotta be freaking kidding!"

Typically we include snubs and surprises, but there was really only one CMA nomination surprise: Lainey Wilson for Entertainer of the Year. Her nine nominations surely exceed her wildest dreams for the November 8 ABC broadcast. This is her year!

As for the group listed below? Well some (we see you, Kane Brown) are used to it, while others got a goose egg with no warning. The last three snubs on this ranked list are particularly egregious. Each one highlights a space where logic should live, but does not.

Most Popular Country Album From the Year You Were Born

Find out which country singer dominated on this list of the most popular albums from the year you were born or graduated high school.

This list is based on sales date from the Soundscan era (1991 to 2022) and total weeks spent atop Billboard's Hot Country Albums chart (1964-1990).

In 1999, Shania Twain's Come on Over album became the first to top the year-end chart in back-to-back years, but that feat has been done four times since, most recently in 2022. Which country album defined your childhood? Scroll down to find out.