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:
CMA Awards: Most Nominations for ‘Entertainer of the Year’ Award was originally published on 93qcountry.com
1. George Strait – 19 nominations
Source:Rick Diamond/Getty Images
The “King of Country” won the award in 1989, 1990 and 2013.
CMA Awards: Most Nominations for ‘Entertainer of the Year’ Award was originally published on 93qcountry.com
2. Garth Brooks – 13 nominations
Source:Mike Coppola/Getty Images
Brooks has won the award more than any artist; in 1991, 1992, 1997, 1998, 2016, 2017 and 2019.
CMA Awards: Most Nominations for ‘Entertainer of the Year’ Award was originally published on 93qcountry.com
3. Keith Urban – 13 nominations
Source:Erika Goldring/WireImage via Getty Images
Urban won the award in 2005 and 2018.
CMA Awards: Most Nominations for ‘Entertainer of the Year’ Award was originally published on 93qcountry.com
4. Alan Jackson – 12 nominations
Source:Rick Diamond/WireImage via Getty Images
Jackson won the award in 1995, 2002 and 2003.
CMA Awards: Most Nominations for ‘Entertainer of the Year’ Award was originally published on 93qcountry.com
5. Brooks & Dunn – 11 nominations
Source:Getty
Brooks & Dunn took home the award in 1996.
CMA Awards: Most Nominations for ‘Entertainer of the Year’ Award was originally published on 93qcountry.com
6.
CMA Awards: Most Nominations for ‘Entertainer of the Year’ Award was originally published on 93qcountry.com
7. Kenny Chesney – 11 nominations
Source:Bryan Bedder/Getty Images
Chesney won the award in 2004, 2006, 2007 and 2008.
CMA Awards: Most Nominations for ‘Entertainer of the Year’ Award was originally published on 93qcountry.com
8. Reba McEntire – 10 nominations
Source:Monica Murray/Variety via Getty Images
McEntire won the award in 1986.
CMA Awards: Most Nominations for ‘Entertainer of the Year’ Award was originally published on 93qcountry.com
9. Merle Haggard – nine nominations
Source:Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images
Haggard won the award in 1970.
CMA Awards: Most Nominations for ‘Entertainer of the Year’ Award was originally published on 93qcountry.com
10. Brad Paisley – eight nominations
Source:Getty Images
Paisley won the award in 2010.
CMA Awards: Most Nominations for ‘Entertainer of the Year’ Award was originally published on 93qcountry.com
11. CMA Songwriters Series Featuring Mary Chapin Carpenter, Vince Gill, Mac McAnally And Don Schlitz
Source:Mickey Bernal/Getty Images
Gill won the award back-to-back in 1993 and 1994.
CMA Awards: Most Nominations for ‘Entertainer of the Year’ Award was originally published on 93qcountry.com
12. Chris Stapleton – eight nominations
Source:Jason Kempin/Getty Images
As of 2023, Stapleton has the most nominations for the award without ever winning it.
CMA Awards: Most Nominations for ‘Entertainer of the Year’ Award was originally published on 93qcountry.com
13. Barbara Mandrell – six nominations
Source:Getty
Mandrell won the award back-to-back in 1980 and 1981.
CMA Awards: Most Nominations for ‘Entertainer of the Year’ Award was originally published on 93qcountry.com
14. Luke Bryan – six nominations
Source:John Shearer/WireImage via Getty Images
Bryan won the award back-to-back in 2014 and 2015.
CMA Awards: Most Nominations for ‘Entertainer of the Year’ Award was originally published on 93qcountry.com
15. Charley Pride – six nominations
Source:Getty Images
Pride won the award in 1971.
CMA Awards: Most Nominations for ‘Entertainer of the Year’ Award was originally published on 93qcountry.com
16. Tim McGraw – six nominations
Source:Terry Wyatt/WireImage via Getty Images
McGraw won the award in 2001.
CMA Awards: Most Nominations for ‘Entertainer of the Year’ Award was originally published on 93qcountry.com
17. Carrie Underwood – six nominations
Source:Jemal Countess/WireImage via Getty Images
As of 2024, Underwood is tied for the most nominations for the award by a female artist without winning.
CMA Awards: Most Nominations for ‘Entertainer of the Year’ Award was originally published on 93qcountry.com
18. Miranda Lambert – six nominations
Source:Getty Images
As of 2024, Lambert is tied with Underwood for the most nominations for the award by a female artist without winning.
CMA Awards: Most Nominations for ‘Entertainer of the Year’ Award was originally published on 93qcountry.com
19. The 53rd Annual CMA Awards – Show
Source:Mickey Bernal/WireImage via Getty Images
Nelson won the award in 1979.
CMA Awards: Most Nominations for ‘Entertainer of the Year’ Award was originally published on 93qcountry.com
20. Alabama – five nominations
Source:Jason Kempin/Getty Images
Alabama was the first to win the award three times, winning in 1982, 1983 and 1984.
CMA Awards: Most Nominations for ‘Entertainer of the Year’ Award was originally published on 93qcountry.com
21. Luke Combs – five nominations
Source:Jason Kempin/Getty Images
Combs won the award back-to-back in 2021 and 2022.
CMA Awards: Most Nominations for ‘Entertainer of the Year’ Award was originally published on 93qcountry.com
22. Eric Church – five nominations
Source:Astrida Valigorsky/WireImage
Church won the award in 2020.
CMA Awards: Most Nominations for ‘Entertainer of the Year’ Award was originally published on 93qcountry.com
23. Kenny Rogers – five nominations
Source:Getty Images
Rogers never won the award, despite five consecutive nominations between 1977 and 1981.
CMA Awards: Most Nominations for ‘Entertainer of the Year’ Award was originally published on 93qcountry.com
24. Loretta Lynn – five nominations
Source:Tom Sweeney/Star Tribune via Getty Images
In 1972 Lynn became the first female artist to win the award.
CMA Awards: Most Nominations for ‘Entertainer of the Year’ Award was originally published on 93qcountry.com
25. Ronnie Milsap – five nominations
Source:Rick Diamond/Getty Images
Milsap won the award in 1977.
CMA Awards: Most Nominations for ‘Entertainer of the Year’ Award was originally published on 93qcountry.com
26. Taylor Swift – four nominations
Source:Jemal Countess/WireImage
Swift won the award in 2009 and 2011, making her the youngest artist to ever win at 19.
CMA Awards: Most Nominations for ‘Entertainer of the Year’ Award was originally published on 93qcountry.com
27. Blake Shelton – four nominations
Source:Getty Images
Shelton won the award in 2012.
CMA Awards: Most Nominations for ‘Entertainer of the Year’ Award was originally published on 93qcountry.com
28. Jason Aldean – four nominations
Source:Monica Murray/Variety via Getty Images
Aldean was last nominated for the award in 2018.
CMA Awards: Most Nominations for ‘Entertainer of the Year’ Award was originally published on 93qcountry.com
29. Randy Travis – four nominations
Source:Tom Burns/Getty Images
Travis was last nominated in 1990, his fourth-consecutive nomination.
CMA Awards: Most Nominations for ‘Entertainer of the Year’ Award was originally published on 93qcountry.com
30. Ricky Skaggs – four nominations
Source:Terry Wyatt/WireImage
Skaggs won the award in 1985.
CMA Awards: Most Nominations for ‘Entertainer of the Year’ Award was originally published on 93qcountry.com
31. Toby Keith – four nominations
Source:Getty Images
Keith received four consecutive nominations between 2002 and 2005.
CMA Awards: Most Nominations for ‘Entertainer of the Year’ Award was originally published on 93qcountry.com
32. Hank Williams Jr. – three nominations
Source:C Flanigan/FilmMagic
Williams Jr. won the award back-to-back in 1987 and 1988.
CMA Awards: Most Nominations for ‘Entertainer of the Year’ Award was originally published on 93qcountry.com
33. The Chicks – three nominations
Source:Ron Davis/Getty Images
The Chicks won in the award in 2000.
CMA Awards: Most Nominations for ‘Entertainer of the Year’ Award was originally published on 93qcountry.com
34. Dolly Parton – three nominations
Source:Jason Kempin/Getty Images
Parton won the award in 1978.
CMA Awards: Most Nominations for ‘Entertainer of the Year’ Award was originally published on 93qcountry.com
35. Eddy Arnold – three nominations
Source:Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
Arnold won the first award in 1967.
CMA Awards: Most Nominations for ‘Entertainer of the Year’ Award was originally published on 93qcountry.com
36. Glen Campbell – three nominations
Source:Getty Images
Campbell won the award in 1968.
CMA Awards: Most Nominations for ‘Entertainer of the Year’ Award was originally published on 93qcountry.com
37. Johnny Cash – three nominations
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Cash won the award in 1969.
CMA Awards: Most Nominations for ‘Entertainer of the Year’ Award was originally published on 93qcountry.com
38. Oak Ridge Boys – three nominations
Source:Jason Kempin/Getty Images
The Oak Ridge Boys received their last nomination in 1984.
CMA Awards: Most Nominations for ‘Entertainer of the Year’ Award was originally published on 93qcountry.com
39. Roy Clark – three nominations
Source:William F. Campbell/Getty Images
Clark won the award in 1973.
CMA Awards: Most Nominations for ‘Entertainer of the Year’ Award was originally published on 93qcountry.com
40. The Judds – three nominations
Source:Paul Natkin/Getty Images
The Judds were nominated three times between 1986 and 1988.
CMA Awards: Most Nominations for ‘Entertainer of the Year’ Award was originally published on 93qcountry.com
41. Morgan Wallen – three times
Source:Astrida Valigorsky/WireImage
As of 2024, Wallen’s most recent nomination was received ahead of the 58th annual awards.
CMA Awards: Most Nominations for ‘Entertainer of the Year’ Award was originally published on 93qcountry.com
42. Waylon Jennings – three nominations
Source:Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images
Jennings received three consecutive nominations between 1975 and 1977.
CMA Awards: Most Nominations for ‘Entertainer of the Year’ Award was originally published on 93qcountry.com
43. Mel Tillis – two nominations
Source:Frederick Breedon IV/WireImage
Tillis won the award in 1976.
CMA Awards: Most Nominations for ‘Entertainer of the Year’ Award was originally published on 93qcountry.com
44. Lainey Wilson – two nominations
Source:Jason Kempin/Getty Images
Wilson won the award in 2023 after being nominated for the first time. She was nominated for a second time in 2024.
CMA Awards: Most Nominations for ‘Entertainer of the Year’ Award was originally published on 93qcountry.com
45. Clint Black – two nominations
Source:Jason Kempin/Getty Images
Black was nominated in 1990 and 1991.
CMA Awards: Most Nominations for ‘Entertainer of the Year’ Award was originally published on 93qcountry.com
46. Crystal Gayle – two nominations
Source:Taylor Hill/Getty Images
Gayle was nominated in 1978 and 1979.
CMA Awards: Most Nominations for ‘Entertainer of the Year’ Award was originally published on 93qcountry.com
47. Lee Greenwood – two nominations
Source:Erika Goldring/Getty Images
Greenwood was nominated in 1984 and 1985.
CMA Awards: Most Nominations for ‘Entertainer of the Year’ Award was originally published on 93qcountry.com
48. Conway Twitty – two nominations
Source:Mike Prior/Redferns
Twitty was nominated in 1971 and 1975.
CMA Awards: Most Nominations for ‘Entertainer of the Year’ Award was originally published on 93qcountry.com
49. Rascal Flatts – two nominations
Source:Jemal Countess/WireImage
Rascal Flatts were nominated in 2006 and 2007.
CMA Awards: Most Nominations for ‘Entertainer of the Year’ Award was originally published on 93qcountry.com
50. Jerry Reed – two nominations
Source:GAB Archive/Redferns
Reed was nominated in 1971 and 1972.
CMA Awards: Most Nominations for ‘Entertainer of the Year’ Award was originally published on 93qcountry.com
51. Ricky Van Shelton – two nominations
Source:Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images
Van Shelton was nominated in 1989 and 1990.
CMA Awards: Most Nominations for ‘Entertainer of the Year’ Award was originally published on 93qcountry.com
