Morgan Wallen and Post Malone Lead an Innovative CMA Awards Celebration of Collaboration

Wednesday night’s Country Music Association Awards could be a big night for Post Malone and Morgan Wallen with their collaboration “I Had Some Help.” This major hit underscores the growing crossover between country and hip-hop music, despite the notable absence of Beyoncé from the nominations.

Wallen leads the nominations with an impressive seven nods, including the prestigious entertainer of the year, where he will compete against Luke Combs, Jelly Roll, Chris Stapleton, and last year’s winner, Lainey Wilson, who is also nominated for four awards alongside Malone. “I Had Some Help” is nominated for four categories: single, song, musical event, and music video of the year, marking Malone’s first-ever nomination at the CMAs.

The awards ceremony will kick off at 8 p.m. Eastern on ABC and will later stream on Hulu, showcasing a night filled with exciting collaborations. The opening performance will feature both Malone and Stapleton, setting the tone for a show that promises to highlight various musical partnerships.

Throughout the night, audiences can look forward to a series of performances from celebrated collaborations, including Shaboozey, Combs, and Eric Church; Kelsea Ballerini with Noah Kahan; Thomas Rhett and Teddy Swims; and Brooks & Dunn alongside Jelly Roll.

In a nod to tradition, the evening will include a special tribute to George Strait, honoring him with the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award. The hosts, Lainey Wilson and Luke Bryan, will be joined by NFL Hall-of-Famer and University of Tennessee alum, Peyton Manning, to celebrate country music’s finest.

The CMA Awards are determined by the Country Music Association’s members, which include artists, executives, publicists, songwriters, and industry professionals. Notably, prior to the nominations, fans speculated that Beyoncé’s hit “Cowboy Carter” could earn her a nomination due to its release during the eligibility period. However, she did not receive a nod, even after making history by being the first Black woman to top the Billboard country albums chart earlier this year.

Among other significant nominees, both Chris Stapleton and Cody Johnson each received five nominations. Interestingly, Stapleton could potentially walk away with a total of seven awards if he wins in multiple categories, as production credits are not counted as separate nominations at the CMAs, but do contribute to overall trophy tallies.

This year’s event represents a remarkable moment for country music, highlighting its evolving landscape and the rising influence of collaborations within the genre.