Notable Snubs and Surprising Nominations at the 2026 ACM Awards
(Pleasant) Surprise: Women Rule
This year’s top nominees for the Academy of Country Music (ACM) Awards include an all-female lineup: Megan Moroney leads with nine nominations, followed by Miranda Lambert with eight, and both Ella Langley and Lainey Wilson with seven each. This trend reflects a significant year for female artists, highlighted by Moroney and Langley’s record-breaking achievements. While challenges persist for women in terrestrial radio, the recognition of their accomplishments at the ACM Awards is a noteworthy milestone.
Snub: LOCASH
Despite their continued success, the country duo LOCASH, comprised of Chris Lucas and Preston Brust, has notably been overlooked by ACM voters. The pair has produced hits such as the two-week No. 1 on the Country Airplay chart, “Hometown Home,” yet their only duo nomination came in 2022.
Surprise: Carter Faith
Carter Faith has emerged as a critical favorite with her album Cherry Valley, which secured a spot on multiple year-end best-of lists, including Billboard’s 10 Best Country Albums of 2025. However, no tracks from the album have yet appeared on the U.S. Billboard charts. The recent nomination for album of the year at the ACM Awards is anticipated to enhance Faith’s visibility, despite being her sole nomination this year.
Snub: Eric Church
The absence of Eric Church from the ACM nominations since 2021 presents a puzzling pattern, especially after he received the Icon Award at the ACM Honors last August. His bold 2025 album, Evangeline Vs. The Machine, has been recognized as one of the best of the year, yet he remains without a nomination this year.
Surprise: Megan Moroney
Megan Moroney has made a significant leap this year, entering the entertainer of the year category for the first time. This recognition aligns with her album Cloud 9 debuting at the top of the all-genre Billboard 200. With nine nominations, she is currently the most recognized artist leading up to the ACM Awards, showcasing a rapid rise in her career since winning her first ACM Award for new female artist of the year just two years ago.
Snub: Stephen Wilson Jr.
Although Stephen Wilson Jr. received his first ACM nomination for visual media of the year for the video “Cuckoo,” co-directed with Tim Cofield, fans and industry insiders believe he deserves additional recognition. His 2023 album Son of Dad and recent singles, including “Gary,” solidify his status as an industry favorite.
Surprise: Thelma & James
The Canadian-American duo MacKenzie Porter and Jake Etheridge have secured a coveted nomination for duo of the year. Their entry comes as a surprise given the trio of nominations for The War and Treaty in recent years, indicating a shift in the competitive landscape for new acts in the U.S.
Snub: Parmalee
Despite achieving significant success with their song “Cowgirl,” which dominated the Billboard Country Airplay chart for four weeks, Parmalee has yet to receive a nomination for ACM group of the year. Having earned their first vocal duo/group nomination in 2015 and accumulating numerous No. 1 hits, their continued omission raises questions about the voting process.
Surprise: Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg
The late songwriters Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg received an unexpected nod for song of the year due to the interpolation of their iconic composition “Over the Rainbow” in Lainey Wilson’s “Somewhere Over Laredo.” This nomination highlights the timeless influence of their work in contemporary music.
Snubs: Russell Dickerson, Chase Matthew
Both Russell Dickerson and Chase Matthew experienced success with multi-week No. 1 hits on the Country Airplay chart, yet neither received nominations for the ACM Awards this year. While Dickerson has been recognized in previous years, Matthew is still seeking his first ACM nomination.
Surprise: Parker McCollum
Parker McCollum has earned his first album of the year nomination for his self-titled 2025 album, following previous ACM Award wins for new male artist of the year and visual media of the year. This recognition comes on the heels of hits from his album, such as the Country Airplay top five single “What Kinda Man.”
