2026 American Music Awards Nominations: Country's Big Surprises

Some people say there are too many awards shows.

Okay, most people say there are too many awards shows, but the 2026 American Music Awards nominations show why we should protect the multitudes.

For starters, it's just fun to see your favorite artists on television once every month or two.

Plus, with 900 TV channels and streaming options, it's not like a single awards show is robbing you of your favorite program. If you don't like Bad Bunny or 2026 AMA host Queen Latifah, then tap out for the night.

The 2026 American Music Awards air live on CBS on May 25.
Taylor Swift has the most nominations this year with eight.
In country, Morgan Wallen (seven) and Ella Langley (five) are the leaders.

Country music's nominations give love to a few artists overlooked by mainstream country shows. There are at least three worthy contenders who might now get a second glance at future CMA or ACM shows.

There's a place for everyone, by necessity.

Bryan Steffy, Getty Images

Shocking Nominations at the 2026 AMAs:

BigXthaPlug wasn't just overlooked by CMA and ACM voters ahead of recent shows, he was overlooked by media pundits who take joy in pointing out snubs and surprises.

Last year he released a pretty cool album called I Hope You’re Happy that featured 10 country stars.

“All the Way” with Bailey Zimmerman (up for Collaboration of the Year) was most popular, but his duet with Langley was also fascinating.

The rollout was understated in country music circles, but apparently someone was paying attention.

Find him below in two country categories, including Best Country Album where he faces off against Wallen, Megan Moroney, Tucker Wetmore and a young singer we’ll talk more about next.

Sam Barber is a 22-year-old from Missouri who notched a big hit with "Indigo."

This duet with Avery Anna registered on the Billboard Hot 100 and went Top 10 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. It was a sneaky breakthrough song in 2024 and 2025, definitely one that deserved consideration at country shows.

The AMAs may pick up that slack instead. Barber is up for Breakthrough Country Artist and Best Country Album.

Perhaps "Indigo" wasn't eligible, or perhaps it just didn't get the love that another surprise nom got.

Russell Dickerson is not yet a household name at country awards shows, but "Happens to Me" was a sneaky song of summer for 2025.

His biggest hit to date is an earworm, and really the same can be said about Russell himself. His interviews are a relentless good time, and everyone in the industry knows it.

Will any of these surprising artists win?

They could be longshots, but honestly, that's not the point. Working hard for no return or recognition is a grind.

The AMAs — and the 18 other awards shows you forget about until they're on TV each year — throw flowers at people who might not get them elsewhere, and that's good enough reason to put a TV show together.

2026 American Music Awards Nominations (Country):

Best Male Country Artist
Jelly Roll
Luke Combs
Morgan Wallen
Riley Green
Shaboozey

Best Female Country Artist
Ella Langley
Kelsea Ballerini
Lainey Wilson
Megan Moroney
Miranda Lambert

Best Country Duo or Group
Brooks & Dunn
Old Dominion
Rascal Flatts
Treaty Oak Revival
Zac Brown Band

Breakthrough Country Artist
Sam Barber
Tucker Wetmore
Zach Top

Best Country Song
BigXthaPlug and Bailey Zimmerman, “All the Way”
Ella Langley, “Choosin’ Texas”
Morgan Wallen, “Just in Case”
Russell Dickerson, “Happen to Me”
Shaboozey, “Good News”

Best Country Album
BigXthaPlug, I Hope You’re Happy Now
Megan Moroney, Cloud 9
Morgan Wallen, I’m the Problem
Sam Barber, Restless Mind
Tucker Wetmore, What Not To

Artist of the Year
Bad Bunny
Bruno Mars
BTS
Hary Styles
Justin Bieber
Kendrick Lamar
Lady Gaga
Morgan Wallen
Sabrina Carpenter
Taylor Swift

New Artist of the Year
Alex Warren
Ella Langley
Katseye
Leon Thomas
Olivia Dean
Sombr

Song of the Year
Alex Warren, “Ordinary”
Ella Langley, “Choosin’ Texas”
HUNTR/X, “Golden”
Kehlani, “Folded”
Leon Thomas, “Mutt”
Morgan Wallen, “I’m the Problem”
Olivia Dean, “Man I Need”
Sabrina Carpenter, “Manchild”
Sombr, “Back to Friends”
Taylor Swift, “The Fate of Ophelia”

Album of the Year
Cardi B, Am I the Drama?
Fuerza Regida, 111xpantia
Lady Gaga, Mayhem
Morgan Wallen, I’m the Problem
Olive Dean, The Art of Loving
Playboi Cardi, Music
Sabrina Carpenter, Man’s Best Friend
Tate McRae, So Close to What
Taylor Swift, The Life of a Showgirl

See the Most Played Country Song from the Year You Were Born

Who had the most played country song during the year you were born? This list is a fascinating time capsule of prevalent trends from every decade in American history. Scroll through to find your birth year and then click to listen. Some of these songs have been lost through the years, many of them for good reason!

Men named Hank dominated early before stars like Freddie Hart, Ronnie Milsap, Willie Nelson Clint Black took over to close the 1980s. More recently it's been Tim Mcgraw, Rodney Atkins, Kane Brown and Morgan Wallen. Did the most-played country song from the year you were born become a favorite of yours later? All info comes from Billboard's country airplay charts.

Gallery Credit: Billy Dukes

Source: Three Surprising Country Music American Music Awards Nominations

Filed Under: Taylor Swift, Morgan Wallen, Russell Dickerson

Categories: American Music Awards