First-Time Nominees Ingrid Andress, Gabby Barrett Co-Host Livestream Announce from Grand Ole Opry
Ashley McBryde, Dan + Shay Among Most-Nominated Artists
Three powerful women and a superstar duo lead Warner Music Nashville’s 13 nominations for the 54th Annual CMA Awards. Recognition for Dan + Shay, Ingrid Andress, Gabby Barrett and Ashley McBryde spans eight categories: Album, Song, Single, Female Vocalist, Vocal Duo, New Artist, Musical Event and Music Video of the Year.
Reigning CMA Vocal Duo of the Year Dan + Shay added four nominations this year to their career-total 10 nominations, with an additional two going to Dan Smyers as producer on the Single of the Year and Musical Event of the Year nominated hit “10,000 Hours” featuring Justin Bieber. They received their seventh nomination for Vocal Duo of the Year, with “10,000 Hours” scoring its third nomination in the Music Video of the Year category.
“Waking up to 4 CMA nominations this morning felt better than ever,” the duo tweeted this morning. “Thank you so much to our fans and the country music family for continuing to believe in our dreams. We will always be grateful.”
Reigning CMA Artist of the Year McBryde earned three nominations, becoming a first-time nominee in three different categories including Female Vocalist of the Year and Album of the Year for Never Will. She landed her third nod in the Musical Event of the Year category for “Fooled Around And Fell In Love,” recorded by Miranda Lambert and featuring McBryde, Maren Morris, Elle King, Tenille Townes and Caylee Hammack. Said McBryde:
“One of the first things I thought of this morning when hearing ‘Never Will, Ashley McBryde’ in the Album of the Year category was, ‘That was the promise we made to one another in the studio. We Didn’t, We Don’t and We Never Will.’ When we were recording (and all the guys got writing credit on it), before we cut it with Jay Joyce, I said, ‘Okay guys, if we’re going to cut this and put it on the record, you’re literally promising anyone who ever listens to our music, that when it comes to the noise in the background, we don’t listen. Don’t cut it unless you’re willing to promise it.’ And we cut it that day with that feeling in our hearts.
That feeling hasn’t left. We won’t give up, we never will, and we would like to say thank you for recognizing the music. We are honored to be included alongside so many people we admire. I am, the band is, and all the people that make things work behind the scenes to make these moments possible. Congratulations to all the nominees.”
Andress and Barrett, both first-time nominees, earned nods for Song (“More Hearts Than Mine”) and Single (“I Hope”) respectively. Together they are also two of three solo female artists this year who have been nominated in the New Artist category, making them the first together in the New Artist category since 1999.
“I feel like I’m still really new to this genre and this community so a nomination in both of these categories is pretty mind blowing to me,” Andress said. “Not to mention that being recognized by my peers and the Country Music Association is a true honor. My co-writers and I have worked incredibly hard, so after this year that none of us saw coming and couldn’t really prepare for, great days like today feel even more special.”
Added Barrett, “I’m so thankful for this morning - to be nominated not once but twice is overwhelming and so amazing to me, and to be included as part of the announcement was just the cherry on top! I give honor and glory to the Lord for the blessings He continues to pour out over my life. Thank you to my sweet husband, my family, my teams at Warner and Red Light, the Country music community for embracing me whole heartedly, and of course to the most loyal fans - none of this would be possible without you all! Thank you so much, I am honored and so excited!”
