Honestly, walking into the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco last May, you could feel the electricity. It wasn't just the Texas heat. It was the fact that the 60th Academy of Country Music Awards felt like a massive changing of the guard. If you’ve been following the ACM awards 2025 nominees, you know the list was basically a battleground between the old Nashville establishment and a wild new wave of artists who started on TikTok or in dive bars.
Everyone expected Morgan Wallen or Luke Combs to just walk away with everything. That’s the safe bet, right? But the actual nominations told a much more chaotic—and interesting—story.
The Shocking Leader of the Pack
When the announcement hit the TODAY show back in March, one name kept popping up that made casual fans go, "Wait, who?"
Ella Langley. She didn't just show up; she dominated. With eight nominations, she actually outpaced the heavy hitters. Most of that heat came from her viral smash with Riley Green, "you look like you love me." It’s a talking-blues style track that shouldn't have worked on modern radio, yet there she was, sitting at the top of the pile.
She was nominated for:
- Female Artist of the Year
- New Female Artist of the Year
- Single of the Year
- Song of the Year
- Music Event of the Year
- Visual Media of the Year
It’s rare to see a "new" artist pull that kind of weight. Usually, the ACMs make you pay your dues for a decade before you get eight nods in one night.
Why the Entertainer of the Year Category Was Different
The Entertainer of the Year (EOTY) category is the big one. It's the trophy everyone wants on their mantle. For 2025, the lineup was a literal "who's who" of stadium fillers.
- Lainey Wilson: The reigning queen who seemed to be everywhere at once.
- Morgan Wallen: Seven nominations total, still the streaming king.
- Cody Johnson: The Texan powerhouse who finally got the EOTY nod his fans have been screaming for.
- Jelly Roll: Bringing that rock-rap-country fusion that’s basically redefined the genre's boundaries.
- Chris Stapleton: The vocal powerhouse who never seems to have an "off" year.
- Luke Combs: The man chasing the "Triple Crown" (winning New Artist, Male Artist, and Entertainer).
- Kelsea Ballerini: A massive milestone for her, marking her first-ever nomination in this top-tier category.
Kelsea being there was huge. People often pigeonhole her as "pop-country," but her work on Patterns proved she’s got the songwriting chops to stand next to Stapleton. It was a "finally" moment for a lot of us who’ve watched her career grow.
The First-Timer Invasion
If you look closely at the ACM awards 2025 nominees, you’ll see the genre is getting way more diverse in its sound. We aren't just talking about "bro-country" anymore.
Shaboozey was the name on everyone’s lips. His track "A Bar Song (Tipsy)" was the anthem of the year, and seeing him land a New Male Artist of the Year nomination felt like the ACMs finally acknowledging the massive impact of country-pop-folk crossovers.
Then you have The Red Clay Strays. They are a gritty, soulful group that feels like they stepped out of a 1970s Muscle Shoals recording session. They weren't just nominated for New Duo or Group; they actually landed a spot in the main Group of the Year category alongside legends like Little Big Town and Rascal Flatts. That doesn't happen often. It shows that the voters—the industry insiders—are hungry for "real" instruments and raw vocals.
The Snubs That Had Fans Raging
You can’t talk about the 2025 nominees without mentioning who wasn't there.
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Zach Bryan was notably absent from several categories where he seemed like a lock. While he’s famously prickly about awards shows, his impact on the charts is undeniable. Seeing him passed over for certain "Year" awards felt like a pointed move by the Academy.
And what about Beyoncé? After Cowboy Carter dropped, there was a massive debate about whether she’d show up in the ACM nominations. Ultimately, she didn't. Whether that was due to eligibility timing or a disconnect with the Nashville voting bloc is still a hot topic at every bar on Broadway.
Looking at the Technical Wins
We usually focus on the faces on the screen, but the ACMs also honor the folks in the "Engine Room."
Jessie Jo Dillon took home Songwriter of the Year, which was a massive win for the behind-the-scenes talent. If you've loved a song on the radio in the last three years, there’s a high chance she had a hand in writing it.
The Album of the Year category was also stacked. You had:
- Am I Okay? (I’ll Be Fine) – Megan Moroney
- Beautifully Broken – Jelly Roll
- Cold Beer & Country Music – Zach Top
- F-1 Trillion – Post Malone
- Whirlwind – Lainey Wilson
Post Malone's inclusion was the "Surprise of the Year" for many. His transition into country wasn't just a vanity project; F-1 Trillion was legitimately a great country record. Seeing him nominated alongside someone as "traditional" as Zach Top shows exactly where the industry is at right now. It's a big tent.
What You Should Do Next
If you want to understand why these specific artists were nominated, stop listening to the radio edits.
Go find the acoustic sessions for Cody Johnson’s "Dirt Cheap" or watch a live clip of The Red Clay Strays performing "Wondering Why." The 2025 nominees were chosen because they brought a specific kind of live energy back to the genre.
Spend some time with Zach Top’s debut album if you miss the 90s sound of George Strait or Alan Jackson. He’s the bridge between the legends and the kids.
Keep an eye on the upcoming CMA Awards later this year. Often, the ACM snubs become the CMA favorites, and seeing how the two organizations differ tells you everything you need to know about the internal politics of Nashville.