Miranda Lambert Extends Historic Record With 70 CMA Nominations Ahead Of 60th Awards Performance

Miranda Lambert notched seven nominations for the 60th CMA Awards, including her 19th nod for Female Vocalist of the Year, extending her historic record to 70 total career CMA nominations.

The country superstar already held the all-time record for the most nominations earned by a female artist in Country Music Association history.

Her latest slate of nods cements that unprecedented legacy even further heading into Country Music's Biggest Night.

Lambert now prepares to return to the spotlight not only as a leading contender, but also as one of the marquee performers at the milestone 60th annual ceremony.

HISTORIC NOMINATIONS BREAKDOWN

Lambert's seven nominations this year span multiple major categories across the ballot.

Chief among her personal milestones is her 19th career nomination in the Female Vocalist of the Year category.

She also earned two separate nominations in the prestigious Single of the Year category.

Lambert received an additional nod for Album of the Year, recognized in that category for her work as a producer.

Her creative output was further recognized in the Musical Event of the Year field, where she secured two nominations.

Lambert also picked up a nomination for Song of the Year, recognized directly for her contributions as a songwriter.

Those seven recognitions pushed her career total to an even 70 CMA nominations, keeping her firmly at the pinnacle of CMA history.

FIRST ROUND OF PERFORMERS ANNOUNCED

The Country Music Association unveiled its initial roster of performers on Thursday morning, November 5.

Lambert was officially confirmed as one of the headline acts taking the stage during the live broadcast.

She will be joined on the performance bill by reigning CMA Male Vocalist of the Year Cody Johnson.

Breakout sensation Ella Langley is also set to perform during the ceremony.

Country icon Tim McGraw will take the stage following his major industry milestone last month.

Acclaimed singer-songwriter Kacey Musgraves will perform after securing a string of top-tier nominations of her own.

Reigning Vocal Group of the Year The Red Clay Strays have also been tapped to perform for the national audience.

Reigning New Artist of the Year Zach Top is scheduled to deliver a live performance during the ceremony.

Rising artist Tucker Wetmore rounds out the initial wave of performers confirmed by ABC and the Country Music Association.

SIX DECADES OF COUNTRY MUSIC

The upcoming ceremony marks a major historical milestone as the Country Music Association celebrates its 60th annual awards show.

The CMA noted in an official press release that the broadcast will honor six decades of country music.

According to the association, the show’s star-studded lineup brings together genre icons alongside the artists currently shaping the future of country music.

The association and network executives confirmed that additional performers and presenters will be announced in the weeks leading up to the broadcast.

ELLA LANGLEY TOPS THE BALLOT

While Lambert extended her historic overall career mark, Ella Langley emerged as the most-nominated artist for the 60th annual show.

Langley leads all contenders this year with nine total nominations.

Her banner year includes nods for Entertainer of the Year and Female Vocalist of the Year.

Langley's project Dandelion earned a coveted nomination for Album of the Year.

She picked up two separate nominations in both the Single of the Year and Song of the Year categories.

Langley is also in contention for Musical Event of the Year and Music Video of the Year.

Her hit song “Choosin’ Texas” contributed significantly to her momentum after dominating the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 chart this year.

Langley enters the 60th awards show following a dominant run at last year’s ceremony, where she captured three CMA trophies.

Her chart-topping collaboration with Riley Green, “You Look Like You Love Me,” earned both Song of the Year and Single of the Year honors last year.

THE REST OF THE LEADING NOMINEES

Lambert ranks right behind Langley this year with her seven nominations.

Kacey Musgraves and Ben West follow closely with five nominations each.

Musgraves picked up nods for Album of the Year for Middle of Nowhere, as well as Female Vocalist of the Year.

Musgraves is also nominated for Song of the Year, Musical Event of the Year, and Music Video of the Year.

Cody Johnson enters the ceremony with four nominations to his name.

Johnson is nominated for Entertainer of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, Single of the Year, and Music Video of the Year.

Chris Stapleton also notched four nominations for the upcoming show.

Stephen Wilson Jr. joined Johnson and Stapleton with four nominations of his own.

DEFENDING CHAMPIONS AND NEW NOMINEES

Several performers taking the stage this year are looking to defend titles won at previous ceremonies.

The Red Clay Strays enter the night as the reigning CMA Vocal Group of the Year and hope to retain the crown.

Zach Top, the reigning New Artist of the Year, enters this year's ceremony with two nominations.

Top is nominated for Male Vocalist of the Year and Album of the Year for his project Ain’t In It for My Health.

Tucker Wetmore secured his second career CMA Awards nomination in the New Artist of the Year category.

Past award-winning collaborations also set the bar high for this year's Musical Event category.

At last year's show, the collaboration between Post Malone and Blake Shelton on “Pour Me a Drink” took home the trophy for Musical Event of the Year.

TRIBUTE TO DOLLY PARTON