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Kelsea Ballerini knows “something beautiful” will come from her CMA snub disappointment

• No Comments • Country Music News

ABC/Image Group LAThe 2020 CMA Awards nominees were unveiled this week, and lots of country stars had reason to walk away thrilled. Miranda Lambert led the pack with seven nominations, Luke Combs scored his first-ever Entertainer of the Year nod, and Gabby Barrett, Ingrid Andress, Jimmie Allen and pop star Justin Bieber all celebrated the first nominations of their career.

But not everyone was celebrating after the nominations came out. There were a couple of glaring snubs, too: Neither Kelsea Ballerini nor Kane Brown are anywhere to be seen on the list.

It was a pretty shocking omission for Kelsea, who failed to land a Female Artist of the Year mention for the first time since 2015. She also had ample material for consideration in Album, Song and Music Video categories, having dropped her third studio project, Kelsea, in March.

After the nominees were announced, Kelsea addressed the snub on social media, saying that although she was disappointed, she was trying to keep things in perspective.

“Last time this happened, I wrote ‘Homecoming Queen’ the next day about the feeling,” she wrote, referencing Kelsea’s emotionally potent first single. “Something beautiful will undoubtedly come from the current disappointment.”

She went on to mention those who did receive nods. “Congratulations to my friends & peers that got nominations. Proud to be a part of the country family, always,” Kelsea added.

Other country stars rallied around Kelsea in support, including Old Dominion, Danielle Bradbery and Kane.

“Hold your head up,” replied Kane, who has yet to receive a single CMA nomination in any category despite his impressive catalogue of hits.

Kelsea has been nominated for a total of seven CMA awards over the course of her career but has yet to win a trophy.

By Carena Liptak
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

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"Hurricane" may've jump-started Luke Combs' career, but one almost ruined his wedding

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ABC/Image Group LALuke Combs may be busy celebrating his six new CMA nominations — including his first for Entertainer of the Year — but that’s not all that’s going right for the man who’s currently topping the chart with “Lovin’ on You.”

September 1 also marked the North Carolina native’s one-month anniversary as a married man. He and longtime girlfriend Nicole Hocking tied the knot Saturday, August 1 in South Florida.  So how is married life so far?

“It’s really great…” Luke told ABC Audio shortly after revealing the CMA noms on Good Morning America. “You know, we had to scale the wedding back the week before, change venues, and we actually didn’t pick the new venue until the day of the wedding.”

“So that was very interesting,” he continues. “There was a hurricane that looked like it was gonna come right over top of us, and at the, about the midnight hour there, it veered off to the end. So it ended up being perfect.”

Of course, there’s plenty of irony there, since Luke’s debut number-one single also happens to be called “Hurricane.”

In the end, Luke and Nicole enjoyed the upsides of a smaller ceremony.

“You know, it was smaller than we thought it would be, but it actually ended up, you know, being very manageable,” Luke reflects. “We got to have time with everyone that was there, and really enjoy the experience, and it was really special.”

“It’s something that I’ll cherish forever,” he adds.  

Luke’s been teasing a romantic new song called “Forever After All,” which seems likely to be one of the new tracks on the expanded edition of his sophomore album. 

What You See Is What You Get officially morphs into the deluxe What You See Ain’t Always What You Get on October 23.

By Stephen Hubbard
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Dan + Shay are "grateful" for CMA Awards nominations

• No Comments • Country Music News

ABC/Image Group LADan + Shay had a refreshing start to the day when they woke up to the announcement that they’re nominated for four CMA Awards. 

The hitmaking duo of Dan Smyers and Shay Mooney are nominated for Vocal Duo of the Year, which they were awarded in 2019, while their hit collaboration with Justin Bieber on “10,000 Hours” scored a trio of nods for Single of the Year, Musical Event of the Year and Music Video of the Year.  This marks the first time pop star Bieber has been nominated for a CMA Award.  

“Waking up to 4 @cma nominations this morning felt better than ever,” the duo expressed on Twitter. “Thank you so much to our fans and the country music family for continuing to believe in our dreams. we will always be grateful.” 

The news of the nominations comes as Dan + Shay’s current single, “I Should Probably Go to Bed,” is climbing the charts, currently in the top 10 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.

By Cillea Houghton
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

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"What a dream": First-time CMA Awards nominees react

• No Comments • Country Music News

John Russell/CMAGabby Barrett, Ingrid Andress and more are sharing heartfelt reactions to earning their first CMA Awards nominations. 

Gabby and Ingrid were both on the Grand Ole Opry stage when they announced the nominations for several categories, including Single of the Year, in which Gabby is nominated for “I Hope”; Song of the Year, which boasts Ingrid’s “More Hearts Than Mine”; and New Artist of the Year, in which they’re both nominated. 

After expressing enthusiasm during the live announcement, both elaborated on their excitement via social media.

“ARE YOU SERIOUS!!!!!!  2 CMA NOMINATIONS!!!!!!  What a DREAM. Seriously,” Gabby writes. “I can’t put words to it. Thank YOU!!! Congrats to everyone else nominated, see you in November.”  

Ingrid also stated disbelief over her two nominations, responding with her signature sense of humor. 

“un FREAKING real. thank you #cmaawards. i was not prepared to be emotional on a Tuesday. New Artist of the year is INSANE, and Song of the Year?! R U SERIOUS. I’m shooketh. thank u thank u,” shesays. 

Meanwhile, fellow newcomers Tenille Townes and Caylee Hammack, who are both featured on Miranda Lambert‘s all-star collaboration “Fooled Around and Fell in Love” that’s up for Musical Event of the Year, were thrilled not only with the nomination, but to be nominated amongst friends.  

“This is WILD! Was an honour to sing beside these voices I look up to so darn much and what a dream to be nominated beside friends. Thank you @mirandalambert for bringing us together,” Tenille praised, with Caylee referring to it as the “cherry on top” of being part of Miranda’s 2019 Roadside Bars & Pink Guitars Tour with her fellow collaborators. 

The full list of nominees was unveiled this morning on ABC’s Good Morning America.

By Cillea Houghton
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Carly Pearce is "ugly crying" over her CMA Awards nominations

• No Comments • Country Music News

ABC/Image Group LACarly Pearce is overwhelmed with joy following the announcement of her 2020 CMA Awards nominations. 

The “Every Little Thing” singer scored four nominations, including one in the coveted Song of the Year category for “I Hope You’re Happy Now,” her chart-topping duet with Lee Brice.

The hit song is also up for Musical Event of the Year and Music Video of the Year. This is the first time Carly has been nominated in these three categories.  

She’s also up for New Artist of the Year for the second time, following a nomination in 2019. 

“YALL. I am ugly crying. These are the moments I’ve dreamt about since I was a little girl. Thank you @CountryMusic — I am humbled & I am honored,” she shares in a Twitter post.

Carly joined forces with Luke Combs to announce select award nominees this morning, live from the Grand Ole Opry.

The CMA Awards will air on November 11 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.  

By Cillea Houghton
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

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