Ella Langley Leads 2026 CMA Awards Nominations With Nine Ella Langley secured the most nominations for the 2026 CMA Awards, earning nine nods, just one short of the all-time single-year record set by Alan Jackson in 2002. Miranda Lambert followed with seven nominations, including four for her work as a songwriter or producer on Langley’s tracks. Kacey Musgraves and Ben West (Langley’s co-producer) each received five, while Cody Johnson, Chris Stapleton, and Stephen Wilson Jr. earned four apiece. Lainey Wilson, Luke Combs, and Dave Clauss (Langley’s mix engineer) were also recognized with three nominations each. Langley’s nine nominations position her as a leading contender for Entertainer of the Year, a category she is considered a frontrunner for despite being a first-time nominee. The nominations mark the first time in three years that two women have been simultaneously nominated for the award, with Lainey Wilson also in the running. Wilson, who won Entertainer of the Year in 2023 and 2025, is set to host the 2026 CMA Awards for the third consecutive year. The other candidates for the top prize include Luke Combs, Cody Johnson, and Chris Stapleton. The list of nominees mirrors last year’s roster, with Langley replacing Morgan Wallen, who received only two nominations this year. Wallen’s absence from the 2024 ceremony following his win may have influenced his lower profile in the current nominations, though his latest single, “Been by Now,” was deemed too recent to qualify. Stephen Wilson Jr. saw a significant rise in prominence this year, earning four nominations—up from one in 2025. His work on Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas” and “Be Her” singles, as well as his album “Gary,” has positioned him as a key figure in the industry.#miranda_lambert #cma_awards #stephen_wilson_jr #ella_langley #kacey_musgraves
Stephen Wilson Jr. Unveils UK and European Tour Dates for Autumn 2026 Stephen Wilson Jr. has officially announced the schedule for his upcoming Gary The Torch Tour, which will feature performances across the United States, the United Kingdom, and Europe. The tour will begin on October 15, 2026, in Belfast, Northern Ireland, and will include a series of dates in major cities across the UK and mainland Europe. Additional stops will be made in London, Paris, Copenhagen, Oslo, and other locations, with the final European leg concluding in Oslo, Norway. The full list of tour dates includes October 15 in Belfast at the SSE Arena, followed by a performance at the Sligo Live Festival in Ireland on October 17. The tour will continue with shows in Glasgow, London, Bristol, and Manchester, all within the UK. European dates will take the tour to Paris, Zurich, Cologne, Utrecht, Copenhagen, Stockholm, and Oslo. Specific venues for each city have been confirmed, with ticket sales set to open on March 20, 2026, at 10:00 am local time. Fans can access the complete itinerary and purchase tickets through the provided link. The tour marks a significant expansion of Wilson Jr.’s live performance schedule, offering fans across multiple continents the opportunity to experience his music. The announcement follows recent updates about his artistic projects, including collaborations and new releases, which have further solidified his presence in the music industry. The tour’s international scope highlights Wilson Jr.’s growing influence beyond his home country, with stops in key cultural and musical hubs across Europe. The dates reflect a strategic approach to engaging audiences in both established and emerging markets, ensuring a broad reach for his performances.#stephen_wilson_jr #gary_the_torch_tour #sse_arena #sligo_live_festival #british_royal_society
