Maren Morris has been called a rising star, one to watch, the next big thing in Americana. And as of Wednesday, she has the clout to prove it.
Morris racked up five nominations for the 50th annual CMA Awards, tying musicians Chris Stapleton and Eric Church for the most potential awards. The Arlington, Texas native was nominated for ...
- Single of the Year for "My Church"
- Album of the Year for Hero
- Song of the Year for "My Church"
- Female Vocalist of the Year
- and New Artist of the Year
Morris took to Twitter early Wednesday to express her excitment and graititude, encouraging her followers to "fight for your art and the rest will follow suit."
WHAT IS LIFE
— MAREN MORRIS (@MarenMorris) August 31, 2016
I just said "YAS QUEEN" to myself.
— MAREN MORRIS (@MarenMorris) August 31, 2016
But seriously, am so humbled by these nominations. Fight for your art and the rest follows suit. 😭😭😭
— MAREN MORRIS (@MarenMorris) August 31, 2016
Growing up in Arlington, Morris graced local stages, but made the move to Nashville several years ago to jumpstart her career. It was a quick rise, as she signed with a label and began writing songs for Tim McGraw and Kelly Clarkson.
Morris was one of the buzziest acts to hit SXSW music festival in March, when our pop music critic called her breed of country "catchy, smart and occasionally explicit." She's since played Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival and CMA Music Festival, and is most recently touring alongside industry vets Keith Urban and Brett Eldredge. (The tour stops through Dallas' American Airlines Center on Oct. 14.) Hero, Morris' latest full-length, just came out in June.
The Texan is in good company as a CMA Award nominee. In fact, Lone Star women, including Morris, Miranda Lambert and Kacey Musgraves, dominate the Female Vocalist of the Year category. Carrie Underwood, Dierks Bentley and Keith Urban were all nominated for four awards.
The 50th CMA Awards will be broadcast live on Nov. 2 at 7 p.m. central on ABC.
See the biggest categories below and the full list of nominees here.
Entertainer of the Year
- Garth Brooks
- Luke Bryan
- Chris Stapleton
- Carrie Underwood
- Keith Urban
New Artist of the Year
- Kelsea Ballerini
- Brothers Osborne
- Maren Morris
- Old Dominion
- Cole Swindell
Female Vocalist of the Year
- Kelsea Ballerini
- Miranda Lambert
- Maren Morris
- Kacey Musgraves
- Carrie Underwood
Male Vocalist of the Year
- Dierks Bentley
- Eric Church
- Tim McGraw
- Chris Stapleton
- Keith Urban
Song of the Year
"Die a Happy Man" by Sean Douglas, Thomas Rhett, and Joe Spargur
"Humble and Kind" by Lori McKenna
"Record Year" by Eric Church and Jeff Hyde
"My Church" by Maren Morris and Busbee
"Burning House" by Cameron "Cam" Ochos, Tyler Johnson, Jeff Bhasker
