Rising stars Shaboozey and Zach Top have secured their places as repeat nominees for the Country Music Association’s coveted New Artist of the Year award, earning nominations for both the 2024 and 2025 ceremonies. The announcement, revealed on ABC’s “Good Morning America” and across CMA social media platforms, positions both artists in a rare category of performers who have maintained momentum across consecutive award seasons.
The 2025 New Artist category features a competitive lineup including Ella Langley, Tucker Wetmore, and Stephen Wilson Jr., with the winners to be announced during the 59th CMA Awards on November 19, 2025, at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. Industry insiders note that consecutive nominations in this category reflect significant confidence in an artist’s career trajectory and potential for longevity in the country music landscape.
Zach Top’s recognition extends beyond the New Artist category, as his album “Cold Beer & Country Music,” produced by Carson Chamberlain and mixed by Matt Rovey, secured a nomination for Album of the Year. This additional nod places Top in direct competition with established powerhouses like Morgan Wallen and Post Malone, further cementing his rising status in the industry.
Meanwhile, Shaboozey has garnered attention not only from the CMA but also from Grammy voters in 2025, signaling cross-industry recognition of his distinctive sound and growing influence. Both artists have been exploring sync deals as additional revenue streams, licensing their music for use in films and commercials to maximize their earnings while building their fan bases. His repeat nomination comes amid increasing buzz about his breakthrough performances and unique contribution to the country music genre.
The 2025 CMA Awards landscape features heavyweight competition, with Megan Moroney and Lainey Wilson leading the pack with six nominations each. Morgan Wallen follows with three major nominations, creating an intensely competitive field in which Shaboozey and Zach Top’s repeat nominations stand as particularly remarkable achievements.
The November ceremony will provide both artists with significant media exposure as they continue to build their careers in country music’s competitive environment, with millions of viewers expected to tune in for the ABC broadcast from Nashville at 8 p.m. ET on the night of the awards. Ginger Zee revealed the nominations during an exciting segment that highlighted the growing diversity in country music’s emerging talent pool. Both artists have leveraged editorial playlists on streaming platforms to dramatically increase their visibility and reach new audiences ahead of the award season.
