Who Won the CMA Album of the Year Award?
From Jack Greene's "There Goes My Everything" in 1967 to Lainey Wilson's "Bell Bottom Country" in 2023, the Country Music Association has voted on their Album of the Year. George Strait has won Album of the Year five times. Ronnie Milsap has won four times. Johnny Cash and Stapleton have each won the award three times.
| 2023 |
| Lainey Wilson Bell Bottom Country Other Nominees: Ashley McBryde (Ashley McBryde Presents: Lindeville); Luke Combs (Gettin' Old); Morgan Wallen (One Thing At A Time); Kelsea Ballerini (Rolling Up The Welcome Mat) |
| 2022 |
| Luke Combs Growin' Up Other Nominees: Maren Morris (Humble Quest); Miranda Lambert (Palomino); Lainey Wilson (Sayin' What I'm Thinkin'); Old Dominion (Time, Tequila & Therapy) |
| 2021 |
| Chris Stapleton Starting Over Other Nominees: Carly Pearce (29); Morgan Wallen (Dangerous: The Double Album); Eric Church (Heart); Brothers Osborne (Skeletons) |
| 2020 |
| Luke Combs What You See Is What You Get Other Nominees: Jon Pardi (Heartache Medication); Ashley McBryde (Never Will); Old Dominion (Old Dominion); Miranda Lambert (Wildcard) |
| 2019 |
| Maren Morris Girl Other Nominees: Thomas Rhett (Center Point Road); Carrie Underwood (Cry Pretty); Dan + Shay (Dan + Shay); Eric Church (Desperate Man) |
| 2018 |
| Kacey Musgraves Golden Hour Other Nominees: Dierks Bentley (The Mountain); Thomas Rhett (Life Changes); Chris Stapleton (From A Room: Volume 2); Keith Urban (Graffiti U) |
| 2017 |
| Chris Stapleton From A Room: Volume 1 Other Nominees: Little Big Town (The Breaker); Lady Antebellum (Heart Break); Jason Isbell (The Nashville Sound); Miranda Lambert (The Weight Of These Wings) |
| 2016 Eric Church ("Mr. Misunderstood") | |
| Other Nominees:Dierks Bentley (Black); Maren Morris (Hero); Keith Urban (Ripcord); Carrie Underwood (Storyteller) | |
| 2015 Chris Stapleton ("Traveller") | |
| Other Nominees: Jason Aldean (Old Boots, New Dirt); Kacey Musgraves (Pageant Material); Little Big Town (Pain Killer); Kenny Chesney (The Big Revival) | |
| 2014 Miranda Lambert ("Platinum") | |
| Other Nominees: Luke Bryan (Crash My Party); Keith Urban (Fuse); Dierks Bentley (Riser); Eric Church (The Outsiders) | |
| 2013 Blake Shelton ("...Based On A True Story") | |
| Other Nominees: Carrie Underwood (Blown Away); Taylor Swift (Red); Kacey Musgraves (Same Trailer Different Park); Little Big Town (Tornado) | |
| 2012 Eric Church ("Chief") | |
| Other Nominees: Miranda Lambert (Four The Record); Dierks Bentley (Home); Lady Antebellum (Own The Night); Luke Bryan (Tailgates & Tanlines) | |
| 2011 Jason Aldean ("My Kinda Party") | |
| Other Nominees: Blake Shelton (All About Tonight); Taylor Swift (Speak Now); Brad Paisley (This Is Country Music); Zac Brown Band (You Get What You Give) | |
| 2010 Miranda Lambert ("Revolution") | |
| Other Nominees: Lady Antebellum (Need You Now); Carrie Underwood (Play On); George Strait (Twang); Dierks Bentley (Up On The Ridge) | |
| 2009 Taylor Swift ("Fearless") | |
| Other Nominees: Brad Paisley (American Saturday Night); Keith Urban (Defying Gravity); Sugarland (Love On The Inside); Jamey Johnson (That Lonesome Song) | |
| 2008 George Strait ("Troubadour") | |
| Other Nominees: Carrie Underwood (Carnival Ride); Brooks & Dunn (Cowboy Town); Alan Jackson (Good Time); Kenny Chesney (Just Who I Am: Poets & Pirates) | |
| 2007 George Strait ("It Just Comes Natural") | |
| Other Nominees: Brad Paisley (5th Gear); Dierks Bentley (Long Trip Alone); Keith Urban (Love Pain and the Whole Crazy Thing); Vince Gill (These Days) | |
| 2006 Brad Paisley ("Time Well Wasted") | |
| Other Nominees: Brooks & Dunn (Hillbilly Deluxe); Rascal Flatts (Me and My Gang); Alan Jackson (Precious Memories); Kenny Chesney (The Road and the Radio) | |
| 2005 Lee Ann Womack ("There's More Where That Came From") | |
| Other Nominees: Keith Urban (Be Here); Rascal Flatts (Feels Like Today); Tim McGraw (Live Like You Were Dying); George Strait (Somewhere Down In Texas) | |
| 2004 Kenny Chesney ("When The Sun Goes Down") | |
| Other Nominees: Brooks & Dunn (Red Dirt Road); Toby Keith (Shock'n Y'all); Brad Paisley (Mud On The Tires); Gretchen Wilson (Here For The Party) | |
| 2003 Johnny Cash ("American IV: The Man Comes Around") | |
| Other Nominees: Dixie Chicks (Home); Toby Keith (Unleashed); Tim McGraw (Tim McGraw and the Dancehall Doctors); Joe Nichols (Man With A Memory) | |
| 2002 Alan Jackson ("Drive") | |
| Other Nominees: Kenny Chesney (No Shoes No Shirt No Problems); Toby Keith (Pull My Chain); Alison Krauss (New Favorite); Willie Nelson (The Great Divide); George Strait (The Road Less Traveled) | |
| 2001 O Brother Where Art Soundtrack ("O Brother Where Art Thou?") | |
| Other Nominees: Brooks & Dunn (Steers & Stripes); Sara Evans (Born To Fly); Alan Jackson (When Somebody Loves You); Tim McGraw (Set This Circus Down) | |
| 2000 Dixie Chicks ("Fly") | |
| Other Nominees: Faith Hill (Breathe); Alan Jackson (Under The Influence); Brad Paisley (Part II); Lee Ann Womack (I Hope You Dance) | |
| 1999 Tim McGraw ("A Place In The Sun") | |
| Other Nominees: Vince Gill (The Key); George Strait (Always Never The Same); Steve Wariner (Two Teardrops); Trisha Yearwood (Where Your Road Leads) | |
| 1998 Tim McGraw ("Everywhere") | |
| Other Nominees: Garth Brooks (Sevens); Patty Loveless (Long Stretch Of Lonesome); George Strait (One Step At A Time); Shania Twain (Come On Over) | |
| 1997 George Strait ("Carrying Your Love With Me") | |
| Other Nominees: Deana Carter (Did I Shave My Legs For This?); Alan Jackson (Everything I Love); LeAnn Rimes (Blue); Trisha Yearwood (Everybody Knows) | |
| 1996 George Strait ("Blue Clear Sky") | |
| Other Nominees: Brooks & Dunn (Borderline); Vince Gill (High Lonesome Sound); Patty Loveless (The Trouble With The Truth); Martina McBride (Wild Angels) | |
| 1995 Patty Loveless ("When Fallen Angels Fly") | |
| Other Nominees: Vince Gill (When Love Finds You); Alan Jackson (Who I Am); John Michael Montgomery (John Michael Montgomery); George Strait (Lead On) | |
| 1994 Various Artists ("Common Thread: The Songs Of The Eagles") | |
| Other Nominees: Alan Jackson (Who I Am); George Strait (Easy Come Easy Go); Various Artists (Asleep At The Wheel); Various Artists (Rhythm Country & Blues) | |
| 1993 Vince Gill ("I Still Believe In You") | |
| Other Nominees: Brooks & Dunn (Hard Workin' Man); Garth Brooks (The Chase); Mary Chapin Carpenter (Come On Come One); Alan Jackson (A Lot About Livin' And A Little 'Bout Love) | |
| 1992 Garth Brooks ("Ropin' The Wind") | |
| Other Nominees: Brooks & Dunn (Brand New Man); Reba McEntire (For My Broken Heart); Tanya Tucker (What Do I Do With Me); Wynonna (Wynonna) | |
| 1991 Garth Brooks ("No Fences") | |
| Other Nominees: Clint Black (Put Yourself In My Shoes); Vince Gill (Pocket Full Of Gold); Alan Jackson (Don't Rock The Jukebox); Reba McEntire (Rumor Has It) | |
| 1990 Kentucky Headhunters ("Pickin' On Nashville") | |
| Other Nominees: Alan Jackson (Here In The Real World); Ricky Van Shelton (RVS III); George Strait (Livin' It Up); Keith Whitley (I Wonder Do You Think Of Me) | |
| 1989 Nitty Gritty Dirt Band ("Will The Circle Be Unbroken Vol II") | |
| Other Nominees: Kathy Mattea (Willow In The Wind); Ricky Van Shelton (Loving Proof); George Strait (Beyond The Blue Neon); Randy Travis (Old 8x10) | |
| 1988 Hank Williams Jr ("Born To Boogie") | |
| Other Nominees: Rodney Crowell (Diamonds & Dirt); Vern Gosdin (Chiseled In Stone); Kathy Mattea (Untasted Honey) George Strait (If You Ain't Lovin' You Ain't Livin') | |
| 1987 Randy Travis ("Always And Forever") | |
| Other Nominees: George Jones (Wine Colored Roses); Reba McEntire (What Am I Gonna Do About You); Dolly Parton/Linda Ronstadt/Emmylou Harris (Trio); George Strait (Ocean Front Property) | |
| 1986 Ronnie Milsap ("Lost In The Fifties Tonight") | |
| Other Nominees: The Judds (Rockin' With The Rhythm); Reba McEntire (Whoever's In New England); George Strait (#7); Randy Travis (Storms Of Life) | |
| 1985 George Strait ("Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind") | |
| Other Nominees: Alabama (40 Hour Week); The Judds (Why Not Me); Reba McEntire (My Kind Of Country); Ricky Skaggs (Country Boy) | |
| 1984 Anne Murray ("A Little Good News") | |
| Other Nominees: Alabama (Roll On); Merle Haggard (That's The Way Love Goes); Ricky Skaggs (Don't Cheat In Our Hometown); George Strait (Right Or Wrong) | |
| 1983 Alabama ("The Closer You Get") | |
| Other Nominees: John Anderson (Wild And Blue); Janie Fricke (It Ain't Easy); Ricky Skaggs (Highways & Heartbreaks); Merle Haggard & Willie Nelson (Pancho And Lefty) | |
| 1982 Willie Nelson ("Always On My Mind") | |
| Other Nominees: Alabama (Mountain Music); Merle Haggard (Big City); George Jones (Still The Same Ole Me); Oak Ridge Boys (Bobbie Sue) | |
| 1981 Don Williams ("I Believe In You") | |
| Other Nominees: Alabama (Feels So Right); George Jones (I Am What I Am); Ronnie Milsap (Out Where The Bright Lights Are Glowing); Dolly Parton (9 To 5 & Odd Jobs) | |
| 1980 Coal Miner's Daughte Soundtrack ("Coal Miner's Daughter") | |
| Other Nominees: Moe Bandy & Joe Stampley (Just Good Ol' Boys); Emmylou Harris (Roses In The Snow); Charley Pride (There's A Little Bit Of Hank In Me); Kenny Rogers (Kenny) | |
| 1979 Kenny Rogers ("The Gambler") | |
| Other Nominees: John Conlee (Rose Colored Glasses); Willie Nelson & Leon Russell (One For The Road); Johnny Paycheck (Armed And Crazy) | |
| 1978 Ronnie Milsap ("It Was Almost Like A Song") | |
| Other Nominees: Waylon Jennings & Willie Nelson (Waylon & Willie); The Kendalls (Heaven's Just A Sin Away); Dolly Parton (Here You Come Again); Don Williams (Country Boy) | |
| 1977 Ronnie Milsap ("Live") | |
| Other Nominees: Jim Ed Brown & Helen Cornelius (I Don't Want To Have To Marry You); Waylon Jennings (Ol' Waylon); Loretta Lynn (I Remember Patsy); Kenny Rogers (Kenny Rogers) | |
| 1976 Waylon Jennings ("Wanted: The Outlaws") | |
| Other Nominees: Sonny James (200 Years Of Country Music); Ronnie Milsap (Night Things); Red Sovine (Teddy Bear); Kenny Starr (The Blind Man In The Bleachers); Conway Twitty & Loretta Lynn (Feelin's) | |
| 1975 Ronnie Milsap ("A Legend In My Time") | |
| Other Nominees: Glen Campbell (Rhinestone Cowboy); John Denver (An Evening With John Denver); Freddy Fender (Before The Next Teardrop Falls); Waylon Jennings (Ramblin' Man) | |
| 1974 Charlie Rich ("Very Special Love Songs") | |
| Other Nominees: Merle Haggard (If We Make It Through December); Olivia Newton-John (If You Love Me Let Me Know); Cal Smith (Country Bumpkin); Ray Stevens (The Streak); Conway Twitty (You've Never Been This Far Before) | |
| 1973 Charlie Rich ("Behind Closed Doors") | |
| Other Nominees: Tom T Hall (The Storyteller); Loretta Lynn (Entertainer Of The Year); Jeanne Pruett (Satin Sheets); Conway Twitty & Loretta Lynn (Louisiana Woman Mississippi Man) | |
| 1972 Merle Haggard ("Let Me Tell You About A Song") | |
| Other Nominees: Donna Fargo (The Happiest Girl In The Whole U.S.A.); Dolly Parton (Coat Of Many Colors); Charley Pride (Sings Heart Songs); Conway Twitty & Loretta Lynn (Lead Me On) | |
| 1971 Ray Price ("I Won't Mention It Again") | |
| Other Nominees: Lynn Anderson (Rose Garden); Merle Haggard (A Tribute To The Best Damn Fiddle Player In The World); Jerry Reed (When You're Hot You're Hot); Sammi Smith (Help Me Make It Through The Night) | |
| 1970 Merle Haggard ("Okie From Muskogee") | |
| Other Nominees: Johnny Cash (Hello I'm Johnny Cash); Merle Haggard (Fightin' Side Of Me); Charley Pride (Just Plain Charley); Conway Twitty (Hello Darlin') | |
| 1969 Johnny Cash ("At San Quentin") | |
| Other Nominees: Glen Campbell (Wichita Lineman); Merle Haggard (Same Train Different Time); Charley Pride (Live And In Person); Tammy Wynette (Stand By Your Man) | |
| 1968 Johnny Cash ("At Folsom Prison") | |
| Other Nominees: Glen Campbell (By The Time I Get To Phoenix); Glen Campbell (Gentle On My Mind); Merle Haggard (The Best Of Merle Haggard); Tammy Wynette (D-I-V-O-R-C-E) | |
| 1967 Jack Greene ("There Goes My Everything") | |
| Other Nominees: Eddy Arnold (Best Of Eddy Arnold); Merle Haggard (I'm A Lonesome Fugitive); Sonny James (Best Of Sonny James); Ray Price (Danny Boy) | |