Quite a few country artists have needed a year or two — or even three — to capture their first Grammy. One country star has needed 30 years, and he’s still looking!
Dierks Bentley, Kenny Chesney and Blake Shelton are three of the most senior members on this list of country stars without a Grammy. Another superstar has the most nominations with no wins however. It’s a feat that he captured quite recently.
After the 2026 Grammy Award, this group is a collective 0-118! What’s worse is that two of the singers on this list have never even been nominated!
Related: 2026 Grammy Awards: Full List of Country Nominees
Four Country Music Hall of Famers make this list, as do five who most feel will be inducted in good time. We’ve ranked these 19 artists in order of least to most nominations and noted where they should have won when possible. For example, Chesney’s best chance came at the 2012 Grammys, but “You & Tequila” lost to a pair that would break up soon after.
Jason Aldean‘s best shot also went to that same niche duo. Toby Keith lost out to James Taylor — yes, you read that right.
Three streaks came to an end in February 2026. Tyler Childers, Jelly Roll and Shaboozey were all up for Grammys and each won. In fact, Jelly Roll won three Grammys, including the first ever Best Contemporary Country Album.
Read More: Every Country Music Winner at the Grammys, 1958 to 2026
No one on this list should feel too bad however. Getting nominated is a really big deal, and it could be worse. In country music, the Bellamy Brothers are all-time leaders in swings and misses. They’ve been nominated for 29 CMA Awards and never won once.
Lifetime they have just one Grammy nomination.
19 Country Stars Who’ve Never Won a Grammy, Ranked
These 19 country singers have never won a Grammy Award, but it’s worse than that. Collectively, they’re 0-118!
This list includes two Country Music Hall of Famers and five more destined to get invited one day. Commercial success doesn’t equal Grammy success. Remember that. This list was updated after the 2026 Grammy Awards.
Gallery Credit: Billy Dukes
See the Most Played Country Song from the Year You Were Born
Who had the most played country song during the year you were born? This list is a fascinating time capsule of prevalent trends from every decade in American history. Scroll through to find your birth year and then click to listen. Some of these songs have been lost through the years, many of them for good reason!
Gallery Credit: Billy Dukes
