Bryan Steffy, Getty Images<\/span><\/p> BigXthaPlug wasn’t just overlooked by CMA and ACM voters ahead of recent shows, he was overlooked by media pundits who take joy in pointing out snubs and surprises.<\/p>\n Last year he released a pretty cool album called I Hope You\u2019re Happy<\/em> that featured 10 country stars.<\/p>\n \u201cAll the Way\u201d with Bailey Zimmerman<\/a> (up for Collaboration of the Year) was most popular, but his duet with Langley\u00a0was also fascinating.<\/p>\n READ MORE<\/strong><\/em>: 2026 ACM Awards Snubs, Surprises + the End of an Era<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n The rollout was understated in country music circles, but apparently someone was paying attention.<\/p>\n Find him below in two country categories, including Best Country Album where he faces off against Wallen, Megan Moroney<\/a>, Tucker Wetmore<\/a> and a young singer we\u2019ll talk more about next.<\/p>\n Sam Barber<\/a> is a 22-year-old from Missouri who notched a big hit with “Indigo.”<\/p>\n This duet with Avery Anna registered on the Billboard<\/em> Hot 100 and went Top 10 on the Billboard<\/em> Hot Country Songs chart. It was a sneaky breakthrough song in 2024 and 2025, definitely one that deserved consideration at country shows.<\/p>\n The AMAs may pick up that slack instead. Barber is up for Breakthrough Country Artist and Best Country Album.<\/p>\n Perhaps “Indigo” wasn’t eligible, or perhaps it just didn’t get the love that another surprise nom got.<\/p>\n Russell Dickerson<\/a> is not yet a household name at country awards shows, but “Happens to Me” was\u00a0a sneaky song of summer for 2025.<\/p>\n His biggest hit to date is an earworm, and really the same can be said about Russell himself. His interviews<\/a> are a relentless good time, and everyone in the industry knows it.<\/p>\n Will any of these surprising artists win?<\/p>\n They could be longshots, but honestly, that’s not the point. Working hard for no return or recognition is a grind.<\/p>\n The AMAs \u2014 and the 18 other awards shows you forget about until they’re on TV each year \u2014 throw flowers at people who might not get them elsewhere, and that’s good enough reason to put a TV show together.<\/p>\n Best Male Country Artist<\/strong> Best Female Country Artist<\/strong> Best Country Duo or Group<\/strong> Breakthrough Country Artist<\/strong> Best Country Song<\/strong> Best Country Album<\/strong> Artist of the Year<\/strong> New Artist of the Year<\/strong> Song of the Year<\/strong> Album of the Year<\/strong> 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!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Gallery Credit: Billy Dukes<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nShocking Nominations at the 2026 AMAs:<\/h3>\n
2026 American Music Awards Nominations (Country):<\/h3>\n
Jelly Roll
Luke Combs
Morgan Wallen
Riley Green
Shaboozey<\/p>\n
Ella Langley
Kelsea Ballerini
Lainey Wilson
Megan Moroney
Miranda Lambert<\/p>\n
Brooks & Dunn
Old Dominion
Rascal Flatts
Treaty Oak Revival
Zac Brown Band<\/p>\n
Sam Barber
Tucker Wetmore
Zach Top<\/p>\n
BigXthaPlug and Bailey Zimmerman, \u201cAll the Way\u201d
Ella Langley, \u201cChoosin\u2019 Texas\u201d
Morgan Wallen, \u201cJust in Case\u201d
Russell Dickerson, \u201cHappen to Me\u201d
Shaboozey, \u201cGood News\u201d<\/p>\n
BigXthaPlug, I Hope You\u2019re Happy Now<\/em>
Megan Moroney, Cloud 9<\/em>
Morgan Wallen, I\u2019m the Problem<\/em>
Sam Barber, Restless Mind<\/em>
Tucker Wetmore, What Not To<\/em><\/p>\n
Bad Bunny
Bruno Mars
BTS
Hary Styles
Justin Bieber
Kendrick Lamar
Lady Gaga
Morgan Wallen
Sabrina Carpenter
Taylor Swift<\/p>\n
Alex Warren
Ella Langley
Katseye
Leon Thomas
Olivia Dean
Sombr<\/p>\n
Alex Warren, \u201cOrdinary\u201d
Ella Langley, \u201cChoosin\u2019 Texas\u201d
HUNTR\/X, \u201cGolden\u201d
Kehlani, \u201cFolded\u201d
Leon Thomas, \u201cMutt\u201d
Morgan Wallen, \u201cI\u2019m the Problem\u201d
Olivia Dean, \u201cMan I Need\u201d
Sabrina Carpenter, \u201cManchild\u201d
Sombr, \u201cBack to Friends\u201d
Taylor Swift, \u201cThe Fate of Ophelia\u201d<\/p>\n
Cardi B, Am I the Drama?<\/em>
Fuerza Regida, 111xpantia<\/em>
Lady Gaga, Mayhem<\/em>
Morgan Wallen, I\u2019m the Problem<\/em>
Olive Dean, The Art of Loving<\/em>
Playboi Cardi, Music<\/em>
Sabrina Carpenter, Man\u2019s Best Friend<\/em>
Tate McRae, So Close to What<\/em>
Taylor Swift, The Life of a Showgirl<\/em><\/p>\nSee the Most Played Country Song from the Year You Were Born<\/h2>\n