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The 59th annual CMA Awards air on November 19.

The nominees for Best New Artist are Ella Langley, Tucker Wetmore, Stephen Wilson Jr., Zach Top, and Shaboozey.

Zach Top and Shaboozey are nominated for the second time, causing some confusion.

Excitement surrounding the 59th CMA Awards is revving up after the Country Music Association announced the 2025 nominees on Monday, September 8. While many artists are obvious picks, some selections, like Shaboozey and Zach Top for New Artist of the Year, have fans scratching their heads—not because they’re undeserving, but because they’ve already been nominated for the award and didn’t win.

As you may recall, Shaboozey and Zach were nominated in 2024 for the CMA New Artist Award alongside Megan Moroney , Nate Smith, Mitchell Tenpenn

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