Blake Shelton Stuns Country Fans With First CMA Nomination in Six Years
Blake Shelton is back—and the country music world is buzzing. After six long years without a single CMA nod, the Oklahoma superstar has officially re-entered the race at the 2025 CMA Awards, proving that even after stepping away from The Voice and slowing down his touring schedule, his place in the genre is far from over.
The last time Shelton’s name appeared on the CMA ballot was in 2019, when he was nominated for Single of the Year with “God’s Country.” That fiery anthem took home the trophy, solidifying his reputation as one of country’s most consistent hitmakers. But after that win, Shelton seemed to fade from the awards circuit. While his peers continued to rack up nominations, Shelton focused more on his personal life—marrying pop icon Gwen Stefani, building a quiet family life in Oklahoma, and performing only when he truly wanted to. Some fans wondered if Blake was content to let the next generation take the spotlight.
Now, the King of Country Grit is back in the conversation. Shelton’s return to the CMA Awards comes with a shock factor that has fans across social media celebrating and speculating. The nomination, announced earlier this week, is for Musical Event of the Year thanks to his collaboration with Lainey Wilson on the hard-hitting duet “Backroads Revival.” The track, released earlier this summer, has been hailed as one of Shelton’s most authentic performances in years—an anthem that fuses his rugged baritone with Wilson’s powerhouse edge.
Industry insiders say the song’s raw energy and heartfelt storytelling reminded voters why Shelton became a star in the first place. “It’s vintage Blake,” one CMA voter told Billboard. “It’s got that grit, that swagger, but also a real soul. Pairing him with Lainey was lightning in a bottle.”
Fans have echoed the same excitement online. Twitter and TikTok lit up with reactions after the nomination announcement, with one fan posting: “Finally! Blake Shelton is BACK where he belongs at the CMAs.” Another wrote: “We’ve missed seeing his name on the ballot. This is the comeback we needed.”
The 2025 CMA Awards will air live on November 19th from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, and anticipation is already sky-high. Not only will Shelton’s nomination bring an element of surprise to the show, but rumors are swirling that he and Wilson may take the stage together for a live performance of their nominated track. If true, it could be one of the night’s most talked-about moments.
For Blake, this recognition feels less like a career resurgence and more like a reminder of his staying power. Even when he steps away, even when the spotlight shifts, he still has the ability to shake the industry when he wants to. As one longtime fan commented: “You can’t count Blake Shelton out. He’s still got plenty of fire left.”
Six years later, the CMAs have opened the door again. And on November 19th, Blake Shelton just might walk through it—and remind everyone why his name still matters in country music.
