Every Country Music Album of the Year Since 1967

Eric Church’s “Mr. Misunderstood” won the CMA Album of the Year, defeating Dierks Bentley, Maren Morris, Keith Urban, and Carrie Underwood. The album went to No. 2 on the country chart. The title track is somewhat autobiographical and tells the story of a teenage outsider.

Two years after he won Album of the Year for his solo debut, Chris Stapleton won once again with his “From A Room: Volume 1.” The album offers a collection of well-written songs presented in a subdued, and at times even stripped-down, manner, including single “Broken Halos.” Stapleton’s second album won over nominees Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, and Miranda Lambert.

Kacey Musgraves won her first CMA Album of the Year by topping Chris Stapleton, Keith Urban, Thomas Rhett, and Dierks Bentley. “Golden Hour” fuses traditional country sounds with lyrics containing a progressive sensibility. The album was the third country No. 1 for Musgraves.

Source: Rick Diamond / Getty Images

2019
> Album: Girl
> Artist: Maren Morris

Maren Morris’ “Girl” topped albums from Thomas Rhett, Carrie Underwood, Dan + Shay, and Eric Church to win CMA Album of the Year. “Girl” contained 14 songs and was a huge success. The album was the artist’s second major label album.

Source: Jason Kempin / Getty Images

2020
> Album: What You See Is What You Get
> Artist: Luke Combs

Luke Combs, who also won for male vocalist of the year, topped Jon Pardi, Ashley McBryde, as well as country heavyweights Old Dominion and Miranda Lambert to win best album of the year. The album has 17 tracks, including “Beer Never Broke My Heart” and “Even Though I’m Leaving.”