Morgan Wallen

Morgan Wallen Leads with 7 CMA Nominations for 2024 Awards

Country music sensation Morgan Wallen has emerged as the top contender for the 2024 CMA Awards, securing seven nominations. His impressive haul is largely attributed to his collaboration with Post Malone on the hit song I Had Some Help, which is nominated in four categories: Song of the Year, Single of the Year, Musical Event of the Year, and Music Video of the Year.

In addition to these accolades, the 31-year-old star is once again in the running for Male Vocalist and Entertainer of the Year, marking his third consecutive year as a nominee in these prestigious categories. Wallen also garnered a second nomination in the Musical Event category for his collaboration with Eric Church on Man Made a Bar. Despite not having won a CMA since being named New Artist of the Year in 2020, Wallen has numerous opportunities to claim victory at the upcoming ceremony on November 20.

Who Is Morgan Wallen?

Morgan Wallen is a renowned country singer best known for chart-topping hits such as You Proof, Last Night, and Whiskey Glasses. He first gained national attention on the sixth season of NBC’s The Voice in 2014. Since then, his music has achieved widespread popularity, with his 2023 album One Thing at a Time reaching No. 1 on both the Billboard 200 and Top Country Albums charts. Notably, Wallen held half of the top 10 spots on the Billboard Hot 100 with songs from the album, joining an elite group of artists that includes Taylor Swift and The Beatles.

However, Wallen’s career has also been marked by controversy, particularly following a 2021 incident in which he was caught on camera using a racial slur. Despite the backlash, Wallen has continued to maintain a strong presence in the country music scene.

Early Life and Family Background

Morgan Cole Wallen was born on May 13, 1993, in Sneedville, Tennessee, to parents Tommy and Lesli Wallen. He has three younger sisters—Ashlyne, Mikaela, and Lacey—whom his parents adopted in 2021. The family later moved to Knoxville, Tennessee, when Wallen was a freshman in high school.

Wallen’s musical journey began at an early age, singing in his local Southern Baptist church where his father served as pastor. He received a violin at the age of 5 and later learned to play the piano. His father, a rock ‘n’ roll enthusiast, introduced him to iconic bands like Lynyrd Skynyrd, Fleetwood Mac, and the Eagles.

Initially, Wallen pursued a career in baseball, excelling as a shortstop and pitcher for Gibbs High School in Knoxville. However, a torn UCL in his senior year ended his athletic aspirations. During his recovery, Wallen turned to music, using songwriting and guitar playing as a way to express himself. His talent, first recognized by his family and friends, would eventually lead him to national fame after his appearance on The Voice.

Contestant on The Voice

In 2014, Morgan Wallen took a significant step in his musical career by boarding a plane for the first time to audition for the sixth season of NBC’s The Voice. During his audition, Wallen performed Howie Day’s 2003 hit “Collide,” earning the admiration of celebrity judges Shakira and Usher. Shakira, impressed by his unique vocal tone, remarked, “I think that there are no voices like your voice on today’s radio—that’s why I turned [my chair]. It’s as manly as it gets.” Wallen ultimately chose Usher as his mentor.

Wallen progressed through the early rounds, performing Avicii’s “Hey Brother” and One Direction’s “Story of My Life” in the battle rounds. Maroon 5’s Adam Levine even “stole” Wallen for his team. However, his journey on The Voice ended during the playoff portion of the competition. Despite this, the exposure he gained from the show provided valuable industry connections and helped him solidify his passion for country music. Reflecting on his transition to the genre, Wallen told The New Yorker in 2020, “Once I started writing songs, it just sounded country. And I was like, well, I guess I’ll sing country music, because this is the life I know.”

Breakthrough: “Whiskey Glasses” and Rising Success

After The Voice, Wallen moved to Nashville, Tennessee, to pursue his music career. He briefly formed a band, Morgan Wallen & Them Shadows, and soon caught the attention of Panacea Records, which signed him in 2015. The label supported the release of his debut EP, Stand Alone, and the single “Spin You Around.” In 2016, Wallen signed with Big Loud Records and began working with producer Joey Moi. That year, he released his debut single, “The Way I Talk.”

Wallen’s debut studio album, If I Know Me, followed in April 2018. The album climbed into the top 20 of the Billboard 200 and featured hits like “Up Down” featuring Florida Georgia Line and the breakout single “Whiskey Glasses.” The latter topped the Country Airplay chart and reached No. 17 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2019, establishing Wallen as a rising star. His momentum continued with a tour alongside Florida Georgia Line, and by November 2020, Wallen was named the Country Music Association’s New Artist of the Year, cementing his status in the industry.

Wallen’s success soared with the release of his second studio album, Dangerous: The Double Album, in January 2021. The record debuted at No. 1 and set a new record for the largest streaming week ever for a country album, according to Billboard. Hit songs like “7 Summers” and “Wasted on You” further expanded Wallen’s reach, both landing in the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100.

Superstardom with “One Thing at a Time”

Morgan Wallen’s 2021 album Dangerous proved its enduring popularity, reaching an impressive milestone by spending 86 nonconsecutive weeks in the Billboard 200’s top 10 by September 2022, the most for any album in history. Previously, Peter, Paul, and Mary had held the record since the early 1960s with their self-titled album. Despite the ongoing success of Dangerous, Wallen continued to build his career. In May 2022, he released the single “You Proof,” which became his highest-charting song, peaking at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100. That same month, his song “Thought You Should Know” also entered the Hot 100, eventually reaching No. 7 nearly a year later.

Wallen followed these achievements with the release of his 36-track album One Thing at a Time in March 2023, launching a 65-show world tour soon after. The album was an instant success, debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. The song “Last Night” topped the singles chart, and four other tracks—“You Proof,” “Thought You Should Know,” “Thinkin’ Bout Me,” and the title track—simultaneously landed in the top 10. Wallen joined an elite group of artists, including Taylor Swift, The Beatles, and Drake, who have held five spots in the top 10 at the same time.

In May 2023, Wallen received the Academy of Country Music Award for Male Artist of the Year. Though nominated for three CMA Awards in September 2023—Entertainer of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, and Album of the Year for One Thing at a Time—he walked away without any wins. His One Night at a Time World Tour was extended into 2024, and he earned six ACM Award nominations, including Entertainer and Album of the Year. Despite the accolades, Wallen’s award drought persisted during that period.

In September 2024, Wallen garnered seven CMA Award nominations, largely for his collaboration with Post Malone on the hit song “I Had Some Help,” which is up for Song, Single, Musical Event, and Music Video of the Year.

Racial Slur and Other Controversies

While Wallen is widely known for his musical success, his career has been overshadowed by several offstage incidents. In May 2020, he was arrested on charges of public intoxication and disorderly conduct after an altercation at a bar in Nashville. Later that year, he was removed from the lineup of Saturday Night Live after breaking COVID-19 protocols, including failing to socially distance after attending a University of Alabama football game. He later made light of the incident in a December 2020 SNL skit.

In February 2021, Wallen faced his most serious controversy when a video surfaced showing him using a racial slur. Though he issued an apology, the backlash was swift, with radio stations and streaming platforms pulling his music. He was disqualified from that year’s ACM Awards and briefly dropped by his label, Big Loud. In July 2021, Wallen addressed the incident in an interview on Good Morning America, explaining that he didn’t use the slur with malice and acknowledging the need for personal growth. He revealed that he had donated $500,000 to various organizations, including the Black Music Action Coalition, and spent time in rehab to confront his behavior.

In April 2023, Wallen made headlines again for canceling a concert minutes before it was set to begin, citing vocal issues. Weeks later, he announced that he had to take an extended break due to vocal cord trauma, canceling six weeks of his tour. He returned to the stage in June 2023. In April 2024, Wallen was arrested after an incident in Nashville, where he allegedly threw a chair off a bar roof. He is facing several charges and is set to appear in court later that year.

Personal Life and Son

Wallen’s personal life has also attracted media attention. He began dating Katie “KT” Smith in 2017, and although the couple split in 2019, they share a son, Indigo Wilder, born in July 2020. Wallen has spoken about his commitment to co-parenting and his desire to give his son the same kind of love and support he received from his own parents.

In June 2023, Wallen’s son was taken to the hospital after being bitten by Smith’s dog. Fortunately, Indigo recovered after receiving stitches. Wallen has also been linked to model Paige Lorenze and country singer Megan Moroney, though both relationships ended by 2023.

Net Worth

As of May 2024, Wallen’s net worth is estimated to be around $12 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. Despite his controversies, Wallen continues to maintain a strong fan base and substantial commercial success.