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Legendary pop and country rooted mega star Taylor Swift has announced she will be attending this year's 60th annual CMA Award show. Her appearance will mark her first attendance since 2016, where the 'Love Story' songstress presented the prestigious Entertainer of the Year award to Garth Brooks.
Swift took to her Instagram story to comment on her upcoming appearance, as the star excitedly wrote, "Looks like I haven't yee'd my last haw - Thank you CMA!!!! - See you there Nov 18."
Lastly nominated in 2022 for her 'I Bet You Think About Me' collab with outlaw country troubadour Chris Stapleton, Swift has been nominated at the 60th award show for her latest single 'I Knew It, I Knew You.'
'I Knew It, I Knew You' marks Swift's first country release since her 2010 third studio album Speak Now. Of course, this excludes the collection of re-releases the 'You Belong With Me' vocalist gifted fans through her cleverly promoted and full-circle moment Taylor's Version recordings she released in 2021 and 2023 with Fearless (Taylor's Version) and Speak Now (Taylor's Version.)
With elements of pop, country, alternative rock and folk bouncing around Swift's broad discography, the star has returned to her roots with the Toy Story 5 soundtrack tune. 'I Knew It, I Knew You' has been nominated for Single of the Year alongside more than mentionable nominees such as Lainey Wilson for 'Somewhere Over Laredo,' Cody Johnson for 'The Fall,' and Ella Langley for chart soarers 'Be Her' and 'Choosin Texas,' respectively.
Out of 28 nominations over her 21-year long career span, Swift has taken home 12 CMA Awards. However, Swift, who has been known for more often than not knocking award show competition out of the park, may meet her match this upcoming 60th anniversary.
It's no secret that Ella Langley has done things of the unthinkable in her 2026 run. With 'Choosin Texas' about to hit its 21st week on the Billboard Hot 100, tying Mariah Carey for longest running No. 1, and 'Be Her' maintaining steady footing in the chart's top 10, it wouldn't come as a shock if Langley ultimately snagged the Single of the Year award, along with potential triumphs in the other eight categories the 'Dandelion' songstress has been nominated for.
Of course, we can't forget about 2026 Entertainer of the Year contender Cody Johnson, or double-agent nominee and host Lainey Wilson either. Both Johnson and Wilson stand a steady chance in a music scene where heart ultimately triumphs all. This writer would argue that both of these country stars carry the essence of what it means to be truly in the country music scene, with both nominated projects reflecting themes that speak to the most honest parts of listeners.
As for Swift, the multi-faceted icon is well in the running for her 'I Knew It, I Knew You' release, though, with an extensive background in country stemming from her debut 2006 self-titled record, and onward. While whether she manages to out-compete Langley, Johnson, and Wilson is still in question, here at Holler we say the more the merrier, and welcome back, Taylor.
