The Reigning Country Music Champions: Who Won Best Country Album At The Latest Major Awards?
The question of "who won Best Country Album" has never been more dynamic or newsworthy than in the current awards cycle. While the term most often refers to the prestigious Grammy Award, the top album prize is also fiercely contested at the Academy of Country Music (ACM) Awards and the Country Music Association (CMA) Awards. As of December 22, 2025, the most recent and arguably most significant winner is a global superstar who made history by claiming the prize for a genre-bending project, solidifying a new era in the country music landscape.
This comprehensive breakdown provides the definitive answer to the most recent winners across the three major ceremonies, detailing the artists, their groundbreaking albums, and the full list of nominees who defined the past year in country music. The latest results highlight a fascinating shift, with the genre embracing diverse sounds and artists who are challenging traditional boundaries.
The Historic 2025 Grammy Award Winner: Beyoncé's Groundbreaking Win
The biggest headline in country music awards this year came from the 67th Annual Grammy Awards, where a monumental victory redefined the category. The winner of the 2025 Grammy Award for Best Country Album was:
- Artist: Beyoncé
- Album: Cowboy Carter
Beyoncé’s win for her eighth studio album, Cowboy Carter, was not just a major award; it was a historic cultural moment. The album, which she described as an "Act II" project, delves deep into the roots of American music, blending traditional country elements with R&B, blues, and rock.
The Significance of the Cowboy Carter Victory
The victory secured Beyoncé’s place in history as the first Black artist to ever win the Best Country Album Grammy Award. This achievement came after a period of controversy and discussion surrounding her entry into the genre, which she addressed directly on the album. The album also secured the coveted Album of the Year prize at the 2025 Grammys, proving its cross-genre appeal and critical acclaim.
The impact of this win was so profound that it reportedly spurred a conversation within the Recording Academy about restructuring the country music categories. To better reflect the genre's expanding soundscape, there is speculation about a future split into two distinct awards: Best Contemporary Country Album and Best Traditional Country Album, a move that would acknowledge the increasing diversity and subgenres within country music.
Full List of 2025 Grammy Best Country Album Nominees
Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter faced stiff competition from a field of established stars and breakout artists, highlighting the quality of country music released during the eligibility period. The complete list of nominees for the 2025 Grammy Best Country Album category included:
- Winner: Cowboy Carter - Beyoncé
- Deeper Well - Kacey Musgraves
- F-1 Trillion - Post Malone
- Higher - Chris Stapleton
- Whirlwind - Lainey Wilson
The nominations of artists like Post Malone, known primarily for hip-hop and pop, alongside country mainstays like Chris Stapleton and Kacey Musgraves, further underscore the genre's current fluidity and willingness to embrace new voices.
The 2025 ACM Awards: Lainey Wilson's Whirlwind Year
While the Grammys focus on a broad spectrum of music, the Academy of Country Music (ACM) Awards are specifically dedicated to honoring excellence in the genre. The top album prize at the ACMs is known as Album of the Year. The winner of the 60th Annual ACM Awards, held in May 2025, was one of the genre's most dominant figures.
- Artist: Lainey Wilson
- Album: Whirlwind
Lainey Wilson's Album of the Year Victory
Lainey Wilson, who also earned a nomination for the same album at the Grammys, continued her phenomenal run by taking home the ACM Album of the Year trophy. Her album, Whirlwind, was celebrated for its authentic storytelling, powerful vocals, and blend of traditional and contemporary country sounds. Wilson's acceptance speech highlighted the personal nature of the project, noting that the album helped her through a challenging period.
Wilson’s success is a testament to the rise of authentic, female-led country music, with her signature "Bell Bottom Country" style resonating deeply with fans and critics alike. Her multiple nominations across major categories, including Entertainer of the Year, cemented her status as the reigning queen of the genre in 2025.
The 2025 ACM Album of the Year Nominees
The competition for the ACM Album of the Year was fierce, featuring a mix of established and emerging talent:
- Winner: Whirlwind - Lainey Wilson
- Am I Okay? (I'll Be Fine) - Megan Moroney
- Beautifully Broken - Jelly Roll
- Cold Beer & Country Music - Zach Top
- F-1 Trillion - Post Malone
Notably, both Jelly Roll and Post Malone earned nominations, demonstrating their rapid and successful integration into the country music mainstream.
Cody Johnson's Traditional Triumph at the 2024 CMA Awards
The Country Music Association (CMA) Awards, typically held in the fall, also recognize the best in the genre with their Album of the Year prize. The most recent CMA winner, announced in November 2024, was a long-time favorite for fans of traditional, cowboy-centric country music.
- Artist: Cody Johnson
- Album: Leather
The CMA Award for Leather
Cody Johnson’s album, Leather, was a critical and commercial success that resonated with the core country audience who appreciate a more traditional sound. His win at the 58th Annual CMA Awards was a highlight of the ceremony, showcasing a commitment to the genre's roots.
The album is characterized by its powerful anthems and heartfelt ballads, reinforcing Johnson's reputation as a modern-day cowboy with deep respect for country music heritage. The success of Leather cemented his transition from a regional favorite to a national country music star, following his earlier success with the multi-platinum single "'Til You Can't."
The 2024 CMA Album of the Year Nominees
The 2024 CMA Album of the Year category featured a strong selection of critically acclaimed and commercially successful albums:
- Winner: Leather - Cody Johnson
- Deeper Well - Kacey Musgraves
- Fathers & Sons - Luke Combs
- Higher - Chris Stapleton
- Whitsitt Chapel - Jelly Roll
The overlap of nominees across the Grammys, ACMs, and CMAs—including Kacey Musgraves, Chris Stapleton, Jelly Roll, and Lainey Wilson—illustrates a consensus among the major awards bodies regarding the year's most impactful country music projects.
The Evolving Landscape of Country Album Awards
The results from the most recent awards season paint a clear picture of a genre in transition. The term "Best Country Album" now encompasses a broader and more diverse range of artists and sounds than ever before. The victories of Beyoncé, Lainey Wilson, and Cody Johnson in quick succession—each representing a different facet of the genre (global pop crossover, contemporary female powerhouse, and traditionalist)—suggest that country music's biggest prizes are celebrating both its deep roots and its expansive future. Fans and critics are eagerly anticipating how the industry will continue to adapt, especially with the potential for new Grammy categories to further segment and honor this dynamic musical evolution.
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