# Shane McAnally Breaks CMA Record with 11 Song of the Year Nominations

> Shane McAnally earns his 11th CMA Song of the Year nomination, breaking Alan Jackson's record.
- Title: Shane McAnally Breaks CMA Record with 11 Song of the Year…
- Summary: Shane McAnally earns his 11th CMA Song of the Year nomination, breaking Alan Jackson's record. Shane McAnally has earned his 11th CMA Song of the Year…
- Keywords: shane mcanally, cma song of the year, kacey musgraves, cmas, country music, billboard, Shane, McAnally, Breaks, CMA, Record, Song
- Source: Billboard — https://billboard.com/lists/shane-mcanally-cma-song-of-the-year-nominations-record
- Author: Jessica Nicholson
- Published: 2026-10-27T17:38:44+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: shane mcanally, cma song of the year, kacey musgraves, cmas, country music, billboard
## Shane McAnally's Songwriting Process
Shane McAnally identifies key phrases in lyrics that signal a song's potential for success.

> There’s always a phrase or something in a write where I go, ‘Okay, we’ve got it,’”
## 11th CMA Song of the Year Nomination
McAnally earned his 11th CMA Song of the Year nomination for Kacey Musgraves' 'Dry Spell' and broke Alan Jackson's record.
## Full-Circle Moment for McAnally
McAnally grew up obsessed with CMAs and considers songwriting recognition the highest honor.

> It’s very cool, especially because I grew up obsessed with the CMAs, and so, for a songwriter, there’s not really a bigger acknowledgement than song of the year.
## Early Songwriting Success
McAnally's first major hit was Lee Ann Womack's 'Last Call' in 2008, followed by Kenny Chesney's 'Somewhere With You' in 2010.
## Record-Breaking 11 Nominations
McAnally earned his 11th CMA Song of the Year nomination for Musgraves' 'Dry Spell' from her 2026 album Middle of Nowhere.
## Collaboration with Kacey Musgraves
McAnally and Musgraves share a similar sense of humor and writing style, with Musgraves providing decisive input on songs.

> We see the world similarly. Our senses of humor are very in line.
## CMA Awards Preparation
McAnally's 11 nominations include songs from 2013 to 2026, with 'Merry Go Round' being a 2013 nominee.
## Key takeaway

Shane McAnally has earned his 11th CMA Song of the Year nomination, breaking Alan Jackson's record.