The nominees again for Male Vocalist of the Year are:
Jack Ingram
Eric Church
Chris Stapleton
Cody Johnson
Cody Jinks
Eric Church
While it’s hard to deny the year Stapleton has had (the past two years, really), Eric Church has helped vastly to move country music forward in 2016, putting out a solid album in late 2015 and releasing solid singles from it ever since. And while success in the mainstream is never a defining factor, it’s hard to ignore the impact that that has. Not only has Church put out quality material, but it’s getting the attention it rightfully deserves.