Skip to content
Member / Backstage Access
Facebook icon Instagram icon
Submit Your Nominations for the 2025 Midwest Country Music Organization Award Show!

2025 Midwest Country Music Organization Public Nominations

Welcome to the 2025 Midwest Country Music Organization Nomination form! This is where you can nominate Midwest Country Music Organization artists for consideration for the 2025 Midwest Country Music Organization Awards being held in La Crosse, WI on May 2nd, 2026. 

Only artist content & performances created January 2025-December 2025 will be considered.  

  • All nominated artists must be official Midwest Country Music Organization members in good standing before the nominee selection process is finalized.  
  • The Midwest Country Music Organization Board will review all nominations to determine eligibility.  
  • After eligibility is determined the Nomination Committee will select final candidates in each category. 
  • Non-members CAN receive nominations however most categories require Midwest Country Music Organization membership to be selected as an official nominee.

Timeframe for open public nominations for the 2025 Award show is Thursday Jan 1st through Monday Jan 19th at 11:59pm.


Please verify that you have checked the “I'm not a robot” checkbox.

This award is for the act displaying the greatest competence in all aspects of the entertainment field. Nominator should give consideration not only to quality recorded performance, but also to quality of in-person performance, in depth regional tour schedule, staging, fan base, attitude, visibility in the market, leadership and overall contribution to the growth of county music in the region. 

*Submissions should be considering timeframe from January 2025 - December 2025

This award recognizes an exceptional male vocal performance in a recorded song/album during the eligibility period.  

*Submission should include name of artist and name of eligible song/album released January 2025 - December 2025.

This award recognizes an exceptional female vocal performance in a recorded song/album during the eligibility period.

*Submission should include name of artist and name of eligible song/album released January 2025 - December 2025.

This award is based on group musical performance and/or a band album/EP release. Qualifications are for bands operating primarily as a full band, rather than an individual artist/performer. 

*Submission should be considering the band's performance & artistic creation from January 2025 - December 2025

This award is for an album/EP as a whole unit. The album/EP should be judged on all aspects including, but not limited to: artist's performance, songwriting, composition, musical background, engineering, packaging, design and art. This is for an album or EP with 5+ songs that have been professionally recorded and released through major global distribution channels (Spotify, Itunes, Google Play, etc). 

*Submission should include eligible album/EP released January 2025 - December 2025

For individual song recognition. This category is for songs that were professionally recorded and released through major global distribution channels (Spotify, Itunes, Google Play, etc). 

*The track must have been released between January 2025 - December 2025 to be eligible.

This award recognizes an artist who has made an impact on the Midwest country music scene for the first time during the eligibility period (Jan 2025 - Dec 2025), demonstrating growth, potential, and a memorable presence in the industry.  This artist achieved this through an individual feat or combination of accomplishments such as debut releases, notable performances, awards, or collaborations. Having a song or album released during the eligibility period is not required but is certainly taken into consideration.

This award is to the artist, whether individual or a group who performs or creates music that may fall outside of the realm of “mainstream” country music. Americana music has been defined as contemporary music that incorporates elements of various American roots music styles, including country, roots-rock, folk, bluegrass, R&B, and blues, resulting in a distinctive roots-oriented sound. While acoustic instruments are often present and vital, Americana also often uses a full electric band. 

*Submissions should be considering timeframe from January 2025 - December 2025

This award goes to an individual or group who best exemplifies the spirit of being a "maverick" in the music industry. An individual or group who is steadfast in their commitment to country music, but who remains independent and perhaps even unorthodox in their approach to delivering their craft. 

*Submissions should be considering timeframe from January 2025 - December 2025

This award honors an artist (solo, duo or group) that demonstrates outstanding acoustic musicianship and authentic storytelling through recorded song/album or live performance.  Believing that "less is more" this artist is able to captivate their audience with little to no additional production.  

*Submissions should include an artist and link to a song/album or video released January 2025 - December 2025.  

This award honors an artist who has demonstrated exceptional musical talent, artistry, and impact within the country music genre over the past year, without acting as the lead singer/vocalist.  It is encouraged for nominees in this category to have made contributions to multiple groups/artists within Midwest CMO during live performances or studio recordings during the time period of Jan 2025-Dec 2025. 


This award is for the songwriter(s). Any country music song with original words and music is eligible based upon the writer/s selections released from January 2025 - December 2025. This award is open to individual songwriters as well as songwriting partners and/or groups including bands who write their own material. This award should consider the entire body of work for the writer/s and focus on lyrics, composition, quality of recording and success of distribution.

This award is for an original music video not more than ten (10) minutes in length featuring the performance of an original song that was also released on an album or as a single on a global distribution platform. This video along with the corresponding song must have been released between January 2025 - December 2025.

This award is to recognize the best country music tribute band/act. This award is open to country music acts that either feature a tribute or have no original music of their own and perform covers only. 

*Submissions should be considering timeframe from January 2025 - December 2025

This award is given to members who worked together on a project (e.g. song, album, performance, etc) which was publicly released or performed within the calendar year Jan 2025 - Dec 2025.  The collaboration must feature at least two distinct artists, bands, or groups that are members of the Midwest CMO.  The collaboration will be judged on the chemistry between the collaborators, creativity/innovation of the project, as well as audience reception & fan engagement.

This award is to recognize the live sound engineer who works to ensure that the performers sound great throughout a live concert/show. To be eligible, engineer must have worked with at least 2 Midwest CMO artists throughout January 2025 - December 2025.

This award is to recognize the studio engineer of the year who worked with a minimum of 2 Midwest CMO members to produce professional studio recordings. To be eligible, engineer must have worked with at least 2 Midwest CMO artists throughout January 2025 - December 2025.

This award is to recognize the best content creator, either photography, video, or artwork, live or studio, in support of a country artist. To be eligible, photographer must have worked with at least 2 Midwest CMO artists throughout January 2025 - December 2025.

This award is to recognize a venue that displays exceptional support to the artists and members of the Midwest Country Music Organization as well as represents the mission and vision of the organization. 

*Submissions should be considering timeframe from January 2025 - December 2025.

This award is to recognize a music festival or event that displays exceptional support for the artists and members of the Midwest CMO and exemplifies the mission and vision of the organization. 

*Submissions should be considering timeframe from January 2025 - December 2025.

This award is to recognize a radio station that displays exceptional support to the artists and members of the Midwest Country Music Organization as well as represents the mission and vision of the organization. 

*Submissions should be considering timeframe from January 2025 - December 2025.

The Midwest CMO Humanitarian Award is designed to recognize the work of a Midwest CMO member who is devoted to the principle of giving back to our community. This person will have utilized their artistic talents and platform to display exceptional charitable contributions over the course of the year and is a positive representation of our values as an organization. 

*Submissions should be considering timeframe from January 2025 - December 2025. 

(NOTE: This award is not necessarily voted on by the general membership nor awarded every year. Recipients are awarded by the Nomination Selection Committee and/or the Board of Directors on an "as deserved" basis.)

The Legacy Award honors one extraordinary individual/artist/group for their inspiration, dedication, and significant contribution to the advancement of Country Music in the Midwest region. This award is NOT voted on by the membership, instead it is awarded by the Midwest CMO board of directors and is not necessarily awarded annually. 

*Submissions should be considering timeframe from January 2025 - December 2025.

(NOTE: This award is not necessarily voted on by the general membership nor awarded every year. Recipients are awarded by the Nomination Selection Committee and/or the Board of Directors on an "as deserved" basis.)

This title is awarded to a member who exemplifies the core values of the Midwest Country Music Organization, including authenticity, professionalism, and a passion for country music in the Midwest.  This member makes a significant effort to enhance the visibility and reputation of Midwest artists and the organization and serves as a role model for peers by actively supporting and uplifting fellow artists, industry professionals, and fans.  Simply put WE>ME.  He/She/They have a willingness to go above and beyond the normal call of duty to support & promote the benefits of this organization and its mission during the time period of January 2025 - December 2025. 

(NOTE: This award is not necessarily voted on by the general membership nor awarded every year. Recipients are awarded by the Nomination Selection Committee and/or the Board of Directors on an "as deserved" basis.)

Powered By GrowthZone
Scroll To Top