Lainey Wilson, Tucker Wetmore, Jordan Davis and Drake Milligan are the finalists for the international artist achievement award at the 2026 CMA International Awards. The award recognizes outstanding achievement by a U.S.-based artist who has demonstrated significant creative growth, development and promotion of the country music industry outside of the United States during the eligibility period (May 1, 2025 through April 30, 2026).
The Country Music Association has announced the finalists in three eligibility period-based categories of the 2026 CMA International Awards, recognizing artists and broadcasters whose achievements during the eligibility period have contributed to the continued growth and reach of country music around the world.
The other categories in which finalists were announced are the international country broadcaster award and the Jeff Walker global country artist award. CMA’s remaining International Awards — the Jo Walker Meador international award, Rob Potts international live music advancement award and Wesley Rose international media achievement award — recognize career-based contributions and do not include a finalist round. Recipients across all six categories will be announced later this year.
Here’s the complete list of finalists in the three eligibility period-based categories.
International country broadcaster award
Shannon Ella, iHeartRadio/Pure Country (Canada)
Bob Harris, BBC Radio 2 (United Kingdom)
Baylen Leonard, Absolute Radio Country (United Kingdom)
Justin Thomson, iHeartCountry AU (Australia)
International artist achievement award
Jordan Davis
Drake Milligan
Tucker Wetmore
Lainey Wilson
Jeff Walker global country artist award
Wade Forster (Australia)
Gareth (United Kingdom)
James Johnston (Australia)
Tami Neilson (New Zealand)
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