The nominees for the 2024 ACM Awards have been announced, and while there were plenty of pleasant surprises (including Cody Johnson‘s first Entertainer of the Year nomination), there were also several surprising omissions, from artists who were more than worthy of being nominated. Keep reading to see who should have been nominated this year, but inexplcably was not.

1. Chris Young

Chris Young has, surprisingly, never won an ACM Award, and his last nomination was in 2022. He churns out hit after hit, spends a lot of time on the road, and is one of the most engaging artists with his fans. Here’s hoping that his just-released Young Love & Saturday Nights album will get him the recognition that is long overdue.

2. Carly Pearce

Carly Pearce had an incredibly successful 2023, so she was probably just as shocked as her fans to not hear her name even once in the list of nominees this year. She celebrated a No. 1 hit with “What He Didn’t Do,” toured (both on her own and supporting Blake Shelton on his Back to the Honky Tonk Tour), and released her 29: Written in Stone (Live from Music City) album.

Pearce has won a total of four ACM Awards, and has been nominated every year but once since 2018. Her elimination is shocking, and inexcusable.

3. Scotty McCreery

We’ve gone on record saying Scotty McCreery has been deserving of nominations for a long time now, yet they still eclipse him. McCreery had hit singles with “It Matters to Her” and “Cab In A Solo,” the latter of which is still making its ascent up the charts. He also headlined his own Damn Strait Tour, and will become the next member of the Grand Ole Opry on April 20.

Artists have been nominated for doing far less than McCreery, but fortunately, he takes it all in stride. The North Carolina native, who just won a CMT Music Award (for Digital-First Performance of “It Matters to Her”) says he takes it all in stride.

“That used to bother me a few years ago, but now it’s just whatever,” McCreery told Everything Nash. “It’s all good.”

4. Carrie Underwood

Carrie Underwood headlined her The Denim & Rhinestones Tour, while also selling out shows on her  REFLECTION: The Las Vegas Residency. She had hit singles with “Hate My Heart” and “Out Of That Truck,” and launched her own SirisuXM station, Carrie’s Country, where she handpicks the songs. She was also nominated for Entertainer of the Year last year, so her complete elimination one year later, especially after the year she has had, is unfortunate.

5. Parmalee

Parmalee has only been nominated for one ACM Award, in 2016, for New Vocal Duo/Group of the Year. Even that nomination was a stretch, since they had a No. 1 hit in 2013 with “Carolina,” but still, at least it was a recognition of their talent and hard work. Few groups have worked harder than Parmalee. especially in recent years. The four-man group has had three consecutive No. 1 singles, with “Just the Way,” “Take My Name” and “Girl in Mine.” They also currently have a Top 30 single with “Gonna Love You.”

With all due respect to Flatland Cavalry, it’s mind-boggling that the Canadian group, who haven’t had a recent hit on mainstream radio, received a nomination for Group of the Year, while Parmalee did not.

6. Thomas Rhett

Thomas Rhett celebrated his 21st No. 1 hit last year, with “Angels (Don’t Always Have Wings).” He headlined his massive Home Team Tour last year, with Cole Swindell serving as his opening act. The tour, which sold out a lot of his dates, concluded with two shows in Nashville, after the first one quickly sold out. Rhett has done a lot in the last year, and it’s unfortunate that he wasn’t recognized.

7. Jon Pardi

Jon Pardi is by now, unfortunately, used to not being recognized at the ACM Awards. Pardi has only won one ACM Award, for New Male Vocalist of the Year in 2017. But his lack of recognition isn’t because he isn’t worthy. Not only did Pardi become a member of the Grand Ole Opry last year, but he also toured extensively on his Mr. Saturday Night Tour, and had a hit single with “Your Heart or Mine.”

8. Luke Bryan

Luke Bryan might not be recognized with awards and accolades like he used to be, but that doesn’t mean he still isn’t deserving. The Georgia native celebrated 30 No. 1 singles last year, and launched his mostly sold-out Country On Tour. He also spent time in Las Vegas, with his Luke Bryan VEGAS residency. Bryan works harder than most, and this is the second year in a row that he wasn’t nominated.

9. Jason Aldean

Jason Aldean was named the ACM Artist of the Decade in 2019, but that clearly doesn’t guarantee him any more awards, even if he has earned them. Aldean released his Highway Desperado album last year, which included his No. 1 single, “Try That in a Small Town.” He also launched his Highway Desperado Tour, which he extended into 2024, due to fan demand.