Dan + Shay are nominated once again for Vocal Duo of the Year at the upcoming CMA Awards, a category they have been nominated in every year since 2014, and won two times, both in 2019 and 2020. Whether they win again or not, both Dan Smyers and Shay Mooney say being nominated means more to them now than ever, regardless if they walk away with another trophy.
“We’re just grateful to get to do this,” Smyers says. “This is a dream come true for us. As kids, this is what we always dreamed of. And we’re getting to do it. So, we’ll never take it for granted.”
Even in the early years of their career, Dan + Shay stayed true to what felt authentic to them, even if it might not have sounded as commercial as some of their peers. It’s a risk that has always paid off well for them, as evidenced by their 18th CMA Awards nomination this year.
“We’ve never tried to chase anything,” Mooney maintains. “I feel like if you’re trying to chase something by the time you get there, you’re too late. And we just try to make great Dan + Shay music and do what we know, and we’ve had really good success with that. So, we try to not look at anybody else and just kind of do our own thing.”
The 2024 CMA Awards ceremony comes shortly after Dan + Shay took home their second consecutive win at the People’s Choice Country Awards, for The Group/Duo of 2024.
Courtesy of NBC
“First of all, I just want to say thank you so much,” Mooney said when accepting the award with Smyers. “Everybody in this category are friends of ours. We’re so grateful to be mentioned among so many amazing, talented artists. This feels like such a family being on stage. Thank you to our wives. Hannah, I love you so much. It’s rare that I get to be this close to you. We’re having our fourth baby in January, and she looks amazing. I love you guys. I’m so proud of all the work we put in on this album. I love you, bro. This is amazing.”
“Thank you guys, so much, for this,” continued Smyers. “Thank you to our fans for voting. It’s been the best year of our career. We’ve been on the road all summer, getting to see our fans, getting to hug our fans. My wife Abby. I love you so much. Thank you for making this all possible for me. Country radio, all our streaming partners, everybody here at NBC, People’s Choice. Thank you guys. We love you all. God bless country music. You guys are amazing.”
Dan + Shay currently have a Top 15 single with “Bigger Houses,” the title track of their latest album. They recently helped their fans usher in the holidays early this year, with It’s Officially Christmas: The Double Album, a 21-song record out now. See a track list for It’s Officially Christmas: The Double Album below.
Find all of Dan + Shay’s music and upcoming shows at DanAndShay.com.
It’s Officially Christmas: The Double Album Track List:
1. It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year
2. Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree
3. Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town
4. Let It Snow
5. The Christmas Song
6. Winter Wonderland
7. Jingle Bell Rock
8. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
9. Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)
10. Silent Night
11. Officially Christmas
12. Take Me Home For Christmas
13. Save The Snowman
14. Holiday Party
15. The Cozy Song
16. Pick Out A Christmas Tree
17. Parson Brown
18. Christmas Isn’t Christmas
19. Blame It On Santa
20. Break Up On Christmas
21. Happy New Year