10 Running Tracks That Are Up For A CMA
Country music's biggest night is just around the corner and you can get ready for the CMA performances with this workout playlist.
Get access to everything we publish when you sign up for Outside+.
Country music’s biggest night is just around the corner, with the 50th Annual Country Music Association Awards taking place on November 2nd. While diehards will be thrilled with the chance to see seven Entertainer of Year winners grace the same stage, casual fans can also seize the opportunity to see what’s happening in country right now. To that end, this playlist serves double-duty: providing a preview of the show and break from the Top 40 hits that drive most workouts.
Country tempos almost always skew lower than their pop counterparts. Given that the tracks below are heavier on narratives than beats, they’re better for a contemplative jog than a power session. Along those lines, you’ll find Dierks Bentley ruminating about his careless talk, a track with and ’80s feel (about an ’80s car) from Maren Morris, and an ode the ground beneath your feet from Florida Georgia Line.
Lastly, in celebration of 50 years, the mix closes out with “Forever Country” a medley coordinated by the CMA which features 30 different acts tackling three overlapping songs. Whether you’re a true country fan or have just a passing interest, you can survey the best of what’s around on your next run. Here are ten of this year’s nominees–organized by some of the categories in which they’ll be competing.
Entertainer of the Year
Female Vocalist of the Year
Miranda Lambert & The Time Jumpers – All That’s Left – 120 BPM
Male Vocalist of the Year
Dierks Bentley – What the Hell Did I Say – 108 BPM
Vocal Group of the Year
Little Big Town – One of Those Days – 120 BPM
Vocal Duo of the Year
Florida Georgia Line – Dirt – 122
New Artist of the Year
Kelsea Ballerini – XO – 109 BPM
Single of the Year
Chris Stapleton – Nobody To Blame – 88 BPM
Song of the Year
Eric Church – Record Year – 80 BPM
Album of the Year
Maren Morris – 80s Mercedes – 91 BPM
Musical Event of the Year
Keith Urban & Carrie Underwood – The Fighter – 132 BPM
Bonus Track
Artists of Then, Now & Forever – Forever Country – 90 BPM
To find more workout songs, folks can check out the free database at Run Hundred. Visitors can browse the song selections there by genre, tempo, and era to find the music that best fits with their particular workout routine.
