Leading up to the 2021 American Music Awards on Sunday night (Nov. 21), Luke Bryan was an early winner. He was named the fan-voted show's Favorite Male Country Artist ahead of the big night.

Bryan's award was announced as part of a batch of non-televised award winners, including those in genre-specific categories and categories pertaining to albums and songs. Other country winners announced before the televised event included Gabby Barrett, Carrie Underwood and Dan + Shay. The early winners were announced during a livestream on TikTok.

The other nominees in the Favorite Male Country Artist category were Jason Aldean, Luke Combs, Chris Stapleton and Morgan Wallen. That was one of two nominations Wallen received at this year's AMAs -- he also scored a mention in the Favorite Country Album category -- but he was not allowed to participate in the ceremony due to the ongoing fallout that has resulted from his being caught on camera using a racist slur in February 2021.

Bryan has won the AMAs Favorite Male Country Artist title several times in the past, most recently in 2015. During this year's show, multiple country acts will perform, too: Aldean and Underwood are taking the stage together for a rendition of their hit duet, "If I Didn't Love You," and Kane Brown will perform his single, "One Mississippi."

The remaining winners in the 2021 American Music Awards will be announced during a live broadcast from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday, Nov. 21, at 7PM CT on ABC. Rapper Cardi B will host the show.

Top Country Songs of 2021, Ranked

You'll find much more than just the Top 10 Country Songs of 2021 on this list. Enjoy the 21 best country songs of the year, based on Taste of Country staff and country music fan opinion, plus commercial data (sales, streaming, airplay).

To be considered, the song must have been released in 2021 or have actively charted for a portion of the year (see "Wine, Beer, Whiskey"). New artists including Lainey Wilson, Larry Fleet and Morgan Wade crack the top songs list, while hitmakers including Thomas Rhett, Jason Aldean and Luke Combs make the Top 10.

Let us know your favorite song of 2021 on Twitter, or email us at staff@tasteofcountry.com.

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