Maddie & Tae earned a CMA Awards nomination in 2018, for Vocal Duo of the Year. It's a category they've been nominated in every year since 2015, the same year they won Music Video of the Year for their breakout hit "Girl in a Country Song." Still, the 2018 nomination, they say, took them by surprise.

Maddie Marlow and Tae Dye have had a bumpy road recently. After they released their debut album, Start Herein 2015, a series of obstacles -- including a label change and other setbacks -- has delayed the release of their much-anticipated sophomore album, which is now slated to drop in 2019.

"We really didn't expect it this year, because we just put the first single out and everything is slowly rolling out," Marlow says in an interview with The Boot. She and Dye see their 2018 CMA nod as country music community's recognition of the contributions they've been able to make to the industry in spite of the hurdles.

"Our peers do still feel like we're doing something special and do still believe in us, and that was just a really nice spirit lifter," Marlow admits. "We're making music that people are enjoying -- and that was a huge compliment."

Their 2018 CMA nomination isn't the only reason Maddie & Tae have to celebrate: They have also been tapped by Carrie Underwood as an opening act for her 2019 Cry Pretty Tour 360, along with Runaway June.

The 2018 CMA Awards are scheduled to air on ABC on Nov. 14, at 8PM ET; the ceremony will take place live at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, and Brad Paisley and Underwood will co-host for the 11th consecutive year.

The Boot will be staying up late covering the most buzzed-about winners, fashion and moments at the 2018 CMA Awards. Readers can watch along with us by checking back to TheBoot.com for the latest CMAs headlines, liking The Boot on Facebook and following The Boot on Twitter.

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