10 CMA Awards Nominees 10 Years Ago

Time changes everything, but even history circles back around eventually. Country music rings true to that trend as many of the nominees from 2007 reflect the same names on the list now.

From album to album, many artists try out different looks and sounds to reflect their current life moments and the top acts in country music definitely show their phases very well. After refining styles and getting into the times, country music finally grew into its own and adopted the more casual yet sleek looks their fans know and love.

With Hillary Scott from Lady Antebellum sporting blonde hair over her classic brunette ‘do to Eric Church without a pair of blacked-out sunglasses, it’s a blast from the past to look back and reminisce on the simpler times of the CMAs.

Take a look back 10 years in the past at 10 CMA nominees from the CMAs back in 2007:

Rascal Flatts at the 41st Annual CMA Awards at the Sommet Center on November 7, 2007 in Nashville TN; Photo by Frank Mullen/WireImage

Rascal Flatts
Rascal Flatts fully embraced the ’00s trends with their gelled-up, highlighted ‘dos! In 2007, the trendy trio took home the trophy for Vocal Group of the Year, the same category in which they are nominated in once again.

Miranda Lambert arrives at the 41st Annual CMA Awards at the Sommet Center on November 7, 2007 in Nashville TN; Photo by Michael Loccisano/FilmMagic

Miranda Lambert
You can take the girl out of Texas, but you can’t take Texas out of the girl! Miranda Lambert’s higher than heaven hairstyle looks like an ode to the Texas pageant days with its extreme teasing. Lambert may not have Kansas in her blood, but she used Emerald City from The Wizard of Oz as her fashion inspiration for her night as a nominee for Female Vocalist of the Year.

Luke Bryan arrives at the 41st Annual CMA Awards at the Sommet Center on November 7, 2007 in Nashville TN; Photo by Frank Mullen/WireImage

Luke Bryan
For someone that ages like a fine wine, Luke Bryan definitely had an irresistible baby face back in 2007. His looks may be just as gorgeous as ever, but his tousled hair and shiny blazer date him back to the days when he was known more for his pearly whites and not his hip-shaking.

Jimi Westbrook, Karen Fairchild, Kimberly Roads Schlapman and Phillip Sweet of Little Big Town arrive at the 41st Annual CMA Awards at the Sommet Center on November 7, 2007 in Nashville TN; Photo by Frank Mullen/WireImage

Little Big Town
Little Big Town has gone through quite the style transformation since 2007, but no matter the year, their harmonies are always on point.

Taylor Swift arrives at the 41st Annual CMA Awards at the Sommet Center on November 7, 2007 in Nashville TN; Photo by Frank Mullen/WireImage

Taylor Swift
It was a ‘love story’ for Taylor Swift in this Belle-inspired ballgown she donned during her Fearless era. Inspired by her fascination with fairytales and finding true love, Swift graced the CMA carpet in the gold gown and shined bright as she said ‘You Belong With Me’ to the New Artist of the Year Award. Sadly, that Taylor is apparently ‘dead’ as Swift’s new pop persona reigns supreme nowadays.

Musicians arrives at the 41st Annual CMA Awards at the Sommet Center on November 7, 2007 in Nashville TN; Photo by Frank Mullen/WireImage

Lady Antebellum
‘You Look Good,’ Lady Antebellum! In 2007, Hillary Scott embraced the ‘blondes have more fun’ trend, while Charles Kelley and Dave Haywood showcased their adorable baby faces before heading into the big show. Even before babies and better halves, these three stuck together through the long run toward a successful future ahead.

Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman arrive at the 41st Annual CMA Awards at the Sommet Center on November 7, 2007 in Nashville TN; Photo by Michael Loccisano/FilmMagic

Keith Urban
10 years later and still going strong! Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman look like newlyweds madly in love even just one year after tying the knot as they walked the carpet together for the awards. The pair still can’t keep their hands, or eyes, off one another whenever they glam up for a night out on the town. Can you say relationship goals?!

Eric Church arrives at the 41st Annual CMA Awards at the Sommet Center on November 7, 2007 in Nashville TN; Photo by Michael Loccisano/FilmMagic

Eric Church
You mean to tell us that ‘Mr. Misunderstood’ used to not wear sunglasses everywhere he went? It’s crazy to think of a time that Eric Church didn’t hide his eyes behind a pair of shades and also showed up at an awards ceremony without a nomination! Nevertheless, he’s had quite the ‘Record Year’ now!

Dierks Bentley arrives at the 41st Annual CMA Awards at the Sommet Center on November 7, 2007 in Nashville TN; Photo by Frank Mullen/WireImage

Dierks Bentley
That chain! Those curls! That black velvet suit! While Dierks Bentley can consider himself a ‘Riser’ in terms of his fashion game, he definitely looked like the ultimate 2007 country heartthrob in his earlier days.

Carrie Underwood arrives at the 41st Annual CMA Awards at the Sommet Center on November 7, 2007 in Nashville TN; Photo by Frank Mullen/WireImage

Carrie Underwood
Not much has changed for Carrie Underwood as she still looks as glowy and golden back in 2007 as she does now. Opting for longer curls rather than her latest lob look, Underwood flew solo for the awards back when everything was ‘Just a Dream.’ Slay, lady, slay!

Brad Paisley and his wife Kimberly Williams-Paisley arrive at the 41st Annual CMA Awards at the Sommet Center on November 7, 2007 in Nashville, Tennessee; Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images

Bonus Prize: Brad Paisley
Brad Paisley may not be nominated this year, but he’s co-hosting for the 10th time, so we couldn’t have left him out! He may not have gotten the ‘suit up’ memo in 2007, but Paisley was so much cooler ‘Online’ as he won the prize for Music Video of the Year for his hit single.

The 51st Annual CMA Awards, hosted by Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood, will air live on Wednesday, November 8, at 8 p.m. on ABC.