No one could have predicted Trent Reznor's nomination for a CMA Award in 2019 -- least of all, Reznor himself -- but the singer and Nine Inch Nails frontman is reacting to the unexpected accolade with a healthy dose of humor.

It all started with Reznor's unwitting participation in writing "Old Town Road," which became a viral mega-hit for Lil Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus earlier in the year. During that song's creation, producer YoungKio used a portion of Nine Inch Nails' "34 Ghosts IV," earning that tracks' writers -- Reznor and collaborator Atticus Ross -- co-writing credits on  "Old Town Road." Now, the massive hit is nominated for Musical Event of the Year at the CMA Awards, and as writers on the track, Reznor and Ross are up for that trophy, too.

The surreality of the situation isn't lost on Reznor, who commented on his unlikely nomination by posting a '90s press photo of duo Brooks & Dunn, his and Ross' faces photoshopped onto the country stars' bodies, to Instagram. "New world, new times..." he captioned the image. It was the first time Reznor had commented, however obliquely, on his role in the creation of "Old Town Road."

The song's nomination -- and along with it, Reznor's -- is just the latest in a bizarre series of twists and turns through the lifespan of the record-breaking cultural phenomenon that is "Old Town Road." Upon its release, the song gained traction on the TikTok app and debuted at No. 19 on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart, before being removed from chart consideration. A hot debate over whether or not the song was "country" ensued, as well as whether or not race played a factor in the decision to remove "Old Town Road" from the charts.

Billy Ray Cyrus jumped to the song's defense on social media and ultimately recorded a new version of it with Lil Nas X, and soon after, that new incarnation landed back on the charts. The song went on to break records, topping the Billboard Hot 100 for longer than any other song. "Old Town Road" also won Song of the Year at the MTV VMAs in 2019. Despite all this, the track only nets a nomination in one category at the CMA Awards.

The 2019 CMA Awards are set for Nov. 13 at Nashville's Bridgestone Arena; the ceremony will be broadcast live on ABC beginning at 8PM ET. Carrie Underwood is returning to co-host the event for the 12th consecutive year, with Reba McEntire and Dolly Parton as her guest co-hosts.

The Boot will be staying up late covering the most buzzed-about winners, fashion and moments at the 2019 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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