Who has the most Grammy Award nominations without a win?

<p><img src="/gcdn/authoring/images/smg/2024/09/11/SMGW/75185227007-2171420380.jpeg?crop=5999,3375,x0,y214&amp;width=660&amp;height=371&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp" width="100%" /><p>It is nearly every recording artist's and industry professional's dream to win a <a href="/entertainment/music/grammy-awards/">Grammy Award</a>, known as the <a href="/story/entertainment/music/2025/01/03/what-is-a-grammy-award/77326899007/">pinnacle of musical achievement</a>. For others, a <a href="/story/entertainment/music/2025/01/06/who-has-the-most-grammy-nominations/77401217007/">nomination</a> alone is considered a high honor, marking their career.</p><p>Throughout Grammys' history, hundreds of artists have missed out on <a href="/story/entertainment/music/2025/01/02/who-has-won-most-grammy-awards/77050650007/">snagging a trophy</a>, including some big names. Katy Perry, Diana Ross and ABBA are among the many who've never taken home the coveted golden gramophone.</p><p>Whether it's bad timing or being overshadowed by another artist that year, there are a lot of acts who've earned attention from the Recording Academy, but never clinched the win. Ahead of the <a href="/story/entertainment/music/2025/01/01/when-are-the-grammys-2025/77112463007/">67th Grammy Awards</a>, meet the most Grammy-nominated individuals who haven't won.</p><h2>Who has the most Grammy nominations without a win?</h2><p><a href="https://www.grammy.com/artists/chris-gehringer/2784">Chris Gehringer</a> has received the most Grammy nominations without winning a single award. The mastering engineer was first nominated at the 54th annual awards in 2012, receiving two nods in the album of the year category for Rihanna's "Loud" and Lady Gaga's "Born This Way."</p><p><strong>Need a break?</strong> <a href="https://puzzles.usatoday.com/">Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.</a></p><p>He's been nominated at nearly every ceremony since then, including the upcoming <a href="https://www.grammy.com/awards/67th-annual-grammy-awards-2024">67th Grammy Awards</a> for Charlotte Day's "Cyan Blue" in the best engineered album, non-classical category. Gehringer would take home his first career Grammy if the album wins.</p><p><a href="https://www.grammy.com/artists/brian-mcknight/17080">Brian McKnight</a> holds the record for recording artist with the most Grammy nominations without a single win. The R&amp;B singer has been nominated 17 times throughout his career. McKnight received his first Grammy nomination at the 36th annual awards in 1994 for best pop performance by a duo or group with vocal alongside Vanessa Williams.</p><a href="/story/entertainment/music/2025/01/01/when-are-the-grammys-2025/77112463007/">When are the 2025 Grammy Awards? Date, time, nominees, what to know about music's big night</a> <a href="/story/entertainment/music/2024/11/08/grammy-nominations-list-2025/76071971007/">Full list of 2025 Grammy nominations: Beyonce, Taylor Swift, Charli XCX, more make the cut</a> <a href="/story/entertainment/music/2025/01/02/who-has-won-most-grammy-awards/77050650007/">Who has won the most Grammy Awards? See the top winners of all time.</a> <a href="/picture-gallery/entertainment/music/2021/03/12/grammy-awards-take-look-most-memorable-fashion-past-20-years/6926959002/">Grammys fashion: The most memorable red-carpet looks since the 2000s</a> <a href="/story/entertainment/music/2025/01/11/grammy-awards-categories-2025-full-list/77484428007/">What are the 2025 Grammy Award categories? Full list ahead of music's biggest night</a><img width="100%" /><h2>Most Grammy Award nominations without winning</h2><ul><a href="https://www.grammy.com/artists/chris-gehringer/2784"><strong>Chris Gehringer</strong></a>, audio engineer: 21 nominations<strong><a href="https://www.grammy.com/artists/zubin-mehta/4557">Zubin Mehta</a></strong>, conductor: 18 nominations<a href="https://www.grammy.com/artists/brian-mcknight/17080"><strong>Brian McKnight</strong></a>, singer-songwriter: 17 nominations<a href="https://www.grammy.com/artists/fred-hersch/3206"><strong>Fred Hersch</strong></a>, composer and pianist: 17 nominations<a href="https://grammy.com/artists/calvin-broadus/14274"><strong>Snoop Dogg</strong></a>, rapper: 16 nominations<a href="https://www.grammy.com/artists/Bjork/485"><strong>Björk</strong></a>, singer-songwriter: 16 nominations<a href="https://www.grammy.com/artists/dave-kutch/3607"><strong>Dave Kutch</strong></a>, audio engineer: 15 nominations<strong><a href="https://www.grammy.com/artists/joe-satriani/17364">Joe Satriani</a></strong>, guitarist and composer: 15 nominations<a href="https://www.grammy.com/artists/dierks-bentley/305"><strong>Dierks Bentley</strong></a>, country musician: 15 nominations</ul><a href="/picture-gallery/entertainment/music/2021/03/12/artists-who-have-never-won-grammy/6930924002/"><img width="100%" /></a><h2>Just Curious for more? We've got you covered</h2><p>USA TODAY is exploring the questions you and others ask every day. From "<a href="/story/entertainment/music/2025/01/06/who-has-the-most-grammy-nominations/77401217007/">Who has been nominated for the most Grammys?</a>" to "<a href="/story/entertainment/music/2025/01/03/what-is-a-grammy-award/77326899007/">What is a Grammy?</a>" to "<a href="/story/entertainment/music/2025/01/02/who-has-won-most-grammy-awards/77050650007/">Who has the most Grammy Awards?</a>" – we're striving to find answers to the most common questions you ask every day. Head to our<a href="/just-curious/"> Just Curious section</a> to see what else we can answer.</p></p>