"Then. Now. Forever Country.": 50th Annual CMA Awards Set for November 2

Bob D’Amico/ABCIt’s a celebration half a century in the making. This fall, the Country Music Association marks a milestone as it passes out its yearly trophies November 2 in Nashville. The 50th Annual CMA Awards will air live from Bridgestone Arena the first Wednesday in November starting at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.

Tuesday night on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Brad Paisley announced he and Carrie Underwood will return as the hosts for Country Music’s Biggest Night for the ninth year in a row.

“Carrie and I have certainly hit our stride in terms of balancing humor and a genuine respect for the nominees and winners,” he reflects. “This year the stakes are higher than ever as we honor the legacy and traditions of the past 50 years. We will give it everything we’ve got.”

“Of course we have fun up there,” Carrie adds, “but we take the responsibility of honoring the best artists in the format and shining a positive light on country music very seriously. And this year, the bar will be even higher as we celebrate the 50th Anniversary… I can’t wait.”

Vince Gill still holds the record for the longest streak as CMA host, helming the show for a dozen years from 1992 to 2003. You can check out a highlight reel from half a century of CMA Awards on YouTube now.

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