Country Music AssociationTonight, it’s the 50th Annual CMA Awards, and anything could happen! For the first time in memory, the Country Music Association has closed rehearsals, building the excitement toward tonight’s historic show, even keeping the line blurred as to who among the considerable roster of stars will present, and who will perform.
Current stars are expected to forego promoting their upcoming albums and present-day hits in favor of paying tribute to heritage artists. Set to take the stage tonight are: Alabama, Jason Aldean, Kelsea Ballerini, Dierks Bentley, Clint Black, Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood, Brooks & Dunn, Luke Bryan, Cam, Eric Church, Roy Clark, Charlie Daniels, Randy Travis, Florida Georgia Line, Vince Gill, Alan Jackson, Elle King, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Martina McBride, Tim McGraw, Maren Morris, Kacey Musgraves, Jennifer Nettles, Brad Paisley, Pentatonix, Charley Pride, Thomas Rhett, Reba, Ricky Skaggs, George Strait, Chris Stapleton, Cole Swindell, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban and Dwight Yoakam. Dan+Shay will pass out the pre-televised awards.
Hall of Famers Bill Anderson, Brenda Lee, Barbara Mandrell, and The Oak Ridge Boys will appear, as well as past winner Lee Greenwood and 1974 Female Vocalist of the Year Olivia Newton-John. Jennifer Garner, Matthew McConaughey, Sharon Stone, and Lily Tomlin will represent Hollywood, with Once Upon a Time’s Josh Dallas and The Goldbergs’ Wendi McLendon-Covey and Hayley Orrantia also set to read the teleprompter.
NFL legend Peyton Manning, Olympic gymnasts Simone Biles, Gabby Douglas, Laurie Hernandez, Madison Kocian, and Aly Raisman, plus ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit and Samantha Ponder will represent the sports world.
Here’s the complete list of the nominees for The 50th Annual CMA Awards, which air live tonight from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, starting at 8 p.m. ET on ABC:
Entertainer of the Year
Garth Brooks
Luke Bryan
Chris Stapleton
Carrie Underwood
Keith Urban
Album of the Year
Hero, Maren Morris
Mr. Misunderstood, Eric Church
Storyteller, Carrie Underwood
Black, Dierks Bentley
Ripcord, Keith Urban
Single of the Year
“Die a Happy Man,” Thomas Rhett
“Humble and Kind,” Tim McGraw
“My Church,” Maren Morris
“Nobody to Blam,e” Chris Stapleton
“Record Year,” Eric Church
Song of the Year
“Die a Happy Man,” Thomas Rhett
“Humble and Kind,” Tim McGraw
“My Church,” Maren Morris
“Record Year,” Eric Church
“Burning House,” Cam
Male Vocalist of the Year
Eric Church
Tim McGraw
Chris Stapleton
Dierks Bentley
Keith Urban
Female Vocalist of the Year
Kelsea Ballerini
Miranda Lambert
Maren Morris
Kacey Musgraves
Carrie Underwood
New Artist of the Year
Kelsea Ballerini
Brothers Osborne
Maren Morris
Old Dominion
Cole Swindell
Vocal Group of the Year
Lady Antebellum
Little Big Town
Old Dominion
Rascal Flatts
Zac Brown Band
Vocal Duo of the Year
Brothers Osborne
Dan + Shay
Florida Georgia Line
Joey + Rory
Maddie & Tae
Musical Event of the Year
“Different for Girls,” Dierks Bentley feat. Elle King
“Home Alone Tonight,” Luke Bryan featuring Karen Fairchild
“The Fighter,” Keith Urban (featuring Carrie Underwood)
“Think of You,” Chris Young (duet with Cassadee Pope)
“You Are My Sunshine,” Morgane Stapleton with Chris Stapleton
Music Video of the Year
“Fire Away,” Chris Stapleton
“Humble and Kind,” Tim McGraw
“Record Year,” Eric Church
“Somewhere on a Beach,” Dierks Bentley
“Burning House,” Cam
Musician of the Year
Jerry Douglas (dobro/lap steel guitar)
Paul Franklin (steel guitar)
Dann Huff (guitar)
Brent Mason (guitar)
Derek Wells (guitar)
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