CMA Awards 2020: Everything to Know About the Performers, Nominees, Host, How to Watch and More

Credit: ABC/Alysse Gafkjen

CMA Awards 2020: Everything to Know About the Performers, Nominees, Host, How to Watch and More

Time to break out the cowboy hats! The 2020 Country Music Association Awards are set to be held at the Music City Center in Nashville on Wednesday, November 11. Unlike many other awards shows this year, the CMAs will not be held virtually — and will have a live audience amid the COVID-19 pandemic. “We couldn’t be more excited to bring all of these incredible performances to life next Wednesday night and give our artists the chance to come together, in a big way, on television for the first time in months,” executive producer Robert Deaton said in a statement. “As safety is our top priority, we have worked tirelessly over the past several months to fully transform Music City Center into a breathtaking setup that resembles the very first ‘CMA Awards Banquet and Show’ from 1967, and ensures our nominees, performers and their guests a fully safe and physically distant environment,” he continued. “We are honored, in this very challenging time, to help provide an escape and deliver a live awards show experience unlike any other this year.” The news came as a surprise to many fans of country music as this year’s ACM Awards and CMT Music Awards featured virtual performances and acceptance speeches. While the pandemic was a major blow for live music in 2020 (most artists either postponed or canceled their tours), country artists such as Miranda Lambert, Luke Combs, Morgan Wallen, Sam Hunt and Kelsea Ballerini have continued to have major success. The overall music industry only saw a 2.6 percent rise on streaming services since the coronavirus crisis, but the country genre soared 15.8 percent, according to MRC Data/Nielsen Music. “Partially what we’re seeing is the natural progression of country fans starting to catch up with these other formats — and the country market had a lot of catching up to do,” Billboard’s Melinda Newman told Time in October, noting that country fans are typically less eager to make the move from CDs to digital. Scroll down for everything you need to know about the 54th annual CMA Awards!

Credit: ABC/Alysse Gafkjen

CMA Awards 2020: Everything to Know About the Performers, Nominees, Host, How to Watch and More

Time to break out the cowboy hats! The 2020 Country Music Association Awards are set to be held at the Music City Center in Nashville on Wednesday, November 11. Unlike many other awards shows this year, the CMAs will not be held virtually — and will have a live audience amid the COVID-19 pandemic. “We couldn’t be more excited to bring all of these incredible performances to life next Wednesday night and give our artists the chance to come together, in a big way, on television for the first time in months,” executive producer Robert Deaton said in a statement. “As safety is our top priority, we have worked tirelessly over the past several months to fully transform Music City Center into a breathtaking setup that resembles the very first ‘CMA Awards Banquet and Show’ from 1967, and ensures our nominees, performers and their guests a fully safe and physically distant environment,” he continued. “We are honored, in this very challenging time, to help provide an escape and deliver a live awards show experience unlike any other this year.” The news came as a surprise to many fans of country music as this year’s ACM Awards and CMT Music Awards featured virtual performances and acceptance speeches. While the pandemic was a major blow for live music in 2020 (most artists either postponed or canceled their tours), country artists such as Miranda Lambert, Luke Combs, Morgan Wallen, Sam Hunt and Kelsea Ballerini have continued to have major success. The overall music industry only saw a 2.6 percent rise on streaming services since the coronavirus crisis, but the country genre soared 15.8 percent, according to MRC Data/Nielsen Music. “Partially what we’re seeing is the natural progression of country fans starting to catch up with these other formats — and the country market had a lot of catching up to do,” Billboard’s Melinda Newman told Time in October, noting that country fans are typically less eager to make the move from CDs to digital. Scroll down for everything you need to know about the 54th annual CMA Awards!

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When Does It Air?

The show airs on ABC Wednesday, November 11, at 8 p.m. ET.

Credit: ABC/Alysse Gafkjen

Who Is Hosting?

Reba McEntire and Darius Rucker are set to lead this year’s show. It is her fifth time hosting and his first.

“I’m thrilled to be back hosting the CMA Awards and even more thrilled that I get to share the stage with Darius Rucker,” McEntire said in a statement in October. “We’re looking forward to a night of celebrating great country music and hope you’ll tune in and watch!”

Rucker added, “I look forward to the CMA Awards every year because of the incredible performances and the opportunity to celebrate the year in country music. To be invited to host this year’s awards alongside Reba — are you kidding me?! — it is an absolute honor. Even though this year will look a little different than normal, I know that we’re all eager for a night of musical celebration, and this year’s show definitely won’t disappoint!”

Credit: Stephen Lovekin/Shutterstock

Who Is Nominated?

Lambert leads with seven nominations, followed by Combs with six, Maren Morris with five and Dan + Shay, Jay Joyce and Carly Pearce with four apiece. The Entertainer of the Year nominees are Lambert, Combs, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban and Eric Church. The Album of the Year nominees are Lambert (Wildcard), Combs (What You See Is What You Get), Jon Pardi (Heartache Medication), Ashley McBryde (Never Will) and Old Dominion (Old Dominion). The Single of the Year nominees are Lambert (“Bluebird”), Combs (“Beer Never Broke My Heart”), Morris (“The Bones”), Dan + Shay with Justin Bieber (“10,000 Hours”) and Gabby Barrett (“I Hope”).

Credit: Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP/Shutterstock

Who Is Performing?

Jason Aldean, Dierks Bentley, Brothers Osborne, Jenee Fleenor and McBryde have been tapped to open the show. Other performers include McEntire with Rucker, Lambert, Combs, Morris, Dan + Shay with Bieber, Church, Pardi, Urban, Wallen, Pearce with Charles Kelley, Ballerini, Chris Stapleton, Jimmie Allen, Ingrid Andress, Lady A, Little Big Town, Old Dominion and Rascal Flatts. Thomas Rhett is also set to take the stage for a performance of his song “Be a Light” with McEntire, Hillary Scott and Chris Tomlin.

Lee Brice and Florida Georgia Line were also supposed to perform, but both Brice and FGL's Tyler Hubbard tested positive for the novel coronavirus and had to pull out.

Credit: Stephen Lovekin/Shutterstock

Who Is Presenting?

The evening's awards will be handed out by stars including Lauren Akins, Lauren Alaina, Bobby Bones, Charles Esten, Sara Evans, Taylor Hill, Jake Owen, Patrick Schwarzenegger and CeCe Winans.

Credit: Rick Diamond/Shutterstock

Who Is Being Honored?

Charley Pride will receive the 2020 Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award for his impact on the genre. Previous recipients include Willie Nelson, Kenny Rogers, Johnny Cash and Dolly Parton.