Country music’s biggest night is back.
The 55th annual Country Music Association Awards are on Wednesday night, Nov. 10, hosted by one of country’s own, Luke Bryan, 45.
In the past, it’s been common for the CMAs to pick one of their own as a host, such as Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley (who had a decadelong stint as co-hosts from 2008 to 2018), along with country legend Dolly Parton, who co-hosted alongside Underwood and Reba McEntire in 2019.
From Underwood to Eric Church, the biggest names in the world of country will gather under one roof to honor each other’s achievements.
Here’s everything you need to know.
Where and when does the show start?
The show kicks off at 8 p.m. ET on ABC, live from Tennessee’s Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. Attending audience members are required to bring proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test that was taken within 72 hours of the event.
Who will be performing?
There will be 20 performances featuring the biggest names in country and beyond, including Underwood, Church, Blake Shelton, Miranda Lambert, Luke Combs, Carly Pearce, Chris Stapleton, Keith Urban, Jennifer Hudson and more.
Who is nominated?
Despite being nominated for best album of the year for “Dangerous: The Double Album,” Morgan Wallen is barred from attending the ceremony following backlash after he was shown saying a racial slur on video.
Eric Church and Chris Stapleton are leading the nominations, tied five each in major categories that include entertainer of the year, single of the year, album of the year, male vocalist of the year and song of the year. Gabby Barrett is also nominated for single of the year, while Miranda Lambert has three nominations, keeping her the most nominated female act in the history of the CMAs with 58 nods to date. (Reba McEntire held the previous record, with 51 nominations.)
Lambert, Church, Stapleton, Combs and Underwood are all competing for the entertainer of the year category.
Dierks Bentley scored a male vocalist of the year nomination, and nods for single of the year include “One Night Standards” by Ashley McBryde and “Famous Friends” by Chris Young with Kane Brown, among others.
Who is presenting?
The lineup of presenters includes Trisha Yearwood, Trace Adkins, Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, Darius Rucker, Ingrid Andress and Kelsea Ballerini.
Who is hosting?
Luke Bryan, who has also been a judge on “American Idol” since 2018, is hosting. “Being in front of the TV a lot with ‘American Idol’ has gotten me more comfortable with the role of doing these things,” Bryan said in an Instagram post ahead of the show. “I’m excited to be in the role and be confident in the role.”
Can it be livestreamed?
Viewers can also access it at ABC.com or on the ABC app, or via livestream services such as Hulu+ Live TV.
