The CMA Awards Is Making History With Its Opening Performance This Year

Kelly O'Sullivan
Photo credit: Taylor Hill
Photo credit: Taylor Hill

From Country Living

Grab your cowboy hats, y'all—because the 53rd CMA Awards are almost here!

"Country Music’s Biggest Night" is coming up on November 13. All of your favorite country artists, from Blake Shelton to Florida Georgia Line, will be together in one room for an unforgettable night of performances and celebrations. This year, the show will feature a major change as part of its efforts to celebrate the iconic women in country music. (Hint: There will be two new hosts!) The event will be broadcasted live from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee and you won't want to miss a second of the action.

Here's everything you need to know about the 2019 CMA Awards.

Who's performing at the CMA Awards?

The better question, is who isn't performing? What we're most looking forward to, though, is the "history-making" opener by all-female singers including Terri Clark, Sara Evans, Crystal Gayle, The Highwomen, Martina McBride, Reba McEntire, Jennifer Nettles, Dolly Parton, Tanya Tucker, Carrie Underwood, and Gretchen Wilson.

Photo credit: Taylor Hill
Photo credit: Taylor Hill

There will be two additional special performances, the first by Kelsea Ballerini, Lindsay Ell, Ashley McBryde, Carly Pearce, Little Big Town, Maddie & Tae, and Runaway June. The second is a tribute to Kris Kristofferson by Dierks Bentley, Sheryl Crow, Chris Janson, and John Osborne.

But wait, there's more! Kelsea, Carrie, Reba, and Dolly will each contribute to other additional performances, but here's a list of the other stars hitting the stage:

Wow. So, who's presenting at the CMA Awards?

An equally impressive list, here's who we can expect to dole out the trophies at the CMAs.

  • Bobby Bones

  • Blanco Brown

  • Hannah Brown

  • Deana Carter

  • Kristin Chenoweth

  • Janie Fricke

  • Jim Gaffigan

  • Kathy Mattea

  • Martina McBride

  • Midland

  • Craig Morgan

  • Jennifer Nettles

  • J.B. Smoove

  • Pam Tillis

  • Morgan Wallen

  • Trisha Yearwood

Who is hosting the CMA Awards?

View this post on Instagram

We’re thrilled to announce that @CarrieUnderwood will host this year's #CMAawards with special guest hosts @Reba McEntire & @DollyParton, celebrating legendary women in Country Music! 😍

A post shared by Country Music Association (@cma) on Aug 19, 2019 at 4:03am PDT

Carrie Underwood is officially returning to host the 2019 CMA Awards—without Brad Paisley. For the first time in more than a decade, the ceremony's longtime presenter (and resident joke-teller) will not join her on stage. This year, two special guest hosts will take Brad's place by Carrie's side.

The Country Music Association announced in August that Reba McEntire and Dolly Parton will co-host "Country Music’s Biggest Night," which aims to celebrate legendary women in the genre.

"It’s an incredible honor to welcome Carrie, Reba and Dolly to the CMA Awards stage this year," Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer, said in a statement. "In addition to awarding the year's best and brightest in the genre, 'The 53rd Annual CMA Awards' will celebrate the legacy of women within country music, and we couldn’t think of a more dynamic group of women to host the show."

Though some fans weren't exactly happy with the change, Brad is excited for Carrie, Reba, and Dolly to take the stage.

What channel are the CMA Awards on?

The 53rd Annual CMA Awards will air live on ABC on Wednesday, November 13 at 8:00 p.m. ET.

Can I get tickets to the CMA Awards?

Tickets will be released to the general public on October 16 at 10 a.m. CT on Ticketmaster's site. (Psst...if you're an American Express card member, you can pick yours up starting on October 10 at 10 a.m.) But be warned—you can only purchase 4 tickets per order.

Tickets on StubHub are going for $300+ at the cheapest, but they appear to be on sale now. So if you're feeling antsy, you can always scoop them up ASAP.

Who are the CMA Award nominees?

Photo credit: Taylor Hill - Getty Images
Photo credit: Taylor Hill - Getty Images

Maren Morris is already a big winner, as she was nominated for a whopping six awards, including Album of the Year. Kacey Musgraves and Carrie both received three nods, as well, and Carrie was nominated for Entertainer of the Year. Brothers Osbourne, Dierks Bentley, and Dan + Shay are also up for a handful of trophies. Take a look at the full list:

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR

  • Garth Brooks

  • Eric Church

  • Chris Stapleton

  • Carrie Underwood

  • Keith Urban

SINGLE OF THE YEAR

Award goes to Artist(s), Producer(s), and Mix Engineer

  • “Burning Man” – Dierks Bentley Feat. Brothers Osborne, Producers: Ross Copperman, Jon Randall, Arturo Buenahora, Jr., Mix Engineer: F. Reid Shippen

  • “GIRL” – Maren Morris, Producer: Greg Kurstin, Mix Engineer: Greg Kurstin

  • “God’s Country” – Blake Shelton, Producer: Scott Hendricks, Mix Engineer: Justin Niebank

  • “Millionaire” – Chris Stapleton, Producers: Dave Cobb, Chris Stapleton, Mix Engineer: Vance Powell

  • “Speechless” – Dan + Shay, Producers: Dan Smyers, Scott Hendricks, Mix Engineer: Jeff Juliano

ALBUM OF THE YEAR

Award goes to Artist and Producers

  • Center Point Road – Thomas Rhett, Producers: Dann Huff, Jesse Frasure, Thomas Rhett, Julian Bunetta, The Stereotypes, Cleve Wilson

  • Cry Pretty – Carrie Underwood, Producers: David Garcia, Jim Jonsin, Carrie Underwood

  • Dan + Shay – Dan + Shay, Producers: Dan Smyers, Scott Hendricks

  • Desperate Man – Eric Church, Producers: Jay Joyce, Arturo Buenahora, Jr.

  • GIRL – Maren Morris, Producers: busbee, Maren Morris, Greg Kurstin

SONG OF THE YEAR

Award goes to Songwriters

  • “Beautiful Crazy” – Songwriters: Luke Combs, Wyatt B. Durrette III, Robert Williford

  • “GIRL” – Songwriters: Maren Morris, Sarah Aarons, Greg Kurstin

  • “God’s Country” – Songwriters: Devin Dawson, Jordan Schmidt, Michael Hardy

  • “Rainbow” – Songwriters: Natalie Hemby, Shane McAnally, Kacey Musgraves

  • “Tequila” – Songwriters: Dan Smyers, Nicolle Galyon, Jordan Reynolds

FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR

  • Kelsea Ballerini

  • Miranda Lambert

  • Maren Morris

  • Kacey Musgraves

  • Carrie Underwood

MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR

  • Dierks Bentley

  • Luke Combs

  • Thomas Rhett

  • Chris Stapleton

  • Keith Urban

VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR

  • Lady Antebellum

  • Little Big Town

  • Midland

  • Old Dominion

  • Zac Brown Band

VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR

  • Brooks & Dunn

  • Brothers Osborne

  • Dan + Shay

  • Florida Georgia Line

  • Maddie & Tae

MUSICAL EVENT OF THE YEAR

Award goes to Artists and Producer(s)

  • “All My Favorite People” – Maren Morris (feat. Brothers Osborne), Producers: Maren Morris, busbee

  • “Brand New Man” – Brooks & Dunn (with Luke Combs), Producer: Dann Huff

  • “Dive Bar” – Garth Brooks & Blake Shelton, Producer: Garth Brooks

  • “Old Town Road (Remix)” – Lil Nas X feat. Billy Ray Cyrus, Producers: YoungKio, Michael Trent Reznor, Atticus Matthew Ross

  • “What Happens In A Small Town” – Brantley Gilbert & Lindsay Ell, Producer: Dann Huff

MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR

  • Jenee Fleenor, Fiddle

  • Paul Franklin, Steel Guitar

  • Mac McAnally, Guitar

  • Ilya Toshinsky, Banjo/Guitar

  • Derek Wells, Guitar

MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR

Award goes to Artist(s) and Director

  • “Burning Man” – Dierks Bentley Feat. Brothers Osborne, Director: Wes Edwards

  • “GIRL” – Maren Morris, Director: Dave Meyers

  • “God’s Country” – Blake Shelton, Director: Sophie Muller

  • “Rainbow” – Kacey Musgraves, Director: Hannah Lux Davis

  • “Some Of It” – Eric Church, Director: Reid Long

NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR

  • Cody Johnson

  • Ashley McBryde

  • Midland

  • Carly Pearce

  • Morgan Wallen

Did your favorite artist get a nomination? Sound off in the comments! 👇

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