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The CMAs Just Announced the Performers for the 2020 Awards Ceremony and We Can't Wait

Photo credit: Jason Kempin - Getty Images
Photo credit: Jason Kempin - Getty Images

From Country Living

  • The 54th Country Music Association Awards will air on Wednesday, November 11.

  • So many of our favorite country stars have snagged plenty of nominations, including Miranda Lambert, who leads the pack with seven.

  • Reba McEntire and Darius Rucker will be assuming the prestigious hosting duties for the first time together, and some of the biggest stars in country music will be performing.


Slip into your favorite cowboy boots and get ready for an evening of entertainment—the 54th Country Music Association Awards are right around the corner!

“Country Music’s Biggest Night” is set to air on Wednesday, November 11, and viewers are in for a treat. While this year’s big show will likely be a bit different than years' past because of COVID-19, we're sure the event will be packed with amazing performances (even if they're virtual!), plus a few surprises, as always! With everyone from Miranda Lambert and Carrie Underwood to Eric Church and Thomas Rhett up for big awards, there’s no denying it will be a memorable night.

Keep reading for everything we know about the 2020 CMA Awards so far:

What channel are the CMA Awards on?

The 54th Annual CMA Awards will air live on ABC on Wednesday, November 11 at 8:00 p.m. ET.

Which artists are performing at the CMA Awards?

We're so excited to see what the CMAs have up their sleeves, as last year's show included an epic performance by more than seven iconic female country stars, plus amazing duets like Brooks & Dunn and Brothers Osborne, Kacey Musgraves and Willie Nelson, and P!nk and Chris Stapleton.

The Country Music Association announced many of this year's performers on November 5. The show will begin with a sure-to-be-epic opening performance by Jason Aldean, Dierks Bentley, Brothers Osborne, Jenee Fleenor, and Ashley McBryde.

Other performers include Jimmie Allen, Ingrid Andress, Gabby Barrett and Charlie Puth, Eric Church, Luke Combs, Dan + Shay and Justin Bieber, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Ashley McBryde, Maren Morris, Old Dominion, Jon Pardi, Carly Pearce and Charles Kelley, Rascal Flatts, Darius Rucker and Lady A, Chris Stapleton, Keith Urban, and Morgan Wallen.

Hosts Reba McEntire and Darius Rucker will also perform together.

Who is presenting at the CMA Awards?

The Country Music Association announced their presenters for the prestigious awards. The stars on the presenter list include Lauren Akins, Lauren Alaina, Bobby Bones, Charles Esten, Sara Evans, Jake Owen, and CeCe Winans.

Who is hosting the CMA Awards?

Last year, Carrie Underwood co-hosted the ceremony with Reba McEntire and Dolly Parton, and on Monday, October 5, the CMAs announced that one of those superstars would be returning for the 2020 awards!

The 2020 awards will be hosted by Reba McEntire and Darius Rucker. While Reba is a hosting expert, Darius will be completing the gig for the very first time.

"This is going to be a different type of show, because everybody's really hungry to get back on the stage and perform," Reba said in a preview clip. She also gave Darius a friendly warning about their hosting duties: "Do you know what you're getting yourself into?"

Of course, fans of both Reba and Darius were thrilled by the news, and took to social media to share their excitement.

Fans commented on Reba's Instagram post about the news, leaving messages of encouragement and excitement for the country icon and her new hosting partner. One fan said, "☆CAN'T WAIT☆ #gottaLOVEmeSomeREBA," while another added, "OMG💕😍 ❤️💯 Im so excited about this!!! This is going to be a blast!"

Fellow country star Jimmie Allen offered some words of support on Darius' Instagram as well: "Dude YES!!!! 🙌🏽🙌🏽"

Darius' fans continued to share in his excitement and offered enthusiastic comments like "Such a cute combo!!!!! So excited about this!" and "Finally some happy news for 2020!❤️."

Others chose to offer a few words of encouragement to the first-time host. One fan said, "👏🏻👏🏻 Great news. You two will kill it together!! Can’t wait. It’s time we get back to some kind of normal," while another added, "You will steal the Show D! Cheers and blessings...Crush it💛"

We can't wait to see what these two come up with on the CMA stage next month!

Who are this year's CMA Award nominees?

Miranda Lambert leads the pack with seven nominations, which brings her career total to a whopping 55. (She just broke Reba McEntire's previous record to become the most-nominated female artist in the CMA Awards' history!) Luke Combs is right behind her with six nods, and Maren Morris collected five this year.

It’s been a wonderful year in country music. With new music from some of country’s biggest stars and undeniably-good hits from Nashville’s newest talent, this year’s nominations just make sense.

Here’s who’s nominated for each category:

Entertainer of the Year

  • Eric Church

  • Luke Combs

  • Miranda Lambert

  • Carrie Underwood

  • Keith Urban

Female Vocalist of the Year

  • Miranda Lambert

  • Ashley McBryde

  • Maren Morris

  • Kacey Musgraves

  • Carrie Underwood

Male Vocalist of the Year

  • Eric Church

  • Luke Combs

  • Thomas Rhett

  • Chris Stapleton

  • Keith Urban

Vocal Group of the Year

  • Lady A

  • Little Big Town

  • Midland

  • Old Dominion

  • Rascal Flatts

Vocal Duo of the Year

  • Brooks & Dunn

  • Brothers Osborne

  • Dan + Shay

  • Florida Georgia Line

  • Maddie & Tae

New Artist of the Year

  • Jimmie Allen

  • Ingrid Andress

  • Gabby Barrett

  • Carly Pearce

  • Morgan Wallen

Single of the Year

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

  • “10,000 Hours” – Dan + Shay (with Justin Bieber) / Producer: Dan Smyers, Mix Engineer: Jeff Juliano

  • “Beer Never Broke My Heart” – Luke Combs / Producer: Scott Moffatt, Mix Engineer: Jim Cooley

  • “Bluebird” – Miranda Lambert / Producer: Jay Joyce, Mix Engineers: Jason Hall, Jay Joyce

  • “The Bones” – Maren Morris / Producer: Greg Kurstin, Mix Engineer: Greg Kurstin

  • “I Hope” – Gabby Barrett / Producers: Ross Copperman, Zach Kale, Mix Engineer: Buckley Miller

Album of the Year

Award goes to Artist and Producer(s)

  • Heartache Medication – Jon Pardi / Producers: Bart Butler, Ryan Gore, Jon Pardi

  • Never Will – Ashley McBryde / Producers: Jay Joyce, John Peets

  • Old Dominion – Old Dominion / Producers: Shane McAnally, Old Dominion

  • What You See Is What You Get – Luke Combs / Producer: Scott Moffatt

  • Wildcard – Miranda Lambert / Producer: Jay Joyce

Song of the Year

Award goes to Songwriters

  • “Bluebird” / Songwriters: Luke Dick, Natalie Hemby, Miranda Lambert

  • “The Bones” / Songwriters: Maren Morris, Jimmy Robbins, Laura Veltz

  • “Even Though I’m Leaving” / Songwriters: Luke Combs, Wyatt B. Durrette III, Ray Fulcher

  • “I Hope You’re Happy Now” / Songwriters: Luke Combs, Randy Montana, Carly Pearce, Jonathan Singleton

  • “More Hearts Than Mine” / Songwriters: Ingrid Andress, Sam Ellis, Derrick Southerland

Musical Event of the Year

Award goes to Artists and Producer(s)

  • “10,000 Hours” – Dan + Shay (with Justin Bieber) / Producer: Dan Smyers

  • “Be A Light” – Thomas Rhett featuring Reba McEntire, Hillary Scott, Chris Tomlin, Keith Urban / Producer: Dann Huff

  • “The Bones” – Maren Morris with Hozier / Producer: Greg Kurstin

  • “Fooled Around And Fell In Love” – Miranda Lambert (feat. Maren Morris, Elle King, Ashley McBryde, Tenille Townes & Caylee Hammack) / Producer: Jay Joyce

  • “I Hope You’re Happy Now” – Carly Pearce and Lee Brice / Producer: busbee

Musician of the Year

  • Jenee Fleenor, Fiddle

  • Paul Franklin, Steel Guitar

  • Rob McNelley, Guitar

  • Ilya Toshinskiy, Guitar

  • Derek Wells, Guitar

Music Video of the Year

Award goes to Artist(s) and Director

  • “10,000 Hours” – Dan + Shay (with Justin Bieber) / Director: Patrick Tracy

  • “Bluebird” – Miranda Lambert / Director: Trey Fanjoy

  • “Homemade” – Jake Owen / Director: Justin Clough

  • “I Hope You’re Happy Now” – Carly Pearce and Lee Brice / Director: Sam Siske

  • “Second One To Know” – Chris Stapleton / Director: David Coleman

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