News

The Country Music Association has announced the first round of performers for “The 55th Annual CMA Awards.” Featuring first-time nominees taking the CMA Awards stage, as well as reigning CMA Awards winners, this year’s performances will include Jimmie Allen, Brothers Osborne, Eric Church, Dan + Shay, Mickey Guyton featuring Brittney Spencer and Madeline Edwards, Carly Pearce and Ashley McBryde, and Blake Shelton. Hosted by Country Music superstar and “American Idol” judge Luke Bryan, Country Music’s Biggest Night™ broadcasts LIVE from Bridgestone Arena in Nashville Wednesday, Nov. 10 (8:00-11:00 PM/ET) on ABC. CMA New Artist of the Year nominee and current “Dancing With The Stars” contestant Allen will perform his hit “Freedom Was A Highway.” Three-time CMA Awards nominated group this year Brothers Osborne will deliver a deeply personal performance from their CMA Album of the Year-nominated Skeletons. Reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year and five-time nominee this year including Entertainer of the Year again, Church will perform his song “Heart on Fire” from his CMA Album of the Year-nominated Heart. Reigning and two-time consecutive CMA Vocal Duo of the Year Dan + Shay, nominated again in the same category this year, will perform their hit “I Should Probably Go To Bed.” CMA New Artist of the Year nominee Guyton will welcome rising artists Spencer and Edwards for a collaboration not to be missed from Guyton’s debut album, Remember Her Name. Two-time nominee this year Pearce and three-time nominee this year McBryde will perform their heart-wrenching duet “Never Wanted to Be That Girl.” And 10-time CMA Awards winner Shelton will bring his “Come Back as a Country Boy” to the CMA Awards stage. Additional performers and presenters for “The 55th Annual CMA Awards” will be revealed in the coming weeks.

The Country Music Association and ABC have announced Country Music superstar and “American Idol” judge Luke Bryan will host “The 55th Annual CMA Awards.” Country Music’s Biggest Night broadcasts LIVE from Bridgestone Arena in Nashville Wednesday, Nov. 10 (8:00-11:00 PM/ET) on ABC. “The CMA Awards is one of the biggest nights of the year for Country Music,” says Bryan. “Being asked to host the CMA Awards was definitely something I put a lot of thought into before answering. The pressure that comes along with that can be overwhelming, but knowing I get to help honor and celebrate so many of my friends, I knew it was something I couldn’t turn down. I mean, growing up in Georgia, I remember watching Vince Gill, Reba, Brooks & Dunn, Kenny Rogers, Barbara Mandrell, to name a few. They were so good. And then becoming a part of this amazing Country Music family and sitting on the front row while Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood and Darius Rucker took the reins, all of these artists are heroes and friends, and I am honored to have my name included in this group. I’m looking forward to making it fun and memorable and using this platform to continue to make Country Music shine.” Bryan, a two-time CMA Entertainer of the Year, will make his CMA Awards hosting debut on this year’s stage. “We are so thrilled to have Luke join us as this year’s CMA Awards host,” says Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “His fun and playful energy is something television viewers have welcomed into their homes week after week as a judge on ‘American Idol,’ and I know he has something exciting up his sleeve for the CMA Awards. We cannot wait to bring music fans a magical night of performances and truly some of the most special moments our show has ever delivered, in just a few weeks.” “We are so grateful Luke will host the biggest event in Country Music. That’s my kind of night and it will be yours too,” says Rob Mills, Walt Disney Television Executive Vice President, Unscripted and Alternative Entertainment. “I am excited for Luke to bring the same humor, energy and emotion as host of the CMA Awards that he has for the last five years on ‘American Idol.’”

The Country Music Association has revealed the nominees for “The 55th Annual CMA Awards,” with Eric Church and Chris Stapleton topping the list at five nominations. Other top nominees include Gabby Barrett along with mix engineer Jason Hall and producer Jay Joyce each with four nominations, while Brothers Osborne, Kane Brown, LukeCombs, Miranda Lambert, Ashley McBryde, Maren Morris and Chris Young secure three nominations each. Combs, Lambert and Carrie Underwood all return alongside Church and Stapleton with nominations in the Entertainer of the Year category, the night’s highest honor. Don’t miss “The 55th Annual CMA Awards” LIVE from Nashville Wednesday, Nov. 10 (8:00 – 11:00 PM/EST) on ABC. First-time CMA Awards nominees include Brown, Dave Cohen, Corey Crowder, Jordan Davis, Paul DiGiovanni, Matt Dragstrem, Jacob Durrett, Aaron Eshuis, Chris Galland, Mickey Guyton, Charlie Handsome, Nicolette Hayford, Ryan Hurd, Martin Johnson, Emily Landis, Manny Marroquin, Jim McCormick, Sean Moffitt, Travis Nicholson, Drew Parker, Ed Pryor, Teddy Reimer, Running Bear and Aaron Sterling. “This year, we have the opportunity to honor the superstars, new artists and emerging creators who are paving the way for Country Music,” says Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “These nominees exemplify the creativity, passion and heart that make our Country Music community unlike any other genre. The breadth of voices is evident in this year’s nominations, and we could not be more thrilled to celebrate our deserving nominees in November!” ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR Eric Church Luke Combs Miranda Lambert Chris Stapleton Carrie Underwood SINGLE OF THE YEAR Award goes to Artist(s), Producer(s) and Mix Engineer(s) “Famous Friends” – Chris Young with Kane Brown Producers: Corey Crowder, Chris Young Mix Engineer: Sean Moffitt “The Good Ones” – Gabby Barrett Producers: Ross Copperman, Zach Kale Mix Engineers: Chris Galland, Manny Marroquin “Hell Of A View” – Eric Church Producer: Jay Joyce Mix Engineers: Jason Hall, Jay Joyce “One Night Standards” – Ashley McBryde Producer: Jay Joyce Mix Engineers: Jason Hall, Jay Joyce “Starting Over” – Chris Stapleton Producers: Dave Cobb, Chris Stapleton Mix Engineer: Vance Powell ALBUM OF THE YEAR Award goes to Artist(s), Producer(s) and Mix Engineer(s)  29 – Carly Pearce Producers: Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne and Jimmy Robbins Mix Engineer: Ryan Gore Dangerous: The Double Album – Morgan Wallen Producers: Dave Cohen, Matt Dragstrem, Jacob Durrett, Charlie Handsome and Joey Moi Mix Engineer: Joey Moi Heart – Eric Church Producer: Jay Joyce Mix Engineers: Jason Hall, Jay Joyce Skeletons – Brothers Osborne Producer: Jay Joyce Mix Engineers: Jason Hall, Jay Joyce Starting Over – Chris Stapleton Producers: Dave Cobb, Chris Stapleton Mix Engineer: Vance Powell SONG OF THE YEAR Award goes to Songwriter(s)   “Forever After All” Songwriters: Luke Combs, Drew Parker, Robert Williford “The Good Ones” Songwriters: Gabby Barrett, Zach Kale, Emily Landis, Jim McCormick “Hell Of A View” Songwriters: Casey Beathard, Eric Church, Monty Criswell “One Night Standards” Songwriters: Nicolette Hayford, Shane McAnally, Ashley McBryde “Starting Over” Songwriters: Mike Henderson, Chris Stapleton FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR Gabby Barrett Miranda Lambert Ashley McBryde Maren Morris Carly Pearce MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR Dierks Bentley Eric Church Luke Combs Thomas Rhett Chris Stapleton VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR Lady A 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 Artist(s) and Producer(s) “Buy Dirt” – Jordan Davis and Luke Bryan Producer: Paul DiGiovanni “Chasing After You” – Ryan Hurd with Maren Morris Producers: Aaron Eshuis, Teddy Reimer “Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home)” – Elle King & Miranda Lambert Producer: Martin Johnson “Famous Friends” – Chris Young with Kane Brown Producers: Corey Crowder, Chris Young “half of my hometown” – Kelsea Ballerini (featuring Kenny Chesney) Producers: Kelsea Ballerini, Ross Copperman, Jimmy Robbins MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR Jenee Fleenor, Fiddle Paul Franklin, Steel Guitar Aaron Sterling, Drums Ilya Toshinskiy, Banjo Derek Wells, Guitar MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR Award goes to Artist(s) and Director(s)   “Chasing After You” – Ryan Hurd with Maren Morris Director: TK McKamy “Famous Friends” – Chris Young with Kane Brown Director: Peter Zavadil “Gone” – Dierks Bentley Directors: Wes Edwards, Travis Nicholson, Ed Pryor, Running Bear, Sam Siske “half of my hometown” – Kelsea Ballerini (featuring Kenny Chesney) Director: Patrick Tracy “Younger Me” – Brothers Osborne Director: Reid Long NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR Jimmie Allen Ingrid Andress Gabby Barrett Mickey Guyton HARDY To stay up to date on the latest country music news, please register to receive our newsletter here. Media contact Zoe Hodges, Editor, Maverick Magazine Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823920 Email: editor@maverick-country.com