2019 CMA Awards Preview: What to Expect

The 53rd annual CMA Awards air live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena tonight (Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2019) on ABC at 8pm ET.


With Carrie Underwood serving as host with special guest hosts Reba McEntire and Dolly Parton, the show is expected to be an extraordinary spotlight on a half-century of female artistry. Presenters throughout the night include Jimmie Allen, Bobby Bones, Blanco Brown, Hannah Brown, Deana Carter, Kristin Chenoweth, Janie Fricke, Jim Gaffigan, Vince Gill, Cody Johnson, Kathy Mattea, Martina McBride, Midland, Craig Morgan, Jennifer Nettles, Madelaine Petsch, J.B. Smoove, Lara Spencer, Pam Tillis, Morgan Wallen, Reese Witherspoon, and Trisha Yearwood.


As for performances, the following will be hitting the stage:

  • Carrie Underwood, Reba McEntire, and Dolly Parton
  • Terri Clark, Sara Evans, Crystal Gayle, The Highwomen (Brandi Carlile, Amanda Shires, Natalie Hemby, and Maren Morris), Martina McBride, Jennifer Nettles, Tanya Tucker, and Gretchen Wilson
  • Kelsea Ballerini with Lindsay Ell, Maddie & Tae, Ashley McBryde, Carly Pearce, and Runaway June
  • Little Big Town
  • Dierks Bentley with Sheryl Crow, Joe Walsh, Chris Janson, and John Osborne
  • Brooks & Dunn with Brothers Osborne
  • Garth Brooks with Blake Shelton
  • Eric Church
  • Luke Combs
  • Dan + Shay
  • Lady Antebellum and Halsey
  • Miranda Lambert
  • Reba McEntire
  • Maren Morris
  • Kacey Musgraves with Willie Nelson
  • Old Dominion
  • Dolly Parton with For King & Country and Zach Williams
  • P!nk and Chris Stapleton
  • Blake Shelton
  • Thomas Rhett
  • Keith Urban

Maren Morris leads with six nominations, including Female Vocalist of the Year and Album of the Year. Brothers Osborne follow close behind with four nominations. Check out all of the nominees below.

Entertainer of the Year
Garth Brooks
Eric Church
Chris Stapleton
Carrie Underwood
Keith Urban

Album of the Year
Center Point Road, Thomas Rhett
Cry Pretty, Carrie Underwood
Dan + Shay, Dan + Shay
Desperate Man, Eric Church
Girl, Maren Morris

Single of the Year
“Burning Man,” Dierks Bentley feat. Brothers Osborne
“Girl,” Maren Morris
“God’s Country,” Blake Shelton
“Millionaire,” Chris Stapleton
“Speechless,” Dan + Shay

Song of the Year
“Beautiful Crazy,” recorded by Luke Combs
“Girl,” recorded by Maren Morris
“God’s Country,” recorded by Blake Shelton
“Rainbow,” recorded by Kacey Musgraves
“Tequila,” recorded by Dan + Shay

Male Vocalist of the Year
Dierks Bentley
Luke Combs
Thomas Rhett
Chris Stapleton
Keith Urban

Female Vocalist of the Year
Kelsea Ballerini
Miranda Lambert
Maren Morris
Kacey Musgraves
Carrie Underwood

New Artist of the Year
Cody Johnson
Ashley McBryde
Midland
Carly Pearce
Morgan Wallen

Vocal Duo of the Year
Brooks & Dunn
Brothers Osborne
Dan + Shay
Florida Georgia Line
Maddie & Tae

Vocal Group of the Year
Lady Antebellum
Little Big Town
Midland
Old Dominion
Zac Brown Band

Music Video of the Year
“Burning Man,” Dierks Bentley feat. Brothers Osborne
“Girl,” Maren Morris
“God’s Country,” Blake Shelton
“Rainbow,” Kacey Musgraves
“Some of It,” Eric Church

Musical Event of the Year
“All My Favorite People,” Maren Morris feat. Brothers Osborne
“Brand New Man,” Brooks & Dunn with Luke Combs
“Dive Bar,” Garth Brooks and Blake Shelton
“Old Town Road (Remix),” Lil Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus
“What Happens in a Small Town,” Brantley Gilbert and Lindsay Ell

Musician of the Year
Jenee Fleenor
Paul Franklin
Mac McAnally
Ilya Toshinsky
Derek Wells


ABC will air live red carpet footage at 7:30pm ET, which will be hosted by George Pennacchio and Sandy Kenyon with special guest correspondents Hannah Brown and Jason Fitz. Starting at 6:30pm ET, the live red carpet show will be livestreaming here.


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Article image: Aditya Chinchure via Unsplash.