Country music’s biggest night is one week away, and it just got a lot more crowded on stage. The Country Music Association has added a new wave of performers for the 60th annual CMA Awards, which take place on Wednesday, November 18, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.
The newly announced names include Luke Combs, Vince Gill, Megan Moroney, Mumford & Sons, Chris Stapleton, Lainey Wilson and Stephen Wilson Jr., along with a special all-star tribute, according to Billboard. Here is what we know so far.
A Brooks & Dunn celebration with a rock twist
One of the night’s headline moments will honor Brooks & Dunn, this year’s recipients of the CMA Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award. Brothers Osborne, Luke Bryan, HARDY, Marcus King and rock band Halestorm will team up to celebrate the duo.
The pairing of a hard rock band with country veterans is a sign of how wide the 60th-anniversary show is trying to cast its net as it looks back over six decades of country music.
Brooks & Dunn, the duo of Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn, are among the most successful acts in country history, known for line-dance staples like “Boot Scootin’ Boogie.” A tribute stacked with guitar-heavy acts suggests the segment will lean loud and celebratory rather than sentimental.
Mumford & Sons make their CMA debut
The British folk-rock band Mumford & Sons will make their first appearance on the CMA Awards stage, and they will be joined by Chris Stapleton. Stapleton will be busy that night: he is set to perform twice, also teaming up with Stephen Wilson Jr.
Both men are in the running for multiple trophies. Stapleton is up for four awards, including entertainer of the year and male vocalist of the year. Wilson Jr. also has four nominations, including new artist of the year, male vocalist of the year, music video of the year and song of the year for “Gary.”
Who else is performing
The new names join a lineup that was already stacked. Previously announced performers include Ella Langley, Kacey Musgraves, Cody Johnson, Miranda Lambert and Tim McGraw, among others. With Combs, Gill and Moroney now added, the show covers several generations of the genre, from established hitmakers to rising stars.
Lainey Wilson hosts again
Reigning CMA entertainer of the year Lainey Wilson returns as host for the third year in a row. She is also a nominee, with three nods including entertainer of the year, female vocalist of the year and single of the year for “Somewhere Over Laredo.”
Ella Langley leads the nominations
The artist to watch on awards night is Ella Langley, who leads all nominees with nine nominations. Her nods include entertainer of the year, album of the year for Dandelion, female vocalist of the year, musical event of the year and music video of the year, plus two nominations each in the single and song of the year categories.
That puts her in position for a potentially historic night, though the CMA voting body has a long track record of spreading the wealth across categories.
How to watch
The 60th annual CMA Awards air live on ABC and stream on Disney+ on Wednesday, November 18. The show will be available to stream the following day on Hulu. For the full nominee list and any late additions to the lineup, keep an eye on the CMA’s official announcements and Billboard’s awards coverage.
Why this year matters
Anniversary shows tend to lean on nostalgia, and the Brooks & Dunn tribute will deliver plenty of it. But with Langley leading the field, Wilson Jr. chasing new artist honors and Mumford & Sons crossing over for the first time, the 60th CMA Awards also look like a snapshot of where country music is heading next. One week to go.
Image: Nashville, Tennessee skyline. Original image by Carol M Highsmith via Rawpixel, CC0 1.0
