Collaborations Include Kelsea Ballerini & Reba McEntire; Dierks Bentley & Rascal Flatts; Maren Morris & Niall Horan and Brad Paisley & Kane Brown
Known for one-of-a-kind musical collaborations, CMA announces four pairings for The 51st Annual CMA Awards, all of which will grace the stage live from Bridgestone Arena, Wednesday, November 8th from 8-11 pm ET/PT on the ABC Television Network. Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood co-host for the tenth consecutive year.
Performances include Kelsea Ballerini & Reba McEntire; Dierks Bentley & Rascal Flatts; Maren Morris & Niall Horan; and Brad Paisley & Kane Brown.
Ballerini, a five-time CMA Awards nominee, and Reba, a six-time winner and astounding 50-time nominee and most-nominated female in CMA Awards history, will both vie for Female Vocalist of the Year. Reba has previously won the category four years in a row (1984-87).
Three-time CMA Awards winner Bentley joins seven-time winners Rascal Flatts, who are nominated for Vocal Group of the Year. Bentley is amongst the Male Vocalist of the Year nominees.
Reigning New Artist of the Year Morris joins pop star Horan for a cross-genre celebration. Morris is an eight-time CMA Awards nominee.
Paisley will pause from his co-hosting duties to share his latest effort “Heaven South” with newcomer Brown. Paisley is a 14-time CMA Awards winner.
Previously announced performers include CMA Awards nominees Garth Brooks, Brothers Osborne, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Old Dominion, Jon Pardi, Chris Stapleton, Thomas Rhett, and Underwood. 2017 Country Music Hall of Fame Inductee and 16-time CMA Awards winner Alan Jackson will also take centerstage during Country Music’s Biggest Night.
Miranda Lambert tops the list of nominees for The 51st Annual CMA Awards with five nominations. Little Big Town and Keith Urban each garner four nominations, tying for the second most nominations this year. Winners of The 51st Annual CMA Awards are determined in a final round of voting by eligible voting CMA members. The third and final ballot closes Wednesday, October 25th at 6 pm CT. Ballots are tabulated by the professional services organization Deloitte & Touche LLP.
The 51st Annual CMA Awards is a production of the Country Music Association. Robert Deaton serves as the Executive Producer for the 11th year, and Gary Halvorson as the Director for the first time.
