First round of 56th CMA Awards performers announced

Country Music’s Biggest Night airs live from Nashville Nov 9th on ABC

The Country Music Association has announced the initial lineup of performers for The 56th Annual CMA Awards. Offering a mix of first-time nominees, along with reigning CMA Awards winners, artists taking the stage for performances this year include Jimmie Allen, Kelsea Ballerini, Luke Bryan, Kelly Clarkson, Hardy, Marcus King, Miranda Lambert, Carly Pearce, Carrie Underwood, Morgan Wallen, Lainey Wilson, and Zac Brown Band. The broadcast will open with a star-studded tribute to Country Music Hall of Fame lagend Loretta Lynn.

Hosted by Bryan and Peyton Manning, Country Music’s Biggest Night broadcasts live from Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Wednesday, November 9th from 8-11 pm ET/delayed PT on ABC and available next day on Hulu.

CMA Awards co-host and nominee this year, Bryan will deliver a moving performance of his latest single “Country On.” The most nominated female artist of all time, with three nominations this year including CMA Entertainer of the Year, Lambert will perform her song “Geraldene” from her CMA Album of the Year-nominated Palomino. Reigning CMA Female Vocalist and 5x nominee this year Pearce will perform a special song from her most recent album. With three nominations this year including CMA Entertainer of the Year, Underwood will perform her newest single “Hate My Heart.” Receiving his first CMA Entertainer of the Year nod, 2x nominee this year Wallen will perform his latest single “You Proof.”

Don’t miss special collaborations from CMA Single of the Year nominee this year Ballerini, performing her new song “You’re Drunk, Go Home” featuring Clarkson and Pearce. Three-time CMA Awards nominee this year Hardy will be joined by Wilson, the top nominee this year with six nods, for their powerful duet “Wait in the Truck.” Vying for CMA Vocal Group this year, Zac Brown Band will perform their latest single “Out In The Middle,” featuring reigning CMA New Artist of the Year Allen and blues guitar phenom King.

Additional performers and presenters for The 56th Annual CMA Awards will be announced in the weeks ahead.

Tickets are on-sale today (Tues, Oct 25th) starting at 10 am CT through Ticketmaster.

Winners will be determined in a final round of voting by eligible voting CMA members. The third and final ballot is open now for CMA members, with voting for the CMA Awards final ballot closing Friday, October 28th at 6 pm CT.

Buddy Iahn
Buddy Iahn

Buddy Iahn founded The Music Universe when he decided to juxtapose his love of web design and music. As a lifelong drummer, he decided to take a hiatus from playing music to report it. The website began as a fun project in 2013 to one of the top independent news sites. Email: info@themusicuniverse.com