Here's What To Expect At The 2020 CMA Awards

The 54th CMA Awards air live from Nashville’s Music City Center, Wednesday, November 11th on ABC. Country Music has navigated their way so gracefully through award shows during this turbulence filled year. Never skipping a beat, they have continued to deliver nights full of performances from our favorite artists. This year we are all looking for those simple moments of joy. Maybe you found that moment in playing your favorite Country Christmas playlist, or by getting a head start decorating your Christmas tree. Nevertheless, we are all in these last moments of 2020 together. So, put on your fuzzy socks and make some hot chocolate because “Country Music’s Biggest Night” is guaranteed to be full of entertainment and surprises. 

“Country Music’s Biggest Night” will be hosted by Reba McEntire and first-timer Darius Rucker. The CMA Awards nominees and winners are collectively determined by more than 7,300 industry professionals. November 11th will mark the first time that all of the biggest names in Country Music have come together to gather - safely - in one room this year. “Although the show will feel a bit more intimate this year, we look forward to hosting our nominated artists and their guests as we celebrate the best of Country Music in a fully safe and physically distant environment. It will be an honor to bring the biggest Country stars in the world together – in one room – for the first time this year. You won’t want to miss it!” says Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer.

The 54th CMA Awards is the first time since 2000 that two female acts have competed for Entertainer Of The Year. Miranda Lambert and Carrie Underwood are both up for the coveted award. Miranda has 55 total career nominations at the CMA’s. This puts her in fourth place behind legends George Strait (83), Alan Jackson (81), and Brad Paisley (58). There are also 3 female solo artists out of the 5 nominees in both categories; Single Of The Year and New Artist Of The Year. 

Performances this year include Gabby Barrett feat. Charlie Puth, Eric Church, Luke Combs, Florida Georgia Line, Miranda Lambert, Ashley McBryde, Maren Morris, Rascal Flatts and Thomas Rhett feat. McEntire, Hillary Scott and Chris Tomlin. Country Strong 2020: Countdown to the CMA Awards will air at 10PM ET on Tuesday, November 10.  

The nominations for each category are:

Entertainer Of The Year

• Eric Church 
  
• Luke Combs
  
• Miranda Lambert
  
• Carrie Underwood
  
• Keith Urban 
  

Female Vocalist Of The Year

• Miranda Lambert
  
• Ashley McBryde
  
• Maren Morris
  
• Kasey Musgraves
  
• Carrie Underwood
  

Male Vocalist Of The Year 

• Eric Church
  
• Luke Combs
  
• Thomas Rhett
  
• Chris Stapleton
  
• Keith Urban
  

Vocal Group Of The Year

• Lady A
  
• Little Big Town
  
• Midland
  
• Old Dominion
  
• Rascal Flatts
  

Vocal Duo Of The Year

• Brooks & Dunn
  
• Brothers Osborne
  
• Dan + Shay
  
• Florida Georgia Lane
  
• Maddie & Tae
  

New Artist Of The Year

• Jimmie Allen
  
• Ingrid Andress
  
• Gabby Barrett
  
• Carly Pearce
  
• Morgan Wallen
  

Single Of The Year 

• “10,000 Hours” – Dan + Shay (with Justin Bieber) / Producer: Dan Smyers, Mix Engineer: Jeff Juliano
  
• “Beer Never Broke My Heart” – Luke Combs / Producer: Scott Moffatt, Mix Engineer: Jim Cooley
  
• “Bluebird” – Miranda Lambert / Producer: Jay Joyce, Mix Engineers: Jason Hall, Jay Joyce
  
• “The Bones” – Maren Morris / Producer: Greg Kurstin, Mix Engineer: Greg Kurstin
  
• “I Hope” – Gabby Barrett / Producers: Ross Copperman, Zach Kale, Mix Engineer: Buckley Miller
  

Album Of The Year

• Heartache Medication – Jon Pardi / Producers: Bart Butler, Ryan Gore, Jon Pardi
  
• Never Will – Ashley McBryde / Producers: Jay Joyce, John Peets
  
• Old Dominion – Old Dominion / Producers: Shane McAnally, Old Dominion
  
• What You See Is What You Get – Luke Combs / Producer: Scott Moffatt
  
• Wildcard – Miranda Lambert / Producer: Jay Joyce
  

Song Of The Year 

• “Bluebird” / Songwriters: Luke Dick, Natalie Hemby, Miranda Lambert
  
• “The Bones” / Songwriters: Maren Morris, Jimmy Robbins, Laura Veltz
  
• “Even Though I’m Leaving” / Songwriters: Luke Combs, Wyatt B. Durrette III, Ray Fulcher
  
• “I Hope You’re Happy Now” / Songwriters: Luke Combs, Randy Montana, Carly Pearce, Jonathan Singleton
  
• “More Hearts Than Mine” / Songwriters: Ingrid Andress, Sam Ellis, Derrick Southerland
  

Musical Event Of The Year

• “10,000 Hours” – Dan + Shay (with Justin Bieber) / Producer: Dan Smyers
  
• “Be A Light” – Thomas Rhett featuring Reba McEntire, Hillary Scott, Chris Tomlin, Keith Urban / Producer: Dann Huff
  
• “The Bones” – Maren Morris with Hozier / Producer: Greg Kurstin
  
• “Fooled Around And Fell In Love” – Miranda Lambert (feat. Maren Morris, Elle King, Ashley McBryde, Tenille Townes & Caylee Hammack) / Producer: Jay Joyce
  
• “I Hope You’re Happy Now” – Carly Pearce and Lee Brice / Producer: busbee
  

Musician Of The Year

• Jenee Fleenor, Fiddle
  
• Paul Franklin, Steel Guitar
  
• Rob McNelley, Guitar
  
• Ilya Toshinskiy, Guitar
  
• Derek Wells, Guitar
  

Music Video Of The Year 

• “10,000 Hours” – Dan + Shay (with Justin Bieber) / Director: Patrick Tracy
  
• “Bluebird” – Miranda Lambert / Director: Trey Fanjoy
  
• “Homemade” – Jake Owen / Director: Justin Clough
  
• “I Hope You’re Happy Now” – Carly Pearce and Lee Brice / Director: Sam Siske
  
• “Second One To Know” – Chris Stapleton / Director: David Coleman