From nominations and notes to performers and presenters, here’s everything a country music fan needs to know about the 2019 CMA Awards.
Date: Wednesday, Nov. 13
Time: 7 p.m.–10 p.m. CT
Location: Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena
Television Station: ABC
Hosts: Carrie Underwood with special guests Reba McEntire and Dolly Parton
Red Carpet: live streamed on CMAawards.com/redcarpet at 5:30 p.m. CT and ETonline.com
Opening Performance: Carrie Underwood, Reba McEntire and Dolly Parton featuring Terri Clark, Sara Evans, Crystal Gayle, The Highwomen (Brandi Carlile, Natalie Hemby, Maren Morris and Amanda Shires), Martina McBride, Jennifer Nettles, Tanya Tucker and Gretchen Wilson
Special Performance: Kelsea Ballerini featuring Lindsay Ell, Maddie & Tae, Ashley McBryde, Carly Pearce and Runaway June
Performance Honoring Kris Kristofferson: Dierks Bentley alongside Joe Walsh, Sheryl Crow, Chris Janson and John Osborne
Performers: Kelsea Ballerini, 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, Carrie Underwood, and Keith Urban
Presenters: Bobby Bones, Joe Walsh, Jimmie Allen, Cody Johnson, Lara Spencer, Reese Witherspoon, Hannah Brown, Deana Carter, Kristin Chenoweth, Janie Fricke, Jim Gaffigan, Vince Gill, Kathy Mattea, Martina McBride, Midland, Craig Morgan, Jennifer Nettles, Madelaine Petsch, J.B. Smoove, Pam Tillis, Morgan Wallen and Trisha Yearwood
Nominees:
Entertainer of the Year
- Garth Brooks
- Eric Church
- Chris Stapleton
- Carrie Underwood
- Keith Urban
Female Vocalist of the Year
- Kelsea Ballerini
- Miranda Lambert
- Maren Morris
- Kacey Musgraves
- Carrie Underwood
Male Vocalist of the Year
- Dierks Bentley
- Luke Combs
- Thomas Rhett
- Chris Stapleton
- Keith Urban
Vocal Duo of the Year
- Brooks & Dunn
- Brothers Osborne
- Dan + Shay
- Florida Georgia Line
- Maddie & Tae
New Artist of the Year
- Cody Johnson
- Ashley McBryde
- Midland
- Carly Pearce
- Morgan Wallen
Single of the Year (Awarded to Singer, Producer and Engineer)
- “Burning Man” – Dierks Bentley Feat. Brothers Osborne – Producers: Ross Copperman, Jon Randall, Arturo Buenahora, Jr. – Mix Engineer: F. Reid Shippen
- “GIRL” – Maren Morris – Producer: Greg Kurstin – Mix Engineer: Greg Kurstin
- “God’s Country” – Blake Shelton – Producer: Scott Hendricks – Mix Engineer: Justin Niebank
- “Millionaire” – Chris Stapleton – Producers: Dave Cobb, Chris Stapleton – Mix Engineer: Vance Powell
- “Speechless” – Dan + Shay – Producers: Dan Smyers, Scott Hendricks – Mix Engineer: Jeff Juliano
Album of the Year (Awarded to Artist & Producer)
- Center Point Road – Thomas Rhett – Producers: Dann Huff, Jesse Frasure, Thomas Rhett, Julian Bunetta, The Stereotypes, Cleve Wilson
- Cry Pretty – Carrie Underwood – Producers: David Garcia, Jim Jonsin, Carrie Underwo
- Dan + Shay – Dan + Shay – Producers: Dan Smyers, Scott Hendricks
- Desperate Man – Eric Church – Producers: Jay Joyce, Arturo Buenahora,
- Girl – Maren Morris – Producers: busbee, Maren Morris, Greg Kurstin
Vocal Group of the Year
- Little Big Town
- Lady Antebellum
- Midland
- Old Dominion
- Zac Brown Band
Song of the Year (Awarded to Songwriters)
- “Beautiful Crazy” – Luke Combs, Wyatt B. Durrette II, Robert Williford
- “Girl” – Maren Morris, Sarah Aarons, Greg Kurstin
- “God’s Country” – Devin Dawson, Jordan Schmidt, Michael Hardy
- “Rainbow” – Natalie Hemby, Shane McAnally, Kacey Musgraves
- “Tequila” – Dan Smyers, Nicolle Galyon, Jordan Reynolds
Musical Event of the Year
- “All My Favorite People” – Maren Morris feat. Brothers Osborne
- “Brand New Man” – Brooks & Dunn feat. Luke Combs
- “Dive Bar” – Garth Brooks feat. Blake Shelton
- “Old Town Road” (remix) – Lil Nas X feat. Billy Ray Cyrus
- “What Happens in a Small Town” – Brantley Gilbert feat. Lindsay Ell
Music Video of the Year (Awarded to Artist & Director)
- “Burning Man” – Dierks Bentley Feat. Brothers Osborne – Director: Wes Edwards
- “GIRL” – Maren Morris – Director: Dave Meyers
- “God’s Country” – Blake Shelton – Director: Sophie Muller
- “Rainbow” – Kacey Musgraves – Director: Hannah Lux Davis
- “Some Of It” – Eric Church – Director: Reid Long
Musician of the Year
- Jenee Fleenor, Fiddle
- Paul Franklin, Steel Guitar
- Mac McAnally, Guitar
- Ilya Toshinsky, Banjo/Guitar
- Derek Wells, Guitar
