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The night of nights in country music is finally here!
For its 56th year, theCMA Awardswill broadcast live from Nashville at 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday, withLuke BryanandPeyton Manningas hosts and a star-studded performance lineup.
This year, Lainey Wilson isleading the nominations list— making her only the fourth artist in history to debut on the CMA ballot with six nominations as a first-time nominee.
Meanwhile, the reining entertainer of the yearLuke Combswill go up againstMiranda Lambert,Chris StapletonCarrie UnderwoodandMorgan Wallenfor the title.
Here is everything to know about country music’s biggest night, which will air on ABC.
Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning Will Host
Manning, who’s appeared as a host on multiple ESPN programs, is just as excited as Bryan. “I cannot wait to head to Nashville and take the CMA Awards stage alongside my friendLuke Bryan,” thetwo-time Super Bowl championsaid of his first time hosting the award show in a press release.
Meanwhile, in September, Bryan told PEOPLE he wasmore than readyto take on the role with his friend.
“Peyton’s always been a huge country music supporter and fan, and obviously he’s a ginormous star beyond being a football star,” Bryan said at the time. “He touches a different audience than me, so I think it helps us get into more households and maybe more people tune in to see what kind of crazy shenanigans he and I may be up to.”
Get to Know the Nominees
Leadingthe nominations listthis year is first-time nominee Lainey Wilson, whose February 2021 albumSayin' What I’m Thinkin’earned her a total of six nominations, including album of the year, female vocalist of the year, new artist of the year, music video of the year, musical event of the year and song of the year.
Behind Wilson isAshley McBryde, Pearce, Stapleton and songwriter and producer Shane McAnally with five nominations each. Cody Johnson and songwriter/producer Josh Osborne scored four nominations each, while Combs, HARDY, Lambert, Midland and Underwood secured three nominations apiece.
Check out PEOPLE’sfull CMAs coverageto get the latest news on country music’s biggest night
Lainey Wilson.Rich Fury/Getty
Check out PEOPLE’s full CMA Awards coverage to get the latest news on country’s biggest night.
Along with Wilson, first-time CMA Awards nominees this year include BRELAND, Alexa Campbell, Jack Clarke, Dan Grech-Marguerat, Jacob Davis, Dustin Haney, Walker Hayes, Josh Jenkins, Matt Jenkins, Jason Lehning, Chip Matthews, Parker McCollum, Michael Monaco, Jason Nix, Mikey Reaves, Harper Smith and Trent Willmon.
Blake Livelyis also among the list of first-time nominees. She was nominated in the music video of the year category for directing the visual forTaylor Swift’scollaboration with Stapleton, “I Bet You Think About Me” (Taylor’s Version) (From the Vault).
Who Is Performing?
This year’s award show is booked and busy with the list of performers!
Several of your favorite country stars are scheduled to take the stage at the award show, starting off with an all-star tribute to late country legend Loretta Lynn, whodied on Oct. 4 at age 90.
Luke Combswill be among those to take the stage, performing his latest single “The Kind of Love We Make.”
Thomas RhettandKaty Perrywill performtheir collaboration"Where We Started" together, whileCody Johnsonwill sing “Til You Can’t.”
Kelly Clarkson, Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert.Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images; Eric McCandless/ABC via Getty Images; Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
Elle KingandThe Black Keyswill team up for a cover of “Great Balls of Fire” in honor ofJerry Lee Lewis, who was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame shortly before his death on Oct. 28.
Other collaborations include reigning CMA vocal duo of the yearBrothers Osborneand The War and Treaty, who will sing “It’s Only Rock & Roll (But I Like It)” together, and Stapleton and Patty Loveless, who will collab on “You’ll Never Leave Harlan Alive.”
More performances include Bryan, Pearce, Lambert, Underwood, Wallen,Kelsea BalleriniandKelly Clarkson,Zac Brown BandandMarcus King, andHARDYand Wilson.
Who Is Presenting?
The presenters for this year’s award show are bringing even more star power to the night!
Country starsWynonna Judd,Jeannie Seely,Reba McEntireandTyler Hubbardwill all take the stage, as will nomineesLady A, BRELAND, Wilson, Jordan Davis and McCollum.
How Can I Watch?
The CMA Awards, the longest-running annual music awards program in network television, will broadcast live from Nashville on Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.
source: people.com
