The 2022 CMA Awards will air live on ABC from Nashville's Bridgestone Arena on Nov. 9. (The show will be available the next day on Hulu.) On Oct. 25, the Country Music Association announced the first round of performers, which includes a mix of first-time nominees and CMA winners.
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Who's Performing?
CMA co-host Luke Bryan will perform his song "Country On," while Miranda Lambert will perform "Geraldine," from her Album of the Year-nominated Palomino. Carly Pearce, who's nominated for Female Vocalist of the Year, will perform a song from her album 29: Written in Stone. Carrie Underwood will perform new single "Hate My Heart" from her album Denim & Rhinestones.
Morgan Wallen, who was banned from non-collaborative categories last year and banned from attending the 2021 CMA ceremony altogether after he was caught on camera using a racial slur, will perform during this year's ceremony. Wallen, who's nominated for Entertainer of the Year, will perform his new single "You Proof."
Kelsea Ballerini will perform "You're Drunk Go Home" with Kelly Clarkson and Pearce, while Hardy will share the stage with Lainey Wilson, the most-nominated artist at this year's ceremony, to perform "Wait in the Truck." Vocal Group of the Year nominees Zac Brown Band also take the stage to perform "Out in the Middle" with Jimmie Allen and Marcus King.
The broadcast will open with a tribute to Loretta Lynn.
On Nov. 1, the CMA announced additions to the lineup of all-star country performers. Brothers Osborne, Brandy Clark, Luke Combs, Caylee Hammack, Cody Johnson, Elle King, Patty Loveless, Ashley McBryde, Reba McEntire, John Osborne, Katy Perry, Pillbox Patti, Chris Stapleton, Cole Swindell, The Black Keys, The War and Treaty and Thomas Rhett will also take the stage.
Luke Combs will perform his latest single "The Kind of Love We Make," while Cody Johnson will take the stage to perform his heartfelt ballad "Til You Can't."
The night's collaborations include Elle King and The Black Keys tributing the late Country Music Hall of Famer Jerry Lee Lewis with a performance of "Great Balls of Fire," Brothers Osborne and Wary & Treaty performing "It's Only Rock & Roll (But I Like It)," Ashley McBryde, Brandy Clark, Caylee Hammack, Pillbox Patti and John Osborne performing "When Will I Be Loved," Thomas Rhett and Katy Perry taking the stage for their duet "Where We Started" and Chris Stapleton and Patty Loveless teaming up for "You'll Never Leave Harlan Alive."
Who's Presenting?
On Nov. 3, the CMAs unveiled a star-studded list of award presenters. Several selections are country stars: Breland, Jordan Davis, Tyler Hubbard, Wynonna Judd, Parker McCollum, Reba McEntire, Jeannie Seely, Lainey Wilson and the members of Lady A and Little Big Town. From outside of the music business, there's MLB player Mookie Betts, Apple TV and Lifetime star Sarah Drew, Yellowstone's Cole Hauser, Big Sky's Rex Linn, HGTV's Ben and Erin Napier plus the stars of the forthcoming limited series about George Jones and Tammy Wynette, Michael Shannon and Jessica Chastain.
Who's Nominated?
Singer-songwriter (and future Yellowstone castmember) Lainey Wilson leads in nominations with six nods: Album of the Year (Sayin' What I'm Thinkin'), Female Vocalist of the Year, Music Video of the Year ("Never Say Never"), Musical Event of the Year ("Never Say Never"), New Artist of the Year and Song of the Year ("Things A Man Oughta Know").
Celebrated songwriter and producer Shane McAnally earned five nominations, including one for Album of the Year for producing Old Dominion's Time, Tequila & Therapy.
Ashley McBryde, Carly Pearce and Chris Stapleton each earned five nominations. Pearce, the reigning Female Vocalist of the Year, earns another Female Vocalist nom, while Pearce's "Never Wanted to Be That Girl" duet partner and friend Ashley McBryde also earns a nod for Female Vocalist of the Year. Stapleton earns another nomination for Entertainment of the Year, making him a six-time nominee.
See the full list of nominees below.
Entertainer of the Year
- Luke Combs
- Miranda Lambert
- Chris Stapleton
- Carrie Underwood
- Morgan Wallen
Single of the Year
- "Buy Dirt" - Jordan Davis featuring Luke Bryan Producer: Paul DiGiovanni Mix Engineer: Jim Cooley
- "half of my hometown" - Kelsea Ballerini (feat. Kenny Chesney) Producers: Kelsea Ballerini, Ross Copperman, Jimmy Robbins Mix Engineer: Dan Grech-Marguerat
- "Never Wanted To Be That Girl" - Carly Pearce and Ashley McBryde Producers: Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne Mix Engineer: Ryan Gore
- "'Til You Can't" - Cody Johnson Producer: Trent Willmon Mix Engineer: Jack Clarke
- "You Should Probably Leave" - Chris Stapleton Producers: Dave Cobb, Chris Stapleton Mix Engineer: Vance Powell
Album of the Year
- Growin' Up - Luke Combs Producers: Luke Combs, Chip Matthews, Jonathan Singleton Mix Engineers: Jim Cooley, Chip Matthews
- Humble Quest - Maren Morris Producer: Greg Kurstin Mix Engineer: Serban Ghenea
- Palomino - Miranda Lambert Producers: Luke Dick, Miranda Lambert, Jon Randall, Mikey Reaves Mix Engineer: Jason Lehning
- Sayin' What I'm Thinkin' - Lainey Wilson Producer: Jay Joyce Mix Engineer: F. Reid Shippen
- Time, Tequila & Therapy - Old Dominion Producers: Shane McAnally, Old Dominion Mix Engineer: Justin Niebank
Song of the Year
- "Buy Dirt" Songwriters: Jacob Davis, Jordan Davis, Josh Jenkins, Matt Jenkins
- "Never Wanted To Be That Girl" Songwriters: Shane McAnally, Ashley McBryde, Carly Pearce
- "Sand In My Boots" Songwriters: Ashley Gorley, Michael Hardy, Josh Osborne
- "Things A Man Oughta Know" Songwriters: Jason Nix, Jonathan Singleton, Lainey Wilson
- "You Should Probably Leave" Songwriters: Chris DuBois, Ashley Gorley, Chris Stapleton
Female Vocalist of the Year
- Miranda Lambert
- Ashley McBryde
- Carly Pearce
- Carrie Underwood
- Lainey Wilson
Male Vocalist of the Year
- Eric Church
- Luke Combs
- Cody Johnson
- Chris Stapleton
- Morgan Wallen
Vocal Group of the Year
- Lady A
- Little Big Town
- Midland
- Old Dominion
- Zac Brown Band
Vocal Duo of the Year
- Brooks & Dunn
- Brothers Osborne
- Dan + Shay
- LOCASH
- Maddie & Tae
Musical Event of the Year
- "Beers On Me" - Dierks Bentley with BRELAND and HARDY Producers: Dierks Bentley, Ross Copperman
- "If I Didn't Love You" - Jason Aldean and Carrie Underwood Producer: Michael Knox
- "Longneck Way To Go" - Midland (featuring Jon Pardi) Producers: Dann Huff, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne
- "Never Say Never" - Cole Swindell (with Lainey Wilson) Producer: Zach Crowell
- "Never Wanted To Be That Girl" - Carly Pearce and Ashley McBryde Producers: Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne
Musician of the Year
- Jenee Fleenor, Fiddle
- Paul Franklin, Steel guitar
- Brent Mason, Guitar
- Ilya Toshinskiy, Banjo
- Derek Wells, Guitar
Music Video of the Year
- "I Bet You Think About Me" (Taylor's Version) (From The Vault) - Taylor Swift (featuring Chris Stapleton) Director: Blake Lively
- "Longneck Way To Go" - Midland (featuring Jon Pardi) Director: Harper Smith
- "Never Say Never" - Cole Swindell (with Lainey Wilson) Director: Michael Monaco
- "Never Wanted To Be That Girl" - Carly Pearce and Ashley McBryde Director: Alexa Campbell
- "'Til You Can't" - Cody Johnson Director: Dustin Haney
New Artist of the Year
- HARDY
- Walker Hayes
- Cody Johnson
- Parker McCollum
- Lainey Wilson
Who's Hosting the CMA Awards?
The country music and sports worlds will collide when Luke Bryan teams up with NFL star Peyton Manning to host the 56th annual Country Music Association awards.
Bryan made the announcement while guest hosting Live With Kelly and Ryan.
Being a part of such a historical night that honors my peers and Country Music is such a privilege," Bryan said. "When I was asked if Peyton Manning was someone I would consider co-hosting with I didn't hesitate. We have become great friends through the years and what he brings to the table is gonna make it even more of a blast. I know he's been to the CMA Awards before, but he's never been with me. Hey Peyton, I hope you're ready for the night of your life!"
This will be Bryan's second time hosting the event. The night will mark Peyton's first time as host of the CMA Awards -- a huge honor for the country music fan.
"I cannot wait to head to Nashville and take the CMA Awards stage alongside my friend Luke Bryan," Manning said. "I am such a huge fan of Country Music, so to have the chance to stand among so many incredibly talented artists is an absolute honor."
The nominees for the 56th annual CMA awards will be announced in the coming weeks.
"Country Music's Biggest Night will without a doubt live up to its expectation this year," Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer, said. "During an evening when we celebrate the best of the best in Country Music, we are thrilled to have two award-winning hosts at the helm! I cannot wait to see what Luke and Peyton have up their sleeves, which I'm sure will be hilariously unpredictable and playfully energetic, just like the two of them."
