Country music's longest-running awards show, the CMA (Country Music Awards), turns 57 in 2023. The show takes place on Wed., Nov. 8 at 8 p.m. ET. It'll air on ABC and resonate from Nashville's Bridgestone Arena. If you want to know how to watch the 2023 CMA Awards as well as who's nominated, performing and more, you've come to the right place.
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Read on for everything you need to know about this year's broadcast, from how to watch to who's hosting and what artists are vying for the coveted Entertainer of the Year trophy. Below, we've outlined the full list of nominations as well as highlighted some of the most anticipated performances of the night.
How to Watch
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The show airs live on ABC, making it accessible to those watching via cable, live TV streaming or, depending on where you live, an antenna. Plus, you can watch it the next day on Hulu.
Who's Hosting
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Last year, football icon and country music fanatic Peyton Manning became the first non-country singer to emcee the CMA Awards. A part of the ABC family as a judge on "American Idol," Luke Bryan co-hosted. The duo rides together again this year.
"They scored the biggest ratings in three years when they hosted the CMA Awards last year. And thankfully they have just agreed to do it again," "Good Morning America's" Lara Spencer said in April upon the big reveal (as quoted by "Parade"). "The football star and the former CMAEntertainer of the Year will join forces on the stage at Nashville's Bridgestone Arena for two hours of laughs, tributes, and of course some amazing performances."
Who's Performing
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In addition to co-hosting, Bryan will sing a medley of his hits, including "Play It Again" and "One Margarita." Top nominees will take the stage, as well, such as Lainey Wilson (singing "Wildflowers and White Horses"), Chris Stapleton ("White Horse" plus the duet "We Don't Fight Anymore" with Carly Pearce) and Jelly Roll (broadcast opener "Need a Favor").
Several superstar collaborations have been announced. Newly-inducted Country Music Hall of Famer Tanya Tucker will sing "Delta Dawn" with Little Big Town. Megan Moroney will join Old Dominion for their single "Can't Break Up Now." Jelly Roll will team with R&B star K. Michelle for "Love Can Build a Bridge," a tribute to The Judds.
On Nov. 1, it was announced that Kelsea Ballerini, Kenny Chesney, Luke Combs, Dan + Shay, Jordan Davis, HARDY, Alan Jackson, Cody Johnson, Post Malone, Mac McAnally, Ashley McBryde, Morgan Wallen, The War And Treaty and Zac Brown Band will also take the stage.
Ballerini is set to perform "Leave Me Again" from her album Rolling Up the Welcome Mat, while Combs will perform his new single "Where the Wild Things Are."
Vocal Duo of the Year nominee Dan + Shay will share their current single "Save Me the Trouble."
Davis, a three-time nominee, will perform Song of the Year contender "Next Thing You Know," while Johnson, who's up for Male Vocalist of the Year, will take the stage to sing his love song "The Painter."
Female Vocalist of the Year McBryde will perform her song "Light On in the Kitchen," while Vocal Duo of the Year nominee War and Treaty will perform "That's How Love is Made."
Kenny Chesney will take the stage to honor the late Jimmy Buffett alongside Mac McAnally, Alan Jackson and Zac Brown Band.
Morgan Wallen, HARDY and first time CMA Awards performer Post Malone will collaborate on a medley of country classics.
Who's Nominated
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Wilson got her name called more times than anyone else during the Sept. 7 unveiling of this year's nominees. Among Wilson's nine nominations was one for Entertainer of the Year, placing her in the same field as Carrie Underwood, Morgan Wallen, Stapleton and, in a bid for his third consecutive win in the evening's top category, Combs.
Wilson made history by becoming the first artist to lead all nominees in their first two years on the ballot. Last year, Wilson picked up six nods.
The latest verification that he's one of country music's newest superstars, first-time nominee Jelly Roll came in second with six nominations. Hardy and Combs also got their names called often, with both netting four nominations apiece.
Here's the full ballot:
Entertainer of the Year
- Luke Combs
- Chris Stapleton
- Carrie Underwood
- Morgan Wallen
- Lainey Wilson
Single of the Year
- "Fast Car" - Luke Combs (Producers: Luke Combs, Chip Matthews, Jonathan Singleton, Mix Engineer: Chip Matthews)
- "Heart Like A Truck" - Lainey Wilson (Producer: Jay Joyce, Mix Engineers: Jason Hall, Jay Joyce)
- "Need A Favor" - Jelly Roll (Producer: Austin Nivarel, Mix Engineer: Jeff Braun)
- "Next Thing You Know" - Jordan Davis (Producer: Paul DiGiovanni, Mix Engineer: Jim Cooley)
- "Wait in The Truck" - HARDY (feat. Lainey Wilson) (Producers: HARDY, Joey Moi, Jordan Schmidt, Derek Wells, Mix Engineer: Joey Moi)
Album of the Year
- Ashley McBryde Presents: Lindeville -- Ashley McBryde
- Bell Bottom Country -- Lainey Wilson
- Gettin' Old -- Luke Combs
- One Thing At A Time -- Morgan Wallen
- Rolling Up the Welcome Mat -- Kelsea Ballerini
Song of the Year
- "Fast Car" -- Songwriter: Tracy Chapman
- "Heart Like A Truck" -- Songwriters: Trannie Anderson, Dallas Wilson, Lainey Wilson
- "Next Thing You Know" -- Songwriters: Jordan Davis, Greylan James, Chase McGill, Josh Osborne
- "Tennessee Orange" -- Songwriters: David Fanning, Paul Jenkins, Megan Moroney, Ben Williams
- "Wait in The Truck" -- Songwriters: Renee Blair, Michael Hardy, Hunter Phelps, Jordan Schmidt
Female Vocalist of the Year
- Kelsea Ballerini
- Miranda Lambert
- Ashley McBryde
- Carly Pearce
- Lainey Wilson
Male Vocalist of the Year
- Luke Combs
- Jelly Roll
- 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
- Maddie & Tae
- The War And Treaty
Musical Event of the Year
- "Save Me" -- Jelly Roll (with Lainey Wilson) (Producers: Zach Crowell, David Ray Stevens)
- "She Had Me At Heads Carolina (Remix)" -- Cole Swindell & Jo Dee Messina (Producer: Zach Crowell)
- "Thank God" -- Kane Brown (with Katelyn Brown) (Producer: Dann Huff)
- "Wait in the Truck" -- HARDY (feat. Lainey Wilson) (Producers: HARDY, Joey Moi, Jordan Schmidt, Derek Wells)
- "We Don't Fight Anymore" -- Carly Pearce (featuring Chris Stapleton) (Producers: Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne, Carly Pearce)
Musician of the Year
- Jenee Fleenor
- Paul Franklin
- Rob McNelley
- Derek Wells
- Charlie Worsham
Music Video of the Year
- "Light On In The Kitchen" -- Ashley McBryde (Director: Reid Long)
- "Memory Lane" -- Old Dominion (Directors: Mason Allen, Nicki Fletcher)
- "Need A Favor" -- Jelly Roll (Director: Patrick Tohill)
- "Next Thing You Know" -- Jordan Davis (Director: Running Bear)
- "Wait in The Truck" -- HARDY (feat. Lainey Wilson) (Director: Justin Clough)
New Artist of the Year
- Zach Bryan
- Jelly Roll
- Parker McCollum
- Megan Moroney
- Hailey Whitters
