Country singer Lee Brice got pulled from the CMA Awards' lineup of live performers following a positive COVID-19 (coronavirus) test.
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Brice's team told the Associated Press on Sunday (Nov. 8) that the 41-year-old singer will no longer sing Musical Event of the Year and Music Video of the Year-nominated duet "I Hope You're Happy Now" with Carly Pearce. Instead, Lady A's Charles Kelley will join Pearce onstage.
The "I Drive Your Truck" and "I Don't Dance" singer's team reports that although he's "in good spirits and not experiencing any symptoms," Brice will stay home until he's cleared by a doctor.
"Lee would like to thank the CMAs and all of his incredible fans for his nominations and is wishing his fellow nominees an incredible evening celebrating the best of country music," his team said in the statement.
Per Billboard, a CMA spokesperson told the AP that Brice was tested and received his results before arriving onsite for show rehearsals.
The 54th annual CMA Awards (airing this Wednesday on ABC from Nashville, Tenn.'s Music City Center) is being promoted as "the first time the biggest names in country music will come together — safely, all 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," CMA CEO Sarah Trahern said in a press release.
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Darius Rucker and Reba McEntire will host the latest awards show planned around coronavirus pandemic restrictions. As was the case with this year's ACM Awards, the CMAs will lack a normal audience of fans.
Others scheduled to perform hit songs during the broadcast include Miranda Lambert, Eric Church, Luke Combs, Ashley McBryde, Maren Morris and Rascal Flatts.
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