Country music has mourned several legends of the genre in 2020, including Charlie Daniels, Kenny Rogers and Joe Diffie. To honor their legacy, several superstars will perform a musical tribute, during the 2020 CMA Awards.
Jason Aldean, Dierks Bentley, Brothers Osborne, Jenee Fleenor and Ashley McBryde will kick off the show with a multi-song performance of some of Charlie’s biggest hits. Kenny will also be honored during the broadcast with a musical tribute by Little Big Town, while Jon Pardi will honor Joe.
Other performers include Jimmie Allen, Ingrid Andress, Dan + Shay with Justin Bieber, Carly Pearce and Lee Brice, Keith Urban, and Morgan Wallen.
“We couldn’t be more excited to bring all of these incredible performances to life next Wednesday night and give our artists the chance to come together, in a big way, on television for the first time in months,” Robert Deaton, CMA Awards Executive Producer said of the performances. “As safety is our top priority, we have worked tirelessly over the past several months to fully transform Music City Center into a breathtaking setup that resembles the very first ‘CMA Awards Banquet & Show’ from 1967, and ensures our nominees, performers and their guests a fully safe and physically distant environment.
“We are honored,” he added, “in this very challenging time, to help provide an escape and deliver a live awards show experience unlike any other this year.”
The 2020 CMA Awards will be virtual this year, due to the coronavirus pandemic, although artists will be gathered in one room, albeit with safety guidelines in place.
“We are thrilled to have this incredible group of artists taking the stage at the CMA Awards this year! It is a privilege to bring these live performances to our viewing audience with the energy and excitement that the CMA Awards are known for,” Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer, said in a statement.
“And 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,” she continued. “It will be an honor to bring the biggest Country stars in the world together – in one room – for the first time this year. You won’t want to miss it!”
Previously-announced performers include Luke Combs, Lady A, Rascal Flatts, Gabby Barrett featuring Charlie Puth, Eric Church, Florida Georgia Line, Miranda Lambert, Maren Morris, and Thomas Rhett with Reba McEntire, Hillary Scott and Chris Tomlin. The 2020 CMA Awards will air live from Music City Center on Wednesday, November 11, at 8:00 PM ET on ABC.