The 2020 CMA Awards will take place on Wednesday, November 11, and now we know who at least some of the performers will be. Luke Combs, Lady A and Rascal Flatts are among the first round of performers, along with Gabby Barrett featuring Charlie Puth, Eric Church, Florida Georgia Line, Miranda Lambert, Ashley McBryde, Maren Morris, and Thomas Rhett with Reba McEntire, Hillary Scott and Chris Tomlin.
For the first time since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, all of the artists will be together in one room for the live broadcast, albeit with restrictions and 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!”
The Country Music Association previously announced that the show would be virtual this year, without a live audience.
“Capacity inside the event will be limited to essential personnel only, as outlined by local health authorities and CDC guidelines,” the CMA announced in a statement in September (via The Tennessean).
“As we navigate the coming months and look to properly honor our nominees and the community, we are committed to delivering the safest and most memorable live television experience our artists, creators and fans could ask for,” Sarah Trahern, CMA CEO, said of the decision. “We cannot wait to reveal our two incredible CMA Awards hosts in just a few weeks and we look forward to celebrating country music this November.”
Reba and Darius Rucker will co-host the 2020 CMA Awards. Miranda leads the list of nominees with seven nods, including for Female Vocalist of the Year and the night’s highest honor, Entertainer of the Year. The 2020 CMA Awards will air live from Nashville’s Music City Center on Wednesday, November 11, at 8:00 PM ET on ABC.