The highly anticipated three-hour television event is set to open with Eric Church joining forces with legendary country rocker Hank Williams, Jr. for a world premiere of a song from Williams’ upcoming Nash Icon album. Popular CMA Awards hosts Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood will preside over the evening’s festivities, returning as hosts for the eighth consecutive year.
Church’s many nominations include Entertainer of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, Single of the Year for “Talladega,” Song of the Year for “Like A Wrecking Ball,” and Musical Event of the Year for “Raise ‘Em Up” with Keith Urban. The Chief will also be performing “Are You Ready For the Country” with Williams. Robert Deaton, the show’s executive producer, says the song sets up everything musically that is going to happen during the ceremony.
In addition to supplying a memorable opening monologue and executing hosting duties, both Paisley and Underwood will also perform during the program.
“They have impeccable timing as hosts and then in the next segment you see them with their bands blowing the roof off the arena with an amazing performance,” stated Deaton in an official release. “They are the whole package.”
Winners of each category will be determined in a final round of voting by eligible voting members of the Country Music Association. The nominees in each category are listed here.
Make sure you catch the first 15 minutes of the CMA Awards live— it’s going to be epic!
Get the scoop on all things Eric Church here.
