CMA (Country Music Assosciation) ProfileThe countdown to Country Music’s Biggest Night is officially on, with the Country Music Association unveiling the star-studded first round of performers set to take the stage at the 60th Annual CMA Awards.
Airing live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, 18 November, this milestone 60th anniversary show will see reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year Lainey Wilson returning to host for her third consecutive year.
Leading the charge on the stage is this year’s top nominee, Ella Langley. After securing three CMA Awards last year, Langley heads into the night with nine nominations including nods for Entertainer of the Year, Album of the Year, Female Vocalist of the Year, Musical Event, and Music Video of the Year, alongside double nominations in both Single and Song of the Year.
Country powerhouse Miranda Lambert is also slated to perform. Lambert extended her historic reign this year with seven nominations, bringing her career total to a record-breaking 70 nominations, the most of any female artist in CMA history. Her 2026 haul includes two nods for Single of the Year, Album of the Year (as a producer), two for Musical Event of the Year, Song of the Year as a songwriter, and her 19th nomination for Female Vocalist of the Year.
Newly minted Country Music Hall of Fame inductee Tim McGraw will celebrate his hall of fame milestone with a live performance, marking his 40th career CMA nomination. He’ll be joined on the bill by reigning Male Vocalist of the Year Cody Johnson, who is up for four trophies this year, including Entertainer, Male Vocalist, Single, and Music Video of the Year.
Rounding out the genre-spanning initial lineup are:
Kacey Musgraves, entering the night with five nominations including Album, Song, and Female Vocalist of the Year.
Reigning Vocal Group of the Year The Red Clay Strays, back in the running for the group category.
Traditional country revivalist and reigning New Artist of the Year Zach Top, who scores two nominations this year for Male Vocalist and Album of the Year.
Breakout artist Tucker Wetmore, celebrating his second career CMA nomination in the New Artist of the Year category.
Viewers can also look forward to a special tribute honouring living legend Dolly Parton, celebrating the icon's decades-spanning legacy and deep impact across entertainment.
Alongside the main telecast, fans will be able to catch the red carpet excitement with CMA Awards Backstage Live presented by Bath & Body Works, hosted by country star Lauren Alaina and digital creator Haley Baylee.
The 60th Annual CMA Awards will broadcast live in the US on ABC and Disney+ (8:00–11:00 PM ET) on Wednesday, 18 November. Australian viewers can watch live on Disney+.
