Country-music stars reign again at 55th Annual CMA Awards

As the award-show calendar largely gets back on track, it’s time again for one of country music’s biggest nights of any year.

The Country Music Association’s annual honors return to Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena – with in-person audience members vaccinated and (unless eating or drinking) wearing face masks, to comply with union production rules and local ordinances during the coronavirus pandemic – as Luke Bryan hosts the 55th annual event Wednesday, Nov. 10, on ABC. That date is only one night earlier that the honors were staged last year, so even during the health crisis, the CMA Awards have held to their usual schedule.

Also as usual, the all-night show is slated to feature a variety of performers, many of whom are nominees as well. The roster hadn’t been announced yet at press time, but expect many of today’s top names in the genre as well as some veterans to take the stage and render their current hits as well as selected tributes. For some, it will be a welcome return to performing live, since the pandemic curtailed the traditional touring by acts that is a major element of the industry.

Following are some of the nominees in a number of categories in The 55th Annual CMA Awards.

Entertainer of the year: Eric Church; Luke Combs; Miranda Lambert; Chris Stapleton; Carrie Underwood

Female vocalist of the year: Gabby Barrett; Miranda Lambert; Ashley McBryde; Maren Morris; Carly Pearce

Male vocalist of the year: Dierks Bentley; Eric Church; Luke Combs; Thomas Rhett; Chris Stapleton

Vocal group of the year: Lady A; Little Big Town; Midland; Old Dominion; Zac Brown Band

Vocal duo of the year: Brooks & Dunn; Brothers Osborne; Dan + Shay; Florida Georgia Line; Maddie & Tae