The 59th Annual CMA Awards are upon us! “Country Music’s Biggest Night” will take place at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee, on Wednesday, November 19, from 8–11 PM EST, and will air live on ABC. As excitement builds for the coveted awards show, we’ve put together a guide with everything you need to know about the event.
The three-hour awards show will feature a star-studded list of performers, including Lainey Wilson, Stephen Wilson Jr., Kelsea Ballerini, Brandi Carlile, Kenny Chesney, Riley Green, Miranda Lambert and many more.
Additionally, Lady A, Alison Brown, Jessica Capshaw, Billy Ray Cyrus, Lauren Daigle, Jordan Davis, Elizabeth Hurley, Cody Johnson, Bert Kreischer, Brandon Lake, Ella Langley, Steve Martin, Leanne Morgan, NE-YO, Chris O’Donnell, Kimberly Perry, LeAnn Rimes, Alan Ritchson, Lara Spencer, Billy Bob Thornton, Grace Van Patten, Gretchen Wilson, and Bailey Zimmerman will appear as special guests or presenters during the prestigious awards show.
The 59th Annual CMA Awards is a production of the Country Music Association. Robert Deaton serves as Executive Producer, Alan Carter is Director, and Jon Macks is Head Writer.
See a complete list of everything you need to know about the 2025 CMA Awards below, including how to watch, who’s performing and presenting and the nominees vying for a trophy.
How To Watch: Tune In Details
“Country Music’s Biggest Night” will air live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, November 19 (8:00-11:00 PM/ET) on ABC and is available the next day on Hulu.
Host: Lainey Wilson
Lainey Wilson will serve as the show’s host, marking her second time hosting the show. In 2024, she co-hosted with Peyton Manning and Luke Bryan.
“I grew up watching the CMA Awards like it was the Super Bowl, so to be hosting for a second year is a true honor,” Wilson shared in a statement via a press release. “I’m humbled that CMA has trusted me with this role, and I can’t wait to love on this genre that has given me so much.”
Wilson will make history at this year’s CMA Awards as only the third woman to host the show solo, following Dolly Parton (1988) and Reba McEntire (1991).
Performers
The 59th Annual CMA Awards will feature unforgettable performances from first-time nominees and some of Country music’s biggest stars, including BigXthaPlug, Luke Combs, Ella Langley, Megan Moroney, Keith Urban, Little Big Town, Shaboozey, Zach Top, Tucker Wetmore, Lainey Wilson, Stephen Wilson Jr., Kelsea Ballerini, Brandi Carlile, Kenny Chesney, Riley Green, Miranda Lambert, Patty Loveless, Old Dominion, The Red Clay Strays, Chris Stapleton and more.
Kelsea Ballerini — “I Sit In Parks” (debut TV performance)
Brandi Carlile — TBA
Kenny Chesney — Special performance celebrating his Country Music Hall of Fame Induction
Riley Green — “Worst Way”
Patty Loveless — TBA
Old Dominion — Medley of “Break Up With Him,” “Memory Lane,” “One Man Band,” “Hotel Key” and “Snapback”
The Red Clay Strays — “People Hatin’”
Chris Stapleton — “Bad As I Used To Be” (from F1: The Movie)
Lainey Wilson — TBA
Luke Combs — “Back in the Saddle”
Ella Langley — “Choosin’ Texas”
Megan Moroney — “6 Months Later”
Zach Top — “Guitar”
Tucker Wetmore — “Wind Up Missin’ You”
Stephen Wilson Jr. — “Stand By Me” (Ben E. King cover)
Luke Combs and BigXthaPlug — “Pray Hard”
Shaboozey and Stephen Wilson Jr. — “Took A Walk” (from The Long Walk)
Chris Stapleton and Miranda Lambert — “A Song To Sing”
Little Big Town — TBA
Keith Urban — TBA
Presenters
Award-winning country trio Lady A, Grammy-winning banjoist Alison Brown, actress Jessica Capshaw, Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Billy Ray Cyrus and his girlfriend actress and philanthropist Elizabeth Hurley, singer-songwriter Lauren Daigle, comedian Bert Kreischer, Grammy-winning Christian singer-songwriter Brandon Lake, Grammy-winning banjoist and actor Steve Martin, comedian Leanne Morgan, Grammy-winning artist NE-YO, Golden Globe-nominated actor Chris O’Donnell, multi-Platinum singer-songwriter and actress LeAnn Rimes, actor Alan Ritchson, Emmy® Award-winning anchor Lara Spencer, Academy Award-winning actor Billy Bob Thornton, actress Grace Van Patten are set to serve as presenters or appear as special guests at the show.
Country stars Jordan Davis, Cody Johnson, Ella Langley, Kimberly Perry, Gretchen Wilson, Bailey Zimmerman will also make appearances.
Nominees
Ella Langley, Lainey Wilson, Megan Moroney lead the 2025 CMA Awards with six nods each. Langley earned nods for Single of the Year (“you look like you love me”), Song of the Year (“you look like you love me”), Female Vocalist of the Year, Musical Event of the Year (“Don’t Mind If I Do”), Music Video of the Year (“you look like you love me”) and New Artist of the Year.
Moroney’s nominations include Single of the Year (“Am I Okay?”), Album of the Year (Am I Okay?), Song of the Year (“Am I Okay?”), Female Vocalist of the Year, Musical Event of the Year (“You Had To Be There”), Music Video of the Year (“Am I Okay?”).
Wilson scored nominations for Single of the Year (“4x4xU”), Album of the Year (Whirlwind), Song of the Year (“4x4xU”), Female Vocalist of the Year, Music Video of the Year (“Somewhere Over Laredo”) as well as the night’s highest honor, Entertainer of the Year.
Zach Top is the most-nominated male artist with five nominations, including Single of the Year (“I Never Lie”), Album (Cold Beer & Country Music), Song of the Year (“I Never Lie”), Male Vocalist of the Year, New Artist of the Year, followed by Riley Green and Cody Johnson four nods each.
Meanwhile, Kristian Bush, Carson Chamberlain, Luke Combs, Charlie Handsome, Chris Stapleton, and Morgan Wallen each secure three nominations.
This year’s CMA Awards also welcomes several first-time nominees, including Johnny Clawson, Jon Decious, Jessie Jo Dillon, Josh Dorr, Alexandra Gavillet, Lalo Guzman, Jimmy Harnen, Brandon Lake, Micah Nichols, John Park, Aaron Raitiere, Matt Rovey, Kyle Sturrock, Wales Toney, Tucker Wetmore, and Stephen Wilson Jr.
See the complete list of CMA Awards nominations HERE.
CMA Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient: Vince Gill
Vince Gill was named the recipient of the 2025 CMA Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award, and will be celebrated with a special tribute performance before accepting the prestigious honor.
Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer, explained why the CMA selected Gill for this distinguished honor. “Vince embodies the very best of what Country Music stands for,” Trahern said in a statement via a press release. “He’s a true trailblazer, one who gives back to the community, honors the roots of our genre, and even now, continues to share his talent with fans across the globe. As a Country Music Hall of Fame member, 18-time CMA Award winner, and former 12-time CMA Awards host, he remains a vibrant force in our industry, and we’re honored to celebrate an artist whose influence is so deeply woven into the fabric of our format.”
According to The Country Music Association, the CMA Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award is “awarded to an iconic artist who has attained the highest degree of recognition in Country Music. The award recognizes those who have achieved both national and international prominence and stature through concert performances, humanitarian efforts, philanthropy, streaming numbers, record sales, and public representation at the highest level. The artist receiving this award has positively impacted and contributed to the growth of the genre over the course of many years and has proven to have an unprecedented historical impact on fans and industry alike.”
Previous recipients of the CMA Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award include Willie Nelson (2012), Kenny Rogers (2013), Johnny Cash (2015), Dolly Parton (2016), Kris Kristofferson (2019), Charley Pride (2020), Loretta Lynn (2021), Alan Jackson (2022) and George Strait (2024).
Buy Tickets To Attend CMA Awards
Limited tickets still remain for this year’s CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena on Ticketmaster.
