The 2021 CMA Awards will certainly be memorable for Miranda Lambert. Not only is the superstar set to celebrate her 38th birthday on the day of the show, but she’s also set to open “Country Music’s Biggest Night” with a surprise-filled performance.
The Texas native teased what’s to come during her CMA opening set during rehearsals for the show.
“I am opening the show this year, so, I can’t tell you much, other than that, some surprises,” Lambert hinted. “But, I’m also done at 7:05, so I get to sit and enjoy my night, which is amazing.”
Lambert, who holds the record for the most CMA Female Vocalist of the Year wins with seven, went on to share what her CMA Awards nominations mean to her and gushed over the opportunity to still be included after all this time.
“I’m so thankful to still be coming to the CMAs, it’s been like a decade and a half, and I’ve gotten to be a part of it for a really long time,” she said. “It never gets old. It’s also one of those nights where you just get to reunite with friends. You know, we make all these friends over the years, but we don’t get to see each other as much when we’re all on the road, so it’s a really cool night.”
Lambert said she is thrilled to be nominated alongside her friend and collaborator Elle King and hopes to celebrate with the new mom on Wednesday.
“Elle King and I, I’ve just always been a fan of hers since she came out, and I think she’s a really cool chick and I love her music. And we went on tour together, she came out on our Roadside Bars and Pink Guitars Tour, a couple of years ago. It was an all-girl tour we did. We just became really good friends. She’s very genuine and cool, and I just love her vibe,” Lambert gushed.
She recalled the moment King sent her the song “Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home)” and how she immediately told King “yes” when she asked her to sing on it.
“What’s not to love,” Lambert said of the song. “And it’s been so fun to watch. We’ve never actually gotten to get drunk and not want to go home together because she got pregnant. So, this CMAs we’re sitting together, and I think this is the first time that we get to live out our song together on a night. So, I’m very excited about that!”
Heading into Wednesday night’s show, Lambert is a three-time nominee with nods in the Entertainer of the Year, Female Vocalist of the Year and Musical Event of the Year categories.
The 55th Annual CMA Awards will also feature performances from Lambert, in addition to Jason Aldean and Carrie Underwood, Jimmie Allen, Gabby Barrett, Dierks Bentley feat. BRELAND and HARDY, Brothers Osborne, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Luke Combs, Dan + Shay, Mickey Guyton featuring Brittney Spencer and Madeline Edwards, Jennifer Hudson, Old Dominion, Carly Pearce and Ashley McBryde, Thomas Rhett, Blake Shelton, Chris Stapleton, Keith Urban, Chris Young and Kane Brown, and Zac Brown Band.
Additionally, the star-studded awards ceremony will feature dozens of presenters, including Trace Adkins, Ingrid Andress, Kelsea Ballerini, Deana Carter, Lauren Daigle, Russell Dickerson, Faith Fennidy, Florida Georgia Line, Freddie Freeman, Amy Grant, Dulé Hill, Alan Jackson, Elle King, Lady A, Zachary Levi, Scotty McCreery, Hayley Orrantia, Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, Darius Rucker, Susan Sarandon, Saycon Sengbloh, Kurt Warner, Lainey Wilson, and Trisha Yearwood.
Hosted by Luke Bryan, the star-studded show is set to broadcast live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 10 beginning at 8/7c on ABC.
