The 56th ACM Awards are back in Nashville for the 2nd year in a row (typically in Las Vegas previously) with a laundry list of live performances safely spread between three different venues: The Ryman, Bluebird Cafe, and the Grand Ole Opry House. Here’s what you need to know about this Sunday’s show…
When: Sunday, April 18th (7pm CST)
Where To Watch: CBS (TV), Paramount+ (Streaming)
Hosts: Keith Urban, Mickey Guyton
Performances From: Kelsea Ballerini, Dierks Bentley, Lee Brice, Brothers Osborne, Luke Bryan, Kenny Chesney, Eric Church, Luke Combs, Dan + Shay, Ryan Hurd, Jack Ingram, Alan Jackson, Elle King, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Ashley McBryde, Maren Morris, Carly Pearce, Jon Randall, Thomas Rhett, Blake Shelton, Chris Stapleton, Keith Urban, Carrie Underwood and Chris Young. *Luke Bryan was scheduled, but will sit out due to positive COVID test
Early Award Winners: Kane Brown’s “Worldwide Beautiful” (Video Of The Year), Gabby Barrett (Female New Artist of the Year), Jimmie Allen (Male New Artist of the Year), Carly Pearce & Lee Brice “I Hope You’re Happy Now” (Musical Event of the Year)
Full Awards Nominees:
Entertainer of the Year
Luke Bryan
Eric Church
Luke Combs
Thomas Rhett
Chris Stapleton
Male Artist of the Year
Dierks Bentley
Eric Church
Luke Combs
Thomas Rhett
Chris Stapleton
Female Artist of the Year
Kelsea Ballerini
Ashley McBryde
Miranda Lambert
Maren Morris
Carly Pearce
Duo of the Year
Brooks & Dunn
Brothers Osborne
Dan + Shay
Florida Georgia Line
Maddie & Tae
Group of the Year
Lady A
Little Big Town
Old Dominion
The Cadillac Three
The Highwomen
New Female Artist of the Year
Ingrid Andress
Tenille Arts
Gabby Barrett *Winner*
Mickey Guyton
Caylee Hammack
New Male Artist of the Year
Jimmie Allen *Winner*
Travis Denning
Hardy
Cody Johnson
Parker McCollum
Album of the Year
Born Here, Live Here, Die Here – Luke Bryan
Mixtape Vol. 1 – Kane Brown
Never Will – Ashley McBryde
Skeletons – Brothers Osborne
Starting Over – Chris Stapleton
Single of the Year
“Bluebird,” Miranda Lambert
“I Hope,” Gabby Barrett
“I Hope You’re Happy Now,”
“More Hearts Than Mine,” Ingrid Andress
“The Bones,” Maren Morris
Song of the Year
“Bluebird,” Miranda Lambert
“One Night Standards,” Ashley McBryde
“Some People Do,” Old Dominion
“Starting Over,” Chris Stapleton
“The Bones,” Maren Morris
Music Event of the Year
“Be a Light,” Thomas Rhett featuring Reba McEntire, Hillary Scott, Chris Tomlin, Keith Urban
“Does to Me,” Luke Combs feat. Eric Church
“I Hope You’re Happy Now,” Carly Pearce and Lee Brice *Winner*
“Nobody But You,” Blake Shelton feat. Gwen Stefani
“One Beer,” Hardy feat. Lauren Alaina and Devin Dawson
“One Too Many,” Keith Urban and Pink