From nominations and notes to performers and presenters, here’s everything a country music fan needs to know about the 2017 CMA Awards.
Date: Wednesday, Nov. 8
Time: 8 p.m.–11 p.m. ET
Location: Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena
Television Station: ABC
Hosts: Carrie Underwood & Brad Paisley
Solo Performers: Garth Brooks, Brothers Osborne, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Old Dominion, Jon Pardi, Chris Stapleton, Keith Urban, Thomas Rhett, Pink, Carrie Underwood and Alan Jackson
Collaborative Performances: Kelsea Ballerini & Reba McEntire; Dierks Bentley & Rascal Flatts; Maren Morris & Niall Horan; Brad Paisley & Kane Brown; Tim McGraw & Faith Hill; Eric Church, Lady Antebellum, Darius Rucker & Keith Urban
Presenters: Dustin Lynch, Lauren Alaina, Luke Combs, Brett Young, Trisha Yearwood, Bobby Bones, Jimmie Johnson, Karlie Kloss, Lea Michele, Michelle Monaghan, Tyler Perry, Jason Ritter, JoAnna Garcia Swisher, Ruby Rose, Brittany Snow
Nominees:
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR (Award goes to the artist)
- Garth Brooks
- Luke Bryan
- Eric Church
- Chris Stapleton
- Keith Urban
SINGLE OF THE YEAR (Award goes to the artist, producer, and mix engineer)
- “Better Man” – Little Big Town; Producer: Jay Joyce; Mix Engineer: Jason Hall, Jay Joyce
- “Blue Ain’t Your Color” – Keith Urban; Producer: Dann Huff, Keith Urban; Mix Engineer: Chris Lord-Alge
- “Body Like A Back Road” – Sam Hunt; Producer: Zach Crowell; Mix Engineer: Zach Crowell
- “Dirt On My Boots” – Jon Pardi; Producer: Bart Butler, Jon Pardi; Mix Engineer: Ryan Gore
- “Tin Man” – Miranda Lambert; Producer: Frank Liddell, Eric Masse, Glenn Worf; Mix Engineer: Eric Masse
ALBUM OF THE YEAR (Award goes to the artist and producer)
- The Breaker – Little Big Town; Producer: Jay Joyce
- From A Room: Volume 1 – Chris Stapleton; Producer: Dave Cobb, Chris Stapleton
- Heart Break – Lady Antebellum; Producer: busbee
- The Nashville Sound – Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit; Producer: Dave Cobb
- The Weight of These Wings – Miranda Lambert; Producer: Frank Liddell, Glenn Worf, Eric Masse
SONG OF THE YEAR (Award goes to the songwriter)
- “Better Man” — Songwriter: Taylor Swift
- “Blue Ain’t Your Color” — Songwriter: Clint Lagerberg, Hillary Lindsey, Steven Olsen
- “Body Like A Back Road” — Songwriter: Zach Crowell, Sam Hunt, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne
- “Dirt On My Boots” — Songwriter: Rhett Akins, Jesse Frasure, Ashley Gorley
- “Tin Man” — Songwriter: Jack Ingram, Miranda Lambert, Jon Randall
FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR (Award goes to the artist)
- Kelsea Ballerini
- Miranda Lambert
- Reba McEntire
- Maren Morris
- Carrie Underwood
MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR (Award goes to the artist)
- Dierks Bentley
- Eric Church
- Thomas Rhett
- Chris Stapleton
- Keith Urban
VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR (Award goes to the group)
- Lady Antebellum
- Little Big Town
- Old Dominion
- Rascal Flatts
- Zac Brown Band
VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR (Award goes to the duo)
- Dan + Shay
- Florida Georgia Line
- LOCASH
- Maddie & Tae
- Brothers Osborne
MUSICAL EVENT OF THE YEAR (Award goes to each artist)
- “Craving You” – Thomas Rhett (feat. Maren Morris)
- “Funny How Time Slips Away” – Glen Campbell with Willie Nelson
- “Kill a Word” – Eric Church (feat. Rhiannon Giddens)
- “Setting the World on Fire” – Kenny Chesney (with P!nk)
- “Speak to a Girl” – Tim McGraw & Faith Hill
MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR (Award goes to the musician)
- Jerry Douglas (Dobro)
- Paul Franklin (Steel Guitar)
- Dann Huff (Guitar)
- Mac McAnally (Guitar)
- Derek Wells (Guitar)
MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR (Award goes to the artist and director)
- “Better Man” – Little Big Town; Director: Becky Fluke and Reid Long
- “Blue Ain’t Your Color” – Keith Urban; Director: Carter Smith
- “Craving You” – Thomas Rhett (feat. Maren Morris); Director: TK McKamy
- “Vice” – Miranda Lambert; Director: Trey Fanjoy
- “It Ain’t My Fault” – Brothers Osborne; Director: Wes Edwards and Ryan Silver
NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR AWARD (Award goes to the artist)
- Luke Combs
- Old Dominion
- Jon Pardi
- Brett Young
- Lauren Alaina
