“The 54th Annual CMA Awards” take place on Wednesday (November 11th), and UMG Nashville will be represented in many of the night’s categories, including Entertainer of the Year, Female Vocalist, Male Vocalist, Album, Group, Duo, Music Video and more.

Eric Church, Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban are vying for Entertainer of the Year, alongside Luke Combs and Miranda Lambert.

Keith earned three nods this year, including Entertainer, Male Vocalist and Musical Event of the Year for Thomas Rhett’s “Be A Light,” which features Keith, Reba McEntire, Hillary Scott and Chris Tomlin.

Eric Church and Carrie Underwood each earned two nods apiece – both have an Entertainer of the Year nomination, as well as Male Vocalist and Female Vocalist, respectively. Chris Stapleton is up against Church for Male Vocalist, but also has a Music Video nomination for his LEGO-themed “Second One to Know.”

Jon Pardi is nominated in the Album of the Year category for the acclaimed Heartache Medication collection.

Little Big Town is nominated for Vocal Group of the Year; Brothers Osborne and Maddie & Tae are up for Duo of the Year, while Kacey Musgraves is nominated for Female Vocalist of the Year.

Reba McEntire  is nominated alongside Keith Urban for Musical Event of the Year for Thomas Rhett’s “Be A Light,” which also features Hillary Scott and Chris Tomlin.

Caylee Hammack is also nominated in the Musical Event of the Year category for “Fooled Around And Fell In Love” with Miranda Lambert, Maren Morris, Elle King, Ashley McBryde and Tenille Townes.

“The 54th Annual CMA Awards,” hosted by Reba McEntire and Darius Rucker, will be broadcast live from Nashville on Wednesday (November 11th) at 8pm ET on ABC.

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR

• Eric Church
• Luke Combs
• Miranda Lambert
• Carrie Underwood  
• Keith Urban   

ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Award goes to Artist and Producer(s) 

• Heartache Medication – Jon Pardi
  Producers: Bart Butler, Ryan Gore, Jon Pardi 
• Never Will – Ashley McBryde
  Producers: Jay Joyce, John Peets
• Old Dominion – Old Dominion
  Producers: Shane McAnally, Old Dominion
• What You See Is What You Get – Luke Combs
  Producer: Scott Moffatt
• Wildcard – Miranda Lambert
  Producer: Jay Joyce

FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR

• Miranda Lambert
• Ashley McBryde
• Maren Morris
• Kacey Musgraves  
• Carrie Underwood   

MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR  

• Eric Church   
• Luke Combs
• Thomas Rhett
• Chris Stapleton  
• Keith Urban    

VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR

• Lady A
• Little Big Town  
• Midland
• Old Dominion
• Rascal Flatts

VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR

• Brooks & Dunn
• Brothers Osborne  
• Dan + Shay
• Florida Georgia Line
• Maddie & Tae

SINGLE OF THE YEAR
Award goes to Artist(s), Producer(s) and Mix Engineer

• “10,000 Hours” – Dan + Shay (with Justin Bieber)
  Producer: Dan Smyers
  Mix Engineer: Jeff Juliano
• “Beer Never Broke My Heart” – Luke Combs
  Producer: Scott Moffatt
  Mix Engineer: Jim Cooley
• “Bluebird” – Miranda Lambert
  Producer: Jay Joyce
  Mix Engineers: Jason Hall, Jay Joyce
• “The Bones” – Maren Morris
  Producer: Greg Kurstin
  Mix Engineer: Greg Kurstin
• “I Hope” – Gabby Barrett
  Producers: Ross Copperman, Zach Kale
  Mix Engineer: Buckley Miller

SONG OF THE YEAR
Award goes to Songwriters 

• “Bluebird”
  Songwriters: Luke Dick, Natalie Hemby, Miranda Lambert
• “The Bones”
  Songwriters: Maren Morris, Jimmy Robbins, Laura Veltz
• “Even Though I’m Leaving”
  Songwriters: Luke Combs, Wyatt B. Durrette III, Ray Fulcher
• “I Hope You’re Happy Now”
  Songwriters: Luke Combs, Randy Montana, Carly Pearce, Jonathan Singleton
• “More Hearts Than Mine”
  Songwriters: Ingrid Andress, Sam Ellis, Derrick Southerland

MUSICAL EVENT OF THE YEAR
Award goes to Artists and Producer(s) 

• “10,000 Hours” – Dan + Shay (with Justin Bieber)
  Producer: Dan Smyers
• “Be A Light” – Thomas Rhett featuring Reba McEntire, Hillary Scott, Chris Tomlin, Keith Urban
  Producer: Dann Huff
• “The Bones” – Maren Morris with Hozier
  Producer: Greg Kurstin
• “Fooled Around And Fell In Love” – Miranda Lambert (feat. Maren Morris, Elle King, Ashley McBryde, Tenille Townes & Caylee Hammack)
  Producer: Jay Joyce
• “I Hope You’re Happy Now” – Carly Pearce and Lee Brice
  Producer: busbee

MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Award goes to Artist(s) and Director 

• “10,000 Hours” – Dan + Shay (with Justin Bieber)
  Director: Patrick Tracy
• “Bluebird” – Miranda Lambert
  Director: Trey Fanjoy
• “Homemade” – Jake Owen
  Director: Justin Clough
• “I Hope You’re Happy Now” – Carly Pearce and Lee Brice
  Director: Sam Siske
• “Second One To Know” – Chris Stapleton
  Director: David Coleman 

NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR 

• Jimmie Allen
• Ingrid Andress
• Gabby Barrett
• Carly Pearce
• Morgan Wallen

MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR

• Jenee Fleenor, Fiddle
• Paul Franklin, Steel Guitar
• Rob McNelley, Guitar
• Ilya Toshinskiy, Guitar
• Derek Wells, Guitar

Chris and Morgane Stapleton performed a “spellbinding” (Billboard) version of “Starting Over” during last night’s 54th Annual CMA Awards. Watch HERE. Later in the evening, Stapleton joined “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” for “A Very Covid Christmas” and will return to the show tonight for a performance and chat with the host.

“Starting Over” is the title track of Stapleton’s anticipated new album, which will be released tomorrow on Mercury Records Nashville (pre-order/pre-save). As a special preview, SiriusXM will debut the full album today across all country channels. The special will feature stories and insight from the two men closest to the project, producer and six-time Grammy Award winner Dave Cobb and Stapleton himself. Full details here.

Already receiving widespread acclaim, the Associated Press declares, “a sure-footed masterpiece…one of the year’s finest albums,” while Entertainment Weekly praises, “…a dynamite and dynamic new album from the mighty-voiced Kentucky native…the singer-songwriter is hitting new heights, nailing the crossroads of country, rock, gospel, and pop across 14 tracks.” Stapleton was also recently featured on NBC’s “Sunday TODAY with Willie Geist.” Watch the full profile HERE.

Starting Over is an album of startling prescience—completed in late February only days before the shutdown began. Across its fourteen tracks are songs that examine life’s simplest joys and most serious struggles. Alongside eleven songs written by Stapleton with both longtime friends and new collaborators are three carefully chosen covers: John Fogerty’s “Joy Of My Life” and Guy Clark’s “Worry B Gone” and “Old Friends.” The resulting album—both timely and timeless—speaks to and transcends the current moment in ways unimaginable even while it was being created.

The album finds Stapleton back in his second home, Nashville’s historic RCA Studio A (with additional work done at Muscle Shoals Sound and Compass Sound Studio), surrounded by his trusted collaborators as well as some new faces. Produced by Cobb (who also plays acoustic guitar), the record features his beloved wife, Morgane Stapleton (vocals, tambourine), with J.T. Cure (bass) and Derek Mixon (drums). Special guests include legendary musicians Mike Campbell (electric guitar), Benmont Tench (Hammond B3 organ) and Paul Franklin (pedal steel) as well as the All Voices Choir who are featured on “Watch You Burn,” written by Stapleton and Campbell.

Kentucky-born Stapleton is a 5x Grammy, 10x CMA and 7x ACM Award-winner and one of the country’s most respected and beloved musicians. Following 2015’s quadruple platinum breakthrough solo debut album Traveller, Stapleton released two No. 1 albums in 2017. Both From A Room: Volume 1 (certified platinum) and From A Room: Volume 2 (certified gold) take their name from legendary RCA Studio A, where they were recorded with Cobb. Released to overwhelming critical acclaim, The Tennessean praises, “Both are rich with the textures of Stapleton’s vocals that make him one of country music’s most beloved artists, classic country sounds and thoughtful articulate lyrics about love, life and pain.” He was recently announced as the first-ever “Artist-Songwriter of the Decade” recipient by the Academy of Country Music and, next year, will be the subject of a new exhibit at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

Stapleton’s “All-American Road Show” tour is planned to resume next year. Highlights include headline shows at Washington State’s Gorge Amphitheatre, Chicago’s Wrigley Field, New York’s Madison Square Garden and “A Concert for Kentucky”—a special performance benefitting his newly created Outlaw State of Kind Hometown Fund to be held at University of Kentucky’s Kroger Field on April 24. Presented by Live Nation, the performance is the first concert ever held at UK’s Kroger Field and will feature very special guests Willie Nelson & Family, Sheryl Crow and Yola. 100% of the concert’s net proceeds will go toward Chris and Morgane Stapleton’s Outlaw State of Kind Hometown Fund. Established in partnership with the Blue Grass Community Foundation, the fund will specifically support local and national organizations directly impacting Kentucky, with initial grant distributions focusing on music and arts education. See below for complete itinerary.

Chris Stapleton’s new song, “Arkansas,” is out today (listen HERE). Written by Stapleton and legendary musician Mike Campbell, “Arkansas” is the third song unveiled from Stapleton’s anticipated new album, Starting Over, out November 13th on Mercury Records Nashville (pre-order/pre-save).

Already receiving widespread acclaim, Billboard calls the song “Cold,” “earth-shattering…this is the finest rip-your-heart-out song you’ll hear all day…or any day,” while Rolling Stone selected the title track, “Starting Over,” as a “Song You Need to Know” praising, “‘Starting Over’ is for a new day and, like its title implies, a fresh start…a song that, despite being written before the world went to hell in the spring, encapsulates our current moment.” Watch the song’s official music video, which was directed and filmed by Becky Fluke, HERE.

Starting Over is an album of startling prescience—completed in late February only days before the shutdown began. Across its fourteen tracks are songs that examine life’s simplest joys and most serious struggles. Alongside eleven songs written by Stapleton with both longtime friends and new collaborators are three carefully chosen covers: John Fogerty’s “Joy Of My Life” and Guy Clark’s “Worry B Gone” and “Old Friends.” The resulting album—both timely and timeless—speaks to and transcends the current moment in ways unimaginable even while it was being created.

The album finds Stapleton back in his second home, Nashville’s historic RCA Studio A (with additional work done at Muscle Shoals Sound and Compass Sound Studio), surrounded by his trusted collaborators as well as some new faces. Produced by Dave Cobb (who also plays acoustic guitar), the record features his beloved wife, Morgane Stapleton (vocals, tambourine), with J.T. Cure (bass) and Derek Mixon (drums). Special guests include legendary musicians Mike Campbell (electric guitar), Benmont Tench (Hammond B3 organ) and Paul Franklin (pedal steel) as well as the All Voices Choir who are featured on “Watch You Burn,” written by Stapleton and Campbell

Kentucky-born Stapleton is a 5x Grammy, 10x CMA and 7x ACM Award-winner and one of the country’s most respected and beloved musicians. Following 2015’s quadruple platinum breakthrough solo debut album Traveller, Stapleton released two No. 1 albums in 2017. Both From A Room: Volume 1 (certified platinum) and From A Room: Volume 2 (certified gold) take their name from legendary RCA Studio A, where they were recorded with Cobb. Released to overwhelming critical acclaim, The Tennessean praises, “Both are rich with the textures of Stapleton’s vocals that make him one of country music’s most beloved artists, classic country sounds and thoughtful articulate lyrics about love, life and pain.” He was recently announced as the first-ever “Artist-Songwriter of the Decade” recipient by the Academy of Country Music and, next year, will be the subject of a new exhibit at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

Stapleton’s “All-American Road Show” tour is planned to resume next year. Highlights include headline shows at Washington State’s Gorge Amphitheatre, Chicago’s Wrigley Field, New York’s Madison Square Garden and “A Concert for Kentucky”—a special performance benefitting his newly created Outlaw State of Kind Hometown Fund to be held at University of Kentucky’s Kroger Field on April 24. Presented by Live Nation, the performance is the first concert ever held at UK’s Kroger Field and will feature very special guests Willie Nelson & Family, Sheryl Crow and Yola. 100% of the concert’s net proceeds will go toward Chris and Morgane Stapleton’s Outlaw State of Kind Hometown Fund. Established in partnership with the Blue Grass Community Foundation, the fund will specifically support local and national organizations directly impacting Kentucky, with initial grant distributions focusing on music and arts education. See below for complete itinerary.

Chris Stapleton’s new song “Cold” is out today (listen HERE). Written by Stapleton along with producer Dave Cobb and longtime bandmembers, J.T. Cure and Derek Mixon, “Cold” is the second song unveiled from his anticipated new album, Starting Over, out November 13th on Mercury Records Nashville (pre-order/pre-save).

“Cold” follows the album’s title track, which was released last month and is already receiving widespread acclaim—Rolling Stone calls it a “Song You Need to Know,” while Billboard praises, “designed for this moment, an exhalation in the middle of an anxiety-stricken year, with Stapleton’s gruff voice providing hope for a better future.” Watch the official music video for the song, which was directed and filmed by Becky Fluke, HERE.

“Starting Over” begins an album of startling prescience—completed in late February only days before the shutdown began. Across its fourteen tracks are songs that examine life’s simplest joys and most serious struggles. Alongside eleven written by Stapleton with both longtime friends and new collaborators are three carefully chosen covers: John Fogerty’s “Joy Of My Life” and Guy Clark’s “Worry B Gone” and “Old Friends.” The resulting album—both timely and timeless—speaks to and transcends the current moment in ways unimaginable even while it was being created.

The album finds Stapleton back in his second home, Nashville’s historic RCA Studio A (with additional work done at Muscle Shoals Sound and Compass Sound Studio), surrounded by his trusted collaborators as well as some new faces. Produced by Dave Cobb (who also plays acoustic guitar), the record features his beloved wife, Morgane Stapleton (vocals, tambourine), with J.T. Cure (bass) and Derek Mixon (drums). Special guests include legendary musicians Mike Campbell (electric guitar), Benmont Tench (Hammond B3 organ) and Paul Franklin (pedal steel) as well as the All Voices Choir who are featured on “Watch You Burn,” written by Stapleton and Campbell.

Kentucky-born Stapleton is a 5x Grammy, 10x CMA and 7x ACM Award-winner and one of the country’s most respected and beloved musicians. Following 2015’s quadruple platinum breakthrough solo debut album Traveller, Stapleton released two No. 1 albums in 2017. Both From A Room: Volume 1 (certified platinum) and From A Room: Volume 2 (certified gold) take their name from legendary RCA Studio A, where they were recorded with Cobb. Released to overwhelming critical acclaim, The Tennessean praises, “Both are rich with the textures of Stapleton’s vocals that make him one of country music’s most beloved artists, classic country sounds and thoughtful articulate lyrics about love, life and pain.” He was recently announced as the first-ever “Artist-Songwriter of the Decade” recipient by the Academy of Country Music and, next year, will be the subject of a new exhibit at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

Stapleton’s “All-American Road Show” tour is planned to resume next year. Highlights include headline shows at Washington State’s Gorge Amphitheatre, Chicago’s Wrigley Field, New York’s Madison Square Garden and “A Concert for Kentucky”—a special performance benefitting his newly created Outlaw State of Kind Hometown Fund to be held at University of Kentucky’s Kroger Field on April 24. Presented by Live Nation, the performance is the first concert ever held at UK’s Kroger Field and will feature very special guests Willie Nelson & Family, Sheryl Crow and Yola. 100% of the concert’s net proceeds will go toward Chris and Morgane Stapleton’s Outlaw State of Kind Hometown Fund. Established in partnership with the Blue Grass Community Foundation, the fund will specifically support local and national organizations directly impacting Kentucky, with initial grant distributions focusing on music and arts education. See below for complete itinerary.

The nominations for this year’s CMT MUSIC AWARDS were announced on Wednesday (September 23rd), and several UMG Nashville artists were among the nominees.

Sam Hunt picked up three nods, including Video of the Year (“Hard To Forget”); Male Video of the Year (“Hard To Forget”) and CMT Performance of the Year (“Fancy” from CMT Artists of the Year show).

Carrie Underwood, who reigns as the most awarded artist in CMT Music Awards history with 20 wins, is up for two awards including Video of the Year and Female Video of the Year  for “Drinking Alone;” and Little Big Town is also up for a pair of awards including Video of the Year (“Sugar Coat”) and Group Video of the Year (“Wine, Beer, Whiskey”).

“Breakthrough Video of the Year” nominees include Caylee Hammack (“Family Tree”) and Travis Denning (“After a Few”).

The finalists for “Video of the Year” will be announced on October 12; fans will be able to vote throughout the week until October 16 to determine the winner.

Fan voting begins today at vote.cmt.com and continues until 12PM ET/11 AM CT on Monday, October 12. The top five “Video of the Year” finalists will be revealed at that time.

The finalists for “Video of the Year” will be announced on October 12; fans will be able to vote throughout the week until October 16 to determine the winner.

The nominees for the “2020 CMT Music Awards” are:

VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video of the year; awarded to the artist (male, female, group/duo or collaboration) and the video director. Final nominees announced on 10/12, with final voting held until 10/16 and announced in-show.

• Ashley McBryde – “One Night Standards”
• Blanco Brown – “The Git Up”
• Carrie Underwood – “Drinking Alone”
• Dan + Shay – “I Should Probably Go To Bed”
• Keith Urban – “Polaroid”
• Kelsea Ballerini – “homecoming queen?”
• Little Big Town – “Sugar Coat”
• Luke Combs – “Beer Never Broke My Heart”
• Miranda Lambert – “Bluebird”
• Old Dominion – “Some People Do”
• Sam Hunt – “Hard To Forget”
• Tanya Tucker – “Bring My Flowers Now”
• The Chicks -“Gaslighter”
• Thomas Rhett – “Remember You Young”

FEMALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video by a female artist; awarded to the artist

• Ashley McBryde – “One Night Standards”
• Carrie Underwood – “Drinking Alone”
• Gabby Barrett – “I Hope”
• Kelsea Ballerini – “homecoming queen?”
• Maren Morris – “The Bones”
• Miranda Lambert – “Bluebird”

MALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video by a male artist; awarded to the artist

• Jason Aldean – “Got What I Got”
• Luke Bryan – “One Margarita”
• Luke Combs – “Even Though I’m Leaving”
• Morgan Wallen – “Chasin’ You (Dream Video)”
• Sam Hunt – “Hard To Forget”
• Thomas Rhett – “Remember You Young”

GROUP VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video by a group; awarded to the artists

• Lady A – “Champagne Night”
• Little Big Town – “Wine, Beer, Whiskey”
• Midland – “Cheatin’ Songs (Live From the Palomino)”
• Old Dominion – “One Man Band”
• The Chicks – “Gaslighter”
• The Highwomen – “Crowded Table”

DUO VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video by a duo; awarded to the artists

• Brothers Osborne – “All Night (Studio Performance)” 
• Dan + Shay – “I Should Probably Go To Bed”
• Florida Georgia Line – “Blessings”
• LOCASH – “One Big Country Song”
• Maddie & Tae – “Die From A Broken Heart”

BREAKTHROUGH VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video from an artist’s major breakthrough album; awarded to the artist (male, female or group/duo)

• Blanco Brown – “The Git Up”
• Caylee Hammack – “Family Tree”
• Gabby Barrett – “I Hope”
• Ingrid Andress – “More Hearts Than Mine”
• Riley Green – “I Wish Grandpas Never Died”
• Travis Denning – “After a Few”

COLLABORATIVE VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video from a collaboration; awarded to the artists

• Blake Shelton with Gwen Stefani – “Nobody But You”
• Carly Pearce and Lee Brice – “I Hope You’re Happy Now”
• Dan + Shay and Justin Bieber – “10,000 Hours”
• Kane Brown featuring Nelly – “Cool Again”
• Marshmello and Kane Brown – “One Thing Right”
• Thomas Rhett featuring Jon Pardi – “Beer Can’t Fix”

CMT PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
Musical performance on a television show, series or variety special on CMT; awarded to the artist (individual, group or duo)

• From CMT Artists of the Year: Ashley McBryde – “One Night Standards”
• From CMT Crossroads: Brooks & Dunn and Luke Combs – “Brand New Man”
• From CMT Artists of the Year: Chris Young – “Drowning”
• From CMT Crossroads: Halsey and Kelsea Ballerini – “Graveyard”
• From CMT Artists of the Year: Sam Hunt – “Fancy”
• From CMT Crossroads: Sheryl Crow and Chris Stapleton – “Tell Me When It’s Over”

Chris Stapleton recently released the music video for “Starting Over,” which was shot during the recording process at the historic RCA Studio A on Music Row in Nashville. The clip features his wife and phenomenal vocalist Morgane, as well as producer Dave Cobb and bandmembers J.T. Cure and Derek Mixon.

Chris co-wrote “Starting Over” with his longtime collaborator Mike Henderson, and the tune is the title track from his upcoming album scheduled for release November 13th.

The Academy of Country Music will present its annual awards show on Wednesday night (September 16th). The show was postponed from April in Las Vegas to September in Nashville due to the global pandemic (COVID-19).

For the first time in the show’s history, the awards will take place in Nashville, broadcasting from three iconic Country Music venues: Grand Ole Opry House, Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium and The Bluebird Cafe. The reigning Entertainer of the Year, Keith Urban, will host the show from The Grand Ole Opry House.

Performances include a star-studded medley from the night’s Entertainer of the Year nominees – Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Carrie Underwood, Luke Combs and Thomas Rhett – to kick off the show, as well as other performances by Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban and Pink, Blake Shelton with Gwen Stefani, Jimmie Allen, Kelsea Ballerini, Gabby Barrett, Luke Combs, Miranda Lambert, Tim McGraw, Maren Morris, Old Dominion, Riley Green, Tenille Townes, Thomas Rhett with Jon Pardi, Eric Church, Mickey Guyton, Morgan Wallen, Dan + Shay, Kane Brown, Florida Georgia Line, Trisha Yearwood, Taylor Swift and Luke Bryan.

Eric Church is set to perform the anthemic “Stick Tat in Your Country Song,” while Luke Bryan will sing his multi-week No 1 summer smash “One Margarita.” Taylor will perform her Top 40 country hit, “betty,” and Carrie Underwood will turn in a medley of songs by the format’s most iconic female artists, including Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, Barbara Mandrell, Martina McBride, Reba McEntire and Dolly Parton. Mickey Guyton will sing the critically-acclaimed “What Are You Gonna Tell Her,” and the night’s host Keith Urban will perform with P!ink on his new song, “One Too Many from his upcoming album, The Speed of Now Part 1.

Newcomer Caylee Hammack picked up her first ACM Award for Music Event of the Year for the Miranda Lambert-led collaboration, “Fooled Around and Fell in Love,” which also featured Maren Morris, Ashley McBryde, Tenille Townes and Elle King.

Universal Music Group Nashville is celebrating its honorees (see below).

Eric Church leads our nominees with three, including his second nod for Entertainer of the Year. He was also nominated as artist and songwriter in the Song of the Year category for “Some of It” – marking his eighth and ninth nominations in the category.

Reigning Female Artist of the Year Kacey Musgraves earned three nominations including her seventh nod for Female Artist of the Year. Additionally, she received her first Single of the Year nomination as both artist and producer for “Rainbow.”

Carrie Underwood is nominated for a pair of awards, including Entertainer of the Year, as well as Female Artist of the Year.

Little Big Town also picks up a pair of nods for Group of the Year and Video of the Year for “Sugar Coat.”

Chris Stapleton, Dierks Bentley and Keith Urban are nominated for Male Artist of the Year; Jon Pardi is up for Album of the Year for Heartache Medication; and Brothers Osborne and Maddie & Tae are up for Duo of the Year.

The 55th ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS, hosted by Keith Urban, will be broadcast Wednesday, September 16th (live 8:00-11:00 PM ET/delayed PT) on CBS  and will be available to stream on demand on CBS All Access.

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR

Luke Bryan

Eric Church

Luke Combs

Thomas Rhett

Carrie Underwood
FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR

Kelsea Ballerini

Miranda Lambert

Maren Morris

Kacey Musgraves

Carrie Underwood
MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR

Dierks Bentley

Luke Combs

Thomas Rhett

Chris Stapleton

Keith Urban
DUO OF THE YEAR

Brooks & Dunn

Brothers Osborne

Dan + Shay

Florida Georgia Line

Maddie & Tae
GROUP OF THE YEAR

Lady Antebellum

Little Big Town

Midland

Old Dominion

The Highwomen
ALBUM OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]

Center Point Road – Thomas Rhett

Producers: Julian Bunetta, Jesse Frasure, Dann Huff, Thomas Rhett, The Stereotypes, Cleve Wilson

GIRL – Maren Morris

Producers: busbee, Greg Kurstin, Maren Morris

Heartache Medication – Jon Pardi

Producers: Bart Butler, Ryan Gore, Jon Pardi

What You See Is What You Get – Luke Combs

Producer: Scott Moffatt

Wildcard – Miranda Lambert

Producer: Jay Joyce

SINGLE OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]

God’s Country – Blake Shelton

Producer: Scott Hendricks

One Man Band – Old Dominion

Producer: Shane McAnally

Rainbow – Kacey Musgraves

Producers: Ian Fitchuk, Kacey Musgraves, Daniel Tashian

Rumor – Lee Brice

Producers: Lee Brice, Dan Frizsell, Kyle Jacobs, Jon Stone

What If I Never Get Over You – Lady Antebellum

Producer: Dann Huff

SONG OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Songwriter(s)/Publisher(s)/Artist(s)]

10,000 Hours – Dan + Shay Featuring Justin Bieber

Songwriters: Justin Bieber, Jason “Poo Bear” Boyd, Jessie Jo Dillon, Shay Mooney, Jordan Reynolds, Dan Smyers

Publishers: Beats and Banjos (ASCAP), WB Music Corp. (ASCAP) / Shay Mooney Music (BMI), Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. (BMI) / Big Ass Pile Of Dimes Music (BMI), Big Machine Music (BMI) / Buckeye 26 (ASCAP), Jreynmusic (ASCAP), WB Music Corp. (ASCAP) / Bieber Time Publishing (ASCAP), Universal Music (ASCAP) / Poo B Z Inc. (ASCAP), BMG Gold Songs (ASCAP).

Girl Goin’ Nowhere – Ashley McBryde

Songwriters: Jeremy Bussey, Ashley McBryde

Publishers: Songs of Song Factory (BMI) / Universal Tunes (SESAC).

God’s Country – Blake Shelton

Songwriters: Devin Dawson, Michael Hardy, Jordan Schmidt

Publishers: Relative Music Group (BMI), Administered by Songs of Kobalt Music Publishing (BMI) / WB Music Corp. / Georgia Song Vibez / We-volve Music (ASCAP) / Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. / Neon Cross Music (BMI).

One Man Band – Old Dominion

Songwriters: Josh Osborne, Matthew Ramsey, Trevor Rosen, Brad Tursi

Publishers: WB Music Corp/Smackville Music/Smack Songs LLC (ASCAP) adm by Kobalt Songs Music Publishing. Rezsongs/Reehits World/Smacktown Music, a division of Smack Blue, LLC/Unfair Entertainment  (ASCAP) adm. by Me Gusta Music. We’re Really Doin’ It Publishing (ASCAP) adm by Words & Music. Sony/ATV Cross Keys Publishing/Smackville Music/Smack Songs LLC (ASCAP) adm. by Kobalt Songs Music Publishing.

Some Of It – Eric Church

Songwriters: Eric Church, Clint Daniels, Jeff Hyde, Bobby Pinson

Publishers: Sony/ATV Tree Publishing/Longer and Louder Music, admin. by Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC; Mammaw’s Fried Okra Music/Little Louder Songs, admin. by Songs of Kobalt Music Publishing; New Writers Of Sea Gayle Music, admin. by ClearBox Rights; New Writers Of Sea Gayle Music/Not A Track Guy Music, admin. by ClearBox Rights (BMI).
 

MUSIC EVENT OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]

10,000 Hours – Dan + Shay Featuring Justin Bieber

Producers: Dan Smyers

Record Label: Warner Music Nashville

Dive Bar – Garth Brooks Featuring Blake Shelton

Producers: Garth Brooks

Record Label: Pearl Records, Inc.

Fooled Around And Fell In Love – Miranda Lambert Featuring Maren Morris, Ashley McBryde, Tenille Townes, Caylee Hammack & Elle King

Producer: Jay Joyce

Record Label: Vanner Records/RCA Records Nashville

Old Town Road – Lil Nas X Featuring Billy Ray Cyrus

Producers: Michael Trent Reznor, Atticus Matthew Ross, YoungKio

Record Label: Columbia Records

What Happens In A Small Town – Brantley Gilbert Featuring Lindsay Ell

Producer: Dann Huff

Record Label: The Valory Music Co.

Chris Stapleton had just finished recording his new album “Starting Over,” set to be released in November, when the coronavirus pandemic hit.

Asked by “CBS This Morning” co-host Anthony Mason about whether he had any doubts releasing new music amid the global health crisis, the notoriously private singer said “of course” he did.

“I think everybody has doubts about everything they’re doing in every moment right now,” he said.

The 42-year-old artist has been riding out the pandemic at his home, an hour outside of Nashville, Tennessee, with his wife and five children. He admitted the cloistered way of life is not always easy.

“There’s good days and bad days,” he said. “If anybody tells you that they haven’t reached a near breaking point mentally in these times, I think they’re probably lying to you.”

Stapleton said he had asked his wife for a mountain bike for his birthday in April, and now spends time riding it through the woods.

“It’s helped tremendously, in a centering kinda way,” he said.

Starting out as a Nashville-based songwriter before becoming a solo star, Stapleton mined his deep catalog of work for his latest album. He recorded most of it at RCA Studio A in Nashville, where he made his earlier solo albums — including “Traveller,” his breakthrough debut and the best-selling country album of the last decade.

“Recording to me is, you’re trying to capture magic, you know, as much as you can… the magic of a moment,” he said.

Stapleton said it was his wife, Morgane, who lets him know when a song is just right.

“And she’s not wrong,” he said. “Me and Dave Cobb may be listed as producers on the record, but my wife is generally the producer of my life… I used to say she has excellent taste in everything but men.”

Like many artists, Stapleton wishes he could take his album on the road and play in front of crowds.

The nominees for this year’s CMA Awards have been announced, and Keith Urban has earned three nods this year, bringing his total count to 50 nominations and 12 wins. He is now a 13-time Entertainer of the Year nominee, bringing home the trophy two times previously. He has now been nominated 16 times for Male Vocalist of the Year with three wins. Keith received his sixth Musical Event of the Year nomination for Thomas Rhett’s “Be A Light,” which features Keith, Reba McEntire, Hillary Scott and Chris Tomlin. He has previously taken home the Musical Event award four times.

Eric Church and Carrie Underwood each earned two nods apiece – both scored an Entertainer of the Year nomination, as well as Male Vocalist and Female Vocalist, respectively. As did Chris Stapleton, who is up against Church for Male Vocalist, but also garners a Music Video nomination for his LEGO-filmed “Second One to Know.”

Eric has been nominated for 2 awards at this year's #CMAawards! Make sure to tune in on Nov 11 to see the entire @CountryMusic Awards show. pic.twitter.com/X01viHiMvH

— Eric Church (@ericchurch) September 1, 2020

Brothers Osborne, Caylee Hammack, Little Big Town, Maddie & Tae, Reba McEntire, Kacey Musgraves and Jon Pardi also earned nominations.

Thank you for this nomination. So proud to be a part of this amazing category. #CMAawards @CountryMusic pic.twitter.com/DnrRNl6q31

— Little Big Town (@littlebigtown) September 1, 2020

https://twitter.com/MaddieandTae/status/1300796991467925505

Thanks for asking me to be a part of #BeALight @ThomasRhett! #CMAawards #MusicalEvent pic.twitter.com/cnHMqa9lkD

— Reba (@reba) September 1, 2020

Winners of “The 54th Annual CMA Awards” will be determined in a final round of voting by eligible voting CMA members. The third and final ballot will be emailed to CMA members Thursday, October 1st. Voting for the CMA Awards final ballot ends Tuesday, Oct. 27 (6:00 PM/CT).

For more information on the CMA AWARDS go to cmaawards.com.

“The 54th Annual CMA Awards” will be broadcast live November 11^th at 8pm ET on ABC.

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR

• Eric Church
• Luke Combs
• Miranda Lambert
• Carrie Underwood  
• Keith Urban   

SINGLE OF THE YEAR
Award goes to Artist(s), Producer(s) and Mix Engineer

• “10,000 Hours” – Dan + Shay (with Justin Bieber)
  Producer: Dan Smyers
  Mix Engineer: Jeff Juliano
• “Beer Never Broke My Heart” – Luke Combs
  Producer: Scott Moffatt
  Mix Engineer: Jim Cooley
• “Bluebird” – Miranda Lambert
  Producer: Jay Joyce
  Mix Engineers: Jason Hall, Jay Joyce
• “The Bones” – Maren Morris
  Producer: Greg Kurstin
  Mix Engineer: Greg Kurstin
• “I Hope” – Gabby Barrett
  Producers: Ross Copperman, Zach Kale
  Mix Engineer: Buckley Miller

ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Award goes to Artist and Producer(s) 

• Heartache Medication – Jon Pardi
  Producers: Bart Butler, Ryan Gore, Jon Pardi 
• Never Will – Ashley McBryde
  Producers: Jay Joyce, John Peets
• Old Dominion – Old Dominion
  Producers: Shane McAnally, Old Dominion
• What You See Is What You Get – Luke Combs
  Producer: Scott Moffatt
• Wildcard – Miranda Lambert
  Producer: Jay Joyce

SONG OF THE YEAR
Award goes to Songwriters 

• “Bluebird”
  Songwriters: Luke Dick, Natalie Hemby, Miranda Lambert
• “The Bones”
  Songwriters: Maren Morris, Jimmy Robbins, Laura Veltz
• “Even Though I’m Leaving”
  Songwriters: Luke Combs, Wyatt B. Durrette III, Ray Fulcher
• “I Hope You’re Happy Now”
  Songwriters: Luke Combs, Randy Montana, Carly Pearce, Jonathan Singleton
• “More Hearts Than Mine”
  Songwriters: Ingrid Andress, Sam Ellis, Derrick Southerland

FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR

• Miranda Lambert
• Ashley McBryde
• Maren Morris
• Kacey Musgraves  
• Carrie Underwood   

MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR  

• Eric Church   
• Luke Combs
• Thomas Rhett
• Chris Stapleton  
• Keith Urban    

VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR

• Lady A
• Little Big Town  
• Midland
• Old Dominion
• Rascal Flatts

VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR

• Brooks & Dunn
• Brothers Osborne  
• Dan + Shay
• Florida Georgia Line
• Maddie & Tae

MUSICAL EVENT OF THE YEAR
Award goes to Artists and Producer(s) 

• “10,000 Hours” – Dan + Shay (with Justin Bieber)
  Producer: Dan Smyers
• “Be A Light” – Thomas Rhett featuring Reba McEntire, Hillary Scott, Chris Tomlin, Keith Urban
  Producer: Dann Huff
• “The Bones” – Maren Morris with Hozier
  Producer: Greg Kurstin
• “Fooled Around And Fell In Love” – Miranda Lambert (feat. Maren Morris, Elle King, Ashley McBryde, Tenille Townes & Caylee Hammack)
  Producer: Jay Joyce
• “I Hope You’re Happy Now” – Carly Pearce and Lee Brice
  Producer: busbee

MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR

• Jenee Fleenor, Fiddle
• Paul Franklin, Steel Guitar
• Rob McNelley, Guitar
• Ilya Toshinskiy, Guitar
• Derek Wells, Guitar

MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Award goes to Artist(s) and Director 

• “10,000 Hours” – Dan + Shay (with Justin Bieber)
  Director: Patrick Tracy
• “Bluebird” – Miranda Lambert
  Director: Trey Fanjoy
• “Homemade” – Jake Owen
  Director: Justin Clough
• “I Hope You’re Happy Now” – Carly Pearce and Lee Brice
  Director: Sam Siske
• “Second One To Know” – Chris Stapleton
  Director: David Coleman 

NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR 

• Jimmie Allen
• Ingrid Andress
• Gabby Barrett
• Carly Pearce
• Morgan Wallen

Starting Over, the highly anticipated new studio album from Chris Stapleton, is out November 13th on Mercury Records Nashville and is now available for pre-order/pre-save. Listen to the title track HERE.

Written by Stapleton and Mike Henderson, “Starting Over” begins an album of startling prescience—completed in late February only days before the shutdown began. Across its fourteen tracks are songs that examine life’s simplest joys and most serious struggles. Alongside eleven written by Stapleton with both longtime friends and new collaborators are three carefully chosen covers: John Fogerty’s “Joy Of My Life” and Guy Clark’s “Worry B Gone” and “Old Friends.” The resulting album—both timely and timeless—speaks to and transcends the current moment in ways unimaginable even while it was being created.

Starting Over out Nov 13. Pre-order the album and listen to 'Starting Over' here – https://t.co/xTFnT3ho3z pic.twitter.com/KBfPOFWhyM

— Chris Stapleton (@ChrisStapleton) August 27, 2020

The album finds Stapleton back in his second home, Nashville’s historic RCA Studio A (with additional work done at Muscle Shoals Sound and Compass Sound Studio), surrounded by his trusted collaborators as well as some new faces. Produced by Dave Cobb (who also plays acoustic guitar), the record features his beloved wife, Morgane Stapleton (vocals, tambourine), with longtime bandmates J.T. Cure (bass) and Derek Mixon (drums). Special guests include legendary musicians Mike Campbell (electric guitar), Benmont Tench (Hammond B3 organ) and Paul Franklin (pedal steel) as well as the All Voices Choir who are featured on “Watch You Burn,” written by Stapleton and Campbell.

STARTING OVER TRACK LIST:

1. Starting Over
2. Devil Always Made Me Think Twice
3. Cold
4. When I’m With You
5. Arkansas
6. Joy Of My Life
7. Hillbilly Blood
8. Maggie’s Song
9. Whiskey Sunrise
10. Worry B Gone
11. Old Friends
12. Watch You Burn
13. You Should Probably Leave
14. Nashville, TN

CHRIS STAPLETON’S “ALL-AMERICAN ROAD SHOW”

November 21—Arlington, TX—Globe Life Field*

April 21—Toledo, OH—Huntington Center†

April 22—Columbus, OH—Schottenstein Center†

April 24—Lexington, KY—A Concert for Kentucky – Kroger Field‡

June 5—San Bernardino, CA—Glen Helen Amphitheater§

June 10—Boise, ID—Ford Idaho Center Arena#

June 11—Portland, OR—Sunlight Supply Amphitheater#

June 12—George, WA—The Gorge Amphitheatre#

June 17—Bakersfield, CA—Mechanics Bank Arena#

June 18—Sacramento, CA—Toyota Amphitheatre#

June 19—Mountain View, CA—Shoreline Amphitheatre#

June 24—Salt Lake City, UT—USANA Amphitheatre^

June 25—Denver, CO—Pepsi Center^

June 26—Denver, CO—Pepsi Center^

July 8—Milwaukee, WI—Summerfest at American Family Insurance Amphitheater+

July 10—Camden, NJ—BB&T Pavilion°

July 17—Chicago, IL—Wrigley Field%

July 23—Holmdel, NJ—PNC Bank Arts Center**

July 24—Syracuse, NY—St. Joseph’s Health Amphitheater at Lakeview**

July 28—Gilford, NH—Bank NH Pavilion††

July 29—Gilford, NH—Bank NH Pavilion††

July 31—Minneapolis, MN—U.S. Bank Stadium‡‡

August 5—Cuyahoga Falls, OH—Blossom Music Center°

August 7—South Bend, IN—Notre Dame Stadium§§

August 12—Charlotte, NC—PNC Music Pavilion°

August 13—Raleigh, NC—Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek°

August 19—Des Moines, IA—Iowa State Fair^^

August 20—Tulsa, OK—BOK Center##

September 18—Biloxi, MS—Mississippi Coast Coliseum++

September 23—Knoxville, TN—Thompson-Boling Arena++

October 1—Atlantic City, NJ—Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall++

October 2—Mansfield, MA—Xfinity Center++

October 8—New York, NY—Madison Square Garden++

October 14—Columbia, MO—Mizzou Arena++

October 15—Lincoln, NE—Pinnacle Bank Arena++

October 16—Sioux Falls, SD—Denny Sanford PREMIER Center++

October 22—Nashville, TN—Bridgestone Arena++

October 23—Nashville, TN—Bridgestone Arena++

October 28—Lubbock, TX—United Supermarket Arena°°

October 29—Albuquerque, NM—Isleta Amphitheater°°

October 30—Phoenix, AZ—Ak-Chin Pavilion°°

November 4—Austin, TX—Frank Erwin Center°°

November 11—Estero, FL—Hertz Arena**

November 12—Orlando, FL—Amway Center**

“ALL-AMERICAN ROAD SHOW” SPECIAL GUESTS

*with special guests Willie Nelson & Family, Jamey Johnson and Yola

†with special guests Margo Price and Yola

‡with special guests Willie Nelson & Family, Sheryl Crow and Yola

• with special guests Dwight Yoakam and The Dirty Knobs with Mike Campbell

#with special guests Margo Price and The Dirty Knobs with Mike Campbell

^with special guests Sheryl Crow and The Dirty Knobs with Mike Campbell

+with special guest Sheryl Crow

°with special guests Elle King and Kendell Marvel

%with special guests The Highwomen, Mavis Staples and Mike Campbell

**with special guests Sheryl Crow and Kendell Marvel

††with special guests Elle King and Nikki Lane

‡‡with George Strait and Little Big Town

• §with George Strait and Brothers Osborne

^^with special guest Nikki Lane

##with special guests Willie Nelson & Family and Yola

++with special guests The Marcus King Band and Yola

°°with special guests Jamey Johnson and Yola

Kentucky-born Stapleton is a 5x Grammy, 10x CMA and 7x ACM Award-winner and one of the country’s most respected and beloved musicians. Following 2015’s quadruple platinum breakthrough solo debut album Traveller, Stapleton released two No. 1 albums in 2017. Both From A Room: Volume 1 (certified platinum) and From A Room: Volume 2 (certified gold) take their name from legendary RCA Studio A, where they were recorded with Cobb. Released to overwhelming critical acclaim, The Tennessean praises, “Both are rich with the textures of Stapleton’s vocals that make him one of country music’s most beloved artists, classic country sounds and thoughtful articulate lyrics about love, life and pain.” He was recently announced as the first-ever “Artist-Songwriter of the Decade” recipient by the Academy of Country Music and, next year, will be the subject of a new exhibit at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

Stapleton’s “All-American Road Show” tour is planned to resume next year. Highlights include headline shows at Washington State’s Gorge Amphitheatre, Chicago’s Wrigley Field, New York’s Madison Square Garden and “A Concert for Kentucky”—a special performance benefitting his newly created Outlaw State of Kind Hometown Fund to be held at University of Kentucky’s Kroger Field on April 24. Presented by Live Nation, the performance is the first concert ever held at UK’s Kroger Field and will feature very special guests Willie Nelson & Family, Sheryl Crow and Yola. 100% of the concert’s net proceeds will go toward Chris and Morgane Stapleton’s Outlaw State of Kind Hometown Fund. Established in partnership with the Blue Grass Community Foundation, the fund will specifically support local and national organizations directly impacting Kentucky, with initial grant distributions focusing on music and arts education. See below for complete itinerary.