This year’s Entertainer of the Year nominees include Eric Church, Chris Stapleton, Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban, as well as Garth Brooks.

Eric Church tallies up three nominations with his third nod for both Entertainer and Music Video of the Year (this time for “Some of It”). He also notched his fourth career nomination for Album of the Year for Desperate Man.

Chris Stapleton has 16 prior nominations and 10 wins. Chris earns his fifth nod for Male Vocalist of the Year, which he has won consecutively since 2015. “Millionaire” has earned his third nomination for Single of the Year. Chris is also nominated for Entertainer of the Year, his fourth nomination in the category.

Carrie Underwood has three nods this year. She picks up her second nomination for Entertainer of the Year, and she scored her 14th consecutive nomination for Female Vocalist, a title she’s won five times, including last year. This marks her fifth nomination for Album of the Year with Cry Pretty.

Keith Urban, who is the reigning CMA and ACM Entertainer of the Year, is once again nominated for the night’s top honor, as well as for Male Vocalist of the Year.

The 53rd Annual CMA Awards, hosted by Carrie, Reba McEntire and Dolly Parton, will be broadcast live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday (November 13th) at 8pm ET on ABC.

Hootie & the Blowfish will perform on The Talk on CBS on Thursday (November 7th), followed by an appearance on ABC’s Strahan, Sara, Keke on Friday (November 8th).

Carrie Underwood will appear on ABC’s Good Morning America on Friday (November 8th), as well as co-host Live With Kelly & Ryan with Ryan Seacrest, leading up to next week’s CMA Awards.

Luke Bryan and Carrie Underwood will make appearances during ABC’s pre-CMA Awards Special, hosted by Robin Roberts. The special focuses on Dolly Parton, who is co-hosting the Awards show with Carrie and Reba McEntire. Dolly Parton: Here She Comes Again airs Tuesday (November 12th) at 10pm ET on ABC.

Dierks Bentley and Brothers Osborne‘s John Osborne are among the artists performing a tribute to Kris Kristofferson during Wednesday’s (November 13th) CMA Awards. The Country Music Hall of Famer is being honored with the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award, which has only been given out four other times four other times, to Willie Nelson (2012), Kenny Rogers (2013), Johnny Cash, posthumously (2015) and Dolly Parton  (2016). The artists, which also includes Sheryl Crow and Chris Janson, will perform the Kristofferson-penned classic “Me and Bobby McGee,” which was made famous by Janis Joplin and Roger Miller, who released it first in 1969.

Travis Denning will hit the road with Dustin Lynch on the Stay Country Tour 2020, which kicks off January 30th in Detroit, Michigan. Tickets go on sale November 15th and November 22nd.

Can’t think of a better way to kick off 2020 than with some country damn music. Hittin’ the road with @dustinlynch on the #StayCountry Tour.

Tickets on sale Friday, November 15th. Tickets for Kansas City, MO and Bensalem, PA on sale Friday, November 22nd. pic.twitter.com/jbnrxRAHFK

— Travis Denning (@Travis_Denning) November 6, 2019

Vince Gill is among the nominees for this year’s Songwriters Hall of Fame, along with Sonny Curtis, Kye Fleming, Bob McDill and Dennis Morgan. The official induction ceremony will take place June 11th (2020) in New York City.

*Photo credit for all photos: Jeff Johnson

Reigning CMA Female Vocalist of the Year, seven-time Grammy Award-winner and Pollstar’s three-time top female country touring artist Carrie Underwood has completed THE CRY PRETTY TOUR 360. Underwood closed out the tour in the #1 spot on Pollstar’s LIVE75 chart (11/04/19), which ranks worldwide active tours by average tickets sold.

Some amazing memories on this tour I will never forget!!  Love my fans and road family so much!!  🎶 Life is short, love is sweet, Ain’t no time like this time baby 🎶  #CryPrettyTour360 💕💕💕 @MaddieandTae @RunawayJune pic.twitter.com/NVuu5HPDWN

— Carrie Underwood (@carrieunderwood) November 4, 2019

The tour began May 1 in Greensboro, NC and concluded October 31 in Detroit, MI, packing arenas in 60+ cities across North America.  Numerous 360-degree sold-out shows included New York’s Madison Square Garden, Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena and L.A.’s STAPLES Center, among many others.  Underwood was joined by special guests Maddie & Tae and Runaway June throughout the tour, which was sponsored by CALIA.

THE CRY PRETTY TOUR 360 consistently garnered both critical and fan acclaim for its innovative production and eye-shaped stage design in the middle of the arena floor to create an intimate view for all attendees and for Underwood’s standout vocal performances.  Critics have been uninamous in their praise of Carrie and THE CRY PRETTY TOUR 360:

“While much discussion about a woman’s place in country music is happening, Underwood is walking instead of talking. Taking two young female acts on the road, she delivered an arena show that goes toe-to-toe with anyone in any genre, not just country, as a vocalist, as a show(wo)man, as the embodiment or 
realization of what the audience aspires to. And she does it in 5-inch heels.” (Pollstar)

“An artist that both entertains and inspires, Underwood’s Cry Pretty Tour 360 cements her entertainer of the year status” (Billboard)

“The 360 production is second to none. – Underwood’s 360 stage is a work of art, as it
features an incredible hydraulic system that lifts up nearly half the stage… You could almost say you’re getting a show and a movie, all in one night.”  (Rolling Stone)

The spectacular, one-of-a-kind production utilized 36 projectors and 19 video projection screens, with 15 stage elevators and over 400 moving lights.  Throughout the set, Underwood could be seen playing acoustic and electric guitar, piano and percussion at various times with her talented 8-piece band, who played 22 different types of instruments, 45 in total.

During one of the many memorable moments of her two-hour show, Underwood invited CMA nominees Maddie & Tae and ACM-nominated Runaway June to return to the stage to join her for a crowd-pleasing 10-song medley of hits by some of the many women that she cites as having paved the way for her and all of today’s female artists in the genre, featuring Tammy Wynette, Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, The Judds, Trisha Yearwood, Faith Hill, Reba McEntire, Martina McBride and Shania Twain.

Another standout moment of each show featured the winner of an ongoing contest, wherein fans submitted inspirational personal stories about what Underwood’s hit anthem, “The Champion,” means to them for the chance to join her on stage and perform the rap originated by Ludacris on the Platinum track.  In one of her final shows in her home state of Oklahoma, Underwood was joined onstage by her mother, Carole, who she described as her own personal “champion.”

Still can’t get over how awesome my mama was last night! Check it out! #ProudDaughter #MomCanRap #Tulsa #CryPrettyTour360 pic.twitter.com/uj01z7rr3w

— Carrie Underwood (@carrieunderwood) October 26, 2019

Thank you so much to all of the brave champion rappers who have come out and shared their inspirational stories so far on the #CryPrettyTour360 !! 🎤💪🏼 pic.twitter.com/BDFPoA3XD9

— Carrie Underwood (@carrieunderwood) October 9, 2019

Furthermore, Underwood arranged for a donation of $1 from each ticket sold for THE CRY PRETTY TOUR 360 to be contributed to Danita’s Children, which provides a safe haven for abandoned and vulnerable children in Haiti, while encouraging families to stay together through their education and malnutrition programs.

In June, Underwood performed her UK arena tour, THE CRY PRETTY TOUR UK, which brought her dynamic production and signature vocal prowess to thousands of fans throughout England, Wales and Scotland with five arena shows. One of the standout moments of the tour was Underwood’s milestone performance at Glastonbury Festival’s iconic Pyramid Stage and was seen around the world online.  Fans traveled from numerous countries across the globe – USA, Spain, Canada, Germany, Belgium, France, Netherlands, Finland, Israel, Slovenia, Norway, Sweden and Australia, among others – to be in attendance at the shows. THE CRY PRETTY TOUR UK also featured the UK’s best-selling country act of all time, The Shires, as Underwood’s special guest.

Amidst her busy touring schedule, Underwood headlined CMA Fest 2019, where she was joined on stage by Joan Jett for a showstopping medley of Jett’s greatest hits.  She performed her #1 Summer hit, “Southbound” on the ACM Awards and on the finale of “American Idol,” as well as the 2019 CMT Music Awards, where she won her 19th and 20th awards, becoming the most-awarded artist in the show’s history.  As a member of the Grand Ole Opry, she has performed ten shows this year in addition to inducting new Opry member, Kelsea Ballerini.  Underwood returned for her seventh season as the voice of NBC’s Sunday Night Football, primetime television’s #1 program for the past eight consecutive years, making it the most dominant primetime show since 1950.  She recently performed live from her tour stop in Cleveland as one of CMT’s “2019 Artists of the Year” and has been nominated for the People’s Choice Award for Favorite Country Artist, and has earned two American Music Awards nominations this year for Favorite Female Country Artist and Favorite Country Album for Cry Pretty.  Her latest single from this album, “Drinking Alone,” has just been released to country radio.

On November 13, Underwood will host the CMA Awards for the 12th consecutive year and has been nominated for three awards this year, including Entertainer of the Year, Album of the Year for Cry Pretty, and Female Vocalist of the Year.  In 2020, she will once again headline the Stagecoach Festival and HarperCollins/Dey Street Books will publish her first book, FIND YOUR PATH: Honor Your Body, Fuel Your Soul, and Get Strong with the Fit52 Life, a fitness lifestyle book in which she shares her belief that fitness is a lifelong journey and not about perfection.  She is celebrating her 4th anniversary as lead designer for her fitness and lifestyle brand, CALIA by Carrie Underwood, which launched in 2015 and is exclusively available at DICK’S Sporting Goods nationwide and online at www.caliastudio.com.

Hootie & the Blowfish are celebrating the release of Imperfect Circle, their first album in nearly 15 years, with multiple live appearances on national television. They appeared on ABC’s Good Morning America on Friday (November 1st), and they’ll head to the West Coast to perform on The Ellen DeGeneres Show and Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Tuesday (November 5th) and The Talk on CBS on Wednesday (November 6th).

Carrie Underwood has been tapped to co-host Live With Kelly & Ryan with her friend, Ryan Seacrest, on November 8th. The two first met during Season 4 of American Idol in 2005. Guests include Maura Tierney (The Affair, The Report) and Brian Cox (Succession, Good Omens).

The members of Little Big Town are among the artists performing November 10th at Nashville’s War Memorial Auditorium for the premiere of YouTube Originals documentary, The Gift: The Journey of Johnny Cash. Proceeds from ticket sales will go to MusiCares. Midland, Cam and Devin Dawson are also scheduled to perform.

Dierks Bentley and Darius Rucker are among the artists featured in the music video for Clint Black’s new video for “This Old House” filmed primarily at the Grand Ole Opry. Trace Adkins, Sara Evans, Michael Ray, Travis Tritt, Steve Wariner and Cody Jinks are also featured.

And that’s a wrap for Carrie Underwood‘s Cry Pretty Tour 360 with Maddie & Tae and Runaway June. They wrapped the all-female tour Thursday night (October 31st) in Detroit.

https://twitter.com/carrieunderwood/status/1189996144719515648

The first round of performers for this year’s CMA Awards have been announced. Eric Church, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban and Chris Stapleton with Pink will perform, as well as Luke Combs, Miranda Lambert, Reba McEntire, Maren Morris, Dolly Parton with for King & Country and Zach Williams.

The 53rd annual CMA Awards, hosted by Carrie with special guests Reba and Dolly, will air live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena November 13th at 8pm ET on ABC.

The lineup for next year’s Stagecoach Festival has been announced, and Carrie Underwood, Eric Church and Thomas Rhett will headline the three-night festival taking place April 24th – 26th in Indio, California. The 14th annual Stagecoach Festival will also feature performances by Alan Jackson, Jon Pardi, Caylee Hammack, Brett Young, Dustin Lynch, Dan + Shay, Billy Ray Cyrus, Lil Nas X and Bryan Adams, among others.

Tickets go on sale Friday (October 18th).

Several artists have been added to this year’s CMT Artists of the Year show, including performances by Sam Hunt, Carrie Underwood (live-streamed from her Cry Pretty Tour 360 show in Cleveland, Ohio), Dan + Shay, Thomas Rhett, Kane Brown, Ashley McBryde and more. Presenters include Vince Gill and Maddie & Tae. This year’s special celebrates the network’s five Artists of the Year – Carrie Underwood, Dan + Shay, Luke Combs, Thomas Rhett and Kane Brown – in addition to Reba McEntire (Artist of a Lifetime) and Ashley McBryde (Breakout Artist of the Year). The 90-minute show will air Wednesday (October 16th) at 8pm ET.

Luke Bryan’s hit “Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye” was just certified double platinum by the R.I.A.A., while his “Someone Else Calling You Baby” was just declared platinum. Jon Pardi’s “Up All Night” and Billy Currington’s “Don’t It” were also certified platinum, while Gary Allan’s “It Ain’t the Whiskey,” Eric Church’s “Some of It,” Luke’s “Drinkin’ Beer & Wasting Bullet” and Sam Hunt’s “Downtown’s Dead” were all certified gold.

Jon Pardi will perform on ABC’s Good Morning America on Friday (October 18th).

Brothers Osborne will perform at the Troy Gentry Foundation’s C’Ya on the Flip Side II February 5th at the Grand Ole Opry House, along with Trace Adkins, Rhett Akins, Tracy Lawrence, Justin Moore, Mark Wills and Eddie Montgomery. The benefit will raise funds for the Foundation, the Opry Trust Fund, T.J. Martell Foundation, Make-A-Wish, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital and many others.

New EMI Nashville Recording Artist Kylie Morgan is one of three recipients of the second annual CMA KixStart Artist Scholarship. Over the next year, the CMA will provide support, connections with top industry professionals, participation in CMA-related events and a stipend to assist with their developing careers. She is currently opening several shows for Kip Moore and released a song “Boys Girl” to all digital partners.

Carrie Underwood just hit the top of the Mediabase/Country Aircheck country chart with “Southbound,” which is her 27^th career No. 1, and her 14^th chart-topper she hand a hand in writing. She co-wrote the song, the latest from her No. 1 debuting album Cry Pretty, with her producer David Garcia, as well as collaborator Josh Miller.

CONGRATS to @carrieunderwood for having the number one song in country music this week! ☀️

Listen to "Southbound" here: https://t.co/cxNPJ8BMPX PC: Jeff Johnson pic.twitter.com/THZLMCBqMh

— Universal Nashville (@UMGNashville) October 7, 2019

“’Southbound’ started out late in the game. I actually already had a lot of the album already music was done. I was putting my vocals on it. We were kind of tweaking stuff and doing all of our producer stuff on it, trying to put some extra magic on it. And at the end of making an album you start thinking what are we lacking? What do we need? So, we get in a room and I had the title. I was like this sounds like fun, I think. We can do something fun with this,” says Carrie. ”It surprisingly took us a while to write it but by the end of it, it was like, ‘Well, this is a lot of fun.’ I feel like everybody kind of gravitated towards that one when we were all done with it.”

Carrie continues The Cry Pretty Tour 360 with Maddie & Tae and Runaway June on Wednesday (October 9th) at Foxwoods in Mashantucket, Connecticut.

Carrie Underwood performs “Low” from her album, Cry Pretty, on the Late Show with Stephen Colbert on Thursday (October 3rd).

Carrie is poised to top the country charts with her song “Southbound,” also from Cry Pretty. She continues her Cry Pretty Tour 360 to Washington, DC on Friday (October 4th).