Universal Universal Music Group Nashville Pressroom

Eric Church has just been added to the list of performers at Wednesday night’s CMA Awards. He joins previously announced performers Luke Bryan, Keith Urban, Kacey Musgraves, Dierks Bentley with Brothers Osborne, Carrie Underwood, Lauren Alaina, Chris Stapleton with Maren Morris and Mavis Staples, Garth Brooks, Kenny Chesney, Luke Combs, Dan + Shay, Florida Georgia Line with Bebe Rexha, Midland, Old Dominion, Pistol Annies, Thomas Rhett, Brett Young and Brad Paisley with special appearances by Jon Pardi, Vince Gill, Ashley McBryde, David Lee Murphy, Lindsay Ell, Chris Janson, Marty Stuart and Cole Swindell, among others.

Eric is currently making his way up the country chart with “Desperate Man.”

The 52nd Annual CMA Awards will broadcast live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena November 14th at 8pm ET/PT on ABC.

Chris Stapleton is nominated for numerous awards at this year’s CMA Awards, including both Single and Song of the Year for his smash “Broken Halos.”

He is a seven-time CMA Awards winner with 16 total career nominations. He is the reigning Male Vocalist of the Year and Album of the Year winner. He returns this year as the most nominated artist of the night with nods in the Album of the Year, Entertainer of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, Single of the Year and Song of the Year categories.

Sam Hunt’s HUGE hit “Body Like a Back Road,” which broke numerous records and is still one of the best played and streamed songs, is nominated for Song of the Year. Sam wrote the tune with Zach Crowell, Shane McAnally and Josh Osborne.

Sam was overwhelmed by the response from fans. “It’s awesome to have a reaction like that from a song, because that song was kind of uncharted territory for me,” says Sam. “So, it almost felt like I was putting out my first record for the first time where you conceptualize this idea and you’ve already conceptualized the reaction that you expect to have to this a song and you just hope that it all comes true. And this exceeded those expectations by a long shot, so it was just really great.”

The 52nd Annual CMA Awards, hosted by Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley, will broadcast live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday (November 14th) at 8pm ET/PT on ABC.

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

“Broken Halos” – Chris Stapleton
Producers: Dave Cobb, Chris Stapleton
Mix Engineer: Vance Powell

“Drinkin’ Problem” – Midland
Producers: Dann Huff, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne
Mix Engineer: Justin Niebank

“Drowns the Whiskey” – Jason Aldean (Feat. Miranda Lambert)
Producer: Michael Knox
Mix Engineer: Jeff Braun

“Meant to Be” – Bebe Rexha & Florida Georgia Line
Producer: Willshire
Mix Engineer: Serban Ghenea

“Tequila” – Dan + Shay
Producers: Scott Hendricks, Dan Smyers
Mix Engineer: Jeff Juliano

SONG OF THE YEAR
(Award goes to Songwriter(s))

“Body Like A Back Road”
Songwriters: Zach Crowell, Sam Hunt, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne

“Broken Halos”
Songwriters: Mike Henderson, Chris Stapleton

“Drowns the Whiskey”
Songwriter: Brandon Kinney, Jeff Middleton, Josh Thompson

“Drunk Girl”
Songwriter: Scooter Carusoe, Tom Douglas, Chris Janson

“Tequila”
Songwriter: Nicolle Galyon, Jordan Reynolds, Dan Smyers

Lauren Alaina is nominated for CMA New Artist of the Year, following her win for New Female Vocalist of the Year win at this year’s ACM Awards.

Lauren first burst on the scene in 2011 when she was on American Idol and won the hearts of millions of fans and says music is  all she’s ever wanted to do.

“My music is so important to me, and it’s been the only thing I’ve ever wanted,” says Lauren. “I’ve always wanted to be a singer and to be on the road and to be entertaining people.”

She is making her way up the country charts with her latest song, “Ladies in the ‘90s.”

The 52nd Annual CMA Awards, hosted by Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley, will broadcast live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday (November 14th) at 8pm ET/PT on ABC.

NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Lauren Alaina
Luke Combs
Chris Janson
Midland
Brett Young

Dierks Bentley is nominated for CMA Musical Event of the Year with his recent tour mates, Brothers Osborne, for the song “Burning Man,” which is nearing the Top 10 on the country charts.

Dierks recently wrapped up his Mountain High Tour, but immediately thought of his former tour mates when he started recording the song. “In the studio, Jedd Hughes put down this great guitar part, and I thought, ‘Man, John would be really cool on that,’ and then, obviously TJ has a, I love his singing. Great voice,” says Dierks. “I would’ve asked them to be on it regardless, I really would have, but the fact they’re on tour with us just makes it all that sweeter.”

Dierks is also up for Male Vocalist and Album of the Year (The Mountain). You can catch him on the morning of the CMA Awards performing two songs on ABC’s Good Morning America.

Vince Gill is also nominated for Musical Event of the Year for his collaboration with Maren Morris on “Dear Hate.” Vince is one of the most awarded artists in CMA history with 18 including two Entertainer of the Year awards and five Male Vocalist Awards.

The 52nd Annual CMA Awards, hosted by Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley, will broadcast live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday (November 14th) at 8pm ET/PT on ABC.

MUSICAL EVENT OF THE YEAR
(Award goes to each Artist)

“Burning Man” – Dierks Bentley Feat. Brothers Osborne
“Dear Hate” – Maren Morris (Feat. Vince Gill)
“Drowns the Whiskey” – Jason Aldean (Feat. Miranda Lambert)
“Everything’s Gonna Be Alright” – David Lee Murphy (with Kenny Chesney)
“Meant to Be” – Bebe Rexha & Florida Georgia Line

Dierks Bentley will kick off the festivities on CMA Day (Wednesday, November 14^th) when he will perform two songs on ABC’s Good Morning America live from his Whiskey Row bar in downtown Nashville. The winners of Musical Event of the Year and Music Video of the Year will be announced on Good Morning America, as well. Dierks is nominated for Musical Event for “Burning Man” with Brothers Osborne, as well as Male Vocalist and Album of the Year (The Mountain).

The 52nd Annual CMA Awards will broadcast live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena November 14th at 8pm ET/PT on ABC.

Brothers Osborne announce today a major extension of their headlining world tour into early next year. The GRAMMY-nominated duo kicks off 2019 in Chicago, IL on January 10 and will hit more than 40 additional markets including New York, Los Angeles, and Nashville. Fans can purchase tickets beginning this Friday, November 16 at www.brothersosborne.com

Known for their “distinctive sound combining classic country and hints of soul” (The Washington Post), Brothers Osborne have earned high praise for their dynamic live show while previously touring with the likes of Eric Church, Little Big Town, Dierks Bentley and Miranda Lambert. Rolling Stone exclaims “The Bros come guns blazing, a guaranteed show-stopper” while Billboard highlights the “face-melting guitar playing that was awe-inspiring.” The Nashville Scene commends the band for their “gritty outlaw-era authenticity and the return of honest-to-goodness guitar solos.”

On the Maryland natives’ headlining world tour, fans can expect to hear the band’s current nostalgic single “I Don’t Remember Me (Before You)” in addition to their three GRAMMY-nominated singles including the No.1 Platinum-Certified “Stay A Little Longer,” rowdy Top 10 hit “It Ain’t My Fault” and the reminiscent “21 Summer.”

Joining John and TJ Osborne for select dates is country rock band The Wild Feathers, comprised of vocalist Taylor Burns, singer-guitarist Ricky Young, singer-bassist Joel King and drummer Ben Dumas. Inspired by The Eagles and Tom Petty, The Wild Feathers are known for their thick harmonies, jangly guitars and smart, tight songwriting.  Singer-songwriter Ruston Kelly will also hit the road with Brothers Osborne for several dates. Ruston released his full-length debut album, Dying Star, earlier this fall to widespread acclaim highlighting his storytelling sensibility that constantly shifts from candid to poetic.

In addition, Philadelphia-born Devon Gilfillian will join Brothers Osborne for the remaining tour dates. Raised by a musical family, Devon grew up singing and took up the electric guitar at 14 years old, kickstarting a fascination with classic rock and other sounds from an older generation. After moving to Nashville, he released his self-titled EP in May 2016 which is equal parts swampy, funky, and enthralling.

Brothers Osborne currently reign as two-time CMA Vocal Duo of the Year and are nominated again at the upcoming “52^nd Annual CMA Awards” set to air on ABC Wednesday, November 14. In addition, they are nominated for Musical Event of the Year for their collaboration with Dierks Bentley on the reflective rocker “Burning Man” which they are set to perform as part of the telecast.

Brothers Osborne – World Tour Dates:

Nov. 25                 Glasgow, Scotland                              O2 Academy Glasgow**

Nov. 27                 Newcastle. England                           O2 Academy Newcastle**

Nov. 28                 Manchester, England                        Academy Manchester**

Nov. 30                 Nottingham, England                        Rock City**

Dec. 1                    Porthcawl, Wales                               Planet Rock Festival

Dec. 2                    London, England                                 O2 Kentish Town Forum**

Jan. 10                   Chicago, IL                                            Riviera Theater*

Jan. 11                   Detroit, MI                                           The Fillmore Detroit*

Jan. 12                   Cleveland, OH                                     Agora Theatre*

Jan. 23                   New York, NY                                      Terminal 5*

Jan. 24                   Boston, MA                                          House of Blues*

Jan. 25                   Philadelphia, PA                                 The Fillmore*

Jan. 26                   Pittsburgh, PA                                     Stage AE – Indoor*

Jan. 30                   Cincinnati, OH                                     Taft Theatre*

Jan. 31                   Chattanooga, TN                                Tivoli Theatre*

Feb. 1                    Mobile, AL                                            Saenger Theater*

Feb. 6                    Birmingham, AL                                  Alabama Theatre*

Feb. 7                    Shreveport, LA                                    Municipal Auditorium*

Feb. 8                    Fort Worth, TX                                    Billy Bob’s Texas*

Feb. 14                  Indianapolis, IN                                   Egyptian Room at Old National Centre*

Feb. 15                  Nashville, TN                                       Ryman Auditorium*

Feb. 16                  Nashville, TN                                       Ryman Auditorium*

Feb. 20                  Columbus, OH                                     Express Live! Indoor Pavilion ⁺

Feb. 21                  Ashland, KY                                          Paramount Arts Center ⁺

Feb. 22                  Richmond, VA                                     The National⁺

Feb. 23                  Washington, DC                                 The Anthem⁺

Mar. 2                    Saint Augustine, FL                            The Saint Augustine Amphitheatre⁺

Mar. 6                    Milwaukee, WI                                   Riverside Theater⁺

Mar. 7                    Sioux City, IA                                       Orpheum Theatre⁺

Mar. 8                    Saint Louis, MO                                  The Pageant⁺

Mar. 9                    Dubuque, IA                                        Five Flags Center⁺

Mar. 13                 Knoxville, TN                                       Knoxville Civic Auditorium⁺

Mar. 14                 Atlanta, GA                                          Tabernacle⁺

Mar. 15                 Savannah, GA                                      Johnny Mercer Theater⁺

Mar. 21                 New Orleans, LA                                 The Fillmore New Orleans – Music Hall^

Mar. 22                 Little Rock, AR                                     Robinson Hall Little Rock^

Mar. 26                 Salt Lake City, UT                               Union Event Center^

Mar. 27                 Boise, ID                                               Knitting Factory Concert House^

Mar. 28                 Seattle, WA                                          Showbox SoDo^

Mar. 30                 Oakland, CA                                         Fox Theater^

Mar. 31                 Stockton, CA                                        Bob Hope Theatre^

Apr. 2                     Bakersfield, CA                                   Fox Theater^

Apr. 3                     Los Angeles, CA                                  The Novo^

Apr. 4                     San Diego, CA                                      House of Blues^

Apr. 9                     Oklahoma City, OK                             The Jones Assembly^

Apr. 10                  Austin, TX                                             Stubbs Waller Creek^

Apr. 12                  Las Vegas, NV                                      Brooklyn Bowl – Las Vegas^

Apr. 25                  Wichita, KS                                           The Cotillion Ballroom^

Apr. 26                  Lincoln, NE                                           Lincoln In The Streets^

Apr. 27                  Columbia, MO                                     The Blue Note – Outdoors^

^*Featuring The Wild Feathers

⁺Featuring Ruston Kelly

^{^}Featuring Devon Gilfillian

^**Featuring Lucie Silvas

Little Big Town could pick up their seventh consecutive CMA Award for Vocal Group of the Year. The group first took home the award in 2012. The foursome – made up of Karen Fairchild, Kimberly Schlapman, Phillip Sweet and Jimi Westbrook – have also won awards for Single of the Year in 2012 for “Pontoon,” as well as Single of the Year for “Girl Crush” in 2015.

Last year, they tied the record held for Vocal Group previously held by the Statler Brothers and Rascal Flatts with six wins in the category. This year, they’re once again nominated with their friends and former tour mates. “We truly are humbled by it,” says the band’s Phillip Sweet. “It’s just amazing to be in that category because there’s so much talent in that category. So, we’re just very thankful.”

The 52nd Annual CMA Awards, hosted by Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley, will broadcast live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday (November 14th) at 8pm ET/PT on ABC.

VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
Lady Antebellum
Lanco
Little Big Town
Midland
Old Dominion

2018 CMA Entertainer of the Year nominee and previous two-time Entertainer of the Year winner Luke Bryan will kick-off Country Music’s Biggest Night™ performing his current single and the title track from his latest album “What Makes You Country” on “The 52^nd Annual CMA Awards.” Luke, who has always long championed up and coming artists, has invited some of country music’s rising superstars to perform with him to showcase the many styles and sounds that encompass country music. Tune-in Wednesday, Nov. 14 at 8:00 PM/ET (7:00 PM/CT) on the ABC Television Network.

“When we began talking about this performance I thought this would be a perfect time to share the stage with a few deserving artists who may not otherwise have an opportunity to be a part of the show,” says Luke. “This genre is full of talented performers doing what makes them country and this is the perfect song to let them step in the spotlight to be seen and heard by the millions tuning in.”

Luke is a five-time CMA Awards winner and is nominated this year for Entertainer of The Year.

Listen to Luke’s What Makes You Country album HERE

About Luke Bryan
Luke is a two-time Academy of Country Music and Country Music Association Entertainer of the Year, a five-time host of the ACM Awards, a NSAI Artist/Songwriter of the Year and was named a CMT Artist of the Year six consecutive years. Luke has more certified digital singles than any other country artist with 40 million tracks and 12 million albums with three Billion music streams and he was the most-streamed country artist from 2012 to 2016. Luke has placed 21 singles at #1, 11 of which he co-wrote, and has headlined arena tours and sold-out stadiums across the U.S.  This summer Luke opened Nashville’s only six-floor entertainment facility in the heart of Music City, LUKE’S 32 BRIDGE FOOD + DRINK. In 2019 Luke, along with Katy Perry and Lionel Richie, will return to the judges table for a second season on ABC’s American Idol.

Carrie Underwood is up for Music Video of the Year for “Cry Pretty,” as well as Female Vocalist at this year’s CMA  Awards; she’s also co-hosting the awards show, as well.has having released some pretty epic videos in her career (“Before She Cheats,” “Two Black Cadillacs,” etc.), so when it came time to film the video for “Cry Pretty,” she wanted to show the juxtaposition between the public persona and the private-sometimes you’ve got to let out your emotions side of the coin.

“For me, it’s like trying to be Carrie Underwood [and] trying to be a mom, trying to be a wife, trying to keep it all together all the time. I could be having the worst day of my life, but if I have interviews to do I’ve got to put my smile on and shut that part out and go do my job. And we all do it. I don’t care what you do. Whatever you’re doing through, there’s times when you just have to emotionally shut it off and do what you’ve got to do,’ she says. “So, I feel like being trained that way, it was nice and refreshing to kind of explore the fact that sometimes you just can’t and sometimes it’s going to come out and instead of being embarrassed or instead of being ‘Oh my gosh I can’t believe all that happened’ or ‘What are people going to think of me?’ or whatever it is that you’re scared of, sometimes you just can’t keep it together and it’s okay… there’s something so strong about it. It was like owning your emotions, and there’s just something so powerful and some strength to that.”

The 52nd Annual CMA Awards, hosted by Carrie and Brad Paisley, will broadcast live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday (November 14th) at 8pm ET/PT on ABC.

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

“Babe” – Sugarland (Featuring Taylor Swift)
Director: Anthony Mandler

“Cry Pretty” – Carrie Underwood
Director: Randee St. Nicholas

“Drunk Girl” – Chris Janson
Director: Jeff Venable

“Marry Me” – Thomas Rhett
Director: TK McKamy

“Tequila” – Dan + Shay
Director: Patrick Tracy

Carrie Underwood and Kacey Musgraves will vie for this year’s CMA Female Vocalist of the Year. Both released critically-acclaimed new projects this past year – Carrie with Cry Pretty and Kacey with Golden Hour.

Kacey, who was named New Artist of the Year in 2013 and picked up an award for CMA Song of the Year in 2014 for “Follow Your Arrow,” felt a part of the country music community after winning her first award. ““I got Best New Artist in 2013 and that was crazy because it had just been a lot of hard work from me and my whole team to get to that point and it’s just like, ‘Okay, here we are. Here we’re going. I’m a part of the country music community. We’re doing this.’” Kacey is also nominated for Album of the Year for Golden Hour.

Carrie has four Female Vocalist of the Year Awards (2006-2008, 2016) under her belt, and she is once again nominated. When she was first named Female Vocalist, she was surprised to hear her name being called.

The 52nd Annual CMA Awards, hosted by Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley, will broadcast live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday (November 14th) at 8pm ET/PT on ABC.

FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Kelsea Ballerini
Miranda Lambert
Kacey Musgraves
Maren Morris
Carrie Underwood