CMA Awards 2016: What to Expect From Tonight's Show

The show airs tonight on ABC.

By
STEPHEN HUBBARD
November 2, 2016, 10:55 AM ET
4 min read

— -- The 50th Annual CMA Awards take place tonight and anything could happen!

For the first time in memory, the Country Music Association has closed rehearsals, building the excitement toward tonight's historic show.

Current stars are expected to forgo promoting their upcoming albums in favor of paying tribute to heritage artists. Set to take the stage tonight are: Alabama, Jason Aldean, Kelsea Ballerini, Dierks Bentley, Clint Black, Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood, Brooks & Dunn, Luke Bryan, Cam, Eric Church, Roy Clark, Charlie Daniels, Randy Travis, Florida Georgia Line, Vince Gill, Alan Jackson, Elle King, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Martina McBride, Tim McGraw, Maren Morris, Kacey Musgraves, Jennifer Nettles, Brad Paisley, Pentatonix, Charley Pride, Thomas Rhett, Reba, Ricky Skaggs, George Strait, Chris Stapleton, Cole Swindell, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban and Dwight Yoakam. Dan+Shay will pass out the pre-televised awards.

Hall of Famers Bill Anderson, Brenda Lee, Barbara Mandrell, and The Oak Ridge Boys will appear, as well as past winner Lee Greenwood and 1974 Female Vocalist of the Year Olivia Newton-John. Jennifer Garner, Matthew McConaughey, Sharon Stone, and Lily Tomlin will represent Hollywood. Josh Dallas of "Once Upon a Time" and Wendi McLendon-Covey and Hayley Orrantia of "The Goldbergs" will also join the festivities.

NFL legend Peyton Manning, Olympic gymnasts Simone Biles, Gabby Douglas, Laurie Hernandez, Madison Kocian, and Aly Raisman, plus ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit and Samantha Ponder will represent the sports world.

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Here's the complete list of the nominees for the 50th Annual CMA Awards, which air live tonight from Nashville's Bridgestone Arena, starting at 8 p.m. ET on ABC:

Entertainer of the Year

  • Garth Brooks
  • Luke Bryan
  • Chris Stapleton
  • Carrie Underwood
  • Keith Urban

    • Album of the Year

  • Hero, Maren Morris
  • Mr. Misunderstood, Eric Church
  • Storyteller, Carrie Underwood
  • Black, Dierks Bentley
  • Ripcord, Keith Urban

    • Single of the Year

  • “Die a Happy Man,” Thomas Rhett
  • “Humble and Kind,” Tim McGraw
  • “My Church,” Maren Morris
  • “Nobody to Blam,e” Chris Stapleton
  • “Record Year,” Eric Church

    • Song of the Year

  • “Die a Happy Man,” Thomas Rhett
  • “Humble and Kind,” Tim McGraw
  • “My Church,” Maren Morris
  • “Record Year,” Eric Church
  • “Burning House,” Cam

    • Male Vocalist of the Year

  • Eric Church
  • Tim McGraw
  • Chris Stapleton
  • Dierks Bentley
  • Keith Urban

    • Female Vocalist of the Year

  • Kelsea Ballerini
  • Miranda Lambert
  • Maren Morris
  • Kacey Musgraves
  • Carrie Underwood

    • New Artist of the Year

  • Kelsea Ballerini
  • Brothers Osborne
  • Maren Morris
  • Old Dominion
  • Cole Swindell

    • Vocal Group of the Year

  • Lady Antebellum
  • Little Big Town
  • Old Dominion
  • Rascal Flatts
  • Zac Brown Band

    • Vocal Duo of the Year

  • Brothers Osborne
  • Dan + Shay
  • Florida Georgia Line
  • Joey + Rory
  • Maddie & Tae

    • Musical Event of the Year

  • “Different for Girls,” Dierks Bentley feat. Elle King
  • “Home Alone Tonight,” Luke Bryan featuring Karen Fairchild
  • “The Fighter,” Keith Urban (featuring Carrie Underwood)
  • “Think of You,” Chris Young (duet with Cassadee Pope)
  • “You Are My Sunshine,” Morgane Stapleton with Chris Stapleton

  • Music Video of the Year

  • “Fire Away,” Chris Stapleton
  • “Humble and Kind,” Tim McGraw
  • “Record Year,” Eric Church
  • “Somewhere on a Beach,” Dierks Bentley
  • “Burning House,” Cam

    • Musician of the Year

  • Jerry Douglas (dobro/lap steel guitar)
  • Paul Franklin (steel guitar)
  • Dann Huff (guitar)
  • Brent Mason (guitar)
  • Derek Wells (guitar)