The two most-nominated artists at this year’s CMA Awards are also among this year’s initial round of performers.
Lainey Wilson, this year’s leading contender with nine nominations, and Jelly Roll, with five nominations, will both perform during the 57th annual CMA Awards, which airs live on Nov. 8 on ABC from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena.
The star-studded lineup will also feature one of this year’s co-hosts, two-time CMA entertainer of the year winner Luke Bryan, as well as performances from Megan Moroney, Little Big Town, K. Michelle, Old Dominion, Carly Pearce, Chris Stapleton and newly-inducted Country Music Hall of Fame member Tanya Tucker.
Though Jelly Roll is a first-time CMA Awards performer, he will have two performance slots during CMA Awards night, opening the show with his Billboard No. 1 Country Airplay hit “Need a Favor.” Later in the telecast, he will join forces with R&B performer K. Michelle to perform a tribute to The Judds, offering up the duo’s signature hit “Love Can Build a Bridge.” Jelly Roll, K. Michelle and The Fisk Jubilee Singers recorded a version of “Love Can Build a Bridge” as part of the upcoming The Judds tribute album (A Tribute to the Judds) is out on Oct. 27.
Wilson — who earned her first nomination in the coveted entertainer of the year category this year — will perform “Wildflowers and Wild Horses.”
Meanwhile, Bryan will celebrate his more than two dozen No. 1 Country Airplay chart-toppers, offering a medley of hits including “Play It Again” and “Country Girl (Shake It For Me).”
Three-time nominee Chris Stapleton will also pull double-duty as a performer this year, offering his new single, “White Horse,” and teaming with Carly Pearce (up for female vocalist and musical event of the year) to perform their duet “We Don’t Fight Anymore.”
Little Big Town will join Tucker for a performance of her debut 1972 hit “Delta Dawn.” Meanwhile, Old Dominion (who are up for vocal group and music video of the year) and Megan Moroney (up for new artist and song of the year) will perform their collaboration “Can’t Break Up Now,” featured on Old Dominion’s recent Memory Lane project.
The CMA Awards will be co-hosted by Bryan and NFL legend Peyton Manning. Additional performers and presenters will be revealed in the coming weeks.
