CMA Awards 2025: First performers revealed including Ella Langley

The Country Music Association has announced the first round of performers for the 60th annual CMA Awards.

The show takes place Wednesday, Nov. 18 inside Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee.

It airs from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. ET on ABC and Disney+.

The program will be available to stream the next day on Hulu.

Ella Langley is among the first performers confirmed for the night.

She leads all artists this year with nine nominations.

That ties the record for most nominations by a female artist in a single CMA Awards year.

Her 2025 single "Choosin Texas" is nominated for three CMA awards, including song of the year.

That song surpassed 23 consecutive weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100.

It broke a record previously held by Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas is You."

Cody Johnson is also set to perform.

Miranda Lambert will take the stage as well.

Lambert co-wrote and produced Langley's hit single "Choosin Texas."

She earned seven nominations this year, including producer of the year for her work on Langley's 2025 album, Dandelion.

Tim McGraw is on the performer list.

Kacey Musgraves will perform.

The Red Clay Strays are also confirmed.

Zach Top and Tucker Wetmore round out the first announced performer lineup.

Lainey Wilson will host for the third year in a row.

"I couldn't be more excited to be hosting the CMA Awards again this year, especially with it being the 60th anniversary," Wilson said in a Thursday press release.

"I've had so much fun hosting the last two years, and this one's going to be extra special."

Wilson is a twelve-time CMA Awards winner.

This year's show includes a special tribute to Dolly Parton.

Parton died in August at the age of 80.

Her family described her passing as the result of a "brief battle with cancer."

Taylor Swift will also attend the awards show.

She made the announcement on her Instagram page.

Swift received a nomination for Single of the Year for "I Knew It, I Knew You."

That song is featured in Toy Story 5.

The CMA Awards began in 1967.

It stands as network television's longest-running annual music awards show.

The 60th anniversary marks a significant milestone for the organization.

Ella Langley's nine nominations tie a record for most nominations by a female artist in a single year.

That record has been held for decades.

Langley's rise has been rapid.

Her 2025 single "Choosin Texas" became a cultural phenomenon.

It spent 23 consecutive weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100.

That broke a record set by Mariah Carey's holiday classic "All I Want for Christmas is You."

Miranda Lambert's involvement goes beyond performing.

She co-wrote and produced "Choosin Texas."

She also produced Langley's album Dandelion.

That album earned Lambert a nomination for producer of the year.

Lambert has seven total nominations this year.

Kacey Musgraves and Ben West each picked up five nominations.

The full list of first announced performers includes eight acts.

Cody Johnson brings his traditional country sound to the stage.

Tim McGraw is a veteran of the CMA stage.

Kacey Musgraves has won multiple CMA awards in previous years.

The Red Clay Strays are a rising band in country music.

Zach Top and Tucker Wetmore represent newer voices in the genre.

Lainey Wilson's return as host marks her third consecutive year in the role.

She has won twelve CMA Awards in her career.

The tribute to Dolly Parton is expected to be a major moment of the evening.

Parton died in August 2026 at age 80.

She was known as the queen of country music.

Her career spanned more than six decades.

The CMA Awards have honored Parton multiple times over the years.

Taylor Swift's attendance adds another layer of attention to the show.

She received a nomination for Single of the Year.

Her song "I Knew It, I Knew You" appears in Toy Story 5.

Swift announced her attendance on Instagram.

She has a long history with the CMA Awards.

She won her first CMA Award in 2007.

The 60th annual CMA Awards will be broadcast live from Bridgestone Arena.