CMA Awards 60th kicks off with Dolly Parton tribute and star-studded lineup

The Country Music Association and ABC have announced the first round of performers for The 60th Annual CMA Awards.

The ceremony will include a special tribute to Dolly Parton, honoring the country music legend’s lasting impact on entertainment.

Hosted by Lainey Wilson for the third consecutive year, the show airs live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, November 18, from 8:00 to 11:00 p.m. ET on ABC and Disney+.

It will be available the next day on Hulu.

The initial lineup includes Cody Johnson, Miranda Lambert, Ella Langley, Tim McGraw, Kacey Musgraves, The Red Clay Strays, Zach Top and Tucker Wetmore.

Several of these performers are also among this year’s nominees.

Ella Langley leads all nominees with nine nods, including Entertainer, Album and Female Vocalist of the Year.

She is also nominated twice each for Single and Song of the Year.

Miranda Lambert has seven nominations this year, bringing her career total to a record 70 nominations for a female artist.

Her seven nominations this year include two for Single of the Year, one for Album of the Year as a producer, two for Musical Event of the Year, Song of the Year as a songwriter and her 19th nomination for Female Vocalist of the Year.

Kacey Musgraves has earned five nominations, including Album, Song, Female Vocalist, Musical Event and Music Video of the Year.

Cody Johnson, the reigning Male Vocalist of the Year, is up for four awards: Entertainer, Male Vocalist, Single and Music Video of the Year.

Zach Top, the reigning New Artist of the Year, has two nominations: Male Vocalist and Album of the Year for “Ain’t In It for My Health.”

Tucker Wetmore receives his second CMA nomination in the New Artist of the Year category.

The Red Clay Strays, the reigning Vocal Group of the Year, are nominated again this year in the same category.

Tim McGraw, who was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame last month, is nominated for Musical Event of the Year and will perform during the ceremony.

McGraw has 40 career CMA Awards nominations.

Dolly Parton, a Country Music Hall of Fame member, died in August.

The tribute to Parton will celebrate her influence and legacy, which have touched every corner of entertainment and beyond.

At last year’s ceremony, Lainey Wilson won Album of the Year for “Whirlwind.”

Ella Langley and Riley Green’s “You Look Like You Love Me” took Song and Single of the Year.

Post Malone and Blake Shelton’s “Pour Me a Drink” was named Musical Event of the Year.

The Red Clay Strays won Vocal Group of the Year.

Zach Top won New Artist of the Year.

Additional performers and presenters will be announced in the coming weeks.

A limited number of tickets remain available through CMAawards.com.

Fans will also get unprecedented access through CMA Awards Backstage Live, a second-screen TikTok experience hosted by Lauren Alaina and HaleyyBaylee.

In December, ABC will air the annual CMA Country Christmas, hosted by Lady A.

The 60th Annual CMA Awards marks six decades of Country Music’s Biggest Night.

The show brings together genre icons and the artists shaping its future.

Ella Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas” has dominated the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 this year.

Miranda Lambert holds the record for the most CMA Awards nominations by a female artist with 70 career nods.

Cody Johnson is the reigning Male Vocalist of the Year.

The Red Clay Strays are the reigning Vocal Group of the Year.

Zach Top is the reigning New Artist of the Year.

Lainey Wilson is the reigning Entertainer of the Year.

The ceremony will air live from Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.

Bridgestone Arena is a major indoor venue in downtown Nashville, frequently hosting concerts and awards shows.

The CMA Awards have been broadcast on ABC for decades.

The show is produced by the Country Music Association.

The Country Music Association was founded in 1958.

The first CMA Awards ceremony was held in 1967.

Dolly Parton has won 11 CMA Awards over her career.

She was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1999.

Parton’s career spans more than six decades.

She is known for hits including “Jolene,” “9 to 5” and “I Will Always Love You.”

The tribute at the 60th CMA Awards will honor her contributions to country music and popular culture.

Ella Langley took home three CMA Awards last year.

Kacey Musgraves has won seven CMA Awards in her career.

Tim McGraw has won 14 CMA Awards.

Cody Johnson has won three CMA Awards.

Miranda Lambert has won 14 CMA Awards.

The Red Clay Strays won their first CMA Award last year.

Zach Top won his first CMA Award last year.

Tucker Wetmore is nominated for his second CMA Award.

The 60th CMA Awards will be the third time Lainey Wilson has hosted.

Wilson won Entertainer of the Year at the 2024 CMA Awards.

She won Album of the Year at the 2025 CMA Awards.

The show will feature performances from both established stars and rising artists.

The lineup represents a mix of traditional and contemporary country music.

The CMA Awards are considered one of the premier events in country music.

The ceremony attracts millions of viewers each year.

ABC and Disney+ will broadcast the show live.

Hulu will stream the show the following day.