The CMA Awards Just Dropped Their First Round Of Performers, and a Dolly Parton Tribute Is Already on Our Must

The CMA Awards just dropped their first round of performers, and a Dolly Parton tribute is already on our must-watch list.

Miranda Lambert, Ella Langley, Cody Johnson and more are taking the stage as Lainey Wilson hosts country music's biggest night on November 18.

Country fans, go ahead and clear your Wednesday night.

The CMA Awards just revealed their first round of performers, and this lineup has "stay up for the whole show" written all over it.

Cody Johnson, Miranda Lambert, Ella Langley, Tim McGraw, Kacey Musgraves, The Red Clay Strays, Zach Top and Tucker Wetmore will perform at "The 60th Annual CMA Awards," bringing serious star power to a milestone year.

And there's another reason to keep the remote out of reach: a special tribute to Dolly Parton is also on the way.

With Lainey Wilson returning as host for a third consecutive year, the November 18 broadcast is shaping up to be a collision of country legends, breakout stars and artists having some of the biggest moments of their careers.

And this is only the first announcement.

ELLA LANGLEY IS WALKING INTO A MASSIVE NIGHT

If there's one artist with plenty riding on this year's ceremony, it's Ella Langley.

The CMA Awards Just Dropped Their First Round Of Performers, and a Dolly Parton Tribute Is Already on Our Must

After taking home three CMA Awards last year, Langley returns as this year's most-nominated artist with nine nods.

Her nominations include Entertainer, Album and Female Vocalist of the Year, plus Musical Event and Music Video of the Year.

She also earned two nominations each for Single and Song of the Year.

Now, add a performance to that schedule.

What she'll sing remains under wraps, but with that many categories in play, Langley is already one of the night's biggest names to watch.

Langley's rise has been nothing short of historic.

Since its release on October 17, 2025, her single "Choosin' Texas" became the longest-running #1 hit by a female artist this century.

It is the only country song by a woman to triple up and go #1 on Billboard's Hot 100, Hot Country and Country Airplay charts simultaneously.

In September 2026, she made U.S. history by officially capturing the longest-running #1 hit in U.S. history with 23 weeks, passing Mariah Carey's long-standing record of 22 atop the all-genre Billboard Hot 100.

Notably, "Choosin' Texas" is also now the first song in history to remain at #1 on the Hot 100 for over half a calendar year (26 weeks), dominating the chart throughout 2026.

Her sophomore album, Dandelion, debuted at #1 on the all-genre Billboard 200 and sold 169,000 equivalent album units in the U.S. in its first week.

Langley became just the second woman in history to hold the #1 album and song in the U.S. simultaneously with a country song/album.

MIRANDA LAMBERT AND CODY JOHNSON BRING SOME SERIOUS FIREPOWER

Miranda Lambert is heading into the ceremony with seven nominations, and a career total that deserves its own standing ovation.

With 70 career CMA Awards nominations, Lambert remains the most-nominated female artist in the show's history.

This year's recognition includes her 19th Female Vocalist of the Year nomination, alongside nods recognizing her work as an artist, songwriter and producer.

Cody Johnson, meanwhile, returns as the reigning Male Vocalist of the Year with four nominations: Entertainer, Male Vocalist, Single and Music Video of the Year.

A Johnson performance and the possibility of another major trophy means CoJo Nation has plenty of reasons to tune in.

TIM MCGRAW HAS SOMETHING EXTRA TO CELEBRATE

Tim McGraw's appearance comes with a particularly meaningful milestone.

He was announced as a performer in celebration of his being newly inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

McGraw has 40 career nominations for the CMAs, the latest of which is a current nod for Musical Event of the Year.

THE DOLLY PARTON TRIBUTE

The special tribute to Dolly Parton has not yet been detailed by the Country Music Association.

Who will perform the tribute, what songs will be featured, and how the segment will be structured remain under wraps.

But given that this is the 60th anniversary of the CMA Awards, and Parton is one of the most decorated artists in the show's history, the tribute is expected to be a centerpiece of the evening.

Parton has won 11 CMA Awards over her career, including Entertainer of the Year in 1978.

She has been nominated 52 times.

THE FULL PERFORMER LINEUP SO FAR

The first round of eight performers announced includes: Cody Johnson, Miranda Lambert, Ella Langley, Tim McGraw, Kacey Musgraves, The Red Clay Strays, Zach Top and Tucker Wetmore.