Kacey Musgraves, Tim McGraw, and Ella Langley Set for CMA Awards

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

Ella Langley, Tim McGraw, Kacey Musgraves, Miranda Lambert, Cody Johnson, The Red Clay Strays, Zach Top, and Tucker Wetmore will take the stage at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, November 18, 2026.

The show will also include a special tribute performance honoring the late Dolly Parton, who died on August 25 after a battle with cancer at age 80.

Lainey Wilson will host the ceremony for her third consecutive year.

She made her hosting debut in 2024 alongside Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning, then hosted solo in 2025.

“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 statement after the news was unveiled in September.

“I’ve had so much fun hosting the last two years, and this one’s going to be extra special. Can’t wait to see y’all in November!”

Tim McGraw’s upcoming appearance marks his first at the CMA Awards since 2017, when he performed his nominated duet “The Rest of Our Life” with Faith Hill.

It has been a banner year for McGraw.

He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame and kicked off his residency at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas this week.

Ella Langley leads all nominees with nine nominations, including Entertainer of the Year.

Miranda Lambert follows closely with seven nominations, making her the most nominated female artist in CMA Awards history.

Kacey Musgraves and Ben West each have five nominations.

Cody Johnson, Chris Stapleton, and Stephen Wilson Jr. each have four.

Lambert earned seven nominations in a year when she did not release a full album — her project “Crisco” will be eligible in 2027.

Langley already performed her chart-dominating hit “Choosin’ Texas” at the 2025 CMA Awards.

Fans are speculating whether she and Lambert will perform their duet “Snakeskin Boots” this year.

Others are watching to see if Musgraves brings a Spanish-language song, such as her collaboration with Intocable on “Uncertain, Texas,” to the CMA stage.

What songs any of the artists will perform — and whether any collaborations are planned — has not yet been announced.