The first performers for "The 60th Annual CMA Awards" have been named by the Country Music Association and ABC, and the show will include a special tribute to Dolly Parton, according to Pollstar. The first group is Cody Johnson, Miranda Lambert, Ella Langley, Tim McGraw, Kacey Musgraves, The Red Clay Strays, Zach Top and Tucker Wetmore.
The ceremony takes place Wednesday, Nov. 18, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, WZTV reported. Lainey Wilson returns as host for the third year in a row. Taste of Country reported that the show will air live on ABC and Disney+, with a next-day stream on Hulu.
Several of the announced performers are also nominees. Pollstar reported that Langley has the most nominations this year, nine, among them Entertainer of the Year. WZTV reported that Lambert has seven nominations and Musgraves has five. Laughing Place reported that Johnson is up for four awards, and Pollstar reported that Top has two nominations. McGraw, newly inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, has 40 career CMA Awards nominations and is a nominee for Musical Event of the Year, according to Pollstar.
The CMA did not release specific details about the Parton tribute, iHeart's 94.9 The Bull reported. Dork reported that the tribute follows Parton's death in August. In October, the CMA hosted "CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton" in Nashville at the Fisher Center for the Performing Arts on Belmont University's campus, iHeart reported.
Laughing Place reported that more performers and presenters will be announced in the coming weeks.
Earlier coverage: CMA Awards Announce First Performers and Dolly Parton Tribute for Nov. 18 Show.
Sources: Pollstar · Taste of Country · WZTV / KOMO News · iHeart (94.9 The Bull) · Dork · Laughing Place
