From nominations and notes to performers and presenters, hereâs everything a country music fan needs to know about the 55th ACM Awards on Sept. 16.
- Date: Wednesday, Sept. 16
- Time: 8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT / delayed PT
- Location: Grand Ole Opry House, The Bluebird Cafe and Ryman Auditorium
- TV Channel: CBS
- Online Stream: CBS All Access
- Host: Keith Urban
- Performers: Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban and Pink, Blake Shelton with Gwen Stefani, Jimmie Allen, Kelsea Ballerini, Gabby Barrett, Luke Combs, Miranda Lambert, Tim McGraw, Maren Morris, Old Dominion, Riley Green, Tenille Townes, Thomas Rhett with Jon Pardi, Eric Church, Mickey Guyton, Morgan Wallen, Dan + Shay, Kane Brown, Florida Georgia Line, Trisha Yearwood, Taylor Swift, and Luke Bryan
- Presenters: Lauren Alaina, Lily Aldridge, Clint Black and Lisa Hartman Black, Cam, Darius Rucker, Runaway June, CeCe Winas and more
- Previously Announced Winners: Riley Green (New Male Vocalist of the Year), Tenille Townes (New Female Vocalist of the Year), Hillary Lindsey (Songwriter of the Year), Thomas Rhett (Video of the Year âRemember You Youngâ), and Miranda Lambert featuring Maren Morris, Caylee Hammack, Elle King, Ashley McBryde and Tenille Townes (Music Event of the Year âFooled Around and Fell in Loveâ)
- Pre-Show/Red Carpet: 6 p.m. CT
- Notes: The ACM Awards were originally planned to air from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on April 5. The Academy scrapped the plan on March 15 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Set List
Ryman Auditorium
- Kelsea Ballerini â âHole in the Bottleâ
- Gabby Barrett â âI Hopeâ
- Maren Morris â âTo Hell & Backâ
- Old Dominion â medley
- Thomas Rhett â âBeer Canât Fixâ
- Riley Green â TBA
- Tenille Townes â TBA
Bluebird Cafe
- Jimmie Allen â âMake Me Want Toâ
- Luke Combs â âBetter Togetherâ
- Miranda Lambert featuring Natalie Hemby and Luke Dick â âBluebirdâ
- Tim McGraw â âI Called Mamaâ
Grand Ole Opry
- Mickey Guyton â âWhat Are You Gonna Tell Herâ
- Eric Church â âStick That in Your Country Songâ
- Luke Bryan â âOne Margaritaâ
- Morgan Wallen â âWhiskey Glassesâ
- Kane Brown â âWorldwide Beautifulâ
- Dan + Shay â âI Should Probably Go to Bedâ
- Florida Georgia Line â âI Love My Countryâ
- Carrie Underwood â medley of songs by Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, Barbara Mandrell, Martina McBride, Reba McEntire and Dolly Parton
- Taylor Swift â âBettyâ
TBA
- Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani â âHappy Anywhereâ
- Trisha Yearwood â âIâll Carry You Homeâ (In Memoriam)
- Keith Urban and Pink â âOne Too Manyâ
- Luke Bryan, Luke Combs, Eric Church, Carrie Underwood and Thomas Rhett â medley
The Nominees
Song of the Year (Awarded to Songwriter/Publisher/Artist)
- â10,000 Hoursâ â Dan + Shay feat. Justin Bieber, written by Justin Bieber, Jason âPoo Bearâ Boyd, Jessie Jo Dillon, Shay Mooney, Jordan Reynolds, Dan Smyers
- âGirl Goinâ Nowhereâ â Ashley McBryde, written by Jeremy Bussey, Ashley McBryde
- âGodâs Countryâ â Blake Shelton, written by Devin Dawson, Michael Hardy, Jordan Schmidt
- âOne Man Bandâ â Old Dominion, written by Josh Osborne, Matthew Ramsey, Trevor Rosen, Brad Tursi
- âSome of Itâ â Erich Church, written by Eric Church, Clint Daniels, Jeff Hyde, Bobby Pinson
Duo of the Year
- Brooks & Dunn
- Brothers Osborne
- Dan + Shay
- Florida Georgia Line
- Maddie & Tae
Group of the Year
- Lady A
- Little Big Town
- Midland
- Old Dominion
- The Highwomen
Male Artist of the Year
- Dierks Bentley
- Luke Combs
- Thomas Rhett
- Chris Stapleton
- Keith Urban
Female Artist of the Year
- Kelsea Ballerini
- Miranda Lambert
- Maren Morris
- Kacey Musgraves
- Carrie Underwood
Entertainer of the Year
- Luke Bryan
- Eric Church
- Luke Combs
- Thomas Rhett
- Carrie Underwood
Album of the Year [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record CompanyâLabel(s)]
- Center Point Road â Thomas Rhett
- Girl â Maren Morris
- Heartache Medication â Jon Pardi
- What You See Is What You Get â Luke Combs
- Wildcard â Miranda Lambert
Single of the Year [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record CompanyâLabel(s)]
- âGodâs Countryâ â Blake Shelton
- âOne Man Bandâ Old Dominion
- âRainbowâ â Kacey Musgraves
- âRumorâ â Lee Brice
- âWhat If I Never Get Over Youâ â Lady Antebellum
New Female Artist of the Year
- Ingrid Andress
- Gabby Barrett
- Lindsay Ell
- Caylee Hammack
- Tenille Townes WINNER
New Male Artist of the Year
- Jordan Davis
- Russell Dickerson
- Riley Green WINNER
- Cody Johnson
- Morgan Wallen
Music Event of the Year [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record CompanyâLabel(s)]
- â10,000 Hoursâ â Dan + Shay featuring Justin Bieber
- âDive Barâ â Garth Brooks featuring Blake Shelton
- âFooled Around and Fell in Loveâ â Miranda Lambert featuring Maren Morris, Elle King, Tenille Townes, Ashley McBryde and Caylee Hammack WINNER
- Old Town Roadâ â Lil Nas X featuring Billy Ray Cyrus
- âWhat Happens in a Small Townâ â Brantley Gilbert featuring Lindsay Ell
Songwriter of the Year
- Ashley Gorley
- Michael Hardy
- Hillary Lindsey WINNER
- Shane McAnally
- Josh Osborne
Video of the Year [Awarded to Producer(s)/Director(s)/Artist(s)]
- â10,000 Hoursâ â Dan + Shay featuring Justin Bieber
- âGodâs Countryâ â Blake Shelton
- âOne Man Bandâ â Old Dominion
- âRemember You Youngâ â Thomas Rhett WINNER
- âSugarcoatâ â Little Big Town
photo by Arroyo/O\âConnor, AFF-USA.com