Eric Church, Blake Shelton and More to Performer at 2021 CMA Awards
Here's the first round of performers for the 55th annual show!
Just a few days after announcing superstar Luke Bryan as the night’s first-time host, the opening round of performers for the 55th annual CMA Awards has been revealed.
Appearing at the November 10 show are country talent from across the spectrum, including new faces and established stars. Jimmie Allen, Brothers Osborne, Eric Church, Dan + Shay, Mickey Guyton featuring Brittney Spencer and Madeline Edwards, Carly Pearce and Ashley McBryde, and Blake Shelton are all on the lineup, and that’s just the first round.
According to an official announcement made Thursday (October 21), hit maker and current Dancing With the Stars contestant, Allen, will perform his single “Freedom Was a Highway.” Brothers Osborne will deliver a “deeply personal” performance from their Skeletons album, marking the duo’s first CMA appearance since front man, TJ Osborne, came out of the closet as the only gay artist on a major country label.
Meanwhile, Church will seek to defend his Entertainer of the Year crown while performing “Heart on Fire,” and perennial CMA Duo of the Year, Dan + Shay, will sing “I Should Probably Go to Bed.”
Collaborations will include New Artist of the Year nominee, Guyton, alongside Spencer and newcomer Edwards, helping carry the torch for country’s emerging voices of color. And McBryde and Pearce are set for a special duet of “Never Wanted to Be That Girl.” Finally, Shelton will perform his new single, “Come Back as a Country Boy.”
More performers will be announced as the big night approaches, and the full list of nominees can be viewed here.
The 55th annual CMA Awards will take place at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on November 10, airing live on ABC at 8/7c.
