Lainey Wilson will host the 59th Annual CMA Awards solo this Wednesday, live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena at 8 p.m. ET on ABC, with next-day streaming on Hulu.
Wilson, who is also tied with newcomer Ella Langley and Megan Moroney for the most nominations (six each), marks the first solo host since 2021.
The night will feature performances by Luke Combs, Chris Stapleton, Kenny Chesney, Kelsea Ballerini, Post Malone collaborator Blake Shelton (via separate appearances), Zach Top, Riley Green, Old Dominion, and many others.
Country legend Vince Gill will receive the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award, while Entertainer of the Year pits Wilson against Combs, Stapleton, Kelsea Ballerini, and Miranda Lambert in one of the most competitive races in years.
Other top nominees include Zach Top (five nods), Riley Green and Cody Johnson (four each), and Morgan Wallen, Luke Combs, and Chris Stapleton (three each). Breakout stars Shaboozey (“A Bar Song (Tipsy)”) and Ella Langley (“You Look Like You Love Me”) are strong contenders for Single and New Artist honors.
Presenters range from Billy Ray Cyrus and girlfriend Elizabeth Hurley to Gretchen Wilson, LeAnn Rimes, Keith Urban, Little Big Town, and Billy Bob Thornton.
Known as “country music’s biggest night,” the CMA Awards remain the genre’s highest-rated broadcast, regularly drawing over 10 million viewers. This year’s show comes amid country’s strongest mainstream crossover in decades, fueled by hits from Post Malone, Shaboozey, and Morgan Wallen.
Winners are chosen by CMA’s more than 7,000 industry members, with final-round voting closing earlier this month. The ceremony airs commercial-free in some markets and can be streamed live via services including FuboTV, YouTube TV, and DirecTV Stream.