It’s been a rocky road for the CMA this week, but with the annual awards show imminent, the train must keep running. And on Tuesday, that’s the announcement of additional performers added to an already star-packed roster. Luke Combs, Vince Gill, Megan Moroney, Mumford & Sons, Chris Stapleton, Stephen Wilson Jr., and host Lainey Wilson will all perform, joining the previously announced Kacey Musgraves, Tim McGraw, and Ella Langley.
For their CMA Awards debut, Mumford & Sons will be joined by “Here” collaborator Stapleton – who is also scheduled to perform with fellow deep-voiced guitar virtuoso Wilson Jr. It’s easy to understand why so many artists would clamor to take the awards-show stage with Stapleton: He’s the source of one of the most talked about and beloved CMA performances of all time.
The night will also pay tribute to Brooks & Dunn, this year’s recipients of the CMA Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award with an ensemble performance from Brothers Osborne, Luke Bryan, Halestorm, Hardy, and Marcus King. Though no details have been released about song choices, Brothers Osborne did cover “Hard Workin’ Man” on the Brooks & Dunn collaborative album Reboot, with Hardy, Marcus King, and Halestorm all featured on the second edition, Reboot II (Halestorm’s take on “Boot Scootin’ Boogie” was a particular highlight).
Other already scheduled performers include Red Clay Strays, Zach Top, Miranda Lambert, Cody Johnson, and Tucker Wetmore. Airing live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Nov. 18, the show will also boast a tribute to late country legend Dolly Parton.
Langley, whose “Choosin’ Texas” became a soundtrack for a political movement in Texas, is the top nominee.
The CMA Awards airs live from Nashville on Wednesday, Nov. 18, via ABC and Disney+, and are available to stream the next day on Hulu.
