The 2020 ACM Awards are only two days away, and now we know more about the performances for the ceremony. Airing live from three locations in Nashville — the Grand Ole Opry, the Ryman Auditorium and the Bluebird Cafe — some of country music’s biggest stars will perform live. Keep reading to find out some of the most-anticipated performances of the night.
1. The ACM Entertainer of the Year Nominees Opening the Show
All five of the Entertainer of the Year nominees will kick off the show with one big medley of some of their biggest hits. While the specific songs have yet to be announced, with Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Luke Combs, Carrie Underwood and Thomas Rhett all nominated for the night’s highest honor, there are plenty to choose from.
2. Keith Urban and Pink Performing “One Too Many”
Pink joined Keith on the track “One Too Many” from his upcoming The Speed of Now Part 1 album, out on September 18.
“Hearing her voice on the song ‘One Too Many,’ man it was unbelievable,” Keith told ET Canada, recalling hearing their completed collaboration for the first time. That is an astounding, astounding gift that she has. And again, her as a person, it’s also why she’s been around a long time. She’s absolutely astounding and it was great to get to do that with her.”
3. Taylor Swift Returning to the ACM Awards
Taylor Swift is returning to the ACM Awards for the first time in seven years. The country-turned-pop superstar will perform “Betty,” a surprisingly country-sounding song, from her recent Folklore record.
4. Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani Performing “Happy Anywhere”
Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani, who have been together for five years, will perform Blake’s current single, “Happy Anywhere.”
“Even though Gwen and I just had a single out we decided that, under the circumstances, this year… man, there’s never been a better time for ‘Happy Anywhere,’” Blake said in a statement about the song, explaining why he was releasing another duet with Gwen after “Nobody But You.” “We’ve all been in quarantine and lockdown, and hopefully we’ve been doing that with somebody that we really love and enjoy being around. That’s what happened with Gwen and me this summer – and this entire year.”
5. Trisha Yearwood Singing “I’ll Carry You Home” in Memoriam
Trisha Yearwood will honor those in the country music industry who have recently passed away with a performance of her song, “I’ll Carry You Home,” from her latest Every Girl album. Although details of who will be honored has not been announced, it’s safe to say that Charlie Daniels, Joe Diffie and John Prine will be included in the lengthy list.
6. Miranda Lambert with Natalie Hemby and Luke Dick Performing “Bluebird”
“Bluebird,” written by Miranda Lambert, along with Natalie Hemby and Luke Dick, became the singer’s first No. 1 single in eight years. So it seems only fitting that the trio of writers would perform the song together at the renowned Bluebird Cafe.
7. Tim McGraw Singing “I Called Mama”
Speaking of the Bluebird, Tim McGraw will also share an intimate performance of his current single, “I Called Mama” at the songwriter’s venue as well.
“On the one hand this song is literally, ‘Hey, call your mom,’” Tim previously said of the song. “On the other hand, you look at a time like this, there are real hardships for everyone, and it’s a great reminder that hearing someone’s voice who knows you and loves you can help you get through anything.
“I think it’s at these very difficult times that music can help and the power of a song can give someone a moment of clarity or comfort, or just a smile,” he added. “Especially now, when we seem to need it more than ever.”
8. Mickey Guyton Singing “What Are You Gonna Tell Her”
Mickey Guyton debuted the powerful song, “What Are You Gonna Tell Her” at the annual Country Radio Seminar in February, in front of a venue full of radio executives and other music industry insiders.
“This song is a call to action,” Mickey told CMT of the song. “We are all so obviously very much so aware of the problems with the lack of women being played on country radio and just getting played period in country music and getting signed, whether it’s publishers or anything. It’s a really, really hard position to be in. And I’ve been dealing with so many issues as being a woman for so long and I wanted to write about it.”
9. Dan + Shay Performing Their New “I Should Probably Go to Bed”
Dan + Shay will perform their new single, “I Should Probably Go to Bed” from the Grand Ole Opry. The song, from their next album, is a pure masterpiece, even though it almost didn’t even happen,
“We wrote part of this song in Los Angeles during Grammy week but finished it at my house, on my piano, kind of by accident,” Dan Smyers explained. “Shay [Mooney] had come over to record vocals on another song that we had written. We took a break, went downstairs, started singing this song, and realized this song needs a big ending.
“So we really went for it,” he added. “Shay delivered one of my favorite vocal performances of all time. We’re so proud that this is our new single.”
10. Carrie Underwood Singing a Medley of Hits by Iconic Female Artists
Not only will Carrie sing with her fellow Entertainer of the Year nominees to open the show, but she will also perform a medley of hits by some of the female artists over the years, including by Reba McEntire, Loretta Lynn, Barbara Mandrell, Patsy Cline, Martina McBride and Dolly Parton.
The 2020 CMA Awards will air live on Wednesday, September 16, at 8:00 PM ET on CBS.
