Celebrate these nominees for “The 54th Annual CMA Awards.” Watch Wed, Nov. 11 at 8|7c to see winners revealed LIVE on ABC!

Country Music’s Biggest Night™ to Broadcast Live from Nashville Wednesday, Nov. 11 on ABC

McEntire and Rucker Reveal News Live on ABC’s “Good Morning America”

CMA has revealed that Country Music superstars and previous CMA Awards winners Reba McEntire and Darius Rucker will host “The 54^th Annual CMA Awards” live from Nashville on Wednesday, Nov. 11 (8:00-11:00 PM/EST) on ABC. Country Music’s Biggest Night™ will take place from Music City Center in downtown Nashville and will feature the biggest artists and performances in Country Music. McEntire and Rucker came together to announce the news live this morning on ABC’s “Good Morning America.”

“I’m thrilled to be back hosting the CMA Awards and even more thrilled that I get to share the stage with Darius Rucker,” says McEntire. “We’re looking forward to a night of celebrating great Country Music and hope you’ll tune in and watch!”

“I look forward to the CMA Awards every year because of the incredible performances and the opportunity to celebrate the year in Country Music,” says Rucker. “To be invited to host this year’s awards alongside Reba — are you kidding me?! — it is an absolute honor. Even though this year will look a little different than normal, I know that we’re all eager for a night of musical celebration, and this year’s show definitely won’t disappoint!”

Rucker joins the CMA Awards stage for the first time as host, while McEntire returns for the fifth time.

“We are beyond thrilled to welcome Reba and Darius as this year’s CMA Awards hosts,” says Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “Their playful chemistry and genuine warmth are exactly what we know our viewers want to see this year. We look forward to bringing fans a night of celebration, live performances and a television experience unlike any other. We cannot wait to share more details about our show in the coming weeks.”

Multi-media entertainment mogul Reba McEntire has become a household name through a successful career that spans across music, television, film, theater and retail. The Country Music Hall of Fame and Hollywood Bowl member has won 16 ACM Awards, 15 American Music Awards, 9 People’s Choice Awards, 6 CMA Awards, 3 GRAMMY Awards, a GMA Dove Award and was a 2018 Kennedy Center Honors recipient, in addition to multiple philanthropic and leadership honors. Reba has celebrated unprecedented success including 35 career No.1 singles and selling over 56 million albums worldwide. Last month, Reba received her 51^st CMA Awards nomination as well as her 60^th Top 10 hit on the Billboard chart, extending her record for the most among female artists. Reba has now collected Top 10 hits in five straight decades and is the fourth artist to achieve the feat alongside George Jones, Willie Nelson and Dolly Parton. The Oklahoma native and Golden Globe nominated actress has 11 movie credits to her name, a lead role on Broadway in Irving Berlin’s “Annie Get Your Gun” and starred in the six-season television sitcom “Reba.” Her brand partnerships include Dillard’s, REBA by Justin™ and she was named the first female and musician to portray KFC’s iconic founder Colonel Harland Sanders in their celebrity colonel campaign. Reba just launched her very first Spotify original podcast, Living & Learning with Reba McEntire, with her former “Reba” TV show co-star Melissa Peterman. Together with their guests including Dolly Parton, Leslie Jordan, Kristin Chenoweth and more they explore a variety of topics including aging, cancel culture, dating and more.

Three-time GRAMMY Award winner and Grand Ole Opry member Darius Rucker first achieved multi-Platinum status in the music industry as lead singer and rhythm guitarist of Hootie & the Blowfish, whose 2x Diamond-certified Cracked Rear View remains the seventh-highest selling studio album of all time. Since releasing his first Country album in 2008, which earned him the CMA Award for New Artist of the Year, Rucker has gained a whole new legion of fans with four No. 1 albums and nine No. 1 singles at Country radio. His current of-the-moment single, “Beers And Sunshine,” was written via a Zoom session earlier this year and calls for slowing down to enjoy the simple things in life when the world feels out of control. A lifelong philanthropist, Rucker is a constant supporter of MUSC Children’s Hospital in his hometown of Charleston, SC and has raised more than $2 million dollars for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital through his annual Darius & Friends event.

Nominations for “The 54^thAnnual CMA Awards” were revealed last month and can be found at CMAawards.com. Winners of “The 54th Annual CMA Awards” will be determined in a final round of voting by eligible voting CMA members. The third and final ballot is open now and closes Tuesday, Oct. 27 (6:00 PM/CT).

“The 54th Annual CMA Awards” is a production of the Country Music Association. Robert Deaton is the Executive Producer, Alan Carter is the Director and David Wild is the Head Writer.

About the CMA Awards
The first “CMA Awards Banquet and Show” was held in 1967. The following year, the CMA Awards was broadcast for the first time – making it the longest running, annual music awards program on network television. The CMA Awards have aired on ABC since 2006. ABC is the network home of the CMA Awards and CMA’s other two television properties, “CMA Fest” and “CMA Country Christmas.”

NOMINEES FOR “THE 54^th ANNUAL CMA AWARDS”

Miranda Lambert Tops the List with Seven Nominations. Breaking the Record for Most Nominations by a Female Artist
in CMA Awards History with 55 Nods.

Other Top Nominees Include Luke Combs with Six Nominations, Maren Morris with Five, Dan + Shay, Jay Joyce and Carly Pearce Each Earn Four, while Justin Bieber, Ashley McBryde, and Keith Urban Each Claim Three Nominations.

Don’t Miss Country Music’s Biggest Night™ Live Wednesday, Nov. 11 on ABC

CMA has announced the nominees for “The 54^th Annual CMA Awards,” with Miranda Lambert topping the list at seven nominations – making CMA Awards history as the first female artist to accumulate a record-breaking 55 total career nods. This record was previously held by Reba McEntire, who earned her 51^st nomination this year. Other top nominees include Luke Combs with six nominations – including his first ever nod for Entertainer of the Year, Maren Morris with five nods, Dan + Shay, producer Jay Joyce and Carly Pearce each securing four, and Justin Bieber, Ashley McBryde and Keith Urban each up for trophies in three categories during the live broadcast, Wednesday, Nov. 11 (8:00 – 11:00 PM/EST) on ABC.

Alongside newcomer Combs for Entertainer of the Year, Eric Church, Lambert, Carrie Underwood and Urban return with nominations for the night’s highest honor.

First time CMA Awards nominees are Jimmie Allen, Ingrid Andress, Gabby Barrett, Bieber,
Justin Clough, David Coleman, Jim Cooley, Luke Dick, Sam Ellis, Ray Fulcher, Caylee Hammack, Hozier, Zach Kale, Rob McNelley, Buckley Miller, Scott Moffatt, Randy Montana, Jonathan Singleton,
Sam Siske, Derrick Southerland, Chris Tomlin, Tenille Townes and Laura Veltz.

Combs and Pearce revealed select nominees on ABC’s “Good Morning America” today, live from the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville. Immediately following the live broadcast, Andress and Barrett revealed the remaining CMA Awards categories in addition to the CMA Broadcast Awards finalists via live stream hosted by Ashley Eicher, host of Apple Music Country’s “Guest List Radio with Ashley Eicher,” on CMA’s YouTube and Facebook as well as GoodMorningAmerica.com and GMA’s Facebook.

“This year’s nominees represent the passion, creativity and hope our world could use more of these days. From record-shattering milestones to reaching across genre lines, these finalists are outstanding examples of the craft and camaraderie Country Music holds deeply,” says Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “As we navigate the coming months and look to properly honor our nominees and the community, we are committed to delivering the safest and most memorable live television experience our artists, creators and fans could ask for. We cannot wait to reveal our two incredible CMA Awards hosts in just a few weeks and we look forward to celebrating Country Music this November!”

MIRANDA LAMBERT – SEVEN NOMINATIONS

Entertainer of the Year, Female Vocalist of the Year, Single of the Year (“Bluebird”), Album of the Year (Wildcard), Song of the Year (“Bluebird”), Musical Event of the Year (“Fooled Around And Fell In Love”), Music Video of the Year (“Bluebird”). Lambert tops this year’s CMA Awards nominations with seven, adding to her previous 48 nominations and 13 wins. She is now the most nominated female artist in CMA Awards history, a record previously held by Reba McEntire. She scores her fourth nomination for Entertainer of the Year and 14^th nomination for Female Vocalist of the Year, which she has won seven times. Lambert receives her fifth Album of the Year nomination for Wildcard, produced by Jay Joyce, as well as her fifth Song of the Year and eighth Single of the Year nomination for “Bluebird.” “Bluebird” was written by Lambert, Luke Dick and Natalie Hemby, produced by Joyce, and mixed by Joyce and Jason Hall. She also scores her seventh nomination in the Musical Event of the Year category for “Fooled Around And Fell In Love” featuring Maren Morris, Elle King, Ashley McBryde, Tenille Townes and Caylee Hammack, produced by Joyce.

LUKE COMBS – SIX NOMINATIONS

Entertainer of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, Single of the Year (“Beer Never Broke My Heart”), Album of the Year (What You See Is What You Get), Song of the Year (“Even Though I’m Leaving”), Song of the Year (“I Hope You’re Happy Now”). Combs scores six CMA Awards nominations this year, adding to his previous six nominations and three wins. Combs is a first-time nominee in three categories – Entertainer of the Year, Album of the Year and Single of the Year. What You See Is What You Get was produced by Scott Moffatt. “Beer Never Broke My Heart” was produced by Moffatt and mixed by Jim Cooley. The reigning Song of the Year winner, Combs receives a double nomination in the Song of the Year category for “Even Though I’m Leaving,” written by Combs, Wyatt B. Durrette III and Ray Fulcher, and “I Hope You’re Happy Now,” recorded by Carly Pearce and Lee Brice and written by Combs, Randy Montana, Pearce and Jonathan Singleton. Combs scores his third nomination for Male Vocalist of the Year, which he won in 2019.

MAREN MORRIS – FIVE NOMINATIONS

Female Vocalist of the Year, Single of the Year (“The Bones”), Song of the Year (“The Bones”), Musical Event of the Year (“The Bones”), Musical Event of the Year (“Fooled Around And Fell In Love”). Morris receives five CMA Awards nominations, adding to her previous 16 nominations and two wins. She scores her fifth nomination for Female Vocalist of the Year and third nomination for Single of the Year and Song of the Year. A double nomination this year for Musical Event of the Year earns Morris five total nominations in this category. “The Bones” was written by Morris, Jimmy Robbins and Laura Veltz, and produced and mixed by Greg Kurstin. “Fooled Around And Fell In Love” was recorded by Miranda Lambert featuring Morris, Elle King, Ashley McBryde, Tenille Townes and Caylee Hammack, and produced by Joyce.

JAY JOYCE – FOUR NOMINATIONS

Single of the Year (“Bluebird”), Album of the Year (Never Will), Album of the Year (Wildcard), Musical Event of the Year (“Fooled Around And Fell In Love”). Joyce is a 20-time CMA Awards nominee this year, adding four to his previous 16 nominations. Joyce scores his eighth Single of the Year nomination for producing Miranda Lambert’s “Bluebird.” The song was mixed by both Joyce and Jason Hall. He receives his 11^th Album of the Year nomination with two nods in the category this year for producing Lambert’s Wildcard and Ashley McBryde’s Never Will. Joyce is a first-time nominee for Musical Event of the Year with Lambert’s “Fooled Around And Fell In Love,” which he produced. Joyce has won four CMA Awards previously – two for both Album of the Year and Single of the Year.

DAN + SHAY – FOUR NOMINATIONS

Vocal Duo of the Year, Single of the Year (“10,000 Hours”), Musical Event of the Year (“10,000 Hours”), Music Video of the Year (“10,000 Hours”). Dan + Shay score four nominations for this year’s CMA Awards, adding to their previous 10 nominations and one win. They receive their seventh nomination for Vocal Duo of the Year, which they won in 2019. “10,000 Hours” featuring Justin Bieber scores three nominations – Single of the Year, Musical Event of the Year and Music Video of the Year. The song was produced by Dan Smyers (of Dan + Shay) and mixed by Jeff Juliano. The music video was directed by Patrick Tracy. Smyers scores two solo nominations as well for his production work on “10,000 Hours” in the Single of the Year and Musical Event of the Year categories.

CARLY PEARCE – FOUR NOMINATIONS

New Artist of the Year, Song of the Year (“I Hope You’re Happy Now”), Musical Event of the Year (“I Hope You’re Happy Now”), Music Video of the Year (“I Hope You’re Happy Now”). Pearce receives four CMA Awards nominations this year, adding to her previous New Artist of the Year nomination in 2019. She scores her second nomination for New Artist of the Year and is a first-time nominee in three categories – Song of the Year, Musical Event of the Year and Music Video of the Year. “I Hope You’re Happy Now,” recorded with Lee Brice, was written by Pearce, Luke Combs, Randy Montana and Jonathan Singleton and produced by busbee, who earns his eighth CMA Awards nomination posthumously. The music video was directed by Sam Siske.

ASHLEY McBRYDE – THREE NOMINATIONS

Female Vocalist of the Year, Album of the Year (Never Will), Musical Event of the Year (“Fooled Around And Fell In Love”). Ashley McBryde scores three CMA Awards nominations this year, bringing her total nominations to four with one win for New Artist of the Year in 2019. McBryde is a first-time nominee in three categories – Female Vocalist of the Year, Album of the Year and Musical Event of the Year. Never Will was produced by Jay Joyce and John Peets. “Fooled Around And Fell In Love” was recorded by Miranda Lambert featuring McBryde, Maren Morris, Elle King, Tenille Townes and Caylee Hammack, and produced by Joyce.

JUSTIN BIEBER – THREE NOMINATIONS

Single of the Year (“10,000 Hours”), Musical Event of the Year (“10,000 Hours”), Music Video of the Year (“10,000 Hours”). Bieber is a first-time CMA Awards nominee for his collaboration with Dan + Shay on their single “10,000 Hours.” He is nominated in three categories – Single of the Year, Musical Event of the Year and Music Video of the Year. The song was produced by Dan Smyers (of Dan + Shay) and mixed by Jeff Juliano. The music video was directed by Patrick Tracy. Bieber has worked with various artists including Diplo, Ariana Grande, Halsey, Ludacris, Nicki Minaj and Ed Sheeran, however, this is his first collaboration in the Country genre.

KEITH URBAN – THREE NOMINATIONS

Entertainer of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, Musical Event of the Year (“Be A Light”). Urban scores three CMA Awards nominations this year, bringing his total count to 50 nominations and 12 wins. He is now a 13-time Entertainer of the Year nominee, bringing home that trophy two times previously. He has now been nominated 16 times for Male Vocalist of the Year with three wins. Urban receives his sixth Musical Event of the Year nomination for Thomas Rhett’s “Be A Light,” which features Urban, Reba McEntire, Hillary Scott and Chris Tomlin. He has previously taken home the Musical Event award four times.

Winners of “The 54^th Annual CMA Awards” will be determined in a final round of voting by eligible voting CMA members. The third and final ballot will be emailed to CMA members Thursday, Oct. 1. Voting for the CMA Awards final ballot ends Tuesday, Oct. 27 (6:00 PM/CT).

“The 54^th Annual CMA Awards” is a production of the Country Music Association. Robert Deaton is the Executive Producer, Alan Carter is the Director and David Wild is the Head Writer.

“THE 54^th ANNUAL CMA AWARDS” – FINAL NOMINEES (by ballot category order): 

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR

• Eric Church
• Luke Combs
• Miranda Lambert
• Carrie Underwood
• Keith Urban

SINGLE OF THE YEAR

Award goes to Artist(s), Producer(s), and Mix Engineer

•       “10,000 Hours” – Dan + Shay (with Justin Bieber)

Producer: Dan Smyers
Mix Engineer: Jeff Juliano

• “Beer Never Broke My Heart” – Luke Combs

Producer: Scott Moffatt

Mix Engineer: Jim Cooley

• “Bluebird” – Miranda Lambert

Producer: Jay Joyce

Mix Engineers: Jason Hall, Jay Joyce

• “The Bones” – Maren Morris

Producer: Greg Kurstin
Mix Engineer: Greg Kurstin

• “I Hope” – Gabby Barrett

Producers: Ross Copperman, Zach Kale

Mix Engineer: Buckley Miller

ALBUM OF THE YEAR

Award goes to Artist and Producer(s)

• Heartache Medication – Jon Pardi

Producers: Bart Butler, Ryan Gore, Jon Pardi

• Never Will – Ashley McBryde

Producers: Jay Joyce, John Peets

• Old Dominion – Old Dominion

Producers: Shane McAnally, Old Dominion

• What You See Is What You Get – Luke Combs
  Producer: Scott Moffatt
• Wildcard – Miranda Lambert

Producer: Jay Joyce

SONG OF THE YEAR

Award goes to Songwriters

• “Bluebird”

Songwriters: Luke Dick, Natalie Hemby, Miranda Lambert

• “The Bones”

Songwriters: Maren Morris, Jimmy Robbins, Laura Veltz

• “Even Though I’m Leaving”

Songwriters: Luke Combs, Wyatt B. Durrette III, Ray Fulcher

• “I Hope You’re Happy Now”

Songwriters: Luke Combs, Randy Montana, Carly Pearce, Jonathan Singleton

• “More Hearts Than Mine”

Songwriters: Ingrid Andress, Sam Ellis, Derrick Southerland

FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR

• Miranda Lambert
• Ashley McBryde
• Maren Morris
• Kacey Musgraves
• Carrie Underwood

MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR

• Eric Church
• Luke Combs
• Thomas Rhett
• Chris Stapleton
• Keith Urban

VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR

• Lady A
• Little Big Town
• Midland
• Old Dominion
• Rascal Flatts

VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR

• Brooks & Dunn
• Brothers Osborne
• Dan + Shay
• Florida Georgia Line
• Maddie & Tae

MUSICAL EVENT OF THE YEAR

Award goes to Artists and Producer(s)

• “10,000 Hours” – Dan + Shay (with Justin Bieber)

Producer: Dan Smyers

• “Be A Light” – Thomas Rhett featuring Reba McEntire, Hillary Scott, Chris Tomlin, Keith Urban
  Producer: Dann Huff
• “The Bones” – Maren Morris with Hozier

Producer: Greg Kurstin

• “Fooled Around And Fell In Love” – Miranda Lambert (feat. Maren Morris, Elle King, Ashley McBryde, Tenille Townes & Caylee Hammack)

Producer: Jay Joyce

• “I Hope You’re Happy Now” – Carly Pearce and Lee Brice

Producer: busbee

MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR

• Jenee Fleenor, Fiddle
• Paul Franklin, Steel Guitar
• Rob McNelley, Guitar
• Ilya Toshinskiy, Guitar
• Derek Wells, Guitar

MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR

Award goes to Artist(s) and Director

•       “10,000 Hours” – Dan + Shay (with Justin Bieber)

Director: Patrick Tracy

• “Bluebird” – Miranda Lambert

Director: Trey Fanjoy

• “Homemade” – Jake Owen

Director: Justin Clough

• “I Hope You’re Happy Now” – Carly Pearce and Lee Brice

Director: Sam Siske

• “Second One To Know” – Chris Stapleton

Director: David Coleman

NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR

• Jimmie Allen
• Ingrid Andress
• Gabby Barrett
• Carly Pearce
• Morgan Wallen

“THE 54^th ANNUAL CMA AWARDS” – FINALISTS FOR BROADCAST PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR

(by market size): 

National

• “American Country Countdown” (Kix Brooks) – Westwood One
• “The Blair Garner Show” (Blair Garner and “Off Eric” Garner) – Westwood One
• “CMT After Midnite” (Cody Alan) – Premiere Networks
• “Country Countdown USA” (Lon Helton) – Westwood One
• “The Mayor of Music Row” (Charlie Monk) – Sirius XM Satellite Radio

Major Market

• “Angie Ward” – WUBL, Atlanta, Ga.
• “Chris Carr & Company” (Chris Carr, Kia Becht and McKaila Granning) – KEEY, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn.
• “Double-L” (Lois Lewis) – KNIX, Phoenix, Ariz.
• “Fitz in the Morning” (Cory Fitzner) – KNUC, Seattle-Tacoma, Wash.
• “Paul Schadt & Sarah Lee in the Morning with Producer Geof” (Paul Schadt, Sarah Lee and Geof Knight) – WKKT, Charlotte-Gastonia-Rock Hill, N.C.-S.C.

Large Market

• “The Big Dave Show (“Big Dave” Chandler, Chelsie Shinkle, Jason Statt and Ashley Hempfling) – WUBE, Cincinnati, Ohio
• “Jim, Deb & Kevin” (Jim Denny, Deborah Honeycutt and Kevin Freeman) – WFMS, Indianapolis, Ind.
• “Lexi & Banks” (“Lexi” Elena Abatgis and “Banks” Jared Danielson) – KUBL, Salt Lake City-Ogden-Provo, Utah
• “Obie & Ashley” (“Obie” Obed Diaz and Ashley Morrison) – WWKA, Orlando, Fla.
• “Ridder, Scott and Shannen” (“Ridder” Shaun Ridderbush, Scott Dolphin and Shannen Oesterreich) – WMIL, Milwaukee-Racine, Wis.

Medium Market

• “Brent Michaels” – KUZZ, Bakersfield, Calif.
• “Clay & Company” (Clay Moden, Rob Banks and Val Townsend) – WYRK, Buffalo-Niagara Falls, N.Y.
• “Kenn McCloud” – KUZZ, Bakersfield, Calif.
• “Scott and Sarah in the Morning” (Scott Wynn and Sarah Kay) – WQMX, Akron, Ohio
• “Steve & Gina In The Morning” (Steve Lundy and Gina Melton) – KXKT, Omaha-Council Bluffs, Neb.-Iowa

Small Market

• “Big Rick In The Morning” (“Big Rick” Daniels) – WGGC, Bowling Green, Ky.
• “Bobby & Steve (and Mandi!)” (Bobby Cook, Steve Schwetman and Mandi Turner) – WKYQ, Paducah, Ky.
• “Brent and Candy – The Cat Pak Morning Show” (Brent Lane and Candy Cullerton) – WYCT, Pensacola, Fla.
• “Officer Don & DeAnn” (“Officer Don” Evans and DeAnn Stephens) – WBUL, Lexington-Fayette, Ky.
• “Steve And Jessica Mornings” (Steve Waters and Jessica Cash) – WFLS, Fredericksburg, Va.

“THE 54^th ANNUAL CMA AWARDS” – FINALISTS FOR RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR (by market size):  

 Major Market

• KNUC – Seattle-Tacoma, Wash.
• KSCS – Dallas-Ft. Worth, Texas
• KYGO – Denver-Boulder, Colo.
• WXTU – Philadelphia, Pa.
• WYCD – Detroit, Mich.

Large Market

• KNCI – Sacramento, Calif.
• KUBL – Salt Lake City-Ogden-Provo, Utah
• WMIL – Milwaukee-Racine, Wis.
• WUBE – Cincinnati, Ohio
• WWKA – Orlando, Fla.

Medium Market

• KATM – Modesto, Calif.
• WHKO – Dayton, Ohio
• WQMX – Akron, Ohio
• WUSY – Chattanooga, Tenn.
• WXCY – Wilmington, Del.

Small Market

• KKNU – Eugene-Springfield, Ore.
• WBYT – South Bend, Ind.
• WKXC – Augusta, Ga.
• WXBQ – Johnson City-Kingsport-Bristol, Tenn.-Va.
• WXFL – Florence-Muscle Shoals, Ala.

About the CMA Awards

The first “CMA Awards Banquet and Show” was held in 1967. The following year, the CMA Awards was broadcast for the first time – making it the longest running, annual music awards program on network television. The CMA Awards have aired on ABC since 2006. ABC is the network home of the CMA Awards and CMA’s other two television properties, “CMA Fest” and “CMA Country Christmas.”

All balloting is tabulated by the professional services organization, Deloitte.

As used in this document, “Deloitte” means Deloitte & Touche LLP, a subsidiary of Deloitte LLP. Please see www.deloitte.com/us/about for a detailed description of Deloitte’s legal structure. Certain services may not be available to attest clients under the rules and regulations of public accounting.

Country Music Legend Charley Pride To Receive The 2020 Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award At “The 54th Annual CMA Awards”

NASHVILLE, TN– OCT 22, 2020

Country Music’s Biggest Night™ to Broadcast Live from Nashville Wednesday, Nov. 11 at 8 PM EST on ABC

CMA has revealed its 2020 Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award recipient—trailblazing Country Music star Charley Pride.

Pride will accept the honor during “The 54^th Annual CMA Awards,” broadcasting live from Nashville’s Music City Center Wednesday, Nov. 11 on ABC. Further details will be revealed in the coming weeks.

“Charley Pride is the epitome of a trailblazer,” says Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “Few other artists have grown Country Music’s rich heritage and led to the advancement of Country Music around the world like Charley. His distinctive voice has created a timeless legacy that continues to echo through the Country community today. We could not be more excited to honor Charley with one of CMA’s highest accolades.”

The Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award is for an iconic artist who has attained the highest degree of recognition in Country Music. The Award was established to recognize an artist who has achieved both national and international prominence and stature through concert performances, humanitarian efforts, philanthropy, record sales and public representation at the highest level. The artist receiving this Award has positively impacted and contributed to the growth of the genre throughout a course of years that have proven to have an unprecedented historical impact on fans and industry alike.

Previous recipients of the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award include Willie Nelson (2012), Kenny Rogers (2013), Johnny Cash (2015), Dolly Parton (2016) and Kris Kristofferson (2019).

Through a mix of courage, determination and extraordinary talent, Pride made Country Music history by becoming the genre’s first black superstar. The Country legend has seen remarkable longevity in his career, which spans more than five decades. His distinctive baritone voice allowed him to take almost every song he touched into the Top 10, if not the No. 1 position, typically spending multiple weeks there. Between his chart debut in 1966, and 1989, Pride had 29 No. 1 Country hits and over 50 Top 10 tracks, including enduring classics like “Is Anybody Goin’ to San Antone” (1970), “Kiss an Angel Good Mornin’” (1971) and “All I Have to Offer You (Is Me)” (1969).

In 1971, he was named CMA Entertainer of the Year as well as Male Vocalist of the Year in both 1971 and 1972. Pride was also the first black man to co-host the CMA Awards, taking the reins in 1975 alongside Glen Campbell. He became a Grand Ole Opry member in 1993 and in 2000, was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. He holds three Grammy Awards and was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award by The Recording Academy in 2017.