Star-Studded Lineup Revealed: Kelsea Ballerini, Kenny Chesney, Chris Stapleton & More Join the 59th Annual CMA Awards Performers
By Christian Lamitschka for Country Music News International Magazine
The Country Music Association (CMA) and ABC have unveiled a spectacular second round of performers set to grace the stage at “The 59th Annual CMA Awards.” The newest additions to the star-studded roster promise to make Country Music’s Biggest Night™ an unforgettable event, blending exciting new debuts with career-defining moments and powerful collaborations.
Joining the show are some of the biggest names in the genre: Kelsea Ballerini, Brandi Carlile, Kenny Chesney, Riley Green, Miranda Lambert, Patty Loveless, Old Dominion, The Red Clay Strays, and Chris Stapleton.
The 59th Annual CMA Awards, hosted by the reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year nominee Lainey Wilson, will broadcast live from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on Wednesday, Nov. 19 (8:00-11:00 PM/ET) on ABC, with next-day streaming available exclusively on Hulu.
A Night of Exclusive Debuts and Milestone Celebrations
This year’s ceremony is shaping up to be a dynamic mix of classic Country excellence and contemporary star power, featuring several highly anticipated performances:
New Music and Powerful Singles
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Kelsea Ballerini, a nominee for CMA Female Vocalist of the Year, is set to debut her brand-new song, “I Sit In Parks,” offering fans the first live performance of the track.
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Riley Green, the reigning CMA Musical Event of the Year winner and a four-time nominee this year, will bring a captivating performance of his massive hit, “Worst Way.”
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Chris Stapleton, reigning CMA Male Vocalist of the Year and a three-time nominee this year, will take the stage for a powerful rendition of “Bad As I Used To Be,” featured in “F1: The Movie.”
Honoring a Legend
A truly special moment of the night will honor a Country titan. Four-time CMA Entertainer of the Year winner Kenny Chesney will mark his monumental 2025 induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame with a dedicated performance celebrating his incredible career milestone.
Medleys and Electrifying Energy
The audience can look forward to a mix of fan-favorite hits and high-octane performances:
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Old Dominion, the seven-time reigning CMA Vocal Group of the Year winners (and nominees again this year), will treat fans to an electrifying medley of their biggest hits, including “Break Up With Him,” “Memory Lane,” “One Man Band,” “Hotel Key,” and “Snapback.”
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Fellow CMA Vocal Group of the Year nominees The Red Clay Strays will deliver an electrifying performance of their song “People Hatin’.”
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A can’t-miss performance from the acclaimed Brandi Carlile and a show-stopping appearance by the legendary Patty Loveless round out the individual performances.
✨ The Collaboration Spotlight
The CMA stage is renowned for its iconic duets, and this year will continue that tradition with a highly anticipated collaboration.
Miranda Lambert, nominated for CMA Female Vocalist of the Year, will join Chris Stapleton for a must-see performance of their powerful duet, “A Song To Sing.” This collaboration brings together two of Country Music’s most respected voices for what is sure to be one of the evening’s most talked-about moments.
The Growing Performer Roster
These newly announced stars join an already stacked lineup of previously announced performers, including:
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BigXThaPlug
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Luke Combs
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Ella Langley
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Megan Moroney
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Shaboozey
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Zach Top
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Tucker Wetmore
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Lainey Wilson (also the host)
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Stephen Wilson Jr.
With presenters soon to be announced, the 59th Annual CMA Awards is poised to be a comprehensive showcase of the best talent the Country Music genre has to offer.
About the CMA Awards
First held in 1967, the CMA Awards is the longest-running, annual music awards program on network television. The show annually honors outstanding achievement in Country Music, celebrating the artists, songwriters, musicians, and industry professionals whose work has defined and shaped the genre. Winners and nominees are determined solely by CMA’s Professional voting membership, representing the voices of their peers across the industry.
“The 59th Annual CMA Awards” is a production of the Country Music Association, with Robert Deaton serving as Executive Producer, Alan Carter as Director, and Jon Macks as Head Writer.