As Country music’s Biggest Night draws nearer, “Good Morning America” will provide special coverage from Nashville. Join hosts Luke Bryan and Lainey Wilson as well as performances by Kelsea Ballerini, Cody Johnson and Ashley McBryde!
Plus, witness what transpires when Morgan Wallen, Dan + Shay, Jelly Roll and other presenters vie to present at an awards show. Tonight on ABC and tomorrow on Hulu and Disney+!
1. Sam Hunt
Sam Hunt helped redefine country music in the 2010s by mixing traditional country with urban contemporary, drawing new listeners into its fold. His hits included “Leave the Night On,” X2C,” and “Take Your Time,” with singles written for Kenny Chesney, Keith Urban and Billy Currington before his first album was released.
Hunt is also an accomplished philanthropist. Through ACM Lifting Lives, his organization assists those in need. They’ve assisted victims affected by hurricanes, tornadoes, flooding and other natural disasters as well as supporting children’s charities and military veterans.
The 58th CMA Awards is rapidly approaching and all the biggest names in country music will take to the stage to perform and sing for fans. Fans will witness Jason Aldean, Carly Pearce and Thomas Rhett vie for prizes such as entertainer of the year and album of the year.
ABC’s Lara Spencer will be present to interview the stars. Make sure to tune in on Wednesday, November 20 for ABC coverage, then tune back in Thursday for additional behind-the-scenes coverage of country music’s biggest night!
Sam Hunt is a married man with two children. His passion lies with animals; in fact, he once rescued a tabby cat named Dandelion! Sam serves as an example to young people to pursue their goals; yet has an emotional side as evidenced by how he shed a tear while talking about his song ‘Breakup in a Small Town.’ Sam hails from Cedartown, Georgia where he played football at college before writing songs for many other country artists like Kenny Chesney, Keith Urban Carrie Underwood and Billy Currington among many others; his debut album Montevallo featured the number one country airplay hit “Leave the Night On.”
2. Luke Bryan
Bryan is one of the world’s best-known country artists, having amassed multiple chart-topping singles and awards over his long career. His music exudes southern charm while embodying his unfaltering sense of humility which has won over fans all around the globe.
Bryan was born and raised on a peanut farm in Georgia. As a youth, Bryan worked on his family’s farm while performing with local bands at night clubs in his hometown before making plans to move to Nashville and pursue his musical dreams – only tragedy struck on the day that Bryan planned on making this move! On that fateful day when tragedy struck his elder brother died tragically due to a car accident!
Bryan rebounded from his initial disappointment by finding love. With new strength in him, Bryan has become an even more attentive husband and father while his songs continue to touch millions of listeners around the world. Additionally, Bryan is an advocate for many causes dear to his heart such as St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Make-A-Wish Foundation, and even his local YMCA in which he raised funds to build new facilities.
The Country Music Association Awards (CMAs), or Country Music Awards, recognize the best in country music from 2018. Each year, its 6,000 member artists vote on which artists should take home top honors such as entertainer or album of the year. Tune into Thursday, Sept 20th’s Grand Ole Opry show in Nashville to see who takes home big prizes at this year’s CMAs!
This year’s performers include Kelsa Ballerini, Little Big Town, Little Mix, HARDY Parker McCollum from The War And Treaty as well as Blake Shelton himself – take a look here to view a complete list of nominees!
3. Dwight Yoakam
Dwight Yoakam never played by Nashville’s rules, opting instead to bring traditional honky tonk and Bakersfield country back to its roots in the late ’80s. Inspired by Buck Owens and Merle Haggard as his heroes, Yoakam channelled their energy with his own flair adding his own brand of swagger and spunk that created an eclectic fan base comprised of mainstream country fans as well as punk rock and rockabilly followers alike.
Brighter Days was recorded by Dwight Yoakam to capture his joyful transition and record it all on tape. As his first original material album in ten years, this timeless record captures Dwight Yoakam’s timeless “cool,” something that has set him apart from his contemporaries since the start of his legendary career.
Yoakam, best known for his distinctive voice and signature hat, is one of the most iconic figures in contemporary country music. Additionally, his acting career boasts notable roles such as Sling Blade and Panic Room films.
Yoakam has earned numerous Grammy nominations and gold and platinum albums over his distinguished career, selling over 25 million records worldwide and 12 chart-topping hits on Billboard’s Country Albums chart. His music has reached all sorts of audiences worldwide and inspired artists like Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, Carrie Underwood, LeAnn Rimes and Rascal Flatts among many others.
Yoakam launched his SiriusXM satellite radio channel as a place to indulge his fandom and share his knowledge and taste with listeners. Notably, this includes honoring peers and heroes while hosting shows such as “Cow Punks to Now Punks,” which explores the roots of country, folk, rock and punk music. Chris Hillman of Flying Burrito Brothers fame and co-founder of Byrds with Gram Parsons also hosts his own program on this channel in which they explore influences that contributed to creating California country sound.
Come enjoy a night of classic honky tonk and cutting-edge country fusion with Yoakam & The Mavericks on one bill – it will provide an exciting opportunity for collaborations and unexpected happenings only possible through live music! Don’t miss this unforgettable concert experience.
4. Chris Stapleton
Christopher Stapleton hails from rural Johnson County, Kentucky, and excelled at team sports as an active high school student. After moving to Nashville in 1996 to study engineering at Vanderbilt University but quickly dropping out after one year to focus on songwriting instead of engineering studies. While writing his songs he worked various jobs including selling cars, driving an ice truck and working at a pizzeria; all while writing songs. Stapleton recorded his debut album Traveller with co-producer Dave Cobb at historic RCA Studio A and debuted at #1 on both country and all genre Billboard 200 albums charts that year. Stapleton went on to win CMA Awards that year as New Artist of the Year as well as Male Vocalist of the Year!
After having found success as a solo artist, Stapleton joined bluegrass band the SteelDrivers as lead singer and guitarist, touring as part of their lineup before leaving in 2013. Subsequently, his success increased after performing with Justin Timberlake at the 2015 Country Music Association Awards and receiving three CMA awards including Academy Award for Best New Artist, Album of the Year and Musician of the Year awards. Traveller topped country charts while From a Room: Volumes 1 and 2 were both nominated for Grammy awards as Best Country Album as well as Song of the Year nominations and won Song of Year honors as part of that performance.
Stapleton understands the essential quality of country music is telling a good tale, something his songs do very effectively – such as You Should Probably Leave which tells of two former lovers struggling against temptation and resisting each other’s advances. White Horse was another collaboration with Miranda Lambert which peaked at number 12 on the country charts.
Tune in to Good Morning America on November 23 for live coverage of the 58th Country Music Association Awards hosted by Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning, with Lara Spencer providing viewers a behind-the-scenes experience, featuring special performance by rising country star Brett Young as well as interviews with some of the night’s big winners.