The first round of performers is in. The 2025 CMA Awards will air live from the Bridgestone Arena on November 19 at 7 p.m. CT on ABC with Lainey Wilson taking over as solo host this year. The big show is just under two weeks away, and we now know at least the first group of artists who will be taking the stage throughout the evening. Host Lainey Wilson will perform, as well as rapper BigXThaPlug, who put out an album with tons of country features from the likes of Luke Combs and Ella Langley, who are also slated to perform. There should be some other great ones from Zach Top, Stephen Wilson Jr. (love to see him on the list) and Megan Moroney, and Shaboozey and Tucker Wetmore are also slated to perform. Honestly, it’s a pretty solid list… usually, these types of awards show performance are not much to write home about, but usually every year, there are at least a handful that are enjoyable and memorable. Personally, I’m still stuck on Ashley McBryde’s tribute performance for Kris Kristofferson of “Help Me Make It Through The Night,” but hopefully there will be one or two this year that really stand out: View this post on Instagram In addition to hosting, Lainey is one of the most nominated artists this year, tied with Megan Moroney and Ella Langley, who all have six nods across the 12 major categories. Last year, Lainey won two CMA Awards, taking home the trophies for Female Vocalist of the Year and Music Video of the Year for “Wildflowers and Wild Horses.” Notably, Langley continues her incredible hot streak with “you look like you love me” (featuring Riley Green), receiving three separate nominations for Single, Song and Music Video of the Year. Additionally, she is nominated for Female Vocalist and New Artist of the Year. Zach Top is also riding the highs of his debut album, Cold Beer & Country Music, last year, as the “Use Me” singer received five nominations in Male Vocalist of the Year, New Artist of the Year, Song of the Year (“I Never Lie”), Single of the Year (“I Never Lie”) and Album of the Year (Cold Beer & Country Music). Reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year, Morgan Wallen, is nominated for three awards, including Entertainer of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year and Album of the Year (I’m The Problem). He will compete with Luke Combs, Lainey Wilson, Cody Johnson and Chris Stapleton in an attempt to become the first back-to-back EOTY winner since Combs himself did it back in 2021-22. You can view the full list of nominees below. 2025 CMA Awards Nominees Entertainer of the Year Morgan Wallen Luke Combs Lainey Wilson Cody Johnson Chris Stapleton Album of the Year Am I Okay? – Megan Moroney Producer: Kristian Bush Mix Engineer: Justin Niebank Cold Beer & Country Music – Zach Top Producer: Carson Chamberlain Mix Engineer: Matt Rovey F-1 Trillon – Post Malone Producers: Louis Bell, Charlie Handsome, Hoskins Mix Engineer: Ryan Gore I’m The Problem – Morgan Wallen Producers: Jacob Durrett, Charlie Handsome, Joey Moi Mix Engineers: Charlie Handsome, Joey Moi Whirlwind – Lainey Wilson Producer: Jay Joyce Mix Engineers: Jason Hall, Jay Joyce Male Vocalist of the Year Chris Stapleton Morgan Wallen Luke Combs Cody Johnson Zach Top Female Vocalist of the Year Lainey Wilson Ella Langley Megan Moroney Kelsea Ballerini Miranda Lambert Vocal Group of the Year Old Dominion The Red Clay Strays Little Big Town Lady A Rascal Flatts Vocal Duo of the Year Brooks & Dunn Dan + Shay Brothers Osborne The War and Treaty Maddie & Tae Single of the Year “4X4XU” – Lainey Wilson Producer: Jay Joyce Mix Engineers: Jason Hall, Jay Joyce “Ain’t No Love In Oklahoma” – Luke Combs Producers: Luke Combs, Chip Matthews, Jonathan Singleton Mix Engineer: Chip Matthews “Am I Okay?” – Megan Moroney Producer: Kristian Bush Mix Engineer: Justin Niebank “I Never Lie” – Zach Top Producer: Carson Chamberlain Mix Engineer: Mat Rovey “You Look Like You Love Me” – Ella Langley ft. Riley Green Producer: Will Bundy Mix Engineer: Jim Cooley Song of the Year “4X4XU” – Lainey Wilson Songwriters: Jon Decious, Aaron Raitiere, Lainey Wilson “Am I Okay? – Megan Moroney Songwriters: Jessie Jo Dillon, Luke Laird, Megan Moroney “I Never Lie” – Zach Top Songwriters: Carson Chamberlain, Tim Nichols, Zach Top “Texas” – Blake Shelton Songwriters: Johnny Clawson, Josh Dorr, Lalo Guzman, Kyle Sturrock “You Look Like You Love Me” – Ella Langley ft. Riley Green Songwriters: Riley Green, Ella Langley, Aaron Raitiere New Artist of the Year Zach Top Ella Langley Stephen Wilson Jr. Tucker Wetmore Shaboozey Musician of the Year Jenee Fleenor (Fiddle) Paul Franklin (Steel Guitar) Brett Mason (Guitar) Rob McNelley (Guitar) Derek Wells (Guitar) Music Video of the Year “Am I Okay?” – Megan Moroney Directors: Alexander Gavillet, Megan Moroney “I’m Gonna Love You” – Cody Johnson & Carrie Underwood Director: Dustin Haney “Somewhere Over Laredo” – Lainey Wilson Director: TK McKamy “Think I’m In Love With You” – Chris Stapleton Director: Running Bear “You Look Like You Love Me” – Ella Langley & Riley Green Directors: Ella Langley, John Park, Wales Toney Musical Event of the Year “Don’t Mind If I Do” – Riley Green ft. Ella Langley Producers: Scott Borchetta, Jimmy Harnen, Dann Huff “Hard Fought Hallelujah” – Brandon Lake w/ Jelly Roll Producer: Micha Nichols “I’m Gonna Love You” – Cody Johnson w/ Carrie Underwood Producer: Trent Willmon “Pour Me A Drink” – Post Malone ft. Blake Shelton Producers: Louis Bell, Charlie Handsome “You Had to Be There” – Megan Moroney ft. Kenny Chesney Producer: Kristian Bush The post Luke Combs, Ella Langley, Zach Top & More Announced As Performers For 2025 CMA Awards first appeared on Whiskey Riff.