Sunday's (April 18th) 56th ACM Awards will feature an unprecedented number of world television premiere performances including Elle King and Miranda Lambert opening the show with “Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home),” Dierks Bentley performing U2‘s classic “Pride (In The Name of Love)” with husband and wife duo The War and Treaty, Brothers Osborne (“I’m Not For Everyone”), Kenny Chesney (“Knowing You”), Eric Church (“Bunch Of Nothing”), Luke Combs (“Forever After All”), Dan + Shay (“Glad You Exist”), Mickey Guyton (“Hold On”), Alan Jackson with “You’ll Always Be My Baby” and a special mashup for “Drive (For Daddy Gene),” Miranda Lambert with Jack Ingram and Jon Randall (“In His Arms”), Maren Morris and Ryan Hurd (“Chasing After You”), Thomas Rhett premiering “What’s Your Country Song” and “Country Again,” Blake Shelton celebrating the 20th Anniversary of his first hit single “Austin” as well as “Minimum Wage,” Chris Stapleton (“Maggie’s Song”), and Chris Young and Kane Brown (“Famous Friends”).
Additional collaborations include Carly Pearce and Lee Brice duetting on “I Hope You’re Happy Now,” Carrie Underwood performing a medley from her new album of gospel hymns, My Savior, which will also feature a duet with CeCe Winans, and Kelsea Ballerini and Kenny Chesney performing together for “half of my hometown.”
Lady A will join the lineup in addition to recently revealed New Male Artist of the Year, Jimmie Allen, and New Female Artist of the Year, Gabby Barrett, who will all perform on this year’s show. Previously announced performers include, Little Big Town, Ashley McBryde, and Keith Urban.
The ACM Awards, hosted by Keith Urban and Mickey Guyton, will air live on CBS beginning at 8 p.m. ET. Performances will air from three iconic venues in Nashville — the Ryman Auditorium, the Grand Ole Opry House and The Bluebird Cafe.