This year’s Country Music Awards is set to happen in two weeks. Hosts country legend Reba McEntire and first-time host and country star Darius Rucker are hot to trot the anticipated awards night. More than just the heavy favorites to win their own categories, other legends in country music are to be recognized this year.
For more of what is going to happen, here is your ultimate guide for the 54th CMA awards.
Ilse De Lange — 2020 CMA Jeff Walker Global Country Artist Award
The Jeff Walker Global Country Artist Award is given to selected foreign artists outside the United States. These are the artists who boosted the popularity of Country music in his or her own foreign-based territory.
Country star Carrie Underwood surprised De Lange last August 12 on national TV. De Lange and Underwood first worked together in 2018 when Underwood performed at DeLange’s Tuckerville festival in the Netherlands. DeLange has spread country globally earning 40 music awards which include an 18-time Platinum-certified Artist, served as a coach on “The Voice of Hollan,d” and has her own national TV show, “Ilse’s Veranda.”
John Esposito — 2020 CMA Jo Walker Meador International Award
John Esposito was recognized for his great work in marketing, advocating, and supporting country music outside the United States. This makes him the best pick to receive the 2020 CMA Jo Walker Meador International Award.
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Charley Pride — 2020 Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award
Country music legend Charley Pride will be joining fellow country legends, Willie Nelson, Kenny Rogers, and those few selected awardees of the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award.
CMA Broadcast Personality of the Year Winners:
Ahead of this year’s CMA music awards, the winners for the CMA Broadcast Personality award were announced. These include “Country Countdown USA” (Lon Helton) – Westwood One, National Category, “Chris Carr & Company” (Chris Carr, Kia Becht, and McKaila Granning) – KEEY, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn, Major Market Category, “The Big Dave Show (“Big Dave” Chandler, Chelsie Shinkle, Jason Statt and Ashley Hempfling) – WUBE, Cincinnati, Ohio, Large Market Category, “Clay & Company” (Clay Moden, Rob Banks, and Val Townsend) – WYRK, Buffalo-Niagara Falls, N.Y., Medium Market Category, “Officer Don & DeAnn” (“Officer Don” Evans and DeAnn Stephens) – WBUL, Lexington-Fayette, Ky., Small Market Category.
CMA has also handed out awards for the ‘Radio Station of the Year’ which includes KSCS – Dallas-Ft. Worth, Texas, KNCI – Sacramento, Calif., WUSY – Chattanooga, Tenn., and WKXC – Augusta, Ga.
As for the artists’ awards, Miranda Lambert is at the top of the list getting 7 nominations. This actually sets a new record for the first female artist to accumulate a record-breaking 55 total career nods, breaking Reba McEntire’s previous record of 51.
Following Lambert is Luke Combs who has 6 nominations including his first Entertainer of the Year. Maren Morris has 5 nominations, while Dan + Shay, producer Jay Joyce, and Carly Pearce each securing four. Justin Bieber, Ashley McBryde, and Keith Urban will also be expecting trophies in three categories during the live broadcast on Nov. 11, Wednesday (8:00 – 11:00 PM/EST) on ABC.
