CMA Awards show open to the public this year; COVID-19 vaccine required

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — Fans will again be allowed to watch in the CMA Awards in person after a year hiatus due to COVID-19.

The 55th annual CMA A wards are returning to Bridgestone Arena on Nov. 10.

A limited number of tickets will be available through Ticketmaster beginning Nov. 1 at 10 a.m.

Ticketed audience members will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and will wear appropriate face coverings, according to CMA. Right now, Bridgestone Arena is requiring event-goers to be vaccinated or have a negative virus test to attend events.

“We are so excited to return to Bridgestone Arena for this year’s CMA Awards ceremony,” saysSarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “We have a truly fantastic show in the works that we will sharemoreabout in the coming weeks. As we plan our return, it goes without saying that the health and safety of our guests and crew is our top priority.Due to TV production protocols and venue and local rules, we will require all ticketed audience members to show proof of full COVID-19 vaccinationand wear masks unless actively eating or drinking. Both the house and backstagewill comply with all applicable local health and safety regulations, as well as requirements from the television unions. We look forward to bringing our fans a night to remember!”

Superstars Eric Church and Chris Stapleton are topping the CMA Awards list this year with five nominations each. Both are nominated for the coveted "Entertainer of the Year," "Male Vocalist of the Year," "Single of the Year," "Album of the Year" and "Song of the Year." Other top nominees include newcomer Gabby Barrett, Brothers Osborne, Kane Brown, Luke Combs, Miranda Lambert, Ashley McBryde, Maren Morris and Chris Young.

Nominations:

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR

• Eric Church
• Luke Combs
• Miranda Lambert
• Chris Stapleton
• Carrie Underwood

SINGLE OF THE YEAR

Award goes to Artist(s), Producer(s) and Mix Engineer(s)

• “Famous Friends”–Chris Young with Kane Brown, Producers: Corey Crowder, Chris Young, Mix Engineer:Sean Moffitt
• “The Good Ones”–Gabby Barrett, Producers:Ross Copperman, Zach Kale, Mix Engineers:Chris Galland, Manny Marroquin
• “Hell Of A View”–Eric Church, Producer:Jay Joyce, Mix Engineers: Jason Hall, Jay Joyce
• “One Night Standards”–Ashley McBryde, Producer:Jay Joyce, Mix Engineers:Jason Hall, Jay Joyce
• “Starting Over”–Chris Stapleton, Producers:Dave Cobb, Chris Stapleton, Mix Engineer:Vance Powell
• Producers:Dave Cobb, Chris Stapleton, Mix Engineer:Vance Powell

ALBUM OF THE YEAR

Award goes to Artist(s), Producer(s)and Mix Engineer(s)

• 29–Carly Pearce, Producers:Shane McAnally, JoshOsborneandJimmy Robbins, Mix Engineer: Ryan Gore
• Dangerous: The Double Album–Morgan Wallen, Producers:Dave Cohen, MattDragstrem, Jacob Durrett, Charlie HandsomeandJoey Moi, Mix Engineer: Joey Moi
• Heart –Eric Church, Producer:Jay Joyce, Mix Engineers: Jason Hall, Jay Joyce
• Skeletons – Brothers Osborne, Producer: Jay Joyce, Mix Engineers: Jason Hall, Jay Joyce
• Starting Over–Chris Stapleton, Producers: Dave Cobb, Chris Stapleton, Mix Engineer: Vance Powell

SONG OF THE YEAR

Award goes to Songwriter(s)

• “Forever After All”: Songwriters:Luke Combs, Drew Parker, Robert Williford
• “TheGood Ones”: Songwriters:Gabby Barrett, Zach Kale, Emily Landis, Jim McCormick
• “Hell Of A View”: Songwriters:Casey Beathard, Eric Church, Monty Criswell
• “One Night Standards”: Songwriters:Nicolette Hayford, Shane McAnally, Ashley McBryde
• “Starting Over”: Songwriters:Mike Henderson, Chris Stapleton

FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR

• Gabby Barrett
• Miranda Lambert
• Ashley McBryde
• Maren Morris
• Carly Pearce

MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR

• Dierks Bentley
• Eric Church
• Luke Combs
• Thomas Rhett
• Chris Stapleton

VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR

• Lady A
• Little Big Town
• Midland
• Old Dominion
• Zac Brown Band

VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR

• Brooks & Dunn
• Brothers Osborne
• Dan + Shay
• Florida Georgia Line
• Maddie & Tae

MUSICAL EVENT OF THE YEAR

Award goes to Artist(s) and Producer(s)

• “Buy Dirt”–Jordan Davis and Luke Bryan, Producer: Paul DiGiovanni
• “Chasing After You” – Ryan Hurd with Maren Morris, Producers: Aaron Eshuis, Teddy Reimer
• “Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home)”–Elle King & Miranda Lambert, Producer:Martin Johnson
• “Famous Friends”–Chris Young with Kane Brown, Producers: Corey Crowder, Chris Young
• “Half of my hometown”–Kelsea Ballerini (featuring Kenny Chesney), Producers:Kelsea Ballerini, Ross Copperman, Jimmy Robbins

MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR

• Jenee Fleenor, Fiddle
• Paul Franklin, Steel Guitar
• Aaron Sterling, Drums
• IlyaToshinskiy, Banjo
• Derek Wells, Guitar

MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR

Award goes to Artist(s) and Director(s)

• “Chasing After You”–Ryan Hurd with Maren Morris, Director:TK McKamy
• “Famous Friends”–Chris Young with Kane Brown, Director:Peter Zavadil
• “Gone”–Dierks Bentley, Directors:Wes Edwards, Travis Nicholson, Ed Pryor, Running Bear, Sam Siske
• “Half of my hometown”–Kelsea Ballerini (featuring Kenny Chesney), Director:Patrick Tracy
• “Younger Me”–Brothers Osborne, Director:Reid Long

NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR

• Jimmie Allen
• Ingrid Andress
• Gabby Barrett
• Mickey Guyton
• HARDY

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