The 55th annual CMA Awards air on Wednesday, Nov. 10 on ABC. Known as Country Music's Biggest Night, the annual ceremony is an important milestone for country artists — whether they're celebrating their first nomination or taking the stage for the first time.
Let's take a look at this year's host, Luke Bryan, and a few of the nominees and celebrate how far they've come.
Host: Luke Bryan
2011
NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 09: Luke Bryan performs at the 45th annual CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on November 9, 2011 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon IV/FilmMagic)
Back in 2011, Luke Bryan took the stage at the CMA Awards to perform his hit "Country Girl (Shake it For Me)." He was nominated for New Artist of the Year but lost to The Band Perry.
2021
Jim Wright
Since his 2011 performance, Bryan has taken home the top prize, Entertainer of the Year, for two consecutive years (2014 and 2015).
"When I look back on my experiences, when I did 'Country Girl, Shake It for Me' for the first time on the CMAs, I was about to literally have a full-on panic attack. I was so nervous about it," Bryan said. "Winning the Entertainer of the Year was the highlight of my musical achievements. To have won that really put a peace in my heart for everything, why I moved to Nashville, why I moved away from my family, why I gambled on so much. To win that award put my mind and my heart at peace."
Chris Stapleton
NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 06: Chris Stapleton attends the 49th Annual ASCAP Country Music Awards at the Gaylord Opryland Resort on November 6, 2011 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
Back in 2011, Chris Stapleton was already a revered songwriter who had penned songs for Adele, Kenny Chesney, George Strait and more. But he had yet to become a household name. Of course, that would all change in a few years.
2021
MANCHESTER, TENNESSEE: (EDITORS NOTE: This image has been retouched) In this image released on June 10th 2021, Morgane Stapleton and Chris Stapleton pose for the 2021 CMT Music Awards at The Bonnaroo Farm in Manchester, Tennessee broadcast on June 9, 2021. (Photo by John Shearer/2021 CMT Awards/Getty Images for CMT)
Following his star-making performance with Justin Timberlake in 2015, Stapleton has taken home a slew of CMA Awards. This year, the superstar is nominated for Entertainer of the Year, Single of the Year and Song of the Year ("Starting Over"), Album of the Year (Starting Over) and Male Vocalist of the Year.
Carrie Underwood
2011
NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 09: Hosts Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood speak with Hank Williams Jr. (C) at the 45th annual CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on November 9, 2011 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Rick Diamond/WireImage)
In 2011, Carrie Underwood shared a hosting gig with her longtime buddy Brad Paisley. The pair also performed their duet "Remind Me."
2021
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - JULY 27: Carrie Underwood performs during the CMA Summer Jam at Ascend Amphitheater on July 27, 2021 in Nashville, Tennessee. CMA Summer Jam will air on ABC on September 2, 2021. (Photo by Terry Wyatt/Getty Images)
This year, Underwood is up for the night's top prize and is set to take the stage with Jason Aldean.
Dierks Bentley
NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 09: Dierks Bentley attends the 45th annual CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on November 9, 2011 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)
Dierks Bentley wasn't nominated at the 2011 CMAs, but he still had a big year. He released his hit song "Am I the Only One," from the album Home.
2021
AVONDALE, ARIZONA - NOVEMBER 07: Dierks Bentley performs during pre-race ceremonies prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Championship at Phoenix Raceway on November 07, 2021 in Avondale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Bentley is one of country music's most acclaimed artists, but he hasn't always had the best luck at the CMA awards. The country star recently even joked about his losing streak.
"I've been nominated a few times; I think I've been nominated for male vocalist, honestly like maybe 12 times," Bentley told Audacy's Gunner and Cheyenne on Demand. "It's a lot, and I'm super grateful for each one. I've never won that award, but I do get nominated a lot. I'm like the Susan Lucci of male vocalist nominations, but I'll take it."
We'll see if Bentley has better luck this year. He's up for Male Vocalist of the Year, competing against Chris Stapleton, Eric Church, Luke Combs and Thomas Rhett.
Thomas Rhett
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JULY 30: Musicians Reba McEntire (L) and Thomas Rhett Akins attend the private dinner hosted by Scott Borchetta, President and CEO of Big Machine Records, ahead of the Brickyard 400 presented by BigMachineRecords.com on July 30, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for BigMachineRecords.com)
In 2011, Thomas Rhett had yet to release his debut single. (That would come one year later with 2012's "Something To Do With My Hands.")
2021
John Shearer
These days, Rhett is one of the genre's biggest stars. The "Country Again" singer is up for Male Vocalist of the Year.
Keith Urban
NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 09: Keith Urban performs at the 45th annual CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on November 9, 2011 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon IV/FilmMagic)
In 2011, Urban took the stage to perform "You Gonna Fly" at the 45th annual CMA Awards.
2021
Russ Harrington
This year, Urban was surprisingly shut out of CMA nominations, but he will perform during the ceremony.
Eric Church
NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 09: Eric Church performs at the 45th annual CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on November 9, 2011 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon IV/FilmMagic)
Ten years ago, Eric Church was nominated for New Artist of the Year alongside Luke Bryan.
2021
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - NOVEMBER 05: Eric Church performs on stage during ATLive 2021 concert at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on November 05, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for ATLive)
This year, Church is the reigning Entertainer of the Year winner. He's nominated for the prize again, competing against Luke Combs, Miranda Lambert, Chris Stapleton and Carrie Underwood.
Miranda Lambert
NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 09: Recording artist Miranda Lambert poses in the press room at the 45th annual CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on November 9, 2011 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic)
In 2011, Miranda Lambert took the stage to perform "Baggage Claim" and celebrated her second Female Vocalist of the Year win.
2021
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - JULY 28: Miranda Lambert performs during the CMA Summer Jam at Ascend Amphitheater on July 28, 2021 in Nashville, Tennessee. CMA Summer Jam will air on ABC on September 2, 2021. (Photo by Terry Wyatt/Getty Images)
This year, Lambert will perform on the CMAs yet again and will compete for Female Vocalist of the Year and Entertainer of the Year.
