2020 ACM Awards: Everything You Need to Know
Billed as Country Music's Party of the Year, the ACM Awards are an annual celebration of the brightest stars and most awe-inspiring achievements within the genre. Country music fans had to wait a bit longer than normal for the annual awards show in 2020, however, thanks to a global pandemic.
The 2019 ACM Awards brought us a host of memorable moments: Dan + Shay raked in the trophies during the evening, while Kacey Musgraves continued her winning streak, bringing home the title of Album of the Year for Golden Hour. Meanwhile, Keith Urban won the coveted Entertainer of the Year Award for the first time ever, after a whopping nine nominations in the category over the years.
In 2020, The Boot will once again be on hand to make sure fans know all the details about the ceremony, from nominees, presenters and performers to broadcast details. Read on for everything you need to know about the 2020 ACM Awards!
When and Where Are the 2020 ACM Awards?
The 2020 ACM Awards were originally set to take place on April 5, in Las Vegas, Nev. However, on March 15, the Academy of Country Music announced that the 2020 ACM Awards were being postponed from their original date due to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
As of March 23, the 2020 ACM Awards are set for Sept. 16. The show will still air live on CBS beginning at 8PM ET, but -- for the first time ever -- from Nashville, Tenn., the ACM revealed on April 27. Showrunners will use three different Music City venues: the Ryman Auditorium, the Grand Ole Opry House and the Bluebird Cafe.
Where Can I Watch the 2020 ACM Awards and the 2020 ACM Awards Red Carpet?
The 2020 ACM Awards will air live beginning at 8PM ET on CBS. Due to the pandemic, a red carpet will not happen this year.
Who's Hosting the 2020 ACM Awards and the 2020 ACM Awards Red Carpet?
Keith Urban will host the 2020 ACM Awards. The country superstar is the reigning ACM Entertainer of the Year, but it will be his first time as ACM Awards host. He'll be stationed at the Grand Ole Opry House, and will perform with pop star Pink during the show.
A red carpet is not taking place prior to the ACM Awards this year due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Who's Nominated at the 2020 ACM Awards?
The nominees for the 2020 ACM Awards were revealed on Jan. 27, via a digital press conference featuring Lauren Alaina and Ashley McBryde, along with country radio DJ Bobby Bones, Entertainment Tonight reporters Cassie DiLaura and Kevin Frazier and CBS This Morning host Gayle King.
While Keith Urban is not nominated for Entertainer of the Year again, Dan + Shay, the Highwomen, Maren Morris and more did earn nominations. Morris and Thomas Rhett are the two most-nominated acts in 2020.
Who's Going to Win the 2020 ACM Awards?
It's impossible to predict in advance who will take home the trophies on the big night. That being said, The Boot will venture a guess at who the winners might be once the list of nominations is unveiled. To see how our past predictions stack up against who actually won in previous years, click here.
How Does Voting Work for the 2020 ACM Awards?
Click here for a complete explanation of the ACM Awards voting process.
Who's Performing at the 2020 ACM Awards?
Miranda Lambert and Keith Urban were originally announced as 2020 ACM Awards performers on March 11, before the coronavirus pandemic forced the show's postponement. Now that the night's been rescheduled, they're still among this year's performers, along with more than two dozen other artists.
Collaborations between Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani, all five 2020 ACM Entertainer of the Year nominees, show host Keith Urban and Pink, and Thomas Rhett and Jon Pardi highlight the this year's ACM Awards performance lineup. Carrie Underwood will perform a medley of classic country, while Trisha Yearwood has been tasked with delivering an in memoriam performance. But that's not even close to all ...
Here's the full list of 2020 ACM Awards performers:
Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani, "Happy Anywhere"
Carrie Underwood, classic country medley from the Grand Ole Opry House
Dan + Shay, "I Should Probably Go to Bed" from the Grand Ole Opry House
Entertainer of the Year nominees (Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Luke Combs, Thomas Rhett and Carrie Underwood), show-opening medley
Eric Church, "Stick That in Your Country Song" from the Grand Ole Opry House
Florida Georgia Line, "I Love My Country" from the Grand Ole Opry House
Gabby Barrett, "I Hope" from the Ryman Auditorium
Jimmie Allen, "Make Me Want To" from the Bluebird Cafe
Kane Brown, "Worldwide Beautiful" from the Grand Ole Opry House
Keith Urban and Pink, "One Too Many" from the Grand Ole Opry House
Kelsea Ballerini, "Hole in the Bottle" from the Ryman Auditorium
Luke Bryan, "One Margarita" from the Grand Ole Opry House
Luke Combs, "Better Together" from the Bluebird Cafe
Maren Morris, "To Hell & Back" from the Ryman Auditorium
Mickey Guyton, "What Are You Gonna Tell Her?" from the Grand Ole Opry House
Miranda Lambert (feat. Natalie Hemby and Luke Dick), "Bluebird" from the Bluebird Cafe
Morgan Wallen, "Whiskey Glasses" from the Grand Ole Opry House
Old Dominion, medley from the Ryman Auditorium
Riley Green, "I Wish Grandpas Never Died" from the Ryman Auditorium
Taylor Swift, "Betty" from the Grand Ole Opry House
Tenille Townes from the Ryman Auditorium
Thomas Rhett (feat. Jon Pardi), "Beer Can't Fix" from the Ryman Auditorium
Tim McGraw, "I Called Mama" from the Bluebird Cafe
Trisha Yearwood, "I'll Carry You Home" (in memoriam tribute)
Who’s Presenting at the 2020 ACM Awards?
Country artists Cam, Lauren Alaina, Darius Rucker, Runaway June and Clint Black and his wife, Lisa Hartman Black, are all set to serve as presenters during the 2020 ACM Awards. Also among those presenting are gospel artist CeCe Winans, country radio DJ Bobby Bones and model Lily Aldridge.
Who Will Be Attending the 2020 ACM Awards?
Performers, presenters, nominees and other artists generally attend the big event; additionally, fans who purchase tickets can watch all the action live, too. However, this is a tricky question in 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Given pandemic-related guidelines, only essential personnel will be on hand at the ACM Awards this year. Fans will not be able to attend in person, and media will not be on the red carpet or backstage in a media room to chat with the artists.
What About the Rest of the 2020 ACM Awards-Related Events?
The ACM's 2020 Party for a Cause was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic at the same time the awards show was postponed.
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