The opening performance of the 2019 CMA Awards is sure to be one for the books. Reba McEntire, Dolly Parton and Carrie Underwood, the hosts of the 53rd annual CMA Awards, will open the show with a musical medley and plenty of special guests. The lineup of legendary women helping to kick-off country music's biggest night includes country supergroup The Highwomen (Brandi Carlile, Natalie Hemby, Maren Morris and Amanda Shires), Terri Clark, Sara Evans, Martina McBride, Jennifer Nettles, Tanya Tucker, Crystal Gayle and Gretchen Wilson.
The Country Music Association calls the opening medley a "history-making performance celebrating women in Country Music."
This year's #CMAawards will open with a history-making performance celebrating legendary women in Country Music!! You cannot miss the beginning of the show next Wednesday starting at 8|7c on @ABCNetwork. pic.twitter.com/xOjN4LkC47
— CMA Country Music (@CountryMusic) November 7, 2019
The performance also marks the first time The Highwomen, who released their self-titled debut album earlier this year, will perform on the CMA stage.
Another recently announced collaboration includes Kelsea Ballerini, Ashley McBryde, Carly Pearce, Runaway June, Lindsay Ell and special guests Little Big Town teaming up for a performance of "an iconic CMA Song of the Year and CMA Single of the Year."
Read More: See Dolly Parton Join The Highwomen For Surprise Performance at Newport Folk Festival
Previously announced performers include Miranda Lambert, Keith Urban, Luke Combs, Old Dominion, Dan + Shay, Thomas Rhett and Eric Church. The night will include several more special collaborations. Willie Nelson will share the stage with reigning CMA Album of the Year winner Kacey Musgraves. Other special collaborations include Garth Brooks and Blake Shelton, Brooks & Dunn and Brothers Osborne and Lady Antebellum with pop artist Halsey. Dolly Parton will perform a faith-based song with For King & Country and Zach Williams, while Chris Stapleton and Pink will perform their duet "Love Me Anyway."
Dierks Bentley, Sheryl Crow, Chris Janson and Brothers Osborne's John Osborne will perform "Me and Bobby McGee" in honor of Kris Kristofferson, the recipient of the 2019 Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award.
Maren Morris leads this year's CMA Awards nominations, racking up six nominations — Female Vocalist of the Year, Song of the Year and Single of the Year for "Girl," Album of the Year for GIRL, Musical Event of the Year (for "All My Favorite People" with Brothers Osborne) and Music Video of the Year for "Girl."
Brothers Osborne received four nominations, including one for Single of the Year (for their collaboration with Dierks Bentley on "Burning Man"). Carrie Underwood, Eric Church, Dierks Bentley, Kacey Musgraves, Luke Combs, Chris Stapleton, Blake Shelton and Dan + Shay all received three nominations.
The 2019 CMA Awards will air live from Nashville's Bridgestone Arena at 7 p.m. CT on Wednesday, Nov. 13.
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