You’d be forgiven if you happen to watch one of the upcoming awards shows and thought, “Hey, didn’t they just have those awards?” Due to the pandemic, shows and their schedules have changed dramatically for 2020. So here’s a quick guide…

–ACM (ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS), Wed., Sept. 16, CBS
Originally scheduled for April 5 in Las Vegas, the show was moved to Sept. 16. The Academy was formed in 1964 to promote greater acceptance of “Country and Western music” in the western states of the United States. Initially known as the Country and Western Academy, they held their first awards show later in 1964. Held for the past several years in Las Vegas, this year’s show will be held in Nashville for the first time, airing from three venues including the Grand Ole Opry House, the Ryman Auditorium and The Bluebird Café. Keith Urban will host the show from the Opry House. Joining previously announced performers like Kelsea Ballerini, Luke Combs, Miranda Lambert, Tim McGraw and Maren Morris will be Kane Brown (“Worldwide Beautiful”), Luke Bryan (“One Margarita”), Eric Church “Stick That in Your Country Song”), Dan + Shay (“I Should Probably Go to Bed”), Florida Georgia Line (“I Love My Country”), Mickey Guyton (“What Are You Gonna Tell Her?”) and Morgan Wallen (“Whiskey Glasses”) from the Opry House. Two award winners have already been announced: Canadian Tenille Townes won New Female Artist and Riley Green won New Male Artist. Both will perform at the Ryman.
You can get more details at the ACM website: https://www.acmcountry.com/

 

–CCMA (CANADIAN COUNTRY MUSIC ASSOCIATION AWARDS), Sun., Sept. 27, Global
The Canadian Country Music Awards had originally been scheduled for Sept. 13 in Hamilton, Ont. The awards have been the climax to several days of conferences, concerts, workshops and showcases known as Canadian Country Music Week. The virus changed all that for this year. First, the awards have been moved to Sept. 27. And, for the first time ever, the Canadian awards show will have major portions originating outside of Canada in Nashville, due to so many Canadian artists who live and work in Music City. Lindsay Ell, Carolyn Dawn Johnson, Meghan Patrick, Mackenzie Porter and Tenille Townes will appear from Nashville. With Nashville as a main site, that presents the opportunity for major international stars like Kane Brown, Sam Hunt (who performed as a guest on the show a few years ago) and Tim McGraw to also participate in the show. Other performers, most already recorded at the site of this year’s cancelled Boots & Hearts festival location, include Don Amero, The James Barker Band, Dean Brody, Jade Eagleson, The Hunter Brothers, Brett Kissel, JoJo Mason, Jess Moskaluke, and The Reklaws. Tebey and Marie Mai will also perform on the show. No host has yet to be announced and there may not be one. The awards show has gone hostless before.
Major events like the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame inductions and the Top of the Country competition will be extended from this year into next year.
More details can be found at the CCMA website: https://ccma.org/

 

–CMAOntario (ONTARIO COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS), Sun., Oct. 4
The Country Music Association of Ontario Awards, originally scheduled for May 31 in London has also been rescheduled and restructured. Now set for Oct. 4, the awards show will be a drive-in style event on The Raceway at the Western Fair District. Jason McCoy returns as host and The Western Swing Authority also returns as “the house band.” The show will feature performances by The Abrams, The James Barker Band, Jade Eagleson, Eric Ethridge, Genevieve Fisher, Tim Hicks, Kelsi Mayne, Les Rats d’Swompe, Nicole Rayy, The Reklaws and special guest Kalsey Kulyk. The legendary Carroll Baker was to be this year’s recipient of the Impact Award, but that event has been postponed until 2021. Also, many of the accompanying events such as concerts, showcases and conference seminars have been cancelled.
For further details, here’s the CMAOntario website: https://cmaontario.ca/

 

–CMA (COUNTRY MUSIC ASSOCIATION AWARDS), Wed., Nov. 11, ABC
Founded in Nashville in 1958, the CMA held their first awards in 1967 and became the first country music awards show to be broadcast on network television the next year (they were video taped in 1968 for later broadcast and have been shown live since 1969). While the final nominees were announced earlier this week, the CMA has yet to announce who the two hosts will be for this year’s show. Performers and presenters also have yet to be announced. Since 2006, the show has been held at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. That will likely change this year due to Covid-19 safety protocols.
Check the CMA Awards website for updates: https://cmaawards.com/

 

Also, the British Columbia Country Music Association is in the middle of voting for their annual awards. Details are still pending as to how they will move forward with this year’s awards show. The Manitoba Country Music Awards were postponed this year and will be combined with their 2021 awards show.

 

In addition to their websites, regularly check the various organizations’ social media platforms for the latest information.

 

Of course, anything can happen between now and these scheduled events and they are all subject to possible changes in their schedules and/or in the appearances of the various artists. And there may be some pleasant surprises during any of the shows. Enjoy!