The 53rd Academy of Country Music Awards is almost here! The annual awards show will take place on Sunday, April 15th in Las Vegas at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, and will include performances from country music's biggest artists; and once again, hosted by Reba McEntire (who is nominated for the 16th time in the Female Vocalist of the Year category).
Performing at the ACM Awards this year are Jason Aldean, Kelsea Ballerini, Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, Florida Georgia Line, Miranda Lambert, Maren Morris, and Thomas Rhett, among others. Also performing this this year is Carrie Underwood (her first live performance since her accident), who will be singing her brand new single "Cry Pretty."
This year, superstar Chris Stapleton is leading all the nominees with a whopping eight nominations. Just behind Stapleton is Thomas Rhett with six nominations, followed by Keith Urban and star songwriter Shane McAnally with five noms a piece. Additionally, Maren Morris and Miranda Lambert have scored four nominations each, and 18-time ACM Award winner Tim McGraw and 16-time ACM Award winner Faith Hill received their first-ever nomination as a duo in the Vocal Duo of the Year category.
The 2018 ACM Awards mark the first major country music event in Las Vegas since the tragic Route 91 Harvest Festival last October, which will be addressed right at the beginning of the 53rd annual awards show. In a recent interview with Billboard, executive producer R.A. (RAC) Clark said, "This is the elephant in the room. We are going to address it right at the top of the show. Rather than say exactly what we're going to do, I would prefer to keep it a mystery until we do. But I feel like we found the appropriate voices to put to it. Then we have to get into our show -- not leave it behind, but focus on what's ahead of us."
How to Watch/Stream the 2018 ACM Awards Live:
On TV: The 2018 ACM Awards will be broadcast live on CBS at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. on Sunday, April 15, 2018.
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Stream Online: Country music fans can also stream this year's ACM Awards via CBS All Access on Sunday April 15, 2018 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.
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