Ella Langley, Miranda Lambert, Kacey Musgraves Set to Perform at 2027 CMA Awards

The Country Music Association and ABC have named eight performers for the 2027 CMA Awards, led by Ella Langley, who tops this year's nominations with nine. The telecast airs live from Nashville's Bridgestone Arena on Nov. 18, from 8 to 11 p.m. ET/PT, on ABC and Disney+, with on-demand streaming available the next day on Hulu.

Miranda Lambert, entering the night with seven nominations, and Kacey Musgraves, with five, join Langley in the first round of announced performers. Lainey Wilson returns as host for the third consecutive year.

Who else takes the stage?

The initial lineup spans nominees across nearly every major category:

• Cody Johnson — four nominations
• Zach Top — two nominations
• The Red Clay Strays — defending last year's vocal group of the year title
• Tucker Wetmore — contending for new artist of the year
• Tim McGraw — newly inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame

McGraw's slot doubles as a celebration of that Hall of Fame induction. His CMA career spans 40 nominations, including a current nod for Musical Event of the Year.

Who runs the show behind the camera?

Robert Deaton returns as executive producer, a role he has held on past telecasts. Alan Carter is back as director. Jon Macks serves as head writer for the broadcast.

Which nominees could still join the lineup?

The announcement leaves room for additions. Other top nominees who, according to the announcement, are bound to appear in further performing slots include:

• Ben West, Langley's co-producer — five nominations
• Chris Stapleton — four nominations
• Stephen Wilson Jr. — four nominations
• Lainey Wilson — three nominations
• Luke Combs — three nominations
• Dave Clauss, Langley's mix engineer — three nominations

Langley's dominance extends beyond her own name on the ballot. Two of her collaborators, West and Clauss, account for eight additional nominations between them, making her the central figure of this year's awards.

The eight announced performers carry 27 nominations among them, giving the Nov. 18 telecast a deep bench before any further slots are filled.