We’re already hearing of the amazing open that we should expect tonight which will include Eric Church, Lady Antebellum, Darius Rucker and Keith Urban singing a few songs that include ‘Amazing Grace.’ CMA is calling it it’s best ever. Another moment we know will touch our heart is the tribute to Troy Gentry. Eddie Montgomery and Dierks Bentley with Rascal Flatts will perform a Montgomery Gentry song in honor of Troy who tragically passed earlier this year.

There are some early CMA winners. Musical Event of the Year went to: ‘Funny How Time Slips Away’ Willie and Glen Campbell. Video of the Year to: ‘It Ain’t My Fault’ Brothers Osborne.

Some collaborations? Rascal Flatts with Dierks Bentley, Kelsea Ballerini & Reba and we know Brad Paisley with Kane Brown have been working on their collab the past couple days. Check out the nominees below.

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR (Award goes to the artist)

• Garth Brooks
• Luke Bryan
• Eric Church
• Chris Stapleton
• Keith Urban

SINGLE OF THE YEAR (Award goes to the artist, producer, and mix engineer)

• “Better Man” – Little Big Town; Producer: Jay Joyce; Mix Engineer: Jason Hall, Jay Joyce
• “Blue Ain’t Your Color” – Keith Urban; Producer: Dann Huff, Keith Urban; Mix Engineer: Chris Lord-Alge
• “Body Like A Back Road” – Sam Hunt; Producer: Zach Crowell; Mix Engineer: Zach Crowell
• “Dirt On My Boots” – Jon Pardi; Producer: Bart Butler, Jon Pardi; Mix Engineer: Ryan Gore
• “Tin Man” – Miranda Lambert; Producer: Frank Liddell, Eric Masse, Glenn Worf; Mix Engineer: Eric Masse

ALBUM OF THE YEAR (Award goes to the artist and producer)

• The Breaker – Little Big Town; Producer: Jay Joyce
• From A Room: Volume 1 – Chris Stapleton; Producer: Dave Cobb, Chris Stapleton
• Heart Break – Lady Antebellum; Producer: busbee
• The Nashville Sound – Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit; Producer: Dave Cobb
• The Weight of These Wings – Miranda Lambert; Producer: Frank Liddell, Glenn Worf, Eric Masse

SONG OF THE YEAR (Award goes to the songwriter)

• “Better Man” — Songwriter: Taylor Swift
• “Blue Ain’t Your Color” — Songwriter: Clint Lagerberg, Hillary Lindsey, Steven Olsen
• “Body Like A Back Road” — Songwriter: Zach Crowell, Sam Hunt, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne
• “Dirt On My Boots” — Songwriter: Rhett Akins, Jesse Frasure, Ashley Gorley
• “Tin Man” — Songwriter: Jack Ingram, Miranda Lambert, Jon Randall

FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR (Award goes to the artist)

• Kelsea Ballerini
• Miranda Lambert
• Reba McEntire
• Maren Morris
• Carrie Underwood

MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR (Award goes to the artist)

• Dierks Bentley
• Eric Church
• Thomas Rhett
• Chris Stapleton
• Keith Urban

VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR (Award goes to the group)

• Lady Antebellum
• Little Big Town
• Old Dominion
• Rascal Flatts
• Zac Brown Band

VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR (Award goes to the duo)

• Dan + Shay
• Florida Georgia Line
• LOCASH
• Maddie & Tae
• Brothers Osborne

MUSICAL EVENT OF THE YEAR (Award goes to each artist)

• “Craving You” – Thomas Rhett (feat. Maren Morris)
• “Funny How Time Slips Away” – Glen Campbell with Willie Nelson
• “Kill a Word” – Eric Church (feat. Rhiannon Giddens)
• “Setting the World on Fire” – Kenny Chesney (with P!nk)
• “Speak to a Girl” – Tim McGraw & Faith Hill

MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR (Award goes to the artist and director)

• “Better Man” – Little Big Town; Director: Becky Fluke and Reid Long
• “Blue Ain’t Your Color” – Keith Urban; Director: Carter Smith
• “Craving You” – Thomas Rhett (feat. Maren Morris); Director: TK McKamy
• “Vice” – Miranda Lambert; Director: Trey Fanjoy
• “It Ain’t My Fault” – Brothers Osborne; Director: Wes Edwards and Ryan Silver

NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR AWARD (Award goes to the artist)

• Luke Combs
• Old Dominion
• Jon Pardi
• Brett Young
• Lauren Alaina