Reba McEntire, Dolly Parton, Carrie Underwood, The Highwomen, Tanya Tucker And More To Open CMA Awards

Females will be in full force in a united, historic, not-to-be-missed opening performance at the upcoming 53rd Annual CMA Awards. The performance, led by Carrie Underwood, Reba McEntire and Dolly Parton, will also feature Terri Clark, Sara Evans, Crystal Gayle, The Highwomen (comprised of Brandi Carlile, Natalie Hemby, Maren Morris and Amanda Shires), Martina McBride, Jennifer Nettles, Tanya Tucker and Gretchen Wilson, each performing iconic country songs for a decades-spanning medley.

Country Music’s Biggest Night will also feature an additional performance from Kelsea Ballerini, joined by fellow breakthrough artists Lindsay Ell, Maddie & Tae, Ashley McBryde, Carly Pearce and Runaway June. Coming together for an epic performance of an iconic CMA Song of the Year and CMA Single of the Year featuring a special appearance by Little Big Town, this will be one of the night’s most talked-about performances.

The 53rd Annual CMA Awards, hosted by Carrie Underwood with special guest hosts Reba McEntire and Dolly Parton, celebrates legendary women in country throughout the broadcast, which airs live from Bridgestone Arena in Nashville Wednesday, Nov. 13 at 8/7c on ABC.

• Author
• Recent Posts

Lorie Hollabaugh

Hollabaugh, a staff writer at MusicRow magazine, has over 20 years of music business experience and has written for publications including American Profile, CMA Close Up, Nashville Arts And Entertainment, The Boot and Country Weekly. She has a Broadcast Journalism and Speech Communication degree from Texas Christian University, (go Horned Frogs), and welcomes your feedback or story ideas at lhollabaugh@musicrow.com.

Latest posts by Lorie Hollabaugh (see all)

• Industry Ink: Lainey Wilson, Carly Pearce, Cameron Whitcomb, More - October 26, 2026
• Country Thunder Arizona Reveals 2027 Lineup - October 26, 2026
• Gavin Adcock Launches New Western Lifestyle Brand Thrivin’ Here Co. - October 26, 2026