Miranda Lambert
- Miranda won this award six years in row, beginning in 2010. Last year her streak was broken by Carrie Underwood.
- She's also up for Single and Song of the Year for "Tin Man," Album of the Year for The Weight of These Wings and Music Video of the Year for "Vice."
- She'll perform on the show this year.
"I don't know what else I'd be doing if I wasn't doing this. So it feels really good to know that people are paying attention and they are voting for me."
Kelsea Ballerini
- Kelsea is up for Female Vocalist of the Year for the third time. If she wins it will be her first CMA Award.
- Her new album Unapologetically comes out on Friday.
- She is performing with Reba McEntire on the show.
- She'll head out on another headlining tour early next year.
- She'll headline the Thanksgiving Day Parade coverage on CBS.
“These award shows they’re like the heartbeat of country music. It’s like where all the people that make the music that is on the radio that is people’s lives are all together and just celebrating country music together and just celebrating that it’s like getting an award.”
Maren Morris
- This is Maren's second year as a nominee in the category.
- She's also up for Musical Event of the Year and Music Video of the Year with Thomas Rhett for "Craving You."
- She won the New Artist of the Year Award last year.
- She's performing with pop star Niall Horan on the show.
"I love to sing and so I think because I'm not in creative mode, singing really has become the driver for me."
Carrie Underwood
- Carrie Underwood has won the Female Vocalist of the Year Award four times. She picked it up in 2006, 200, 2008 and 2016.
- She and Brad Paisley are hosting the show for the 10th time.
- She will perform on the show.
"We're always in categories with people who are absolutely amazing. So it's kinda just whatever happens, happens. I still have a job to do. I'm hosting. So it's like, 'didn't win. Where am I supposed to be? What am I wearing? What's going on?'"
Reba McEntire
- This is Reba's first time in the category since 2010.
- She won Female Vocalist of the Year four times -- in 1984, 1985, 1986 and 1987.
- She'll perform with fellow nominee Kelsea Ballerini.
The 51st annual CMA Awards will be broadcast live on November 8th on ABC.