Artists Gear Up for a Night of Glitz and Glory at the CMA Awards

The 58th Annual CMA Awards tomorrow night, and country music's brightest stars are ready to shine under Nashville’s biggest spotlight. From heartfelt performances to meaningful nominations, this year’s lineup promises unforgettable moments. Here’s what some of the industry's top artists had to say about their anticipation for the big night.

Luke Combs | Zach Massey Megan Moroney | CeCe Dawson | Riley Green Photo Jeremy Cowart | Lainey Wilson Eric Ryan Anderson

Riley Green: Living the Dream

Riley Green is no stranger to the CMA stage, but the excitement never fades. "It's always awesome that they let me come to these awards and hang out with all these famous people," Green shared with a laugh. Nominated for his duet Like You Love Me with Ella, Green reflected on the organic success of the song.

"I’ve been a fan of Ella for a long time, and to see this song become such a hit with fans before it even climbed the charts was incredible," he said. Riley also teased his Damn Country Music Tour launching next year, featuring Elle, Drake White, and Jake Worthington. "I’m looking forward to playing my new record Don’t Mind If I Do live and seeing which songs fans sing the loudest.”

Megan Moroney: Grateful for Growth

With a whirlwind year behind her, Megan Moroney is still pinching herself. "This year has been my favorite yet," she gushed. From touring with Kenny Chesney to releasing her sophomore album, Moroney has embraced the journey.

Her nomination for Music Video of the Year for I’m Not Pretty marks a milestone. "It was my first time co-directing, and I had so much fun bringing a bigger message to life,” she said. Moroney also hinted at her CMA performance outfit, promising it will be “very blue and very sparkly—imagine that!”

Luke Combs: Fire and Passion

For Luke Combs, being nominated for Entertainer of the Year is still surreal. "I didn't ever think I’d get this far," he admitted. Combs will perform Ain’t No Love in Oklahoma, a high-energy track he wrote for the Twisters movie.

“We’re bringing out all the stops—lights, fire, and effects. It’s something my band and I don’t usually do, but this song called for it,” Combs shared. Reflecting on his charity work, he highlighted Concert for Carolina as one of his proudest accomplishments.

Lainey Wilson: Reigning Entertainer of the Year

As last year’s Entertainer of the Year, Lainey Wilson feels the love. "I tried to dig my boots in deeper and prove why CMA chose me," she said. Wilson will co-host the event alongside Peyton Manning and Luke Bryan, promising to “whoop them” in good-natured fun.

Her current single, 4x4xU, holds special meaning. "It’s about my good-hearted man, my biggest cheerleader," she shared, adding that her parents will be in the audience.

Eric Church: A Performance with Purpose

Eric Church is using his CMA stage time to shed light on Hurricane Eileen’s devastation in western North Carolina. Performing Darkest Hour, Church hopes to remind the audience that recovery efforts are far from over.

"The more I can shine a light on it, the more good we can do," he said. Church also reflected on the energy at his Charlotte benefit concert, describing it as a mix of revival and mission.

As the big night approaches, it’s clear that this year’s CMA Awards will be more than a celebration of music—it’ll be a testament to resilience, creativity, and the unique ability of country music to bring people together. Fans can expect an evening of heartfelt performances, dazzling moments, and the crowning of this year’s best in the genre.

Let the countdown to country music’s biggest night begin!