Lainey Wilson, who co-hosted last year’s CMA Awards with Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning, will host this year’s show all by herself. She will become just the third woman to solo-host the show, following country queens Dolly Parton (1988) and Reba McEntire (1991).
Twice as many men have solo-hosted the show: Tennessee Ernie Ford (twice), Glen Campbell (once), Johnny Cash (four times), Kenny Rogers (three times), Vince Gill (10 times) and Luke Bryan (once).
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Country Music’s Biggest Night, the show’s trademarked slogan, is set to broadcast live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 19 (8-11 p.m. ET) on ABC. It will be available the following day on Hulu.
Wilson has won nine CMA Awards in the last three years, including female vocalist of the year three years running. She is tied with Ella Langley and Megan Moroney for the most nominations at this year’s awards (six each).
“I grew up watching the CMA Awards like it was the Super Bowl, so to be hosting for a second year is a true honor,” Wilson said in a statement. “I’m humbled that CMA has trusted me with this role, and I can’t wait to love on this genre that has given me so much.”
First held in 1967, the CMA Awards is the longest-running annual music awards program on network television. CMA Awards nominees and winners are determined by more than 7,000 professional voting members of the Country Music Association.
The 59th annual CMA Awards is a production of the Country Music Association. Robert Deaton serves as executive producer, Alan Carter is director, and Jon Macks is head writer.
Tickets are on sale now the CMA Awards site.
