The 57th Annual CMA's are Saddling Up

Downtown Nashville, Braden Simmons

Glitz, glamour and a whole lot of country music, the annual Country Music Awards are coming to Music City.

The 57th annual Country Music Association Awards will be held Wednesday, at 6 p.m. at Bridgestone Arena.

The CMA Awards is an event hosted by the Country Music Association. The CMA is the primary organization that represents country music stars and works to promote country music. Each year, thousands of association members vote on nominees in order to determine which country music artists will take home awards in their respective categories.

Beginning in 1967, The CMA Awards are one of Nashville's most sacred nights for fans, artists, and the city. Historically, the CMA Awards have had national success and is network television's longest-running annual music awards show.

Some of the country’s most prominent celebrities will be attending, dressed to the nines and ready to show off their best red carpet looks. In the past stars such as Chris Stapleton, Katy Perry and Jelly Roll have all strolled down the red carpet. This year, country music star Luke Bryan and NFL quarterback Peyton Manning will host the event.

Some of the awards being presented are Album of the year, Female and Male vocalist of the year, New artist of the year and much more.

The event will also feature performances by artists like Dan + Shay, Kelsea Ballerini, Luke Combs, Cody Johnson and other popular country artists.

Also being awarded is CMAs’ most respected title “Entertainer of the Year.” Currently nominated are country stars Luke Combs, Carrie Underwood, Chris Stapleton, Lainey Wilson and Morgan Wallen.

Belmont University's Service Corps will be providing five student workers for the CMAs.

“It’s a super fun experience,” said Belmont Service Corps president, Emma Wells. “I always make great memories. Plus, it looks great on a resumé.”

Service Corps is “a student-lead group of volunteers who dedicate their time and energy to numerous causes and events for hands-on industry experience,” according to its club page on BruinLink.

Opportunities for students at this event not only include working behind the scenes but also serving as a seat-filler or as a red-carpet escort. This helps to provide students with formative music industry experience.

“Going to the CMA awards as a Belmont student would help to draw inspiration from others, musically, socially, and retrospectively as a whole. Showing that the showcase artists are real people too” said Belmont University sophomore Ian Staertow. “Not only this, but CMA brings a sense of unification within the community, everyone coming together for the love of country music.”

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This article was written by Ruby Raines and Taylon Miller