Georgia Entertainment Scene
Georgia Entertainment Scene

Chris Stapleton, Justin Timberlake, Reba and others added to CMA Awards lineup

Chris Stapleton performs at Parklife in Piedmont Park, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2015. Photo: BRANDEN CAMP/SPECIAL

Credit: Melissa Ruggieri

Credit: Melissa Ruggieri

Chris Stapleton performs at Parklife in Piedmont Park, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2015. Photo: BRANDEN CAMP/SPECIAL
By Melissa Ruggieri
Oct 31, 2015

BY MELISSA RUGGIERI

The formula perfected by the Grammys – unlikely musical pairings equals ratings gold – has been aped admirably by the CMAs the past few years.

Wednesday's 49th annual awards show, airing live from Nashville on ABC (I'll be there, so make sure to follow live updates on the blog, Twitter and Facebook), will spotlight a set of unique collaborations: Chris Stapleton ( who last month performed a memorable set at Parklife music festival ) with Justin Timberlake; Eric Church and Hank Williams Jr.; Thomas Rhett with Fall Out Boy; Keith Urban and John Mellencamp; and Vegas buddies Reba McEntire and Brooks & Dunn.

The performance lineup also includes Georgia staples the Zac Brown Band, Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Florida Georgia Line and Little Big Town, as well as Kacey Musgraves, Blake Shelton, Sam Hunt, Miranda Lambert and CMA hosts Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley.

An eclectic parade of presenters has been tapped as well: Edie Brickell and Steve Martin; Miss America (and Georgia native) Betty Cantrell; Lady Antebellum's Charles Kelley (who plays a solo show at The Tabernacle on Dec. 5); longtime Atlantan Jennifer Nettles; Pentatonix; Darius Rucker; Cole Swindell; Keifer Sutherland; and Heather O'Reilly and Megan Rapinoe of the U.S. Women's Soccer Team, among others.

Follow the AJC Music Scene on Facebook and Twitter.

About the Author

Melissa Ruggieri has covered music and entertainment for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution since 2010 and created the Atlanta Music Scene blog. She's kept vampire hours for more than two decades and remembers when MTV was awesome.

Follow Melissa Ruggieri on facebookFollow Melissa Ruggieri on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

Christa Pitts (left) and Chanda Bell, sisters and co-CEOs of The Lumistella Co., which produces Elf on the Shelf, pose for a portrait at Lumistella headquarters in Atlanta in October. (Arvin Temkar / AJC)

Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com

From Marietta to millions, ‘The Elf on the Shelf’ turns 20

A Marietta family 20 years ago created a brand-new tradition with Elf on the Shelf, a Christmas miracle in a day and age where nostalgia rules the airwaves and gift shops.

‘Bert Show,’ former host Moe Mitchell settle suit over alleged breach of contract

The Bert Show, which ended in October after a quarter century on the radio, had filed a lawsuit against former morning host Moe Mitchell for breach of contract.

Atlanta’s New Year’s Eve Peach Drop replaced by fireworks, drone display

Last year’s Peach Drop, which featured concerts by Big Boi and Neon Trees, cost $630K. A city spokesperson said this fireworks and drone show will cost no more than $250K.

The Latest

ajc.com

What movies made in Georgia have made the most money since 2008?

‘Ride Along’ producer Will Packer promotes ‘healthy arrogance’ in new book

Check out three new reality shows with Atlanta ties

Featured

UPS trucks exit the company's SMART hub in Atlanta on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025. It's considered the country's second-largest ground package processing facility. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com

ANALYSIS

After a difficult 2025, here’s what could be ahead for UPS

The Sandy Springs-based company's stock has taken a beating recently. Leaders say part of that is because they’re playing the long game.

Two Georgia universities joining new, controversial accreditor

Columbus State and Georgia Southern are among the 10 schools joining a new accreditation agency, the Commission for Public Higher Education.

From Marietta to millions, ‘The Elf on the Shelf’ turns 20

A Marietta family 20 years ago created a brand-new tradition with Elf on the Shelf, a Christmas miracle in a day and age where nostalgia rules the airwaves and gift shops.