Rescheduled ACMs Move from Las Vegas to Nashville
The ACM Awards were originally scheduled to air live from Las Vegas. But then coronavirus concerns shut down production across the country, including award shows. Now, the event has been rescheduled for September 16. And instead of Las Vegas, the Academy of Country music moved the event to three smaller venues in Nashville.
The 55th Academy of Country Music Awards will take place in Nashville, TN for the first time in the show’s 55-year history. The event will be the first awards show to broadcast from three iconic Country Music venues including the Grand Ole Opry House, Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium and The Bluebird Cafe. The announcement was made this morning during Nashville Mayor John Cooper’s daily press conference.
Carrie Underwood, Gabby Barrett and more nominated for awards
Hosted by Keith Urban, the 55th ACM Awards will be broadcast on Wednesday, Sept. 16 (live 8:00-11:00 PM ET/delayed PT) on CBS, and will stream live and on demand on CBS All Access. American Idol’s Carrie Underwood is up for two awards–Entertainer of the Year and Female artist of the Year. American Idol judge Luke Bryan is nominated alongside Carrie in the EOTY category. American Idol 2018 2nd runner up Gabby Barrett is nominated for New Female Artist of the Year. The Voice alum Morgan Wallen is nominated in the New Male Artist of the Year category. “God’s Country” a single from The Voice coach Blake Shelton is nominated in three categories: Single, Song and Video of the Year.
2020 ACM Awards Nominations: Gabby Barrett, Carrie Underwood Nods
Is Tennessee’s quickly opening economy the reason for the move?
The show moves to the home of country music! I suspect the decision was based on practicality rather than sentiment. You see, Nevada is overseen by a democratic governor who has vowed to listen to medical experts and open the state’s economy back up slowly and carefully. Meanwhile, Tennessee’s republican governor has already started opening the state. Restaurants opened over the weekend.
“While we were disappointed to postpone our April show in Las Vegas, we couldn’t be more thrilled to host the rescheduled 55th ACM Awards in the home of Country Music for the first time in the Academy’s history,” said Damon Whiteside, CEO of the Academy of Country Music. “First and foremost, we want to ensure the safety of our artists and industry, and to ease the burdens of traveling large teams; therefore, we decided to bring the ACM Awards to them this September in Nashville. Now, more than ever, is the time to bring our community together to honor the best in our genre, and there is no more special place to do that than three of the most revered venues in Country Music – The Grand Ole Opry House, The Ryman Auditorium and The Bluebird Cafe. A huge thank you to these historic venues and to the state of Tennessee and city of Nashville for all of the support in making this a reality!”
Tennessee politicians weigh in
“Tennessee is honored to be a part of this historic event,” said Tennessee Governor Bill Lee. “Showcasing the talent and musical heritage of our state is always a source of pride, and it couldn’t be more valuable than this year. On behalf of all Tennesseans, I want to thank the Academy of Country Music for bringing this event home.”
“Country music has been our voice and our companion through so many difficult times and now it is our comfort as we confront and defeat the coronavirus,” said Nashville Mayor John Cooper. “I’m excited to join country music fans worldwide to celebrate with the Academy of Country Music and artists that uplift and inspire us all in these extraordinary times. And I look forward to the day when we can safely welcome visitors back to enjoy all that Music City has to offer, including over 160 live entertainment venues with the best country music shows in the world.”
“We are delighted to host the 55th ACM Awards and make history alongside the Academy of Country Music as the show comes to Nashville for the first time,” said Scott Bailey, President of Opry Entertainment Group. “We look forward to sharing this moment with our friends at The Bluebird Cafe and are pleased that fans will have the opportunity to experience the most famous stages in country music in such a unique way.”
