From nominations and notes to performers and presenters, here’s everything a country music fan needs to know about the 2018 American Music Awards.
Date: Oct. 9
Time: 8 p.m. ET/delayed PT
Location: Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.
Television Station: ABC
Host: Tracee Ellis Ross
Pre-Show: 6 p.m. EST via YouTube
Performers: Carrie Underwood, Taylor Swift, Mariah Carey, Jennifer Lopez, Ciara and Missy Elliott, Dua Lipa, Ella Mai, Benny Blanco with Halsey and Khalid, Camila Cabello, Panic! At The Disco, Post Malone and Ty Dolla $ign, Shawn Mendes with Zedd and Twenty One Pilots
Tribute: Gladys Knight, Ledisi, Mary Mary, Donnie McClurkin and CeCe Winans will perform a special tribute to Aretha Franklin
Presenters: Kelsea Ballerini, Kane Brown, Bebe Rexha and Florida Georgia Line, Thomas Rhett, Normani, Rita Ora, Lauren Daigle, Lenny Kravitz, Chloe x Halle, Macaulay Culkin, Billy Eichner, Sara Gilbert, Kathryn Hahn, Amber Heard, Vanessa Hudgens, Taran Killam and Leighton Meester, Heidi Klum, Liza Koshy, Busy Philipps, Evan Ross and Ashlee Simpson-Ross, John Stamos, Amandla Stenberg, The Chainsmokers, Constance Wu, and the cast of the upcoming Queen biopic Bohemian Rhapsody, including Rami Malek, Joseph Mazzello and Gwilym Lee
Country-Centric Nominees
Favorite Male Artist – Country
Kane Brown
Luke Bryan
Thomas Rhett
Favorite Female Artist – Country
Kelsea Ballerini
Maren Morris
Carrie Underwood
Favorite Duo or Group – Country
Dan + Shay
Florida Georgia Line
Lanco
Favorite Album – Country
Kane Brown, Kane Brown
Luke Combs, This One’s for You
Thomas Rhett, Life Changes
Favorite Song – Country
Kane Brown, “Heaven”
Dan + Shay, “Tequila”
Bebe Rexha and Florida Georgia Line, “Meant to Be”
Collaboration of the Year
Bebe Rexha and Florida Georgia Line, “Meant to Be”
Camila Cabello “Havana (feat. Young Thug)”
Post Malone, “Rock Star (feat. 21 Savage)”
Bruno Mars and Cardi B, “Finesse”
Zedd, Maren Morris and Grey, “The Middle”
photo by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com