ACM Awards 2021: A full list of performers & predictions

This year's ceremony will be positively packed with strong performances. From New Male Artist of the Year Jimmie Allen to stalwarts like Kenny Chesney and Alan Jackson, these performers are set to take the stage on April 18 at the 56th annual Academy of Country Music Awards. 

The already-announced winner of this year’s New Male Artist of the Year award, Jimmie Allen is set to perform at the 2021 ACM Awards. No word yet on what he’ll play just yet, but here’s hoping for a duet with Brad Paisley on “Freedom Was A Highway,” from Allen’s 2020 album “Bettie James.” 

A former ACM Awards co-host, Luke Bryan will still take to the stage at this year’s ceremony. He’ll probably perform “Drink A Little Whiskey Down,” his brand new single released in early March. 

Even though not many people think of John Legend as a country artist, he’s still up for a 2021 ACM Award. He’s up for Video of the Year for his duet “Hallelujah” alongside Carrie Underwood. Perhaps they’ll perform that together since Underwood is also set to make an appearance? 

Nominated for Male Artist of the Year and Video of the Year, Dierks Bentley hasn’t yet announced what he’ll be performing at this year’s ACM Awards, but our money’s on “Gone,” his latest single released in October 2020. 

It’s going to be a busy night for Kelsea Ballerini at the 2021 ACM Awards. Not only is she set to perform, but she’s also up for Female Artist of the Year for the second year in a row. 

Nominated in the Single of the Year category for “I Hope You’re Happy Now,” his chart-topping duet with Carly Pearce, here’s hoping fans get to see those two artists come together on the ACM Awards stage. 

A likely favorite for Duo of the Year, the Brothers Osborne will perform at the ACM Awards for the first time since T.J. Osborne, one half of the duo, came out as gay earlier this year. Expect a warm welcome for the Brothers Osborne, who will likely perform something from their acclaimed 2020 album “Skeletons.” 

Even though he isn’t up for any ACM Awards this year, Kenny Chesney will treat fans to a performance during this year’s ceremony. Perhaps he’ll debut a new song, or play something from 2020’s “Here And Now.” 

Just days before the ACM Awards, Eric Church will begin releasing his “Heart & Soul” trilogy of three new much-anticipated albums. As such, it’s hard to predict what he’ll be performing, but here’s hoping for a rollicking rendition of “Stick It In Your Country Song.” 

A strong contender for this year’s Male Vocalist of the Year trophy, Luke Combs has a couple of new songs to choose from for this year’s ACM Awards performance. Perhaps he’ll pay tribute to the COVID-19 pandemic with “Six Feet Apart,” or bring up Billy Strings for a rendition of “The Great Divide.” 

This country-pop duo, known for their smash collab with Justin Bieber “10,000 Hours,” is up for Duo of the Year at the 2021 ACM Awards. They’re also set to perform, likely the latest single “Glad You Exist,” released in February. 

It’s likely that singer-songwriter Ryan Hurd will join his wife and the multiply nominated Maren Morris for a super-sweet performance of their brand new duet “Chasing After You.” 

A Texas country stalwart who’s a frequent collaborator with Miranda Lambert — the two co-wrote Lambert’s 2018 ACM Song of the Year winner “Tin Man” alongside Jon Randall — expect to see Jack Ingram up on the stage with Lambert. Maybe they’ll perform a new song from “The Marfa Tapes,” Lambert, Ingram, and Randall’s much-anticipated forthcoming album. 

Set to release his first full-length album in nearly six years in May, expect Alan Jackson to perform something from “Where Have You Gone.” It could be a little bit awkward, considering that the album’s title track is an obvious criticism of the current state of country music. 

Miranda Lambert’s always a show-stopper at the ACM Awards, and this year likely won’t be an exception. With any luck, she’ll take the stage with just Jack Ingram and an acoustic guitar to perform “In His Arms,” the first single from her much-anticipated album “The Marfa Tapes.” 

Expect Little Big Town, nominated for Group of the Year, to steal the show at this year’s ACM Awards. Perhaps they’ll bring in a marching band for a performance of the rollicking “Wine, Beer, Whiskey,” or opt for a low-key performance of “Throw Your Love Away.” 

Nominated for Album of the Year, Song of the Year, and Female Artist of the Year, Ashley McBryde could have a huge night during this year’s ACM Awards. Expect a performance of her recent single “Martha Divine,” or a stunning rendition of “One Night Standards,” for which she could bring home a Song of the Year trophy. 

It’s likely that Chris Stapleton will be on the stage more than once at this year’s ACM Awards, considering that he’s up for multiple awards and set to perform. No word yet on what he’ll play, but here’s hoping for an acoustic rendition of “Starting Over” at the Bluebird Cafe. 

Co-hosting this year’s ACM Awards alongside Mickey Guyton, expect to see a lot of Keith Urban at this year’s ceremony. He hasn’t yet divulged what he’ll play, but it could be anything from “One Too Many,” his collaboration with pop singer Pink, to a duet of “We Were” alongside Eric Church. 

On the heels of the Easter release of her Christian album “My Savior,” expect an uplifting performance of a classic hymn-like “I Surrender All” or “How Great Thou Art” from Carrie Underwood at this year’s ACM Awards. 

Chris Young and Kane Brown might be teaming up for a performance of their upbeat duet “Famous Friends,” or perhaps Young could pull off a stunning solo version of his 2020 song “If That Ain’t God."

In between all of these performances, the Academy of Country Music will announce winners in more than 10 categories, including Female Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, and the coveted Entertainer of the Year trophy. Wondering who will win? Check out our picks for this year's victors. 

Country music’s “Mr. Misunderstood” was an Entertainer of the Year nominee at the 2020 ACM Awards, and it just seems like 2021 is his year. Especially after winning the same award at the Country Music Association awards last year. On the heels of his new singles “Stick It In Your Country Song” and “Break It Kind of Guy,” fans are eagerly awaiting new music from Church, who hasn’t released a full-length album since 2018’s Desperate Man. This year, he’s planning to release three albums, the “Heart & Soul” trilogy, starting on April 16. 

Now on her 15th nomination in this category, there’s no reason why Miranda Lambert shouldn’t take home yet another Female Artist of the Year trophy at this year’s ACM Awards. Even in the midst of the pandemic, Lambert’s been selling out socially distanced shows in her home state of Texas and releasing killer singles from her upcoming album The Marfa Tapes. She faces stiff competition, though — Maren Morris, Ashley McBryde, and Carly Pearce are a very strong slate of contenders. 

Arguably the biggest male name in country music right now, Luke Combs is a shoo-in for Male Artist of the Year. This year alone, he’s released a killer, bluegrass-inflected duet with Billy Strings, on the heels of 2020’s pandemic anthem “Six Feet Apart.” 

The Brothers Osborne, comprised of actual brothers T.J. and John Osborne, are likely to take home Duo of the Year trophy on the heels of 2020s critically acclaimed “Skeletons.” But they’ve got tough competition in legendary country duo Brooks & Dunn, who’ve dominated this category in decades past. 

A win for this supergroup that brings together Brandi Carlisle, Maren Morris, Natalie Hemby, and Amanda Shires would signal a pretty significant shift for country music. With its inclusive, Americana-inflected sound, the band is committed to a decidedly different sound than what dominates on country radio. If commercial success is the biggest factor for ACM voters, Old Dominion or Little Big Town will take home the trophy. 

This win has actually already been announced, ahead of this year’s awards show! On April 8, the Academy of Country Music announced that Gabby Barrett was 2021’s New Female Artist of the Year. In 2020, the “American Idol” alum scored a major radio hit with her song “I Hope,” which was the first top-ten debut single from a female country artist since 2017. 

Also an American Idol alum, Jimmie Allen is the winner of the ACM’s New Male Artist of the Year award. It’s a big win for the “Freedom Was A Highway” singer, who faced Cody Johnson, Parker McCollum, HARDY, and Travis Denning in the category. 

Released in November 2020, Chris Stapleton’s “Starting Over” was pure comfort music for folks stuck inside their homes during the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s also a strong showcase of Stapleton’s vocals and Dave Cobb’s impeccable production. Expect it to win, but keep an eye out for Ashley McBryde. Her 2020 album “Never Will,” was a true breakout, and features some incredible songwriting and singing. 

Both a hopeful song to keep in mind after a tough year and a killer Miranda Lambert performance, “Bluebird” should absolutely take home Single of the Year at the ACM Awards. It’s possible, though, that Ingrid Andress’s “More Hearts Than Mine” could be a dark horse contender, but this win looks to be all Miranda’s this year. 

There really hasn’t been a better country ballad in years than Ashley McBryde’s “One Night Standards,” which should be 2021’s Song of the Year. It’s a tough category, though, with Chris Stapleton’s “Starting Over” and Miranda Lambert’s “Bluebird” also up for the award. 

Released after a year of protests against racial injustice, the music video for “Better Than We Found It” showcases the lives of immigrants, people impacted by police brutality, and Morris’s own commitment to building a better world for her infant child. It’s poignant and powerful, and should definitely take home Video of the Year. 

With songs recorded by Kelsea Ballerini, Thomas Rhett, HARDY, and more in 2020 alone, decorated songwriter Ashley Gorley is a shoo-in for Songwriter of the Year at this year’s ACM Awards. It’s a stacked category, though, with Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne, Michael Hardy, and Hillary Lindsey also nominated. 

It’s hard to say which song will win this year’s Music Event of the Year award, but the smart money is on “Be A Light,” the collaboration between Thomas Rhett, Reba McEntire, Hillary Scott, Chris Tomlin, and Keith Urban. After the absurdly tough year that was 2020, this is the kind of uplifting ballad that a lot of folks need.