FIRST PERFORMERS ANNOUNCED FOR 'THE 50TH ANNUAL CMA AWARDS,' AIRING WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, ON THE ABC TELEVISION NETWORK

The biggest celebration in country music is bringing together the biggest names in Country Music with the first announcement of performers for "The 50th Annual CMA Awards."

"The 50th Annual CMA Awards" will be hosted by Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood and broadcast live from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2 (8:00-11:00 p.m. EDT), on the ABC Television Network.

In addition to their hosting duties, both Paisley and Underwood will perform during Country Music's Biggest Night(TM). In addition, fans will be treated to performances by Dierks Bentley, Eric Church, Maren Morris, and Keith Urban - each one a top nominee!

Bentley, a 20-time nominee and two-time winner, including the Horizon Award in 2005 (now New Artist of the Year) and Music Video of the Year in 2014 for "Drunk on a Plane," will vie for Male Vocalist; Album for "Black"; Music Video for "Somewhere On A Beach"; and Musical Event of the Year for "Different for Girls" with Elle King (her first CMA Awards nomination).

Church's nominations include Male Vocalist, Album ("Mr. Misunderstood"), and Single, Song, and Music Video of the Year for "Record Year." Church is a top nominee for the second year in a row, matching the five nominations he received in 2015. He now has a total of 22 nominations since his first in 2011 for New Artist of the Year.

Morris didn't just receive her first nominations in 2016, she received five including Female Vocalist; Album ("Hero"), Single and Song of the Year for "My Church," and New Artist of the Year. Morris only receives one nomination for Album and Single of the Year, but can receive additional trophies as producer.

Paisley has won 14 CMA Awards since receiving the Horizon Award (now the New Artist Award) in 2000, including Entertainer (2010), Male Vocalist (2007, 2008, 2009), and Album of the Year (2006). He is No. 3 on the list of the top CMA Awards nominees of all time.

Underwood is a first-time nominee in the Entertainer of the Year category. She also received nominations in Album ("Storyteller"); Musical Event for "The Fighter" with Urban; and Female Vocalist of the Year, which she has won three times (2006-2008).

Urban, who has been a nominee every year since 2004, received four CMA Awards nominations in 2016, including Entertainer, which he won in 2005; Male Vocalist; Album ("Ripcord"); and Musical Event of the Year for "The Fighter," featuring Underwood. Urban only receives one nomination for Album of the Year, but can receive an additional trophy as producer.

Winners of "The 50th Annual CMA Awards" will be determined in a final round of voting by eligible voting CMA members. The third and final ballot closes Tuesday, Oct. 25 (6:00 p.m. CDT). Ballots will be tabulated by the professional services organization Deloitte & Touche LLP.

"The 50th Annual CMA Awards" is a production of the Country Music Association. Robert Deaton is the executive producer and Paul Miller is the director. The CMA Awards will be shot in high definition and broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format, with 5.1 channel surround sound.

Fans can get more information on "The 50th Annual CMA Awards" and sign up for CMA emails and exclusives, including a full nominee recap, by visiting CMAawards50.com.