The 51st Annual ACM Awards COUNTRY SHOWCASE

IF YOU WATCH

What: 51st Annual ACM Awards, co-hosted by Luke Bryan and Dierks Bentley

When: Tonight at 8

Where: CBS

Staff / wire report

LAS VEGAS

An unprecedented lineup of performers will take the stage at tonight’s 51st annual Academy of Country Music Awards.

The ceremony, which will air live at 8 p.m. on CBS, from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, will be co-hosted by Luke Bryan and Dierks Bentley. The ACMs are dedicated to honoring and showcasing the biggest names and emerging talent in the country music industry.

New this year, “ACM Awards Backstage Live,” the streaming online show produced in conjunction with the telecast, will offer fans an all-access pass with a livestream of the red carpet and backstage areas.

During the telecast, “Backstage Live” will become a second-screen experience with multiple cameras backstage giving viewers an exclusive look at the special moments that aren’t seen on television. “Backstage Live” will stream live and simultaneously with the broadcast on CBS.com and ACMawards.com.

The list of performers tonight includes Bryan, Bentley, Jason Aldean, Cam, Kenny Chesney, Eric Church, Brett Eldredge, Sam Hunt, Charles Kelley, Tim McGraw, Thomas Rhett, Blake Shelton, Chris Stapleton, Cole Swindell, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, Florida Georgia Line and Old Dominion.

There will also be a number of duets and trios, including Kelsea Ballerini featuring Nick Jonas, Miranda Lambert featuring Billy Gibbons and Keith Urban, Dolly Parton and Katy Perry, Chris Young with Cassadee Pope and Little Big Town featuring Trombone Shorty.

Parton will receive a special award for her recent television movie about her childhood. She will be presented with the Tex Ritter Award for last year’s NBC movie “Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors.” The honor is given to a movie receiving major exposure featuring country music. Previous recipients include “O Brother, Where Art Thou,” “Walk the Line” and “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas,” which Parton starred in with Burt Reynolds in 1982.

Presenting the awards will be Garth Brooks (via satellite), Miss America Betty Cantrell, Tom Hiddleston, Chris Janson, Jana Kramer, Martina McBride, Von Miller, Kip Moore, Kacey Musgraves, Nancy O’Dell, Jake Owen, Chase Rice, Darius Rucker, Kiefer Sutherland, Cole Swindell and Maddie & Tae.

Additional country music stars expected to be in attendance include Lauren Alaina, Frankie Ballard, Kelleigh Bannen, Ronnie Bowman, Lee Brice, Kane Brown, Chase Bryant, Julie Chrisley, Todd Chrisley, Brandy Clark, Dave Cobb, Courtney Cole, Easton Corbin, Eric Decker, Jesse James Decker, Clare Dunn, Brooke Eden, Lindsay Ell, Mickey Guyton, Randy Houser, McKinley James, Chris Lane, Shane McAnally, Lori McKenna, Jackson Michelson, Maren Morris, David Nail, Jon Pardi, Eric Paslay, Canaan Smith, Granger Smith, Ren e Felice Smith, RaeLynn, Michael Ray, Clay Walker, Chuck Wicks, A Thousand Horses, Brothers Osborne, Dan + Shay, Eli Young Band, LoCash, Parmalee, Rascal Flatts, Shenandoah, The Band Perry and The Swon Brothers.

A few ACM awards have already been handed out to stars, including Grammy-winning country singer Chris Stapleton, Kelsea Ballerini and country band Old Dominion.

Stapleton won new male artist of the year, Ballerini won new female artist of the year and Old Dominion won new duo/group of the year.

All three performers could pick up additional awards during the show. Stapleton is the leading nominee with six other nominations, including album of the year and male vocalist of the year. Ballerini is also nominated for female vocalist of the year, and Old Dominion is also nominated for vocal group of the year.

Here are the nominees in major categories:

Male Vocalist: Brett Eldredge, Chris Stapleton, Dierks Bentley, Eric Church and Jason Aldean.

Female Vocalist: Carrie Underwood, Jana Kramer, Kacey Musgraves, Kelsea Ballerini and Miranda Lambert.

Vocal Duo: Brothers Osborne, Dan + Shay, Florida Georgia Line, Joey + Rory and Maddie & Tae.

Vocal Group: Eli Young Band, Little Big Town, Old Dominion, Rascal Flatts and Zac Brown Band.

Album of the Year: “I’m Comin’ Over,” Chris Young; “Montevallo,” Sam Hunt; “Mr. Misunderstood,” Eric Church; “Tangled Up,” Thomas Rhett; and “Traveller,” Chris Stapleton.

Single Record: “Burning House,” Cam; “Buy Me a Boat,” Chris Janson; “Die A Happy Man,” Thomas Rhett; “Girl Crush,” Little Big Town; “I’m Comin’ Over,” Chris Young; and “Take Your Time,” Sam Hunt.

Video: “Biscuits,” Kacey Musgraves; “Burning House,” Cam; “Girl Crush,” Little Big Town; “Mr. Misunderstood,” Eric Church; and “Riser,” Dierks Bentley.