Listen to ACM Awards Radio on The Highway all weekend long for exclusive country music content

The Highway (Ch. 56) becomes ACM Awards Radio this weekend, April 16-18, leading up to the 56th Academy of Country Music Awards™. Enjoy exclusive backstage and pre-show interviews culminating in a live, commercial-free simulcast of the big event on April 18 at 8pm ET.The 56th Academy of Country Music Awards™ is dedicated to honoring and showcasing the biggest names and emerging talent in the country music industry.

This year, the Awards are hosted by 15-time ACM Award winner Keith Urban and New Female Artist of the Year nominee Mickey Guyton, broadcasting live from three iconic country music venues: the Grand Ole Opry House, the Ryman Auditorium, and The Bluebird Cafe. View the full list of nominees here.

The 56th ACM Awards will feature an unprecedented number of world television premiere performances including Elle King and Miranda Lambert opening the show with “Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home),” Dierks Bentley performing U2’s poignant classic “Pride (In The Name of Love)” with husband and wife duo The War and Treaty, Brothers Osborne (“I’m Not For Everyone”), Kenny Chesney (“Knowing You”), Eric Church (“Bunch Of Nothing”), Luke Combs (“Forever After All”), Dan + Shay (“Glad You Exist”), Mickey Guyton (“Hold On”), Alan Jackson with “You’ll Always Be My Baby” and a special mashup for “Drive (For Daddy Gene),” Miranda Lambert with Jack Ingram and Jon Randall (“In His Arms”), Maren Morris and Ryan Hurd (“Chasing After You”), Thomas Rhett premiering “What’s Your Country Song” and “Country Again,” Blake Shelton celebrating the 20th Anniversary of his first hit single “Austin” as well as “Minimum Wage,” Chris Stapleton (“Maggie’s Song”), and Chris Young and Kane Brown (“Famous Friends”).

Additional powerful collaborations include Carly Pearce and Lee Brice duetting on “I Hope You’re Happy Now,” Carrie Underwood performing a medley from her new album of gospel hymns, My Savior, which will also feature a duet with CeCe Winans, and Kelsea Ballerini and Kenny Chesney performing together for “half of my hometown.”

The show is produced for television by dick clark productions and will broadcast LIVE on April 18 (8-11pm, live ET/delayed PT) on the CBS Television Network, and will also be available to stream live and on demand on Paramount+.