MAREN MORRIS

Tennessee has long championed its musical and creative communities, but some musicians and artists feel threatened by its new laws targeting trans youth and drag performances.

Louisiana-native Lainey Wilson is having a breakout year as she tops the Country Music Association nominations in her first year as a nominee, earning nods in six categories.

Carrie Underwood and Jason Aldean were the big winners at the CMT music awards.

Hit country duo The Judds are reuniting to perform on the CMT Music Awards, their first major awards show performance together in more than two decades.

Country star Maren Morris isn't taking a pop left turn on her new record “Humble Quest."

This week’s new entertainment releases include new music from Maren Morris and Machine Gun Kelly, Donald Glover’s “Atlanta” returns Thursday on FX for its long-awaited third season and “Bridgerton” arrives on Friday for season two.

Kane Brown is the leading nominee for the 2022 CMT Music Awards, which celebrates the best in country music videos.

Country star Maren Morris didn't want to make the leap to playing arenas this year after an extended time off from the road, saying she's trying not to overshoot too quickly.

Morgan Wallen won album of the year at the Academy of Country Music Awards for “Dangerous: The Double Album,” a year after he was removed from the ACMs ballot after he was caught on camera using a racial slur.

Dolly Parton, Jimmie Allen and Gabby Barrett will be pulling double duty with special performances on top of their hosting duties at this year’s Academy of Country Music Awards.

This week’s new entertainment releases feature music from Grammy-winning songwriter Natalie Hemby and two pop star documentaries — “Justin Bieber: Our World" and the concert film “Madonna: Madame X.”.

Musical multi-hyphenate Brandi Carlile has another trophy for her shelf as she won artist of the year at the 2021 Americana Honors and Awards show.

This week’s new entertainment releases include LeBron James leading the Tunes against the Goons in “Space Jam: A New Legacy,” a sequel to the 1996 movie that had Michael Jordan headlining with Bugs Bunny.

This week’s new entertainment releases includes Conan O’Brien closing out his TBS late-night show and the new soccer documentary “LFG,” a revealing look at the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team’s battle for equal pay.

Carrie Underwood has extended her record as the most decorated artist in the history of the CMT Music Awards — thanks to her song “Hallelujah.”.

Former tourmates Miranda Lambert and Maren Morris are leading nominees with four each for the 2021 CMT Music Awards, celebrating the best in country music videos.

Carrie Underwood brought the Academy of Country Music Awards to church.

Keith Urban and Mickey Guyton will have a small audience at this year's Academy of Country Music Awards show on Sunday of vaccinated medical workers.

The Weeknd, Megan Thee Stallion and Roddy Ricch are among the top nominees for next month’s iHeartRadio Music Awards.

This week’s new entertainment releases include screen options with women taking charge.

Four women won the top four prizes Sunday, including Swift, who became the first female performer to win album of the year three times. Beyoncé — with her 28th win — became the most decorated woman in Grammy history. And 9-year-old Blue Ivy Carter — who won best music video alongside her mother — became the second youngest act to win a Grammy in the show’s 63-year history. Megan Thee Stallion, who won three honors, also made history and became the first female rapper to win best rap song. She's also the fifth rap-based act to win best new artist.

This combination photo shows key art for the Acorn TV series "Bloodlands," premiering March 15, left, key art for the Apple TV+ film "Cherry," center, and key art for Nickelodeons "Kids Choice Awards," hosted by Kenan Thompson and airing on March 13. (Acorn TV/Apple TV+/Nickelodeon via AP)Here’s a collection curated by The Associated Press’ entertainment journalists of what’s arriving on TV, streaming services and music platforms this week. Ad—AP Film Writer Jake CoyleMUSIC— The 2021 Grammys will hand out 84 awards Sunday, but what’s more exciting? Other performers include Chris Martin, John Mayer, Doja Cat, Maren Morris, DaBaby, HAIM, Lil Baby, Brandi Carlile, Roddy Ricch, Brittany Howard, Miranda Lambert, Mickey Guyton and Black Pumas. Ad— Grown-ups don’t have a lock on awards shows, as Nickelodeon’s Kids’ Choice Awards proves once again.

FILE - In this Oct. 5, 2019 photo, Billie Eilish performs during the first weekend of the Austin City Limits Music Festival in Zilker Park in Austin, Texas. Eilish will perform at this month's Grammy Awards. (Photo by Jack Plunkett/Invision/AP, File)NEW YORK – Taylor Swift, BTS, Cardi B and Billie Eilish are set to perform at next week’s Grammy Awards. The Grammys were originally supposed to take place on Jan. 31 but were delayed because of the coronavirus pandemic. Beyoncé is leading nominee with nine, followed by Swift, Lipa and Ricch, who each earned six nominations.

In this March 3, 2020, file photo, a man walks by The Basement East, a live music venue, on March 3, 2020, after a tornado hit Nashville, Tenn. Could Basement East really be destroyed? As the virus raged on, the dream of once again packing Basement East full of music lovers seemed shakier than ever. Basement East first opened its doors in 2015, but it took nearly five years for the venue to turn a profit. “The magic of music,” Brown said.

Morris and Stapleton lead the nominations for this year's Academy of Country Music Awards. The academy announced on Friday that Morris and Stapleton both had six nominations ahead of the April 18 awards show, which will air on CBS from Nashville, Tennessee. (AP Photo)NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Maren Morris and Chris Stapleton are the leading nominees for the Academy of Country Music Awards, but only Stapleton joined the all-male ballot for the top prize of entertainer of the year. The academy announced on Friday that Morris and Stapleton both had six nominations ahead of the April 18 awards show, which will air on CBS from Nashville, Tennessee. AdMiranda Lambert, who is already the most nominated artist in ACM history, stretched her streak with five nominations.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Country star Luke Combs has apologized for appearing with Confederate flags, saying he is now aware of how painful that flag is. Combs addressed the images during a conversation with singer Maren Morris on Wednesday during a panel for radio broadcasters about accountability in country music. He also wanted to encourage more people in the country music industry to have those hard conversations. Morris also spoke about the Confederate flag, saying that as a native Texan, she also didn't fully understand the history and context of the flag outside of just “Southern pride" until she was a teenager. She said that seeing that flag being flown at country music festivals makes her not want to play those festivals and urged country artists to demand those flags be removed.

Wallen has apologized after a video surfaced showed him shouting a racial slur. (AP Photo/Sanford Myers, File)NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Country star Morgan Wallen has been suspended indefinitely from his label and seen his music pulled by radio stations and streaming services Wednesday after video surfaced of him shouting a racial slur. We keep them rich and protected at all costs with no recourse.”Other music stars have faced backlash for using racial slurs or derogatory language. Justin Bieber apologized in 2014 for using a racial slur joke in a video from when he was a teenager. “I feel like it set a trip cord that never existed in country music for racial behavior,” said Dowling.

Here’s a collection curated by The Associated Press’ entertainment journalists of what’s arriving on TV, streaming services and music platforms this week. Directed by Goro Miyazaki (Hayao Miyazaki’s son), “Earwig” follows a 10-year-old orphan girl who gets some unconventional adoptive parents. — AP Film Writer Lindsey BahrMUSIC— Foo Fighters’ 10th album was originally supposed to be released last year but was one of many projects delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Fela’s son and grandson, Femi Kuti and Made Kuti, will release a double album called “Legacy +” on Friday. Ad— “Peanuts” puppy Snoopy gets top billing in “The Snoopy Show,” an Apple TV+ animated series debuting Friday on the streaming service.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Highwomen won three awards, including album, song and duo/group of the year, at the Americana Honors and Awards. The late John Prine was given artist of the year honors. The Americana Music Association announced the winners online on Tuesday this year after their awards show, normally held in Nashville, Tennessee, was cancelled because of the pandemic. Prine, who died in April due to complications from COVID-19, was a titan among the Americana music community, having won artist of the year three times previously and received a lifetime achievement award in 2003. The band is also nominated for three Grammys this year, including album of the year and record of the year.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Musician and actor Kevin Bacon is bringing live music back to venues that have been shuttered this year with an all-star concert TV special. The charity concert airing on CBS on Dec. 15 will raise money for the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund and WhyHunger. All these independently owned venues were closed to the public because of the COVID-19 pandemic. “The joy that you see among the people that are playing, I think, is very infectious in our show,” said Bacon. Although he also hasn't been able to perform in front of fans this year, Bacon has been singing and playing to a smaller audience of sorts.

Others who may earn nominations include Lewis Capaldi, Summer Walker, Morgan Wallen, Doja Cat, BLACKPINK, Ingrid Andress, Snoh Aalegra, Skip Marley, Mickey Guyton and CNCO. Ricch should also earn nominations for his guest appearance on DaBaby’s international hit “Rock Star,” helping him become the show’s overall top nominee. ________FOLKS LOVE FOLKLORETaylor Swift’s last two albums, “Lover” and “reputation,” didn’t earn nominations for album of the year. The seven-member group’s hit “Dynamite” could snag a nomination for best pop duo/group performance, and their latest album could compete for best global music album. 3 on pop charts, should earn a nomination for best country performance and best country song.

FILE - Eric Church performs at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Ariz. on March 28, 2017. Church will perform at this year's CMA Awards in Nashville. The show will air on ABC on Nov. 11. (Photo by Rick Scuteri/Invision/AP, File)

FILE - Eric Church performs at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Ariz. on March 28, 2017. Church will perform at this year's CMA Awards in Nashville. (Photo by Rick Scuteri/Invision/AP, File)NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Eric Church, Miranda Lambert, Maren Morris, Luke Combs and more are set to take the stage at the CMA Awards in November. The country music awards show promised that the genre’s biggest stars will be together in one room again for the first time since the COVID-19 outbreak started. Lambert, the leading nominee with seven nods including entertainer of the year, will perform “Settling Down" from her album of the year nominated record ”Wildcard."

In this video image provided by CMT, Carrie Underwood accepts the female of the year award for Drinking Alone during the Country Music Television awards airing on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2020. (CMT via AP)NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Carrie Underwood already had the most CMT Music Awards of any artist, but she'll need to make more room on her shelf. The superstar picked up two more trophies for video of the year and female video of the year in a remotely shot awards show. "I am so proud to be a part of this legacy of women in country music with you. Singer Granger Smith won for his on-the-nose music video called “Don't Cough On Me!"

FILE - Shania Twain appears during a portrait session in New York on June 14, 2019. (Photo by Christopher Smith/Invision/AP, File)NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The record that turned Shania Twain from a struggling singer-songwriter from Canada into a global superstar also changed country music for years to come. But her life changed after “The Woman in Me,” her Grammy-winning second album released in February 1995, which was the best-selling release by a woman in country music at the time. But she was also taking a risk as a country artist to be so forward with her sexuality and her classic supermodel looks. Despite taking a long break from recording between 2002’s “Up!” and 2017’s “Now,” Twain is still the best-selling female country artist, according to the Recording Industry of America.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Ashley McBryde, Dan + Shay, Kelsea Ballerini, Luke Combs, Sam Hunt and Thomas Rhett top the 2020 CMT Music Awards nominations with three each. In nominations announced Wednesday for the pandemic-delayed show, 14 videos are vying for the top prize of video of the year. The fan-voted show will air on CMT and other networks on Oct. 21 with outdoor performances. The Highwomen, a group made up of Maren Morris, Brandi Carlile, Natalie Hemby and Amanda Shires, also got their first nomination for group video. Electronic producer and DJ Marshmello also earned a nomination in collaborative video for the crossover hit “One Thing Right" with Kane Brown.

Carrie Underwood accepts the entertainer of the year award in a tie with Thomas Rhett during the 55th annual Academy of Country Music Awards at the Grand Ole Opry House on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2020, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

This combination photo shows, from left, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Luke Combs, Thomas Rhett and Carrie Underwood, nominees for entertainer of the year at the 55th ACM Awards. (AP Photo)NASHVILLE, Tenn. – In a pre-pandemic world, the Academy of Country Music Awards advertised itself as country music’s night to party with gambling, after-parties and a Las Vegas-style attitude. This year the red carpet, crowds and gambling are all r eplaced with COVID-19 tests, temperature checks and face masks. Swift, who makes her first return to the ACM stage in seven years, was the last female artist to win ACM entertainer of the year in 2011. “I certainly believe that she’s been an entertainer of all entertainers and brought so much grace and class and elegance to country music,” said Bryan.

This combination photo shows country singers, from left, Luke Bryan, Kane Brown and Mickey Guyton who will perform at this year's ACM Awards in Nashville. (AP Photo)NASHVILLE, Tenn. – At the Academy of Country Music Awards on Wednesday, there won’t be fake fans, canned applause or pre-taped acceptance speeches. After a five-month delay due to the coronavirus pandemic, the awards show wants to bring the live television experience back again. The 55th annual ACM Awards, normally held in April in Las Vegas, were delayed this year and moved to Nashville, Tennessee, for the first time. “I don’t know if it’s gonna look like an NFL Draft night when we hand out the awards,” Urban said laughing.

This cover image released by RCA Records shows "Alicia" the latest release by Alicia Keys. The album, out Friday, features several guest stars, including Jill Scott, Miguel, Khalid, Snoh Aalegra, Sampha, Diamond Platnumz and Ed Sheeran, who co-wrote the single Underdog. (RCA Records via AP)

This cover image released by RCA Records shows "Alicia" the latest release by Alicia Keys. The album, out Friday, features several guest stars, including Jill Scott, Miguel, Khalid, Snoh Aalegra, Sampha, Diamond Platnumz and Ed Sheeran, who co-wrote the single Underdog. (RCA Records via AP)Here’s a collection curated by The Associated Press’ entertainment journalists of what’s arriving on TV, streaming services and music platforms this week. It lands on HBO and HBO Max on Saturday at 8 p.m.— AP Film Writer Jake CoyleMUSIC— Piano-playing pop star Alicia Keys is putting out her seventh album on Friday. — Kim Cattrall is at the center of Fox’s “Filthy Rich,” a prime-time soap opera loaded with money and betrayal that debuts 9 p.m. EDT Monday, Sept. 21.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Country-turned-pop star Taylor Swift is coming back to her roots with a performance at this year’s Academy of Country Music Awards. The nine-time ACM award winner will perform from the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Tennessee, where the awards show will be broadcast Wednesday on CBS. Swift will perform “betty” from her new album “Folklore,” which has held the top spot on for six weeks on the Billboard 200 Albums chart. 6 on Billboard's Hot Country song chart. This marks the first time in seven years that the two-time ACM entertainer of the year has performed at this awards show and will be her world premiere performance for any song from her “Folklore” album.

This combination photo shows, from left, Carrie Underwood, Eric Church, Luke Combs, Keith Urban and Miranda Lambert, who were nominated for Entertainer of the Year for the 54th Annual CMA Awards on Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2020.

Kacey Musgraves performs onstage during the 52nd annual CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on Nov. 14, 2018, in Nashville, Tennessee. (CNN) - The biggest names in country music took the stage at the 53rd Annual CMA Awards Wednesday night. Blake Shelton took the stage to win the first award of the night for Single of the Year, "God's Country." The night was also filled with showstopping performances from Miranda Lambert, Pink, McEntire, Underwood and Kelsea Ballerini and many more. See below for a full list of this year's winners.

(CNN) - The Country Music Association announced the nominees for "The 53rd Annual CMA Awards" on Wednesday, with Maren Morris topping the list with six. Those nods add to her previous 10 nominations and one win in years past. The following is a list of the nominees:ENTERTAINER OF THE YEARGarth BrooksEric ChurchChris StapletonCarrie UnderwoodKeith UrbanSINGLE OF THE YEAR*Award goes to Artist(s), Producer(s), and Mix Engineer- "Burning Man" -- Dierks Bentley Feat. Brothers Osborne)Producers: Maren Morris, busbee- "Brand New Man" -- Brooks & Dunn (with Luke Combs)Producer: Dann Huff- "Dive Bar" -- Garth Brooks & Blake SheltonProducer: Garth Brooks- "Old Town Road (Remix)" -- Lil Nas X feat. The-CNN-Wire & 2019 Cable News Network, Inc., a Time Warner Company.