ACM Awards 2017 Cheat Sheet: Everything You Need to Know

Catch all your favorite country stars on Sunday on CBS.

Las Vegas is going country.

The 52nd Academy of Country Music Awards are headed to Sin City, bringing along some of Nashville's brightest stars for the prestigious event. Here's everything you need to know about the big night, from the tune-in to the biggest performances!


What Time Do the ACMs Start?:
The show airs live from T-Mobile Arena on CBS Sunday, April 2, 2017, at 8:00 - 11:00 p.m. ET/PT.

ET's Red Carpet Coverage: You can follow ET's coverage right here at ETonline.com and on Twitter (@etnow) and Instagram (@entertainmenttonight) ahead of Monday's full post-show coverage airing on Entertainment Tonight (check local listings).


Who's Hosting?: Luke Bryan
and Dierks Bentley are back for more co-hosting shenanigans.

"[We're going to] drink a little more this year, get a little more crazy," Bentley promised in an interview with ET earlier this week.

"Drink a little more, host a little less," Bryan chimed in, singing along to the tune of Michael Ray's hit single, "Think a Little Less."


Fashion Predictions:
Cowboy hats and boots on the red carpet? Yep! That's a given.

But we can't wait to see what Carrie Underwood and Miranda Lambert have in store. Last year, Underwood went sheer in a stunning Davidson Zanine gown on the red carpet while Lambert accessorized her gorgeous yellow Christian Siriano dress with a pair of hot pink Joyce Echols stilettos -- featuring a toy gun and holster accessory! Both ladies later changed into edgy ensembles to hit the stage for their respective performances.

Something tells us that we can count on these two to deliver another jaw-dropping one-two punch in the fashion department on Sunday when they slay the carpet and the stage.


Red Carpet Moment to Look Out For:
Will Sam Hunt's fiance make her red carpet debut? The gorgeous couple went public with their engagement at the start of 2017, but no word yet on whether Hunt's longtime on-again off-again love, Hannah Lee Fowler, will be hitting the awards show circuit with her beau. In years past, Hunt has sweetly brought his mom as his date.

Speaking of parents -- keep an eye out for Kelsea Ballerini and RaeLynn, who have each told ET that they'll be bringing their respective dads as their dates. Aww!

Meanwhile, parents-to-be Thomas Rhett and wife Lauren will be hitting the carpet together just days after ringing in Rhett's 27th birthday! Expect to see his Mrs. showing off her growing baby bump in adorable fashion.


INTERVIEW: Thomas Rhett Gushes Over Wife's 'Awesome Baby Bump,' Says He's Already Put a Crib in Tour Bus 

Who's Performing?: Expect to see a mix of solo performances and exciting collaborations during the telecast.

Solo Performances: Brett Eldredge, Old Dominion, Jason Aldean, Kelsea Ballerini, Dierks Bentley, Brothers Osborne, Luke Bryan, Lady Antebellum, Sam Hunt, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Maren Morris, Jon Pardi, Rascal Flatts and Chris Stapleton.

Collaborative Performances: Reba McEntire and contemporary Christian artist Lauren Daigle performing "Back to God"; superstar duo Tim McGraw and Faith Hill performing the world television premiere of their new single, "Speak to a Girl"; Thomas Rhett and Maren Morris teaming up for "Craving You"; Cole Swindell and Dierks Bentley rocking out "Flatliner"; and Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban performing their hit single, "The Fighter"; plus Florida Georgia Line with the Backstreet Boys performing a must-see medley.


Who's Presenting?:
ET's own Nancy O'Dell is among the roster of presenters, which also includes Lauren Alaina, Bobby Bones, Kane Brown, Savannah Chrisley, Todd Chrisley, Kacey Musgraves, Jake Owen, Kellie Pickler, Darius Rucker, Elliott Sadler, Miss America Savvy Shields and Bubba Wallace.


Notable Nominations:
Underwood is the lone lady representing in the Entertainer of the Year category. She'll face off against Jason Aldean, Bryan, Keith Urban and Florida Georgia Line for the night's top honor.

Underwood is, of course, also nominated in the Female Vocalist of the Year category, alongside pal Lambert, Ballerini, Maren Morris and Kacey Musgraves. Over in the Male Vocalist of the Year category, Aldean, Urban, Bentley, Rhett and Stapleton will face off for that trophy.

All three New Artist of the Year categories have already been called, with Morris scoring a win in the New Female Vocalist of the Year category, Jon Pardi for the New Male Vocalist, and Brothers Osborne for New Vocal Duo or Group.

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