Maren Morris, Kelsea Ballerini, And More To Perform At The ACM Awards

Academy of Country Music Awards announced its first lineup yesterday and disclosed the star-studded performers that would grace their stage on March 7.

They include Maren Morris, Walker Hayes, Thomas Rhett, Chris Stapleton, Kelsea Ballerini, Breland, and a host of others.

There would also be collaborative performances from Ashley McBryde and Carly Pearce with their duet, "Never Wanted To Be That Girl." The duet, however, has been nominated for Music Event and Video Of The Year.

Parmalee and Blanco Brown featuring Brooke Eden would also be teaming up to perform the chart-topping song, "Just The Way."

Breland, who recently featured with Hardy on Dierk Bentley's new single, "Beers On Me," will perform his new song, "Praise The Lord," which went viral on TikTok.

The night's most significant award, Entertainer Of The Year, will see Luke Combs, Miranda Lambert, Eric Church, Stapleton, and Carrie Underwood go head-to-head.

The night will also feature over 20 performances that will be announced in the coming weeks.

The "Jolene" superstar has been tapped to host the 57th ACM Awards on March 7, 2022. This marks the second time Dolly Parton has held hosting duties; the first time being in 2000.

The "nine to five" singer is no stranger to the ACM awards. After her entertainer of the year win in 1997, she's gone on to win several other awards, including video of the year and top female vocalist. She has also won prizes like the Gary Haber Lifting Lives Award in 2016 and the Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award in 2006.

"We are honored to welcome Dolly Parton back to be the centerpiece of this landmark 57th Academy of Country Music Awards show at Allegiant Stadium. Dolly is the most iconic and multi-talented artist of all time, and we are proud that she is a friend and supporter of the Academy, a previous host, and a 13-time Academy of Country Music Award recipient," said Damon Whiteside, CEO of the Academy of Country Music.

In her statement, she promises a fun-filled event."I am so excited to be hosting the ACM Awards on March 7 from Vegas. Watch for us because we're going to have some fun."

Gabby Barrett and Jimmy Allen, who have several ACM awards under their belt, will join Parton to co-host the event this year.

"The Academy has a long history of highlighting the biggest stars in Country Music alongside today's rising stars, and this year that will spotlight even further," Whiteside said in a statement. "Reigning ACM New Male Artist of the Year winner Jimmie Allen and reigning ACM New Female Artist of the Year Gabby Barrett will co-host the 57th Academy of Country Music Awards side-by-side with Dolly Parton, pairing two of today's most exciting new artists in the genre with one of the world's most beloved music icons."

The award show will stream exclusively on Prime Video starting at 8 p.m. EST. This marked the first time a significant award show has been live-streamed exclusively.

Barrett and Allen have enjoyed breakout success in recent years. Allen, who competed in the dance competition "Dancing With The Stars," is currently up for best new artist at the upcoming Grammys. This makes him the first country artist who was nominated for that award. He also earned the artist of the year award at November's CMA Awards.

Barrett's debut single, "I hope," topped the Billboard Hot Country chart. She was also nominated for the female country artist at the American music awards and will soon be recognized at the 2022 Billboard Women In Music award.

The Academy Country Awards was initially held in 1966 and was the first country music program held by a significant organization. The event takes place early in the year and recognizes excellence for the previous year.

It debuted in 1972 on ABC. Al Schwartz and Dick Clark served as producers while Gene Weed was the director. Under their guidance, the show moved from ABC to NBC and CBS, where it aired until 2021.

The Academy's insignia, a hat trophy, was first created in 1968. A sleeker and modern version of the hat was later adopted in 2004.

The most prestigious awards in the event are "Entertainer Of The Year" and "Artist Of The Year." Other awards are used to recognize female and male vocalists, videos, albums, songs, and musicians.

There is also a Triple Crown Award which distinguishes the achievement of an artist, band, or duo upon receiving the New Artist award, the Male/Female vocalist, and the Entertainer Of The Year award. It has only been given to seven acts since the inception of this award.