ACM awards remain in Music City

The awards will broadcast live from the Grand Ole Opry House, Ryman Auditorium and The Bluebird Cafe on Sunday, April 18 at 8 p.m. eastern live and Pacific delayed on CBS.

The ACMs were held in Nashville on Sept. 16, 2020 from Nashville, postponed five months due to Covid. The show traditionally has been held in Las Vegas.

"We're thrilled to return to Music City's most iconic venues as we come together on April 18th to celebrate the best in country music, back in our normal awards cycle," said Damon Whiteside, CEO of the Academy of Country Music. "A huge thank you to the city of Nashville, Grand Ole Opry House, Ryman Auditorium and Bluebird Cafe for welcoming us back to Nashville, where we can look out for the safety of our artists while shining a spotlight on this vibrant city after a tough 2020."

In support of Nashville, ACM Lifting Lives, the charitable arm of the Academy of Country Music, will donate $25,000 to the Music City, Inc. foundation for their Nashville Christmas Day Explosion Relief Fund, with funds earmarked for local musicians out of work due to damage to venues.

"ACM Lifting Lives is proud to support the city of Nashville, our home of the 56th ACM Awards, through a $25,000 donation to Music City, Inc. foundation for the Nashville Christmas Day Explosion Relief Fund," said Lyndsay Cruz, ACM Lifting Lives Executive Director. "The impact of the explosion was felt throughout the music community, and we hope this donation can help alleviate some of the burden on the community."

"The health and safety of the artists, fans, industry, staff and partners involved in the ACM Awards is the number one priority," the ACMs said in a statement. "All guidelines set forth by national, state and local health officials will be closely followed and implemented during the production along with additional safety measures to be instated by dick clark productions and the Academy of Country Music."