ACM Awards 2024: Here's everything you need to know leading up to tonight

There are just a few hours before one of the biggest nights in country music with the 59th annual Academy of Country Music Awards.

On Thursday, the 2024 ACM Awards will be a star-studded country music event filled with performances and appearances by country music icons, and a bit of genre-bending musicians thrown into the mix. In the lead up to the main event Thursday night in Texas, there have been multiple performances, speculation on who will be there and who will walk away winners tonight.

From what time the show airs to who is up for an award, here's everything you need to know about the 2024 ACM Awards and follow along here for updates throughout the show.

The night's top moments: Lainey Wilson, Dua Lipa, Chris Stapleton and Jason Aldean highlight star-studded ACM Awards

When is the ACM Awards?

The 59th Academy of Country Music Awards is May 16 at 8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT at Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas.

Don't miss the pre-show from 7-8 p.m. EST/6-7 p.m. CT on Amazon Prime Video.

Where to watch ACM Awards 2024? Here's where to livestream for free

You can watch the ACMs on Amazon Prime Video and Twitch's Amazon Music channel. Don't have Prime? No worries, the show is being streamed for free at amazon.com/acm.

Can't watch it tonight? The event's full rebroadcast will be available after the show on Prime Video, Amazon's Music App, and for free on Amazon's Freevee.

Who's performing at the 2024 ACM Awards?

Some of the biggest names in music, not just country, are set to take the stage.

The night will include performances from genre hoping Post Malone, and big country names like Jelly Roll, Miranda Lambert, Kelsea Ballerini, Noah Kahan and many more. There will also be some memorable duets.

Here's a full list of who is set to perform Thursday night:

• Jason Aldean

• Kelsea Ballerini and Noah Kahan

• Kane Brown

• Jelly Roll

• Cody Johnson

• Miranda Lambert

• Post Malone

• Parker McCollum

• Reba McEntire

• Thomas Rhett

• Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani

• Nate Smith featuring Avril Lavigne

• Chris Stapleton

• Lainey Wilson

Will Beyoncé be at the 2024 ACM Awards?

There has been much speculation of Queen Bey being at the ACM Awards after the vocalist made the leap onto the country scene with her album "Cowboy Carter". Rumors have swirled that she was invited to the awards show, but there has been no confirmation yet that Beyoncé fans will catch a glimpse of her there.

Photos of ACM Awards pre-concerts

Who's hosting the 59th ACM awards?

Country legend Reba McEntire will host the ACMs tonight for the 17th time this year.

The 69-year-old Country Music Hall of Fame and the Grand Ole Opry member has had an impressive resume the past two decades. McEntire has completed six headlining arena tours, charted six Top 10 country radio singles, and released two-dozen compilations, EPs and studio albums. This is alongside appearing on Broadway, as a coach on "The Voice" and "America's Got Talent," developing a new sitcom ("Happy's Place," for NBC), opening a restaurant and releasing a cookbook.

Who is nominated for a ACM award?

Luke Combs leads the nomination pack with eight nods, including Entertainer of the Year, Male Artist of the Year, Album of the Year, Song of the Year, and Single of the Year, plus Music Event of the Year alongside Riley Green for their song "Different 'Round Here."

Will they join the club? Luke Combs, Lainey Wilson could earn the ACM Awards 'Triple Crown.'

Megan Moroney garnered the most ACM nods for a female artist with six nominations, including Female Artist of the Year and New Female Artist of the Year. Moroney's nominations include being highlighted for Song of the Year as artist and songwriter for "Tennessee Orange," Visual Media of the Year, and Music Event of the Year for "Can't Break Up Now" alongside Old Dominion.

Take a look at the full list of nominations here.

Marcus Dowling contributed to this report. Catch his live coverage of at ACMs here.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: When is the ACM Awards? Everything to know ahead of the 2024 show