Entertainment news and discussion on TalkFuse.
Taylor Swift to Perform at CMAs for the First Time in 13 Years
Taylor Swift will perform at the CMA Awards on Wednesday, marking her first performance at the ceremony in 13 years. Her return matters as “I Knew It, I Knew You”, her song for “Toy Story 5”, is her first new track in more than a decade to be promoted as country and reach No. 1 on country radio.
The performance details have not been announced, though the song is a likely choice. Swift last performed at the CMAs in 2013, singing “Red” with Vince Gill and Alison Krauss; she last attended in 2016. The 60th annual ceremony, hosted by Lainey Wilson, will air from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on ABC and Disney+ from 8 to 11 p.m. ET/PT, with streaming on Hulu the following day.
In short
- Taylor Swift is returning to the CMA stage after 13 years.
- Her nominated “Toy Story 5” song topped country radio.
- The ceremony airs Wednesday from Nashville.
Explained simply
The Country Music Association Awards, or CMAs, are an annual ceremony honouring country music, held in Nashville. They bring together performers, songwriters and others from across the genre, and are broadcast to viewers beyond the country music industry.
Taylor Swift began her career in country music before becoming known across pop and other genres. Her earlier CMA appearances included a 2013 performance with country musicians Vince Gill and Alison Krauss; her return connects her current work with those country roots.
Country radio and award shows help shape which songs reach country audiences and how artists are associated with the genre. Swift’s involvement is notable because she has spent much of her career making music outside country, while her new song has been promoted to country radio.