Will The ACM Awards Be Canceled Because Of Coronavirus?
Prince William may think that the coronavirus is something to joke about, but others are taking the international health crisis much more seriously. Following the announcement that Coachella 2020 is being postponed, Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson revealed that they'd been diagnosed with the virus. Additionally, on March 11, 2020, the NBA announced that the league is suspending its season due to the pandemic. As other individuals and organizations are deciding what to do amid growing concerns about the coronavirus, "the 2020 ACM Awards will go ahead next month with an all-star lineup," according to Billboard.
"We are closely monitoring the situation along with the MGM team, who are in continuous contact with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Southern Nevada Health District, and other agencies and experts for guidance," according to a statement from the Academy of Country Music and Dick Clark Productions (via Billboard) who are working together to put on the ceremony. "We will take every precaution to ensure the safety of our artists, staff, crew, guests, and attendees."
The event is set to take place on April 5, 2020, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas with country singer Keith Urban as the host and some of the biggest stars in country music scheduled to take the stage to thrill the crowd (that is, if attendees show up). In fact, the ACM Awards have also announced a handful of performers despite coronavirus concerns.
The ACM Awards are still announcing popular performers
Not only will the ACM Awards go ahead as planned in April (unless things change in the meantime), but those behind the scenes are also still working hard to lock down performers to take the stage at the event and so far, they're doing pretty darn well. Along with hosting the ceremony, Keith Urban will belt out one or two of his hit tunes. Fans can also look forward to a quick set from Miranda Lambert who "will perform 'Fooled Around and Fell in Love' with nominated artists Lindsay Ell, Caylee Hammack, Elle King, Ashley McBryde, and Tenille Townes," according to CMT News, the outlet also notes that "Lambert's recorded version of the song is up for Music Event of the Year."
Fans were certainly thrilled by the news, tweeting excited comments about the fact that Urban is surely "going to rock the stage," while Lambert and her crew are expected to deliver "the best performance of the night." Not to mention one social media user who declared that this "is going to be the BEST @ACMawards ever!" Let's just hope everyone who attends remembers to wash their hands.