CMA Awards Week: Sawyer Brown, Manchester Orchestra and the 60th CMAs, November 13 to 19

Dated event guide. This guide covers dates through November 19, 2026. Details are retained for reference; consult the official organizer for current schedules and tickets. No future edition is implied.

The 60th CMA Awards are at Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, November 18. The rest of the week is just as full. The Ryman has a show every night from Friday to Thursday, the Titans and Tennessee State both play at home, and The Beast, a block from the building, has a bill on most nights.

Everything below comes from the venues’ own calendars as of October 26. Opry lineups still say more artists to be announced, so check again the week of.

Friday, November 13

Sawyer Brown plays the Ryman at 8 PM. Out at the Opry House, the Opry has Hannah Harper and Red Camel Collective at 7 PM, and Antwane Tyler makes his Opry debut.

Saturday, November 14

Tennessee State hosts Eastern Illinois at Nissan Stadium, on our side of the river. Kickoff is 2:30 PM. It is TSU’s last home game listed for the current stadium.

That night, Jim Gaffigan starts two Ryman nights at 8 PM. The Opry leans Irish, with Valerie June, Maura O’Connell, the Gardiner Brothers, Mick Flannery and Joshua Burnside at 7 PM. Closer to home, Hiss Golden Messenger plays The Beast at 8 PM with Sam Amidon.

Sunday, November 15

The Titans host the Jaguars at noon, one of the last home games in the current bowl. It is a walk from the building. Jim Gaffigan plays his second Ryman night, and Red Leather is at The Beast at 8 PM.

Monday and Tuesday, November 16 and 17

On Monday, Drake White’s Benefit for the Brain is at the Ryman at 7:30 PM, and Bryan Andrews plays The Beast at 8 PM.

On Tuesday, Manchester Orchestra plays the Ryman at 7:30 PM. The Opry has Alexandra Kay, Henry Cho and Brittney Spencer at 7 PM. Protomartyr is at The Beast at 8 PM.

Wednesday, November 18: the CMA Awards

The 60th Annual CMA Awards start at 7 PM at Bridgestone Arena. Expect a busy Broadway and heavy traffic downtown all afternoon.

If you are not going, there is plenty else. The Stray Cats play the Ryman at 7:30 PM. At the Opry House, BEAT has Adrian Belew, Steve Vai, Tony Levin and Terry Bozzio playing King Crimson at 7:30 PM. And Fruit Bats play The Beast at 8 PM, well away from the downtown crowds.

Thursday, November 19

Joy Oladokun plays the Ryman at 7:30 PM. King Buffalo is at The Beast at 8 PM with L.A. Witch.

How to do it

Walk to The Beast and the stadium. The Basement East is a block away, and Nissan Stadium is on the east bank too. The Ryman and Bridgestone are a short ride across the river. The Opry House is a drive.

Stay east on CMA night. Downtown fills up around the arena on Wednesday. Dinner in Five Points and a show at The Beast is the easy way to skip the crush.

Book ahead. CMA week brings the industry to town. If you want to be a block from The Beast that week, check availability. The full list is on the events page.