Lee Brice Unable To Perform at CMA Awards After Testing Positive For COVID-19

Lee Brice has tested positive for COVID-19 and is unable to perform at Wednesday’s CMA Awards. The Associated Press confirmed…

Lauren Jo Black

| Posted on

November 8, 2020

5:57 pm

Lee Brice; Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images

Lee Brice has tested positive for COVID-19 and is unable to perform at Wednesday’s CMA Awards.

The Associated Press confirmed the news with a representative for Brice, who told the publication that the singer is “in good spirits and not experiencing any symptoms.”

Brice was tested ahead of The 54th Annual CMA Awards, where he was scheduled to perform “I Hope You’re Happy Now” alongside Carly Pearce. Their chart-topping duet is also nominated for Musical Event of the Year and Music Video of the Year. Pearce and her co-writers, Luke Combs, Randy Montana and Jonathan Singleton, are also nominated in the Song of the Year category for the tune.

Brice will reportedly self-isolate at home until cleared by a doctor.

A CMA spokesperson told the AP that Brice was tested before arriving on-site for rehearsals.

There is no word on whether or not Pearce’s performance will proceed without Brice, however, we have reached out to her team for an update.

The 54th Annual CMA Awards, hosted by Reba McEntire and Darius Rucker, will take place live from Nashville’s Music City Center Wednesday, Nov. 11 (8:00-11:00 PM/ET) on ABC.

Written by

Lauren Jo Black

Lauren Jo Black, a University of Central Florida graduate, has immersed herself in the world of country music for over 15 years. In 2008, she co-founded CountryMusicIsLove, eventually selling it to a major record label in 2015. Following the rebranding of the website to Sounds Like Nashville, Black served as Editor-in-Chief for two and a half years. Currently, she assumes the role of Editor-in-Chief at Country Now and oversees Country Now’s content and digital footprint. Her extensive experience also encompasses her previous role as a Country Music Expert Writer for Answers.com and her work being featured on Forbes.com. She’s been spotlighted among Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. Black also spent time in front of the camera as host of Country Now Live, which brought live music directly to fans in 2021 when the majority of concerts were halted due to the pandemic. During this time, she hosted 24 weeks of live concerts via Country Now Live on Twitch with special guests such as Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Jordan Davis, Brett Young, and Jon Pardi. Over the course of her career, she has had the privilege of conducting interviews with some of the industry’s most prominent stars, including Reba McEntire, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson, and many others. Lauren Jo Black is a longtime member of the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music.