Luke Combs will not perform at the CMT Music Awards in 2022.
A spokesman for CMT confirmed to Country Now on Wednesday, March 23, that the country superstar and North Carolina native has COVID-19 and is currently quarantined and unable to attend a scheduled recording for the awards presentation on Thursday (Mar. 24).
The announcement read, “Unfortunately, Luke Combs will not be with us tomorrow.” “He’s been quarantined due to COVID.” He’s disappointed that he won’t be able to see everyone!”
Combs and Kane Brown were supposed to video their CMT Music Awards performance ahead of time.
Old Dominion will be filling in for Combs, according to an email from 1iota, a firm that handles ticket fulfillment for the show.
The email to participants adds, “In Luke’s absence, Old Dominion will join Kane Brown for special musical performances for a TV taping.”
During the three-hour CBS broadcast, Kelsea Ballerini, Kane Brown, Cody Johnson, Miranda Lambert, Maren Morris and Ryan Hurd, Cole Swindell and Lainey Wilson, Little Big Town, Carly Pearce, Keith Urban, and others will perform. In the next weeks, more acts and presenters will be announced.
The country singer is up for two prizes at this year’s ceremony: Video Of The Year (“Forever After All”) and Male Video Of The Year (“Forever After All”), among others.
Combs recently returned home after performing as the headlining act at the C2C Festival in Europe.
The singer of “Doin’ This” and his wife, Nicole Combs, are expecting their first child later this spring.
In addition, Combs recently provided an update on his third studio album, which is due out later this year.
A fan tweeted Combs in early March, asking, “How are those final touches on LC3 coming up, @lukecombs?” The country superstar couldn’t help but respond, keeping fans on the edge of their seats while waiting for the release of his much-anticipated new album.
“We’re almost done with them,” Combs remarked, adding, “I’m really proud of these tunes.” I’m excited for you to hear them.”
A release date for the project has yet to be announced.
