Young country music stars Kane Brown and Lauren Alaina, friends since their days at Lakeview Middle School in Fort Oglethorpe, will be singing on Sunday's ACM Awards, but don't look for another steamy duet like last year.
Their performance of "What Ifs," which was nominated for Vocal Event of the Year, made several music-industry websites as one of the highlights of last year's telecast.
This year's 54th Academy of Country Music Awards will air live at 8 p.m. on CBS from MGM Grand's Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Reba McEntire will host.
Brown is nominated for Single of the Year for his song "Heaven." For his performance, he'll be joined by R&B singer Khalid.
Alaina will be featured with fellow singers Carrie Underwood, Mickey Guyton and Maddie & Tae, as well as "This Is Us" actress Chrissy Metz, who will be making her television debut as a singer on the ACMs. Metz stars in the upcoming faith-based film "Breakthrough." Its soundtrack, "Breakthrough: Music From & Inspired by the Motion Picture," was her first opportunity to pursue her dream of singing. She'll be joined by the Nashville stars onstage as she sings the movie's anthem, the Diane Warren-penned "I'm Standing With You."
Alaina also has a song on the soundtrack, "Breathe Again."
Later this year, Brown and Alaina are scheduled for concerts during the 48th annual CMA Fest on June 6-9 in Nashville. Brown will be among the headliners on the Nissan Stage, and Alaina will perform on the Chevy Riverfront Stage.