2024 CMAs: Bailey Zimmerman talks with Katie Neal

Bailey Zimmerman is heading into Wednesday night’s 58th Annual CMA Awards as not only a first-time nominee but a first-time performer as well, and he isn’t too cool to admit he’s got some serious jitters. “It’s an honor, but [I’m] very nervous,” he told Audacy’s Katie Neal ahead of the big night where he’s set to perform, “New To Country.” “If I was just coming to hang out — different story — but when you see the show, you’ll understand why I’m so nervous… you’ll see.” Following the nerve-wracking performance and possible New Artist of the Year win, Zimmerman will have plenty of time to decompress as he enters the holiday season with some downtime and a new lady in his life… Pie, his new Golden Retriever. “I have a new puppy,” Zimmerman said when asked how his older Golden Retriever, Marley is doing. “I’ve been wanting to get Marley a sister, but I was waiting on like, a rescue… not just be like, ‘I’m gonna go buy a puppy and go buy a puppy.” He continued, “The story is kind of weird because I was in Southern Tennessee at this truck show and they were like, ‘Hey! These people have Golden Retrievers for sale at the end of the road…’ I drove out there and these puppies were like, not being treated the greatest.” It was love at first sight for BZ and Pie and after getting some health complications settled, Bailey said sweet Pie is happy as can be. “Something was just pulling at me…. I picked up Pie.. and it was just like, Wow! She took right to me we’re like, best buds.” He continued, “Turns out, she was really sick… she ended up getting really, really sick and almost didn’t make it. We had to rush her to the ER… [get] all these shots. She was just a champ all the way through it… she’s doing good now. She’s chillin’, running around.” Hear more about Pie, Marley and of course, Bailey’s music by checking out his entoire conversation with Audacy’s Katie Neal above. The 58th Annual CMA Awards, hosted by Lainey Wilson, Luke Bryan, and Peyton Manning, will broadcast live from Nashville's Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, November 20 at 8PM ET/7PM CT on ABC and stream the next day on Hulu. Words by Monica Rivera, Interview by Katie Neal Photo: Chris Ashlee