“The first time I heard the song I felt like so many people would relate to it because we’ve all said that phrase ‘Love You, Miss You, Mean It,’” Bryan said when the song — written by Rhett Akins, Ben Hayslip, Jordan Minton and Jacob Rice — made its debut earlier this year. “And the fact that the song just talks about young kids falling in love and the challenges of moving off to college and then finally reuniting is kinda my story with Caroline. I hope y’all love it.

“This song was special from the first time I heard it,” he added. “I knew it would resonate. It’s about young love and that whole process of trying to make relationships work through the on again and off again cycles. My wife and I went through that journey during college and I know a lot of people out there have too.”

Bryan is one of several artists taking the stage in the star-studded lineup during the 58th CMA Awards. Others include Chris Stapleton and Post Malone opening the show, plus Kelsea Ballerini with Noah Kahan, Brooks & Dunn with Jelly Roll, Eric Church, Luke Combs, Ella Langley with Riley Green, Cody Johnson, Megan Moroney, Kacey Musgraves, Bailey Zimmerman, Dierks Bentley (featuring Molly Tuttle, Sierra Hull and Bronwyn Keith-Hynes), Luke Bryan, Ashley McBryde, Shaboozey, Thomas Rhett and Teddy Swims, and Lainey Wilson. Presenters include Simone Biles, Clint Black, Jeff Bridges, Mark Collie, Jordan Davis, Freddie Freeman, Don Johnson, Jackson Laux, Little Big Town, Dustin Lynch, Katharine McPhee, The Oak Ridge Boys, Taylor Frankie Paul, Carly Pearce, Caleb Pressley, Nate Smith, Daniel Sunjata, Mitchell Tenpenny and Billy Bob Thornton.

Bryan is returning to host the show with Peyton Manning, and this year, reigning Entertainer of the Year Lainey Wilson will join them. Bryan previously said in a statement that “hosting the CMA Awards is such an honor and it’s crazy when I realize this is my 4th year back. Peyton and I have really worked to build off each other and now adding Lainey to the mix will just bring another fun element to the night. Celebrating Country Music never gets old to me.”

The 58th CMA Awards will take place on Wednesday, November 20. It will air live at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT on ABC, and will be available the following day on Hulu. See the full list of nominees here.

THOMAS RHETT