Beyoncé will reportedly perform at the 50th Country Music Awards in Nashville tonight

Those not absorbed in the drama of Game 7 of the Cubs-Indians World Series have an opportunity to witness another once-in-a-lifetime moment: the blue-state R&B superstar Beyoncé will perform at the Country Music Awards, a decidedly red-state affair that seldom welcomes genre-dabblers.

But Beyoncé is Beyoncé, so the long-running CMAs will celebrate their 50th anniversary by crossing the aisle in support of musical unity. According to a tweet by “Good Morning America,” she’ll join already announced performers including Kacey Musgraves, Luke Bryan, Little Big Town (performing their new Taylor Swift-penned song, perhaps?), Garth Brooks and more during the ceremony. The ABC broadcast will begin at 8 p.m.

Those hoping for a bluegrass take on Beyoncé’s protest anthem “Formation” are likely to be disappointed. The artist raised eyebrows when she included the twang-suggestive meditation “Daddy Lessons,” as close to a country song that she’s ever released, on her recent album “Lemonade.”

Although “Daddy Lessons” did OK on the pop and R&B charts, the track wasn’t promoted on country radio, so it failed to chart in its natural habitat. The Dixie Chicks understood, though, and started covering the song in concert earlier this year.

Online chatter is suggesting that Beyoncé will team with the Dixie Chicks for the CMA performance, which is prompting predictable outrage from right-leaning country traditionalists. The Dixie Chicks, recall, were ostracized by country radio after criticizing President George W. Bush during the Iraq war.

Observed one Twitter user, @JamilahLemieux: “Wait...Beyoncé AND The Dixie Chicks? People are literally going to combust in anger.”

Beyoncé’s star power, however, eclipses such fears, especially when ratings are at stake — and the future of Chicago’s psyche hangs in the balance mere channels away.

There’s a lot of terrible music out there. For tips on the stuff that’s not, follow Randall Roberts on Twitter: @liledit

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