CMA Awards Recap

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The stars were out at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena for the 51^st Annual CMA Awards, and it was quite a show, filled with great performances and some truly emotional moments.

The night's most coveted award, Entertainer of the Year, went to Garth Brooks for the sixth time. In his acceptance speech Garth noted, "The most important thing, other than God himself, are you: the people that allow us to be in the greatest music ever, country music."

While he may have lost Entertainer of the Year, Chris Stapleton didn’t go home empty-handed taking home two trophies, his second Album of the Year award for “From A Room: Volume 1” and his third win for Male Vocalist of the Year. Also wining multiple awards were Brothers Osborne, who picked up their second Vocal Duo of the Year win, as well as a win for Video of the Year for “It Ain’t My Fault,” and Little Big Town, who nabbed Vocal Group of the Year, while their track “Better Man,” won Song of the Year, a trophy that went to its writer, Taylor Swift.

The night’s other big winners included: Miranda Lambert who nabbed her seventh Female Vocalist of the Year honor; Jon Pardi, who picked up New Artist of the Year; Keith Urban who won Single of the Year for “Blue Ain’t Your Color” and the late Glen Campbell, who was honored posthumously for Vocal Event of the Year for his duet with Willie Nelson, “Funny How Times Slips Away,” that appeared on his final album “Adios.”

• While the night celebrated the best in country music, it also couldn’t ignore all that’s gone on in the world over the past several months. The show opened on a emotional note with Eric Church performing a hauntingly beautiful version of “Amazing Grace,” followed by Darius Rucker, Keith and Lady Antebellum performing the Hootie and The Blowfish classic “Hold My Hand,” which ended with many of the night’s performers joining them on stage. 
• Hosts Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood started the night by acknowledging all the recent tragedies that have befallen the country, including the Las Vegas shooting, the devastating hurricanes and fires, as well as the recent church shooting in Texas. “This year’s show is dedicated to all those lost and all those still healing,” Brad shared. “We love you and we will never forget you.”
• But they entire opening wasn’t somber. Brad and Carrie quickly broke into their monologue, joking about the CMA guidelines controversy, with Brad spouting out a few political topics that were off limits, but then broke into a song about President Trump to the tune of Carrie’s “Before He Cheats,” changed to “Before He Tweets.” They also reminisced about their ten years hosting, especially the jokes they made at Tim McGraw and Faith Hill’s expense, which prompted a confrontation with Tim and Faith on stage.

Among the night’s other highlights: 

• Thomas Rhett performed his latest number one single “Unforgettable.”

• Dierks Bentley and Rascal Flatts paid tribute to the late Troy Gentry with a great rendition of Montgomery Gentry’s “My Town,” which got even better when Troy’s partner Eddie Montgomery joined them for an emotional end to the song. Troy’s family was in the audience for the show and the camera caught his wife with tears in her eyes.

• Kelsea Ballerni and Reba McEntire collaborated on a performance of Kelsesa’s “Unapologetically” tune “Legends.

• Luke Bryan performed his latest single “Light Em Up,” which was followed by a Chevy commercial featuring the title track to Luke’s upcoming record, “What Makes You Country.” 
• Miranda, in a very cleavage baring dress, performed the old school country-sounding tune “To Learn Her,” under a huge crystal chandelier. 
• Garth, dressed in his signature black, performed his latest single “Ask Me How I Know.”
• Brothers Osborne treated the audience to a foot-stomping version of their hit “It Ain’t My Fault,” which got the entire audience up on their feet. They then segued into a tribute to Don Williams, performing “Tulsa Time.”

• After talking about Charley Pride, Tyler Perry made a plea for diversity and finding some “common ground,” which drew a standing ovation from the audience.
• Tim and Faith, who was showing some major leg, performed the title track from their upcoming joint album, “The Rest Of Our Life.” 

• Pink made her CMA debut, performing a gorgeous rendition of her “Beautiful Truama” song “Barbies,” surrounded by twinkle lights.
• Old Dominion performed their hit “No Such Thing As A Broken Heart,” and took a moment out in the middle of the song to thank all their fans for making it number one. 
• With Jimmy Webb on piano, Little Big Town paid tribute to the late Glen Campbell with a beautiful version of his classic “Wichita Lineman.” 
• Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush got together to hand out the Vocal Duo of the Year Award, with Jennifer counting off the five years they won the award, and hinting at a possible reunion, commenting, “who knows?” at the chance they may win that award again.
• The always classy Chris Stapleton gave us another beautiful rendition of his “From A Room: Volume 1” track “Broken Halos.”

• Maren Morris and One Direction’s Niall Horan took the stage together and performed Maren’s “I Could Use A Love Song,” and then broke into their “Flicker” collaboration “Seeing Blind,” the first time they’ve performed it together live. 

• Carrie had the audience silent as she sang “Softly and Tenderly,” for the “In Memoriam” section. The audience was illuminated in lights as images of artists who passed away this year flashed on the screen, along with video of Glen Campbell, Don Williams, and Troy Gentry. The show also projected pictures of the victims of the Route 91 Harvest Festival, which was so emotional Carrie wound up breaking into tears.
• Brad, in a “Unity” T-shirt, performed his new track “Heaven South,” and was joined by Kane Brown. 
• Following his New Artist of the Year win, Jon Pardi performed his hit, “Dirt On My Boots,” from the middle of the audience. 
• Dan + Shay and Lauren Alaina performed “Get Together” from the Country Music Hall of Fame. 

• Keith debuted his newly released, Harvey Weinstein-inspired single “Female,” with words describing women flashing across the screen. Not coincidentally the song was performed just before the Female Vocalist of the Year trophy was handed out.

• Eric Church performed a rousing version of “Chattanooga Lucy,” featuring some backup singers who sure know how to wail, and lots of tambourines. 

• The newest Country Music Hall of Fame inductee Alan Jackson took the stage to perform “Chasin’ That Neon Rainbow,” which had everyone in the audience up and singing including Luke, Dierks Bentley and many, many more. He then returned to close out the show with “Don’t Rock the Juke Box,” where he was joined by Brad and Carrie.

Source: Dr. Dave's Ultimate Prep