CMA Awards Winners
Keith Urban took home the night’s biggest honour at the 52nd annual Country Music Awards, winning Entertainer of the Year.
The night celebrated music, but it also aimed to lift America’s sagging spirits in the wake of the recent Thousand Oaks shooting and devastating, fatal California wildfires still raging.
Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley hosted the event, held at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, for the 11th year in a row. The party got started live on ABC at 8 p.m. with the pregnant Underwood doing triple duty as host and performer … and holding the biggest gender reveal party ever. (IT’S A BOY!)
Luke Bryan got the party rolling by opening the show with a heartfelt “What Makes You Country.” Bryan said,”Let’s do what we do and let’s be proud of what makes us country tonight,” and as he began playing, he was joined by several artists, including Chris Janson, Luke Combs,Cole Swindell and others.
Going into the evening, Chris Stapleton led the field with five nominations, and he landed three (Single, Vocalist, Song). The other big winners of the evening included Underwood for Female Vocalist, Old Dominion for Vocal Group and Keith Urban for Entertainer of the Year.
Sadly, before the show got started, news spread that Entertainer of the Year nominee Kenny Chesney was unable to attend the CMA Awards due to a death in his family.
The news comes just hours after Chesney and David Lee Murphy were announced as early winners. The old friends took home Musical Event of the Year for their collaboration on “Everything’s Gonna Be Alright,” the first single from Murphy’s No Zip Code album. That award was announced during Good Morning America Wednesday morning.
WINNERS
Song of the Year: “Broken Halos,” Chris Stapleton
New Artist of the Year: Luke Combs
Single of the Year: “Broken Halos,” Chris Stapleton
Vocal Group of the Year: Old Dominion
Album of the Year: Golden Hour, Kacey Musgraves
Musician of the Year: Matt McAnally
Vocal Duo of the Year: Brothers Osborne
Musical Event of the Year: “Everything’s Gonna Be Alright,” Kenny Chesney and David Lee Murphy
Male Vocalist of the Year: Chris Stapleton
Female Vocalist of the Year: Carrie Underwood
Entertainer of the Year: Keith Urban
HIGHLIGHTS
Garth Brooks opened the awards with a tribute to the victims of the California bar shooting that left 13 dead, including the shooter. He said, “Tonight’s show is lovingly dedicated to the 12 individuals who we lost far too soon just a week ago at the Borderline in Thousand Oaks, California,” before calling for a moment of silence.
Paisley pestered the pregnant Underwood with nonsensical questions until she snapped and revealed the sex of her baby (“Oh my God! Willie! It’s a willie!”) This, of course, after Paisley famously let slip that Underwood was having a girl on a previous broadcast.
Paisley presented Underwood with a bubble-wrap dress in case of any unexpected falls. (It got better when she actually wore it and Paisley proceeded to pop away).
Bryan (at Underwood’s request) showing off some major dance moves. Triple dog dare you to Google Luke Bryan floss.
Stapleton dedicated his Single of the Year win to the victims of the wildfires ravaging California.
Hot. Chicken.
Thomas Rhett introduced a Crown Royal campaign called Purple Bag Project, in which folks can send packages to members of the military serving abroad.
Lionel Richie presented Entertainer of the Year.
Nicole Kidman embraced husband Urban and whispered “I love you so much” into his ear when he won Entertainer of the Year. Squee!
PERFORMANCES
Bryan kicked off the show with a rollicking “What Makes You Country.”
Miranda Lambert and Jason Aldean performed their hit duet, “Drowns the Whiskey.” Twitter was not loving it, with many opining that they “sounded off key.”
Thomas Rhett performed an upbeat, interactive version of “Life Changes,” that had him parading through the audience, with a marching band in tow.
Dan + Shay played their smash hit “Tequila.” The piano started to burn, NBD.
Kelsea Ballerini delivered a spirited and feisty “Miss Me More,” backed by acrobatic dancers. Twitter ate it up, calling her performance “perfect.”
Old Dominion rocked a mellow but upbeat “Hotel Key.”
Underwood performed a riveting “Love Wins” backed by a dozens of singers and a stunning cosmic light show.
Brett Young sang “Mercy.”
Ricky Skaggs showed the young ‘uns how it’s done with “Black Eyed Suzie.” Keith Urban and Paisley joined him and just tried to keep up, playing “Highway 40 Blues,” and “Country Boy.”
Midland played “East Bound and Down,” a tribute to Burt Reynolds, and a song on the soundtrack of Smokey and the Bandit.
Florida Georgia Line and Bebe Rexha performed “Meant To Be.” Twitter was not impressed, writing “they’re not country,” and moreover, just straight up “bad.”
Combs sang “She Got the Best of Me.”
Urban rocked “Never Comin Down” to a smoky and firework-spangled backdrop. He got the crowd on their feet and singing (including wife Kidman).
Garth Brooks performed “Stronger Than Me,” a world premiere dedicated to his wife. (It was the first time she heard it too).
Pistol Annie’s performed a rousing “Got My Name Changed Back.”
Dierks Bentley and Brothers Osborne played “Burning Man”… in a circle of fire.
Chris and Morgane Stapleton, Maren Morris, Marty Stuart and the iconic Mavis Staples took the crowd there and then straight up to heaven with “Friendship,” and then, “I’ll Take You There.”
Paisley held his ground during “Bucked Off.”
Kacey Musgraves smoldered in “Slow Burn.”
Eric Church looked anything but when he sang “Desperate Man.”
