If you missed the Country Music Association (CMA) Award show on November 4th or you just want a recap of Country Music’s “Biggest Night,” you’re in the right place. From all the winners to the best performances to the funniest moments, I’ve got you covered.
First, I’ll start with the hosts. Country music sensations Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley hosted the 49th annual CMA’s, and it was their 8th year in a row hosting together! The two have great chemistry together and their jokes are hilarious. The show started off with them singing about some iconic moments of 2015 thus far, including “McDonald’s has breakfast all day now; Bruce Jenner is a babe now.”
Along the lines of iconic moments, Brad brought up the big breakup of the year, saying that the two both happened to be at the CMA’s that night. Naturally, everyone thought he was alluding to the split between Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton. In classic Brad Paisley character, he made it a joke, showing Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy in the audience. He then said, “Howdy, Blake!” The crowed loved this, and was ready to hear some good old country music.
Country music icon Hank Williams Jr teamed up with Eric Church to start off the line of performances with “Are you Ready for the Country?” off of Williams’ latest album. This song was a very fitting beginning song, if I do say so myself. The night was filled with stellar performances by Miranda Lambert, Kacey Musgraves, and Florida Georgia Line, along with dynamic duets by John Mellnncamp and Keith Urban, Chris Stapleton and Justin Timberlake, Fall Out Boy and Thomas Rhett, and Brooks and Dunn (yes, they are back together!) and Reba. The Country Music Association also honored country legend Little Jimmy Dickens, who passed away on January 2, 2015 at 94 years old, during the award show.
Now, I’ll get to the part you’ve all been waiting for: the awards!
Musician of the Year
Nominees: Sam Bush (Mandolin), Jerry Douglas (Dobro), Paul Franklin (Steel Guitar), Dann Huff (Guitar), Mac McAnally (Guitar).
Winner: Mac McAnally
Music Video of the Year:
Nominees: "Biscuits" (Kacey Musgraves, Directed by Marc Klasfeld), "Girl Crush" (Little Big Town, Directed by Karla Welch and Matthew Welch), "Girl in a Country Song" (Maddie & Tae, Directed by TK McKamy), "Little Red Wagon" (Miranda Lambert, Directed by Trey Fanjoy), "Something in the Water" (Carrie Underwood, Directed by Raj Kapoor).
Winner: "Girl in a Country Song"
Musical Event of the Year:
Nominees: "Django and Jimmie" (Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard), "Lonely Tonight" (Luke Bryan featuring Ashley Monroe), "Raise ‘Em Up" (Keith Urban featuring Eric Church), "Smokin’ and Drinkin’" (Miranda Lambert featuring Little Big Town), "Wild Child" (Kenny Chesney with Grace Potter).
Winner: "Raise ‘Em Up"
Song of the Year:
Nominees: "American Kids" (Written by Rodney Clawson, Luke Laird, and Shane McAnally), "Girl Crush" (Written by Liz Rose, Lori McKenna, and Hillary Lindsey), "Like a Cowboy" (Written by Randy Houser and Brice Long), "Like a Wrecking Ball" (Written by Eric Church and Casey Beathard), "Take Your Time" (Written by Sam Hunt, Shane McAnally, and Josh Osborne).
Winner: "Girl Crush"
Single of the Year:
Nominees: "American Kids" (Kenny Chesney, produced by Kenny Chesney and Buddy Cannon), "Girl Crush" (Little Big Town, produced by Jay Joyce), "I Don’t Dance" (Lee Brice, produced by Lee Brice), "Take Your Time" (Sam Hunt, produced by Zach Crowell and Shane McAnally), "Talladega" (Eric Church, produced by Jay Joyce and Arturo Buenahora, Jr.)
Winner: "Girl Crush"
Album of the Year:
Nominees: Old Boots, New Dirt (Jason Aldean, produced by Michael Knox), Pageant Material (Kasey Musgraves, produced by Kacey Musgraves, Luke Laird, and Shane McAnally), Pain Killer (Little Big Town, produced by Jay Joyce), The Big Revival (Kenny Chesney, produced by Buddy Cannon and Kenny Chesney), Traveller (Chris Stapleton, produced by Dave Cobb and Chris Stapleton)
Winner: Traveller
New Artist of the Year:
Nominees: Kelsea Ballerini, Sam Hunt, Maddie and Tae, Thomas Rhett, Chris Stapleton
Winner: Chris Stapleton
Vocal Duo of the Year:
Nominees: Brothers Osborne, Dan + Shay, Florida Georgia Line, Maddie and Tae, Thompson Square
Winner: Florida Georgia Line
Vocal Group of the Year:
Nominees: Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, Rascal Flatts, The Band Perry, Zac Brown Band
Winner: Little Big Town
Male Vocalist of the Year:
Nominees: Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Blake Shelton, Chris Stapleton
Winner: Chris Stapleton
Female Vocalist of the Year:
Nominees: Kelsea Ballerini, Miranda Lambert, Kacey Musgraves, Carrie Underwood, Lee Ann Womack
Winner: Miranda Lambert
Finally, the much anticipated Entertainer of the Year:
Nominees: Garth Brooks, Luke Bryan, Kenny Chesney, Eric Church, Miranda Lambert
Winner: Luke Bryan
As you can see, new-comer Chris Stapleton had a great night, winning three awards. As Entertainer of the Year, Luke Bryan said that it was “uplifting” to see him win these awards. Little Big Town also cleaned up well, claiming three awards. Congratulations to all the nominees and winners, and I cannot wait to see what the Country Music Association has in store for its 50th anniversary show next year.
