This year’s Country Music Association Awards was the eighth consecutive one hosted by Brad Paisleyand Carrie Underwood, but the first-ever CMA Awards to feature William Shatner, dressed like a stormtrooper. The two sang Tennessee Whiskey – a Stapleton number – and then Drink You Away which is a Timberlake song.
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The 49th CMA Awards on Wednesday at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., was a blast for country musicians, especially those who took home a few awards. That’s in addition to his New Artist and Album of the year trophies.
It shouldn’t come as a surprise that CMA members voted for Stapleton who has been a staple in the Nashville songwriting community for many years.
Wednesday was also a big night for Miranda Lambert, who continued her dominance in the Female Vocalist of the Year category, winning for a sixth straight time.
Little Big Town, who had the most nominations of the night with five, nabbed single of the year and song of the year for their hit “Girl Crush”. “I’m not going to take it lightly…I got to thank my wife again, she always pushes me to be the best I can be…I gotta thank all my cousins in Kentucky”. “This is a night where I can go, ‘Gosh, people are paying attention to that'”. Little Big Town walked away with single of the year for “Girl Crush”, an honor Karen Fairchild said was for “a ballad about jealousy and heartache”.
“I’m going to go home and practice”. That’s not surprising, given the fact that hours before the ceremony, it was confirmed that her soon-to-be-ex, Blake Shelton, is now dating his Voice colleague, Gwen Stefani. “I gasped when I realized what this song was actually about”, Kimberly Schlapman said backstage.
Among the veterans, Miranda Lambert was the standout, in both her powerful, churning performance of “Bathroom Sink” and the speech she gave while accepting the prize for female artist of the year. “Thank you so much”.
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She beat out Carrie Underwood, Kacey Musgraves and other. The singer split from husband Shelton in July (15). Keith Urban and Eric Church’s “Raise ‘Em Up” won Musical Event of the Year. Mixed with unique pairings and lots of homespun fun, the fans got to enjoy an award show where it wasn’t all about the awards (well, for the entertainers it was, ) but more about the celebration of music. Bryan sang his slow groove “Strip It Down”, while Jason Aldean, Florida Georgia Line, Reba McEntire and Brooks & Dunn also performed.
