Now, he is no longer in the shadows because after last night’s CMAs everyone is talking about this bright “new” country music star with the long hair and beard.
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Chris Stapleton stole the show at the 2015 Country Music Awards, starting with his performance of “Drink You Away” and “Tennessee Whiskey”, a collaboration with Justin Timberlake.
While the well-known stars won their share of awards, the biggest surprise of the night may have been Kentucky-native Chris Stapleton. He added, “I think we in this room know Stapleton…I think a select group of people that really, really, really seek out music…have heard Stapleton through the years”.
In typical Justin fashion, the ex-Mouseketeer took things up several notches with a special take of “Drink You Away”, from 2014’s “20/20 Experience”.
Meanwhile, American vocal group- Little Big Town took home “Single of the Year” and “Song of the Year” for the track “Girl Crush”, and “Vocal Group of the Year” awards.
The night’s other big victor was singer/songwriter Stapleton, who beat out the likes of Luke Bryan, Dierks Bentley and Eric Church for Male Vocalist of the Year, breaking fellow nominee Blake Shelton’s five-year winning streak.
“Thank you Lord, thank you Jesus, thank you everyone in heaven looking out for me”, Bryan said.
Wednesday night is considered country music’s biggest night of the year.
Singer Luke Bryan won the entertainer of the year prize and referenced Stapleton’s big victories.
Timberlake and Stapleton couldn’t have voices that are farther apart; one sugary-sweet (Timberlake), the other hickory-rough (Stapleton).
After the cameras showed Kermit and Miss Piggy, Paisley replied: “On a completely unrelated topic, howdy Blake”.
It was Lambert’s sixth consecutive win in the category.
Brad Paisley, from left, William Shatner and Carrie Underwood perform a skit at the 49th annual CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, November 4, 2015, in Nashville, Tenn.
Newcomers Maddie & Tae were awarded with the best music video of the year before the show began.
“This is about being courageous and being bold”, Karen Fairchild said.
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In March the jealousy ballad sparked controversy when radio stations refused to play it because listeners thought it had homosexual overtones. Keith Urban and Eric Church’s “Raise ‘Em Up” won Musical Event of the Year.
