He thanked his fans and crew, along with his wife for allowing to be on the road so much. “I don’t know what to think”, he continued.
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“This is about being fearless and being bold”, Karen Fairchild said. Hardcore-country hero Chris Stapleton winning best new artist, best male vocalist, and album of the year? “He was so gracious and kind to want to do it and was so excited about it, and I’m excited about it. It’ll be something I’ve never done before for sure”. “Traveller” might be Stapleton’s first solo album, but he has plenty of experience playing with bands. After his Male Vocalist win, Chris joked, “Probably gonna be a party tonight”.
Stapleton also co-wrote Luke Bryan’s heartrending balled “Drink a Beer”, which reflects on a life lost.
You knew something weird would happen with the very recent exes (and former country music power couple), but who knew Shelton would bring it on himself?
$20 tickets to the country musician’s Wonder show on November 12 are sold out, but at the time of this writing, the reseller StubHub has 32 left for six times the price.
Lambert won Female Vocalist of the Year, her only award on the night.
“Watching Chris Stapleton have this night is so uplifting”, said Bryan. “I’m going to go home and practice”, she said. (Michael Loccisano/Getty Images) Singer-songwriter Eric Church performs onstage at the 49th annual CMA Awards and also wins Event of the Year: Raise ‘Em Up with Keith Urban.
In keeping with their tradition, Carrie and Brad sang a song to kick off the show. Timberlake posted the following Instagram Thursday in honor of his friend’s big night.
Luke Bryan played “Garth” Vader.
According to ABC News, Stapleton called Timberlake up, and the pop superstar was more than happy to oblige. Thought it would be Shelton and Lambert, didn’t you?
Blake Shelton made headlines with fellow “Voice” star Gwen Stefani when her rep confirmed their relationship during the CMA red carpet.
“No no, that was Ashley Monroe”, Underwood countered, speaking of Shelton’s duet with singer Monroe. As Paisley said, “Miley [Cyrus] sets the bar, we try to reach the bar”. The duo delivered the best performance of the night with Stapleton’s stunning cover of George Jones’ “Tennessee Whiskey” and Timberlake’s acoustic, country-leaning “Drink You Away”. That wasn’t the only mash-up collaboration.
Everyone cheered him on, from Lambert to Bryan, who won entertainer of the year. Oh, she sported pink hair and rockin’ denim jacket, too.
Sam Hunt won over the audience with his performance of “Take Your Time”, while Underwood sang “Smoke Break” and Kacey Musgraves performed “Dime Store Cowgirl” sporting a cowboy hat and a shiny number revealing her legs and arms.
Actors Kiefer Sutherland and Steve Martin, singer Edie Brickell, and a cappella group Pentatonix were among the presenters at the ceremony.
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The foursome, along with Church, walked into the arena as the most nominated act with five.
