Wednesday night, Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood co-hosted their tenth consecutive Country Music Association (CMA) Awards show at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee.
The evening saw some of the biggest stars come together in a show that not only celebrated performances in the country music genre, which is what it does, but also reflected on the year’s natural and manmade tragedies, remembering “all those we’ve lost” and “all those who are still healing.”
Paisley, sporting a T-Shirt with the word Unity printed on it, and co-host Underwood kicked-off the 51st instalment of the prestigious awards on a rather sombre note, paying tribute to the victims of the recent storms, that devastated parts Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico and to the victims of last month’s Las Vegas Massacre, which saw 58 lives snuffed-out, prematurely, in a matter of just ten minutes, not to mention the hundreds injured in the mindless violence.
“This has been a year marked by tragedies impacting countless lives, including so many in our country music family. So tonight, we’re going to do what families do,” co-host Carrie Underwood said.
“Come together, pray together, cry together and sing together, too.”
“Look, the way we see it, the best way to honor our fans is to play our music, loud and proud,” Paisley added. “Our music lifts people up, and that’s what we’re here to do tonight,” he said. “So this year’s show’s dedicated to all those we lost and to all those who are still healing. We love you and we will never forget you.”
“Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling,” said a CMA Country Music Tweet which also thanked Underwood for her “moving tribute to the beautiful souls we’ve lost this year, including the 58 victims of the #LasVegasshooting”
“Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling,” Thank you, @CarrieUnderwood, for this moving tribute to the beautiful souls we’ve lost this year, including the 58 victims of the #LasVegas shooting. pic.twitter.com/AsE1DxHJCI
— CMA Country Music (@CountryMusic) November 9, 2017
The sense of community and togetherness in times of adversity, felt at the top of the show, seemed to have pervaded the night.
Underwood treated the audience to a wonderful rendition of “Softly and Tenderly” in honor of fraternity members lost this past year and in remembrance of Las Vegas massacre victims.
At one point during the event, Paisley commented on the bonding he felt in this year’s awards with Miranda Lambert adding, “I feel truly like there’s a family in this room tonight,” as she accepted the female vocalist of the year award. “We are bonded together, and banded together, more than we have ever been”, she added.
Presenter Tyler Perry got a standing ovation when he appealed to everybody to “spend some time listening to each other and realize that we are more alike than we are not alike.”
“Kindness is an attractive quality. We actually could change the way things are going, we just have to step out and be together,” said Karen Fairchild.
After a solemn start, both Paisley and Underwood, professionals that they are, did well to make the switch to a lighter mode and quite effortlessly at that.
Their country song parodies were good but one that merits a mention and a chuckle is “Before He Tweets” set to the tune of Underwood’s “Before He Cheats” – an obvious jibe at POTUS, but that’s about the only politics, if you can call it that, on the show Wednesday evening.
Check out some sample lyrics from the parody.
“Right now, he’s probably in his PJs watching cable news reaching for his cellphone | Right now, he’s probably asking Siri ‘How in the hell do you spell Pocahontas?’ | In the middle of the night from the privacy of a gold-plated white toilet seat, he’s writing Liddle Bob Corker, NFL and covfefe.”
“And it’s fun to watch it that’s for sure | Til little rocket man starts a nuclear war| Maybe next time he’ll think before he tweets.”
“Maybe next time he’ll think before he tweets.” @BradPaisley & @carrieunderwood can’t keep it “politics free zone”@CountryMusic #CMAawards pic.twitter.com/6a0y4BwCDA
— Good Morning America (@GMA) November 9, 2017
Another highlight of the show was Keith Urban’s new song “Female,” written by Ross Copperman, Shane McAnally, and Nicolle Galyon and recorded barely three weeks ago. The song appears to have got its inspiration, at least partly, from the recent Harvey Weinstein sexual harassment scandal.
What a powerful performance! We just love @KeithUrban‘s new song #Female. #CMAawards pic.twitter.com/Ek1LG8M2gI
— CMA Country Music (@CountryMusic) November 9, 2017
“As a husband and a father of two young girls, it affects me in a lot of ways. Urban told Billboard magazine. It just speaks to all of the females in my life, particularly,”
It was a night of great performances by the likes of Keith Urban, Chris Stapleton and Miranda Lambert as well as some newcomers to the awards including P!nk, who earned a standing ovation for “Barbies.” Maren Morris and Niall Horan of “One Direction” came together for a rendition of “Seeing Blind.”
Here’s CMA Country Music again, welcoming P!nk to the 2017 awards.
Loving having @Pink join us at the #CMAawards this year! pic.twitter.com/v1g8PjMRGT
— CMA Country Music (@CountryMusic) November 9, 2017
Not only were the tragedy victims honored this year, late members of the music fraternity were remembered too. Little Big Town and songwriter Jimmy Webb paid their respects to Glen Campbell, who passed away in August this year, by performing the song “Wichita Lineman.”
.@LittleBigTown performs Glen Campbell’s “Wichita Lineman” with Jimmy Webb, and can’t get enough! pic.twitter.com/hzXy0tZlz3
— CMA Country Music (@CountryMusic) November 9, 2017
Rascal Flatts and Dierks Bentley paid their homage to the late Troy Gentry, who died in a helicopter crash in September, with a performance of the song “My Town.” It was a teary moment when Gentry’s bandmate Eddie Montgomery joined the duo on stage to sing with them for his departed mate.
What a moving performance from @DierksBentley and @RascalFlatts with @LuckymanEddie honoring the life of @T_RoyMG. #CMAawards pic.twitter.com/j7EEZMDTnD
— CMA Country Music (@CountryMusic) November 9, 2017
But before everything else, it was the 51st CMA Awards 2017 RED CARPET!
Co-host of the event Carrie Underwood looked stunning in a cobalt blue Fouad Sarkis off-the-shoulder gown with a deep neck and Anabela Chan Jewels.
Faith Hill looked confident in her chic Armani Privé gown.
Pink and her daughter Willow – Black and White on the Red Carpet – Perfect!
Michelle Monaghan wore a Paco Rabanne jumpsuit with a slanting-to-one-shoulder neckline and the left side open to reveal ample skin. In one word: Superhot!
Lea Michele has the legs to justify the sexy Zuhair Murad beaded minidress with strappy heels. She sparkled like a diamond on the red carpet.
Keith Urban looking cool in all black.
Maren Morris in a sheer Francesco Scognamiglio gown.
Ruby Rose shone in a very silvery August Getty Atelier gown.
Niall Horan in a classic navy suit
Third-time pregnant country singer Jessie James Decker glowed in a red off-the-shoulder gown showing-off her beautifully prominent baby bump
Garth Brooks and his hat
Thomas Rhett was also in all black but with a difference – a prominent bow tie and printed loafers was all the difference he needed
Winner’s and Nominees
Female Vocalist of the Year
Kelsea Ballerini
Miranda Lambert — WINNER
Reba McEntire
Maren Morris
Carrie Underwood
Male Vocalist of the Year
Dierks Bentley
Eric Church
Thomas Rhett
Chris Stapleton — WINNER
Keith Urban
New Artist of the Year
Luke Combs
Old Dominion
Jon Pardi — WINNER
Brett Young
Lauren Alaina
Music Video of the Year
Little Big Town, “Better Man”
Keith Urban, “Blue Ain’t Your Color”
Thomas Rhett feat. Maren Morris, “Craving You”
Miranda Lambert, “Vice”
Brothers Osborne, “It Ain’t My Fault” – WINNER
Vocal Duo of the Year
Dan + Shay
Florida Georgia Line
LOCASH
Maddie & Tae
Brothers Osborne – WINNER
Entertainer of the Year
Garth Brooks — WINNER
Luke Bryan
Eric Church
Chris Stapleton
Keith Urban
Single of the Year
“Better Man,” Little Big Town
“Blue Ain’t Your Color,” Keith Urban — WINNER
“Body Like A Back Road,” Sam Hunt
“Dirt On My Boots,” Jon Pardi
“Tin Man,” Miranda Lambert
Album of the Year
The Breaker, Little Big Town
From A Room: Volume 1, Chris Stapleton — WINNER
Heart Break, Lady Antebellum
The Nashville Sound, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit
The Weight of These Wings, Miranda Lambert
Song of the Year
“Better Man,” Little Big Town — WINNER
“Blue Ain’t Your Color,” Keith Urban
“Body Like A Back Road,” Sam Hunt
“Dirt On My Boots,” Jon Pardi
“Tin Man,” Miranda Lambert
Vocal Group of the Year
Lady Antebellum
Little Big Town — WINNER
Old Dominion
Rascal Flatts
Zac Brown Band
Musical Event of the Year
“Craving You,” Thomas Rhett feat. Maren Morris
“Funny How Time Slips Away,” Glen Campbell with Willie Nelson — WINNER
“Kill A Word,” Eric Church feat. Rhiannon Giddens
“Setting the World on Fire,” Kenny Chesney feat. Pink
“Speak to a Girl,” Tim McGraw & Faith Hill
Musician of the YearJerry Douglas (Dobro)
Paul Franklin (Steel Guitar)
Dann Huff (Guitar)
Mac McAnally (Guitar) — WINNER
Derek Wells (Guitar)