Quantcast

50TH CMAS: MAREN, ERIC, CARRIE, DOLLY, TAY ... BEYONCÉ?

In case you were busy watching the World Series, Maren Morris was crowned New Artist of the Year, Eric Church took Album, Garth Brooks was dubbed Entertainer of the Year, Carrie Underwood won Female Vocalist, Chris Stapleton was anointed Male Vocalist, Thomas Rhett triumphed in the Single category for “Die a Happy Man” and Tim McGraw’s “Humble and Kind” (penned by Lori McKenna) won Song of the Year at the 50th Annual CMA Awards on 11/2.

Kenny Chesney took the Pinnacle Award (presented by Peyton Manning). The legendary Dolly Parton received the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award; Other winners included Little Big Town (Vocal Group), Brothers Osborne (Vocal Duo); Dierks Bentley with Elle King (Musical Event).

How mainstream has country gotten? Well, Beyoncé showed up to perform "Daddy Lessons" with the Dixie Chicks on the ABC broadcast, which was co-hosted by Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley. Pentatonix, who recorded a killer "Jolene" with Parton recently, turned up to rock the tune with Jennifer Nettles. The all-star tribute to Parton also featured Reba McEntire, Kacey Musgraves, Underwood and Martina McBride.

Key performances came from Morris, Chesney, McGraw, LBT, Luke Bryan, Chris Stapleton, Florida Georgia Line, Miranda Lambert, Jason Aldean, Brad Paisley, Keith Urban, Dwight Yoakam, Kelsea Ballerini, Alan Jackson and George Strait, Brooks and Trisha Yearwood (on another killer medley of Nashville gems) and more.

Breakout Morris was joined by the Preservation Hall Jazz Band on her hit "My Church," which had the star-studded room singing along. "Last year I sat across the street in a bar and watched this show," she said, tearfully, when accepting her award.

In presenting the Pinnacle Award to Chesney, Manning noted the star's having sold out 156 stadium shows.

Taylor Swift materialized to hand Garth Brooks his Entertainer of the Year trophy.

Vince Gill kicked off the show with a tribute to the late, great Merle Haggard, joined by the legend's son, Ben. A star-studded medley of country classics followed, greats like Roy Clark and Charley Pride joined current stars; the segment culminated in a touching tribute to Randy Travis, a recent inductee into the Country Music Hall of Fame who suffered a stroke in 2013. What a freakin' songbook. The opening segment is likely to become a viral sensation.

Streaming made its presence felt in ads for new albums by Lambert (which ended with a Spotify logo) and Chesney ("Hear it first on Apple Music"). Physical retail made its presence felt with a rousing, performance-based Target spot for Brooks' nine-disc Ultimate Collection.

See below for a complete list of winners.

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
Garth Brooks

SINGLE OF THE YEAR
Thomas Rhett, “Die a Happy Man”

ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Eric Church, Mr. Misunderstood

SONG OF THE YEAR (Songwriting)
Lori McKenna, “Humble and Kind”

FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Carrie Underwood

MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Chris Stapleton

VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
Little Big Town

VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR
Brothers Osborne

MUSICAL EVENT OF THE YEAR
Dierks Bentley feat. Elle King, “Different for Girls

MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR Dann Huff

MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR Chris Stapleton, “Fire Away”

NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR Maren Morris

UMG BROADENS SPOTIFY OFFERINGS
Sir Lucian and Daniel are in harmony. (3/28a)
THE COUNT: COLDPLAY IS HOT, COUNTRY'S COOKIN' IN THE U.K.
The latest tidbits from the bustling live sector (3/28a)
YTD MARKET SHARE
Zeroing in on the elite teams (3/28a)
TRUST IN THE TOP 20
Hip-hop is no longer hibernating. (3/28a)
SONG REVENUE:
A STYLISTIC STEW
MC, divas and singer-songwriters rub elbows. (3/28a)
THE NEW UMG
Gosh, we hope there are more press releases.
TIKTOK BANNED!
Unless the Senate manages to make this whole thing go away, that is.
THE NEW HUGE COUNTRY ACT
No, not that one.
TRUMP'S CAMPAIGN PLAYLIST
Now 100% unlicensed!
 Email

 First Name

 Last Name

 Company

 Country
CAPTCHA code
Captcha: (type the characters above)