AN AWARD-WINNING CMA GALLERY (PART 1)

Manager Marion Kraft, Sony Nashville chief Randy Goodman and superstar Miranda Lambert greet Columbia chief and soon-to-be Sony Music CEO Rob Stringer and Sony supremo Doug Morris, just before a passing tray of knishes caught Lambert's attention.

Team UMG Nashville celebrates winners Little Big Town with Taylor Swift, who penned their breakout new single, which flew to #1 at iTunes in conjunction wih the broadcast. Swift then climbed on her unicorn and rode off. Seen are UMG Nashville chief Mike Dungan, LBT's Jimi Westbrook, Phillip Sweet and Karen Fairchild, Swift, LBT's Kimberly Schlapman, UMG Nashville Prexy Cindy Mabe and Sandbox Entertainment topper Jason Owen.

Big Machine Label Group chief Scott Borchetta congratulates Single of the Year winner Thomas Rhett and writer/producer Jesse Frasure, shortly before Rhett wondered aloud if it would be possible to drag-race in an Uber.

Warner Music Nashville's John Esposito gathered everyone for a class photo, after which, as promised, there was ice cream. Click the pic for a bigger view. Seen are: (front row) The Railers' Jordan, Cassandra and Jonathan Lawson, Bailey Bryan, WMN's SVP PR Wes Vause, RaeLynn, Hunter Hayes, SVP Radio & Streaming Kristen Williams, Frankie Ballard and John Oates; (second row) Aubrie Sellers, Michael Ray, Dan Smyers, Shay Mooney, Espo, Chris Janson, Brandy Clark and Devin Dawson; (third row) The Last Bandoleros' Emilio Navaira, Jerry Fuentes, Derek James and Diego Navaira, EVP A&R Scott Hendricks, William Michael Morgan, CMO Peter Strickland, Walker County's Ivy Dene and Sophie Dawn; and (back row) High Valley's Curtis and Brad Rempel, newly appointed COO Matt Signore, Cale Dodds and Todd Chrisley.

Red Light's Coran Capshaw, UMG Nashville prez Cindy Mabe, Male Vocalist winner Chris Stapleton, Morgane Stapleton, UMG Nashville chief Mike Dungan and SVP A&R Brian Wright go into extra innings with a private stock of bourbon

Sony Music capo Doug Morris informs CMA co-hosts Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood (the latter also Female Vocalist of the Year), New Artist winner Maren Morris and Sony Nashville chief Randy Goodman that he once owned an 11-gallon hat.

Warner Music Nashville chief Espo and artists Hunter Hayes, Michael Ray and Frankie Ballard take turns pretending to be Hall to John Oates' Oates. The latter was a surprisingly good sport.

UMG Nashville's Mike Dungan and Cindy Mabe pose with legendary stars George Strait and Alan Jackson. It is rumored that several medleys begun during the CMA broadcast are still going on.

Sony Nashville's Randy Goodman, artists Cam, Miranda Lambert, Scott Hoying of Pentatonix and Carrie Underwood and Sony Music overlord Doug Morris harmonize on their drink order.

Team BMLG sets a spell, shortly before the Fireball shooters caused them to dance a spell. Click image for larger view. Seen are: Back Row: Midland’s Mark Wystrach, Cameron Duddy, Jess Carson, Lauren Jenkins, Trent Harmon, Ryan Follese, A Thousand Horses’ Michael Hobby, Zach Brown, Bill Satcher and Graham DeLoach, Brett Young, The Church Sisters’ Savannah and Sarah Church, Tara Thompson and Tucker Beathard Front Row: Brantley Gilbert, Florida Georgia Line’s Brian Kelley and Tyler Hubbard, Thomas Rhett, BMLG’s Scott Borchetta and Sandi Spika Borchetta, Jennifer Nettles, Danielle Bradbery and Maddie & Tae’s Maddie Marlow and Tae Dye.