BALLERINI, CHESNEY COLLECT EARLY CMA TROPHIES

Just hours ahead of the CMA Awards, two early trophies have been bestowed; first-timer Kelsea Ballerini and nine-time winner Kenny Chesney are sharing the honors for Musical Event of the Year and Video of the Year for “half of my hometown.” The smash duet was produced by Ballerini, Ross Copperman and Jimmy Robbins; its video accompaniment, helmed by Patrick Tracy, appears below.

The early awards were announced, per tradition, on ABC’s Good Morning America. Prior CMA winners and current nominees Old Dominion performed on the Bridgestone Plaza Stage as part of the pre-show festivities. The CMAs will air on ABC with Luke Bryan hosting. He and nominee Jimmie Allen joined GMA’s Lara Spencer for a preview chat.

To commemorate the CMAs, Todd Hensley is squeezing into his cowboy boots and splashing some Fireball into his Garfield mug.