The biggest stars in country music came out in Nashville on Wednesday night for the 2019 CMA Awards, which kicked off with an epic tribute to the women of country music.
Co-hosts Carrie Underwood, Reba McEntire and Dolly Parton began with a performance of “Those Memories of You” (originally recorded by Parton with Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt) that was followed by Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles and Little Big Town’s Kimberly Schlapman and Karen Fairchild doing “You’re Lookin’ at Country” (as Loretta Lynn looked on from the audience).
Crystal Gayle, Carrie Underwood and Reba McEntire on stage with Canada's Terri Clark. Terry Wyatt/Getty Images
Country supergroup The Highwomen – Brandi Carlile, Natalie Hemby, Maren Morris and Amanda Shires – then took the stage for Tammy Wynette’s “Your Good Girl’s Gonna Go Bad.”
Next up was a medley of hits performed by Tanya Tucker (“Delta Dawn”), Gretchen Wilson (“Redneck Woman”), Crystal Gayle (“Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue”), Canada’s Terri Clark (“Better Things to Do”) and Sara Evans (“Born to Fly”) that was topped off by Martina McBride joining in for “Independence Day.”
Lady Antebellum perform with Halsey. Terry Wyatt / Getty Images
Performers during the CMA Awards included Blake Shelton, Miranda Lambert, Maren Morris, Keith Urban, Kelsea Ballerini, Dan + Shay, Old Dominion, and Thomas Rhett. Kacey Musgraves with Willie Nelson did Kermit proud with a rendition of "Rainbow Connection."
The CMAs also got a dose of pop thanks to Halsey’s performance with Lady Antebellum and P!nk joining Chris Stapleton.
Garth Brooks picked up his seventh CMA Award for Entertainer of the Year. He used some of his time at the mic to praise the night's performances by McEntire and Ballerini.
The night’s other big winners included Maren Morris for Album of the Year (GIRL), Kacey Musgraves for Female Vocalist of the Year and Luke Combs for Male Vocalist of the Year.
"I remember sitting on my parents' porch when I was a little kid watching Vince Gill come up here and win this same award," Combs said. "Country music means everything to me and this means everything to me and my family. This is a moment that I will never forget."
Luke Combs accepts Male Vocalist of the Year. Terry Wyatt / Getty Images
Dan + Shay won their first ever CMA Award for Vocal Duo of the Year.
Blake Shelton's "God's Country" was named Single of the Year. "I want to thank the songwriters … country radio, whoever votes on these things," Shelton said. "I have no idea how this thing works after 20 years of doing this."
Earlier in the day, the crossover hit “Old Town Road (Remix)” by Lil Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus won Musical Event of the Year and Kacey Musgraves won Video of the Year for her Golden Hour single “Rainbow.”
Ashley McBryde won New Artist of the Year. Leah Puttkammer / Getty Images
New Artist of the Year Ashley McBryde recalled performing at a tribute show for John Prine, who later told her "You’re real good. You’re no Reba, but you’re real good.” McBryde said: “I cherish little moments like that, that are truth and guidance from voices that we respect and admire. I’m thankful for that and for this, and for the opportunity to step up.”
During the CMA pre-show, fiddler Jenee Fleenor, the first woman to be nominated for Musician of the Year since the category was added in 1988, was named the winner. A member of Blake Shelton’s band, Fleenor started out playing gigs for artists like Martina McBride and Canada’s Terri Clark.
Check out the winners below:
Entertainer of the YearGarth Brooks - WINNEREric ChurchChris StapletonCarrie UnderwoodKeith Urban
Album of the YearCenter Point Road, Thomas RhettCry Pretty, Carrie UnderwoodDan + Shay, Dan + ShayDesperate Man, Eric ChurchGIRL, Maren Morris - WINNER
Single of the Year“Burning Man,” Dierks Bentley ft. Brothers Osborne“Girl,” Maren Morris“God’s Country,” Blake Shelton – WINNER“Millionaire,” Chris Stapleton“Speechless,” Dan + Shay
Song of the Year"Beautiful Crazy,” Luke Combs, Wyatt Durrette II, Robert Williford – WINNER“Girl,” Maren Morris, Sarah Aarons, Greg Kurstin“God’s Country,” Devin Dawson, Jordan Schmidt, Michael Hardy“Rainbow,” Natalie Hemby, Shane McAnally, Kacey Musgraves“Tequila,” Dan Smyers, Nicolle Galyon, Jordan Reynolds
Male Vocalist of the YearDierks BentleyLuke Combs - WINNERThomas RhettChris StapletonKeith Urban
Female Vocalist of the YearKelsea BalleriniMiranda LambertMaren MorrisKacey Musgraves - WINNERCarrie Underwood
New Artist of the YearCody JohnsonAshley McBryde – WINNERMidlandCarly PearceMorgan Wallen
Vocal Duo of the YearBrooks & DunnBrothers OsborneDan + Shay – WINNERFlorida Georgia LineMaddie & Tae
Vocal Group of the YearLady AntebellumLittle Big TownMidlandOld Dominion - WINNERZac Brown Band
Music Video of the Year“Burning Man,” Dierks Bentley feat. Brothers Osborne“GIRL,” Maren Morris“God’s Country,” Blake Shelton“Rainbow,” Kacey Musgraves – WINNER“Some of It,” Eric Church
Musical Event of the Year“All My Favorite People,” Maren Morris ft. Brothers Osborne“Brand New Man,” Brooks & Dunn with Luke Combs“Dive Bar,” Garth Brooks and Blake Shelton“Old Town Road (Remix),” Lil Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus – WINNER“What Happens in a Small Town,” Brantley Gilbert and Lindsay Ell
Musician of the YearJenee Fleenor – WINNERPaul FranklinMac McAnallyIlya ToshinskyDerek Wells