Country music’s brightest gathered at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena for the 57th annual CMA Awards on Wednesday, Nov. 8, to celebrate the genre in a star-studded ceremony. The show was once again hosted by Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning.
The ceremony kicked off with a raucous performance by Jelly Roll of his hit “Need a Favor.” The country star was joined by icon Wynonna Judd, who was a surprise performer. The two duetted on a stage set up to resemble a church, with a choir providing backup vocals, as the stars in the crowd — including Post Malone, Nicole Kidman, Keith Urban and Kelsea Ballerini — enjoyed the powerful set.
In one of the awards presented earlier in the show, Tracy Chapman won song of the year for “Fast Car.” Luke Combs had delivered a chart-topping cover of her track, which also won Combs single of the year; his take reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. Her song of the year victory became Chapman’s first Country Music Association trophy; she is credited as the sole writer of the song.
Among the night’s performers were Morgan Wallen, Bryan, HARDY, Post Malone, Ballerini and more. Presenters included Paula Abdul, Lady A, Cynthia Erivo, Martina McBride, Darius Rucker and others.
Lainey Wilson was the top nominee with nine nods. Jelly Roll followed with five nods, Combs and HARDY with four, and Jordan Davis, Ashley McBryde, Joey Moi, Jordan Schmidt, Chris Stapleton, Morgan Wallen and Derek Wells with three.
The show aired live on ABC.
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