Beech Tree News Network

The 49th Annual CMA Awards Wednesday, November 4, started with our hosts Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood doing a Star Wars send-up with help from Darius Rucker, Luke Bryan, Little Big Town and Garth.  Eric Church and Hank Williams, Jr performed Hank’s new song “Are You Ready for the Country”, not to be confused with Hank’s ‘80’s album of the same name.  John Mellencamp performed his classic “Little Pink Houses” with Keith Urban.  Keith then performed his hit “John Deere, John Cougar, John 3:16”. 
Brad and Carrie were hilarious, as always.  Steve Martin and Edie Brickell presented Single of the Year to “Girl Crush” by Little Big Town.  It’s their second win for Single of the Year.  Brad and Carrie paid tribute to the late Little Jimmie Dickens before introducing Zac Brown Band performing their new single “Beautiful Drug”.  It sounds similar to another song I’ve heard.  I can’t quite put my finger on it.  It’s not their typical harmonizing song.
Song of the Year went to Little Big Town’s “Girl Crush”.  This one, of course, goes to the songwriters.  It was pretty neat that the songwriters were given the spotlight all to themselves.  LBT then performed the award-winning (it also won Single of the Year) song.  It’s probably my favorite songs they’ve done.  New Artist of the Year went to Chris Stapleton.  Co-host Carrie Underwood performed her new song “Smoke Break”.  Vocal Group of the Year went to Little Big Town. 
Chris Stapleton and Justin Timberlake performed “Tennessee Whiskey”  (a remake of a George Jones song) and “(I Can’t) Drink You Away”.  That was some good stuff! Florida Georgia Line won their 3rd Vocal Duo of the Year award.  Eric Church performed his new single “Mr. Misunderstood”.  I like it.  I like it a lot.  Thomas Rhett(Rhett Akins’ son) performed his song “Crash and Burn” with Fallout Boy.  That’s an interesting combination.  As my dad said “This is supposed to be the Country Music Awards”.  Well, I guess there’s a reason they just say “CMA” now and not “Country Music Awards”. 
Album of the Year went to Chris Stapleton for Traveler.  It’s his first win for Album of the Year.  Stapleton also won New Artist of the Year. Brad Paisley performed his new single “Country Nation”.  The performance was complete with mascots and cheerleaders.  Vocal Group of the Year went to Little Big Town.  “17 years ago, we became a band.  We could never dream up what God had in store for us”, they said in their acceptance speech. 
Guitarist Mac MacAnally won Musician of the Year.  Keith Urban and Eric Church won Vocal Event for “Raise ‘Em Up”.  Maddie & Tae’s “Girl in a Country Song” won Video of the Year.  Kacey Musgraves performed her new single “Dimestore Cowgirl”.  Miranda Lambert won her sixth Female Vocalist of the Year award.  In celebration of what will be CMA’s 50th next year, Reba/Brooks and Dunn performed “Why Haven’t I Heard From You” and “Play Somethin’ Country”.  Chris Stapleton won Male Vocalist of the Year.  Reba presented CMA Entertainer of the Year to Luke Bryan.