Country Music’s Biggest Stars: In the Spotlight with Robin Roberts

Last night (Nov. 11), ABC’s Good Morning America co-host, Robin Roberts celebrated 10 years of her countdown to CMA’s television special by taking a a look back at her past interviews with country music’s biggest stars. As we gear up for the 52nd annual CMA Awards in Nashville this Wednesday, Roberts gives viewers an inside look into country music’s icons, performances, and a behind the scenes peek into their personal lives.

The special featured many prominent performers in the country music spotlight including Keith Urban, Shania Twain, Sugarland, Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Darius Rucker, and many more. Check out the full special here.

Entertainer, Keith Urban was the first artist introduced in the episode. Some of the highlights included taking a look into how he gears up for tour, specifically his ‘Graffiti U’ tour that made its way to New York City’s Barclays Center back in October. Urban’s love and appreciation for how music has made him not only a better singer-songwriter, but a better husband, father, friend, role-model, and person was truly inspiring. He shared with Roberts, “Music is an incredible language of the heavens. I fully believe in it- that it’s here for that kind of healing and connectiveness.” Through the interviews, it was easy to see why Urban is up for three CMA Awards this year, including Album of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, and the prestigious, Entertainer of the Year.

Another highlight featured the “reigning Queen of Country,” Carrie Underwood. Roberts got to see an inside look into the Cry Prettystar’s journey from American Idol winner to a megastar, including an exclusive look into the songstress’ small home-town, pre-baby and marriage days, as well as, her recent star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Underwood couldn’t be more humble and appreciative of her journey and place in country music, sharing how, as CMT’s Artist of the Year, she feels it is her duty to stand up for equality for fellow female musicians in the industry. “I’m definitely a very blessed person, and try to make the most of those blessings and opportunities as they come, and God has just been really good to me.”

Along with hosting the big show, Underwood also has two CMA Award nominations herself including Music Video of the Year for “Cry Pretty,” as well as, Female Vocalist of the Year. The special made sure to include other musicians who got their start on American Idol, including the talented Scotty McCreery and New Artist of the Year nominee Lauren Alaina. For a full list of nominees, click here.

The super-talented and positive entertainer, and entrepreneur, Luke Bryan may have stole the show. Roberts and Bryan looked back at the CMA special from last year, where the singer-songwriter allowed cameras into his home, his tour, and with his family, sharing insight into how he dealt with personal loss and his inspiration for continuing to inspire fans and people through music. “That’s been one thing about my family and our loss, just when we started picking up the pieces with my brother, then we lose my sister and I just watch my mother and our whole family just go back to square one. I know a lot of people out there that have dealt with loss. You have to honor their memory by living, and you have to, you have to be a positive light for people.” Bryan is up for Entertainer of the Year this year.

The last few minutes of the episode, set to the iconic “Take Me Home, Country Roads”, features nostalgic clips over the last 10 years in country music, reminding viewers of the greater meaning of how healing music can really be. Stay tuned for more from the wonderful musicians on the the 52nd annual CMAs, this Wednesday, November 14th on ABC at 8pm and don’t forget to join in on the fun by sharing your CMA Award Winner predictions with our Instagram Story image, found here.

—————————-

Thank You for supporting Country Music in NYC & Beyond!

Subscribe to our Weekly Round-Up here 
for ticket giveaways, meet & greet contests, upcoming events,
and all things country music in the New York metro area and beyond!

+ Follow our country music adventures on Instagram, Twitter & Facebook: