CMA Awards Archives

NYCountry Swag Recaps the 52nd Annual CMA Awards

November 15, 2018/in Blog /by Danielle Tornatore

Photos courtesy of Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

Country music’s biggest night has rolled around yet again, bringing country music fans an incredible night filled with live music, laughs and career altering award wins. The 52nd Annual Country Music Association Awards aired live from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee last night on ABC.

Six-time CMA Entertainer of the Year award-winning icon, Garth Brooks opened the show with a special tribute to the twelve victims of the horrific Thousand Oaks mass shooting that took place last week in California. Brooks began the evening by lovingly dedicating the award ceremony to each of the victims followed by leading a moment of silence while each of their names appeared on the screen.

Photos courtesy of Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

Kicking off the many musical performances of the night, superstar Luke Bryan filled the room with positive energy as he was joined by New Artist of the Year winner Luke Combs, Cole Swindell, Jon Pardi, Lindsay Ell, Ashley McBryde and Chris Janson for an infectious performance of his latest single and every country music lover’s anthem, “What Makes You Country.”

Welcoming the audience, eleventh-time hosts Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley took the stage to deliver a hilarious musical monologue loosely based off of the film A Star Is Born, calling out a few fellow country stars. Paisley even jokingly surprised Underwood with yodeling sensation Mason Ramsey, portraying her firstborn son. Speaking of sons, the queen of country music amusingly revealed the gender of the baby she is carrying. When Underwood was pregnant with her first son, Paisley accidentally revealed his gender live on the air during the 2014 CMAs. This time, Paisley pressed Underwood until she finally admitted she will be having another baby boy. Later in the evening, the co-hosts took a moment to share their support and thanks to the firefighters battling the Woolsey wildfires in California.

Photos courtesy of Larry McCormack/Tennessean.com

There was a total of twenty-one outstanding performances throughout the night, but we’ve narrowed those down to some of our favorites. Music Video of the Year winner, Thomas Rhett, gave an extremely entertaining performance of his number one single “Life Changes,” which started out in a reimagined version of his college dorm room and progressed into the singer-songwriter performing all throughout the crowd with a full marching band. Rhett’s gorgeous wife, Lauren, planted a kiss on Rhett as he passed her on his way to the main stage.

Photos courtesy of Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

Dan + Shay absolutely stunned with their vocals during their performance of “Tequila.” Fake snow was falling, to go along with the theme of the single’s official music video, as the duo gave fans goosebumps with their exceptional vocal range. Paying tribute to the late, great Dottie West, Lauren Alaina honored the recent Country Music Hall of Fame inductee by performing a rendition of the classic hit, “A Lesson In Leavin.’” Alaina’s vocals undoubtedly did the hit justice. Fellow recent Country Music Hall of Fame member, Ricky Skaggs, gave a once in a lifetime performance of a mashup of a few of his hits, featuring an all-star guest list to celebrate his induction. Skaggs was joined by his band Kentucky Thunder to perform “Black Eyed Suzie,” along with John Osborne of Vocal Duo of the Year Brothers Osborne and Entertainer of the Year Keith Urban to perform “Highway 40 Blues” and closed out the performance with “Country Boy,” joined by Marty Stuart and co-host Paisley. Entertainer of the Year, Urban gave an epic performance of his current single “Never Comin Down” on top of the jumbo screens, featuring alluring visuals. The multi-platinum seller received a standing ovation, unquestionably proving why he was deserving of the biggest award of the night.

Photos courtesy of Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

Brooks returned to the stage to debut a brand new song entitled “Stronger Than Me,” that he wrote for his wife, two-time CMA Female Vocalist of the Year winner, Trisha Yearwood. The singer-songwriter performed solo with nothing but an acoustic guitar and his chilling vocals. The emotional lyrics brought Yearwood to tears as she watched her husband, front and center.
Maren Morris, Morgane Stapleton, Marty Stuart, Mavis Staples, and Chris Stapleton teamed up for an unbelievable mashup performance of Stapleton’s “Friendship” and Staples’ “I’ll Take You There.” The collaboration had everyone up on their feet, singing along. Album of the Year winner, Kacey Musgraves showcased her angelic, silky smooth vocals while strumming along to her own acoustic guitar for a stunning performance of “Slow Burn” off of Golden Hour.

Photos courtesy of Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

The most powerful performance of the night was delivered by co-host Underwood. She absolutely dazzled in a beautiful royal blue gown, blowing everyone away with her striking vocal range on her anthem, “Love Wins.” The Female Vocalist of the Year was joined by a full choir which helped to close the performance of the powerful song in the shape of a heart, surrounding Underwood. You could feel the palpable energy through your television screen.

Stapleton lead last night’s wins with Song of the Year, Single of the Year and Male Vocalist of the Year. The singer-songwriter gave an emotional speech thanking his wife and children for allowing him to invest so much time into his career.

Musgraves was the only female artist in the Album of the Year category and deservingly won for her fourth studio album, Golden Hour, explaining during her acceptance speech that earlier in the day she had realized it had been 10 years to the day that she made her move to Nashville.

Photo courtesy of John Shearer/Getty Images

Luke Combs received the award for New Artist of the Year. He will kick off his first ever arena headlining tour this Winter.

Brothers Osborne took home Vocal Duo of the Year for the third consecutive year in a row, giving a hilarious yet thankful speech. Underwood reigns as the Country Music Association’s Female Vocalist of the Year for the fifth time. She “cried pretty” as she delivered a tearful speech, thanking God, country music and all of the many “families” in her life.

Closing out the memorable evening, Urban was not expecting his win for Entertainer of the Year. His fellow competitor Bryan, shot up right out of his seat in excitement as his friend’s name was announced. Urban tearfully accepted the award, thanking his wife, actress Nicole Kidman and their children, as well as his “phenomenal” fans. He also gave mention to his late father, “wishing he was alive to see this.” Watch his moving acceptance speech below.

The 2018 CMA Awards was another one for the books. Below is a full list of winners from the epic night.

Entertainer of the Year: Keith Urban
Female Vocalist of the Year: Carrie Underwood
Male Vocalist of the Year: Chris Stapleton
New Artist of the Year: Luke Combs
Vocal Group of the Year: Old Dominion
Vocal Duo of the Year: Brothers Osborne
Album of the Year: Golden Hour – Kacey Musgraves
Song of the Year: “Broken Halos” – Chris Stapleton
Single of the Year: “Broken Halos” – Chris Stapleton
Music Video of the Year: “Marry Me” – Thomas Rhett
Musical Event of the Year: “Everything’s Gonna Be Alright” – David Lee Murphy & Kenny Chesney
Musician of the Year: Mac McAnally – Guitar

—————————-

Thank You for supporting Country Music in NYC!

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:

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

November 12, 2018/in Blog /by Erica Zisman

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.

Carrie Underwood & Robin Roberts, Country Music’s Biggest Stars: In the Spotlight with Robin Roberts

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.

Luke Bryan & Robin Roberts, Country Music’s Biggest Stars: In the Spotlight with Robin Roberts

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:

And The Winner Is… Can You Predict the 2018 CMA Awards Winners?

November 12, 2018/in Blog /by Stephanie Wagner

Photo courtesy of cmaworld.com

This Wednesday, November 14th, Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood will take the stage at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena to host the 52nd Annual CMA Awards for the 11th straight year. With nominations being announced a few weeks back, we want to know – Do you think you can predict the winners of this year’s show?

Save the photo below and add it to your Instagram story with your predictions for the 2018 CMA Awards Winners. Make sure to tag us (@NYCountrySwag), so we can see your picks! A full list of the nominations is available below.

Tune in to Country Music’s Biggest Night on ABC on Wednesday Night November 14th at 8 PM ET., to see if your favorites win big and make sure you are following NYCountry Swag on Twitter to tweet along with us!

Full list of CMA Nominees.

Entertainer of the Year
Jason Aldean
Luke Bryan
Kenny Chesney
Chris Stapleton
Keith Urban

Single of the Year
“Broken Halos”- Chris Stapleton
Producer(s): Dave Cobb, Chris Stapleton
Mix Engineer(s): Vance Powell

“Drinkin’ Problem”- Midland
Producer(S): Dann Huff, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne
Mix Engineer(S): Justin Niebank

“Drowns the Whiskey” – Jason Aldean (Feat. Miranda Lambert)
Producer(s): Michael Knox
Mix Engineer(s): Jeff Braun

“Meant to Be” – Bebe Rexha & Florida Georgia Line
Producer(s): Willshire
Mix Engineer(s): Serban Ghenea

“Tequila” – Dan + Shay
Producer(s): Scott Hendricks, Dan Smyers
Mix Engineer(s): Jeff Juliano

Male Vocalist of the Year
Dierks Bentley
Luke Combs
Thomas Rhett
Chris Stapleton
Keith Urban

Female Vocalist of the Year
Kelsea Ballerini
Miranda Lambert
Maren Morris
Kacey Musgraves
Carrie Underwood

Vocal Duo of the Year
Brothers Osborne
Dan + Shay
Florida Georgia Line
Maddie & Tae
Sugarland

New Artist of the Year
Lauren Alaina
Luke Combs
Chris Janson
Midland
Brett Young

Album of the Year
“From A Room: Volume 2” – Chris Stapleton
Producer(s): Dave Cobb, Chris Stapleton

“Golden Hour” – Kacey Musgraves
Producer(s): Ian Fitchuk, Daniel Tashian, Kacey Musgraves

“Graffiti U” – Keith Urban
Producer(s): Keith Urban, Dan McCarroll, J.R. Rotem, Josh Kerr, Jason Evigan, Greg Wells, Benny Blanco, Ed Sheeran, Johnny McDaid, Jesse Shatkin, Jimmy Robbins, Oscar Holter, Matt Rad, Eric Valentine, Ian Kirkpatrick, Mike Elizondo, Captain Cuts, Ross Copperman, Dann Huff, Peter Karlsson

“Life Changes” – Thomas Rhett
Producer(s): Julian Bunetta, Jesse Frasure, Dann Huff, Joe London, Thomas Rhett

“The Mountain” – Dierks Bentley
Producer(s): Ross Copperman, Jon Randall Stewart, Arturo Buenahora Jr.

Song of the Year
“Body Like A Back Road”
Songwriter(s): Zach Crowell, Sam Hunt, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne

“Broken Halos”
Songwriter(s): Mike Henderson, Chris Stapleton

“Drowns the Whiskey”
Songwriter(s): Brandon Kinney, Jeff Middleton, Josh Thompson

“Drunk Girl”
Songwriter(s): Scooter Carusoe, Tom Douglas, Chris Janson

“Tequila”
Songwriter(s): Nicolle Galyon, Jordan Reynolds, Dan Smyers

Vocal Group of the Year
Lady Antebellum
LANCO
Little Big Town
Midland
Old Dominion

Musical Event of the Year
“Burning Man” – Dierks Bentley Feat. Brothers Osborne
“Dear Hate” – Maren Morris (Feat. Vince Gill)
“Drowns the Whiskey” – Jason Aldean (Feat. Miranda Lambert)
“Everything’s Gonna Be Alright” – David Lee Murphy (with Kenny Chesney)
“Meant to Be” – Bebe Rexha & Florida Georgia Line

Musician of the Year
Jerry Douglas (Dobro)
Paul Franklin (Steel Guitar)
Dann Huff (Guitar)
Mac McAnally (Guitar)
Derek Wells (Guitar)

Music Video of the Year
“Babe” – Sugarland (featuring Taylor Swift)
Director(s): Anthony Mandler

“Cry Pretty” – Carrie Underwood
Director(s): Randee St. Nicholas

“Drunk Girl”– Chris Janson
Director(s): Jeff Venable

“Marry Me” – Thomas Rhett
Director(s): TK McKamy

“Tequila” – Dan + Shay
Director(s): Patrick Tracy

—————————-

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:

The First Round of CMA Awards Performers Announced

October 23, 2018/in Blog /by Shanna Vitaliano

CMA Awards Performers

This week, The Country Music Association announced the first round of performers for the 2018 Country Music Awards. Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley are joining forces again for the 11th year in a row to co-host country music’s biggest night, so be prepared for some hilarious banter and maybe one or two of their own unique made-up country medlies.

The countdown begins as we all await incredible acts from none other than former Entertainer’s of the Year Luke Bryan, Keith Urban, and Kenny Chesney. Recently honored CMT Artist’s of the Year Carrie Underwood and Kelsea Ballerini will also be performing, as they both vie for Female Vocalist of the Year recognition. Dan + Shay who are up for Vocal Duo of the Year, and Vocal Group of the Year Nominees Old Dominion will also be taking the stage at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena.

The 52nd Annual CMA Awards will be aired live from Nashville, Tennessee on ABC Wednesday, November 14th at 8/7 C. Be on the lookout as additional performers will be added in the coming weeks and click here for the full list of nominees.

>

—————————-

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:

Remember When Lil Wayne Performed at the CMA Awards?

September 28, 2018/in #TBT, Blog /by Stephanie Wagner

Lil Wayne alongside Kid Rock at the 2008 Country Music Awards

Lil Wayne alongside Kid Rock at the 2008 CMA Awards (Getty/Wire)

Hip-hop and rap fans woke up thrilled to find that superstar, Lil Wayne’s long anticipated album, Carter V had been released after years of lawsuits, legal issues and missed release dates.

The 23-track record is everything lifelong fans of the rap king have been waiting for, but the 14th song on the album, “Hittas” adds a reference to be noted in the country music world. The single opens with David Letterman asking Wayne, “Is it true you performed with Willie Nelson at the Country Music Awards?” before going into the song.

The question brings us back to 2008 where rapper Lil Wayne joined then rock artist, Kid Rock on stage in a surprise appearance at the Country Music Association Awards. Hitting the Nashville stage decked In a Tennessee Titans football jersey, the rapper strummed a guitar while Kid Rock performed his hit single “All Summer Long”.

Months later, in an interview with Genius, Lil Wayne shared that he didn’t actually know how to play the guitar, but lucky for him country legend Willie Nelson was nearby. The icon taught Wayne the most important chords just moments before the curtains went up. Check out Wayne’s hilarious story of his encounter with Nelson in the video below.

The CMA Awards – one of the biggest nights in country music – have not always been all about country artists. In the past there have been several not-so-country stars who having gotten there share of the stage during this prestigious night, including acts like Beyonce, Ariana Grande, Justin Timberlake, Meghan Trainor, Pink, Niall Horan, and more.

With the 2018 CMA Awards just a little over a month away, we wonder what surprise artists will we see make an appearance this year?

Don’t miss The 52nd Annual CMA Awards hosted by Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood on Wednesday, November 14 at 8|7c on ABC. We’ll be live-tweeting the show! Follow Us & join in on the conversation, @NYCountrySwag.

—————————-

Thank You for supporting Country Music in NYC!

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:

And The Nominees Are: Full List of 2018 CMA Nominations

August 28, 2018/in Blog /by Erica Zisman

Photo courtesy of cmaworld.com

Luke Bryan, Dan + Shay, and Sugarland joined Good Morning America (Aug. 28) to unveil this year’s nominees for the 52nd annual Country Music Awards, broadcasted live from Nashville at Bryan’s bar, Luke’s 32 Bridge Food + Drink.

With 5 CMA nominations, including Male Vocalist of the Year, Album of The Year, Song of the Year, Single of the Year, and Entertainer of the Year, singer/songwriter Chris Stapleton tops the list. Producer and musician, Dan Huff joins Stapleton with 4 nominations for his production role on Thomas Rhett’s Life Changes album and Keith Urban’s Graffiti U, as well as, nods for Single of the Year and Musician of the Year. Dan + Shay, Thomas Rhett, Dierks Bentley, Jason Aldean, Keith Urban, Miranda Lambert, Florida Georgia Line, Midland, and Chris Janson round out the incredible nominees, with 3 nominations each.

Be sure to catch Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood, as they host the 2018 CMA Awards for the 11th straight year, live from Nashville Tennessee’s Bridgestone Arena. Tune into Country Music’s Biggest Night, scheduled to air on ABC on November 14th at 8 PM ET., to see if your favorites win big and make sure you are following NYCountry Swag on Twitter to tweet along with us!

Think you can predict the winners? Save the photo below and add it to your Instagram story with your predictions for the 2018 CMA Awards Winners. Make sure to tag us (@NYCountrySwag), so we can see your picks!

The full list of CMA Nominees is below.