01of 11Miranda Lambert Opens Up the Show and Brings the House DownTerry Wyatt/GettyLambert performed a medley of hits, including “Kerosene,” “Mama’s Broken Heart,” “Bluebird,” “Little Red Wagon,” and “Gunpowder & Lead” to open up country music’s biggest night. The singer — who was also celebrating her birthday —told USA Todayon the red carpet ahead of her big opener, “I’ll just say there’s a lot of spice in it.”
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Miranda Lambert Opens Up the Show and Brings the House Down
Terry Wyatt/Getty
Lambert performed a medley of hits, including “Kerosene,” “Mama’s Broken Heart,” “Bluebird,” “Little Red Wagon,” and “Gunpowder & Lead” to open up country music’s biggest night. The singer — who was also celebrating her birthday —told USA Todayon the red carpet ahead of her big opener, “I’ll just say there’s a lot of spice in it.”
02of 11And Luke Bryan Opens with a Joke About Aaron Rodgers' Vaccine DramaabcLuke Bryanwas tasked with hosting this year’s CMA Awards — the first solo host in 18 years, though he got some help at the start from fellowAmerican Idoljudges, Lionel Richie andKaty Perry! — and boy, did he come prepared with jokes for his opening monologue.One of them was aimed at Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who recentlyadmitted he is not vaccinated against COVID-19after previously saying that he had been “immunized” against the virus.“It is so great to be here with all my fellow artists, tested and together… or immunized?” he joked. “Just playin'.”
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And Luke Bryan Opens with a Joke About Aaron Rodgers' Vaccine Drama
abc
Luke Bryanwas tasked with hosting this year’s CMA Awards — the first solo host in 18 years, though he got some help at the start from fellowAmerican Idoljudges, Lionel Richie andKaty Perry! — and boy, did he come prepared with jokes for his opening monologue.
One of them was aimed at Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who recentlyadmitted he is not vaccinated against COVID-19after previously saying that he had been “immunized” against the virus.
“It is so great to be here with all my fellow artists, tested and together… or immunized?” he joked. “Just playin'.”
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Jimmie Allen Gets Emotional Accepting Best New Artist of the Year
Jimmie Allen.ABC
The singer went on to say, “Five years ago I spent my last $100 and came to the CMAs 50th to watch Charley Pride perform on stage, and I got to perform with him last year. Everyone who voted for me, thank you. My wife, I love you. My kids, my mother’s here. My manager Ash Bowers,” he said.
He continued, “Ash found me playing at a writer’s round at Puckett’s grocery store in Franklin and signed me after 10 years of being here, living in my car, living in a trailer, working every job, this is amazing.”
He ended his speech with, “Thank you country music. This is for my hometown in Delaware.”
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TJ Osborne Shares a Smooch With His Boyfriend
TJ Osborne.ABC
The moment was a milestone one for TJ, whopublicly came out as gayin February.
“It’s been a crazy roller coaster of a year for us in so many ways, especially for me emotionally,” TJ said as he accepted his prize. “And to have you all support me, it really does feel like love wins tonight. Thank you.”
He later said on stage, “For many years I would watch this show, year after year and I always though how incredible it would be — I would dream of being up here on this stage. There were so many things that were so many hurdles for me, and I always felt, truthfully felt, like it would never be possible, because of my sexuality, to be here.”
“I just wish my younger me could see me now,” TJ said before performing “Younger Me.”
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Mickey Guyton, Brittney Spencer and Madeline Edwards Sing ‘Love My Hair’
At the end of their song, Fennidy joined them on stage for a hug and they were all met with a standing ovation.
06of 11Deana Carter and Lainey Wilson Get the Crowd Singing AlongabcNothing like a little “Strawberry Wine” to get an entire crowd of famous country singers (and a whole arena of fans) to sing along!
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Deana Carter and Lainey Wilson Get the Crowd Singing Along
Nothing like a little “Strawberry Wine” to get an entire crowd of famous country singers (and a whole arena of fans) to sing along!
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Jennifer Hudson Pays Tribute to Aretha Franklin
Jennifer Hudson and Chris Stapleton.ABC
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Carly Pearce Couldn’t Keep It Together
Carly Pearce.ABC
Afterwinning female vocalist of the year,Carly Pearce couldn’t help but cry as she accepted her award. The singer said through tears, “I’ve had just like a crazy year and I just want you guys to know that this means everything to me. Country music saved me at a time that I needed it and I just want you guys to know that this is all I’ve ever wanted in the entire world and I just hope you know that country music is all I love, so thank you so much.”
09of 11Chris Stapleton Wins BigABCStapleton won big at the awards,taking home six prizes in allincluding most of the major categories: single of the year, album of the year, song of the year, and male vocalist of the year.
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Chris Stapleton Wins Big
ABC
Stapleton won big at the awards,taking home six prizes in allincluding most of the major categories: single of the year, album of the year, song of the year, and male vocalist of the year.
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Luke Combs Takes Home Entertainer of the Year
The 31-year-old singer accepted the biggest award of the evening, looking totally shocked and admitting he was at a loss for words. “I have never written a speech for something like this,” he joked, “which is not serving me well right now.”
He also gushed over country legend Alan Jackson presenting him with the award, “Alan Jackson just said my name twice,” he said in disbelief.
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A Big Win for a PEOPLE Person
source: people.com
