50th CMA Awards Feature Local Students, Lifetime Achievement Award to Dolly and More

Country Music Association held its 50th CMA Awards show in Nashville on Wednesday evening at Bridgestone Arena.  It’s the biggest night in country and this year the theme focused on the past, present, and future of country music.

Opening medley of the CMA Awards showcased  hitmakers of the past and present, but the big moment was at the end of the medly when Randy Travis sang the last note of “Forever and Ever, Amen.” Travis has been recovering from a stroke and hasn’t been able to speak; to perform on stage at the CMA Awards was an epic moment. See the video below of that performance.

Co-host Carrie Underwood dressed to honor the five decades of style with lots of fringe and sparkle including a throwback to that famous red dress of Reba’s  and some big hair thrown in. Together she and  co-host Brad Paisley didn’t miss a beat by taking on  politics by singing a parody of “Forever, and Ever, Amen”  singing “This election is taking forever and ever / Please make it end.”

Memorable performances throughout the evening included new CMA New Artist of the Year- Maren Morris singing “My Church” backed by the McCrary Sisters. Morris said in her acceptance speech that last year she watched the award show across the street at a bar. Morris went on to say that she never thought she would be standing on this stage accepting an award.

Just hours before the award show started, rumors that Beyonce was in Nashville to perform at the CMA Award show were swirling. And sure enough, Beyonce performed with the Dixie Chicks, who have been performing her song from the recent released Lemonade album – “Daddy Lessons.” Fans took to the Country Music Association Facebook page with responses to the performance that ranged from loving the performance to questioning why Beyonce was performing during the 50th show.


A heartfelt moment was when local Christ Presbyterian Academy students along with Centennial High School students took to the stage with Tim McGraw for his performance of “Humble and Kind.”  Weeks ago, teacher, Ben Ellis at Christ Presbyterian Academy lost his battle to cancer.  McGraw shared a video of the CPA students singing to the beloved teacher.  On McGraw’s Facebook page he said, “Thank you to Mr. Ben Ellis’s students from Christ Presbyterian Academy for making tonight’s CMA Awards performance of “Humble and Kind” so special.”

See the special performance below.

Dolly Parton was awarded the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award. Five female country artists paid tribute to Dolly: Kacey Musgraves, Reba McEntire, Jennifer Nettles, Martina McBride and Carrie Underwood.

During her acceptance speech Dolly said, “Thanks to all these beautiful girlfriends of mine, I would’ve cried, but I didn’t want to mess up my eyelashes- I was doing my best.”

In true Dolly fashion, she went on the say, “For me to be receiving the Willie Nelson award, this is an absolute ‘high’ for me,” as she made air quotes. “For Willie to have a high achievement award — I mean, how appropriate is that? He’s had some highs that border on historic, I can tell you that.”

Overall the show had outstanding performances, with a nod to the past and looking to the bright future of country music to which many are saying thank goodness bro-country is fading away and bring on more Chris Stapleton and Maren Morris types.

See the complete list of winners below.

Single of the Year 

Thomas Rhett- “Die a Happy Man”

Song of the Year

“Humble and Kind” songwriter Lori McKenna

New Artist of the Year 

Maren Morris

Album of the Year 

Mr. Misunderstood – Eric Church

Vocal Duo of the Year 

Brothers Osborne

Vocal Group of the Year 

Little Big Town

Pinnacle Award 

Kenny Chesney

Female Vocalist of the Year 

Carrie Underwood

Musician of the Year 

Dan  Huff(guitar)

Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award

Dolly Parton

Male Vocalist of the Year 

Chris Stapleton

Entertainer of the Year 

Garth Brooks

Musical Event of the Year 

Dierks Bentley with Elle King – “Different for Girls”

Music Video of the Year 

Chris Stapleton – “Fire Away”

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