By: Hope Wilkos,Writer
The Country Music Awards celebrated its long-standing 49th year, recognizing outstanding talent in the world of country music. The award ceremony took place on Wednesday, November 4, 2015, in the heartland of country music, Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena.
Marking their eighth year of officiating the , country superstars Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood hosted the evening of entertainment. Over the course of the evening, an entire lineup of exceptional performers left an impression on the live audience. Those gifted performers included Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Kacey Musgraves and Reba along with Brooks & Dunn. Those pairing with singers from another type of genre were Chris Stapleton with Justin Timberlake, John Mellencamp and Keith Urban and Thomas Rhett with Fall Out Boy
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Presenters were not just limited to the country music industry. Included in that lineup were Betty Cantrell, ‘Miss America 2016’, Hannah Davis who is one of the Sports Illustrated Cover Models, Kirk Herbstreit of ESPN’s College Gameday, Megan Rapinoe of the U.S. Women’s Soccer Team, actor Keifer Sutherland and country music masters such as Darius Rucker and Reba.
Awkward moments of the evening placed Miranda Lambert with her new pink streak of hair within close proximity of Blake Shelton and his rumored new date of the evening, Gwen Stefani.
As it always does, the Red Carpet arrivals drew an envious crowd of onlookers, ready and waiting for each star to step out of the limo. Miranda Lambert stunned in a simple black Versace gown. Appearing as slim and stylish as usual, Carrie Underwood wowed in a peach plunging neckline Gauri & Nainika gown. Luke Bryan was debonair as always and Justin Timberlake paired casual with formal for a most successful partnership. Plenty of beading on the clothing of a handful of stars bounced off the flash of the Red Carpet. A couple that made a style statement for the evening was Jason Aldean and Brittany Kerr.
The real meat of the evening came with the announcement of all of the winners for year. Here is the list of the final winners.
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
Garth Brooks
Luke Bryan (WINNER)
Kenny Chesney
Eric Church
Miranda Lambert
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
“Old Boots, New Dirt” – Jason Aldean
“Pageant Material” – Kacey Musgraves
“Pain Killer” – Little Big Town
“The Big Revival” – Kenny Chesney
“Traveller” – Chris Stapleton (WINNER)
FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Miranda Lambert (WINNER)
Kacey Musgraves
LeAnn Womack
Kelsea Ballerini
MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Dierks Bentley
Eric Church
Blake Shelton
Chris Stapleton (WINNER)
VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
Lady Antebellum
Little Big Town (WINNER)
Rascal Flatts
The Band Perry
Zac Brown Band
SONG OF THE YEAR
“American Kids” – Kenny Chesney
“Girl Crush” – Little Big Town (WINNER)
“Like a Cowboy” – Randy Houser
“Like a Wrecking Ball” – Eric Church
“Take Your Time” – Sam Hunt
VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR
Brothers Osborne
Dan and Shay
Florida Georgia Line (WINNER)
Maddie and Tae
Thompson Square
NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Sam Hunt
Maddie & Tae
Thomas Rhett
Chris Stapleton (WINNER)
Kelsea Ballerini
SINGLE OF THE YEAR
“American Kids” – Kenny Chesney
“Girl Crush” – Little Big Town (WINNER)
“I Don’t Dance” – Lee Brice
“Take Your Time” – Sam Hunt
“Talladega” – Eric Church
MUSICAL EVENT OF THE YEAR
“Django and Jimmie” – Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard
“Lonely Tonight” – Blake Shelton feat. Ashley Monroe
“Raise ‘Em Up” – Keith Urban feat. Eric Church (WINNER)
“Smokin’ and Drinkin’” – Miranda Lambert feat. Little Big Town
“Wild Child” – Kenny Chesney with Grace Potter
MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR
“Biscuits” – Kacey Musgraves
“Girl Crush” – Little Big Town
“Girl in a Country Song” – Maddie & Tae (WINNER)
“Little Red Wagon” – Miranda Lambert
“Something in the Water” – Carrie Underwood
MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR
Sam Bus
Jerry Douglas
Paul Franklin
Dann Huff
Mac McAnally (WINNER)
You didn’t have to enjoy country music to enjoy this evening, your senses were able to take in all the sights, sounds and so many memorable moments.
