2023 Country Music Awards Kick Off in Nashville – Live Updates – TODAY
6m ago / 9:01 PM EST
Brothers Osborne wins vocal duo of the year
Brothers Osborne duo, comprised of brothers T.J. Osborne and John Osborne, took home the win for vocal duo of the year.
“I was a nerd growing up,” John Osborne said upon accepting their award. “And I spend my whole live learning how to play music and write songs. Y’all make me feel like a cool kid every year.”
T.J. Osborne said the two of them are currently living their dream and thanked fans for “letting us do that.”
The “Stay a Little Longer” singers were up against fellow country duos Brooks & Dunn, Dan + Shay, Maddie & Tae and The War And Treaty.
30m ago / 8:37 PM EST
Wynonna Judd makes surprise appearance at CMAs to perform with Jelly Roll
Country artist Jelly Roll kicked off the annual CMA Awards with the first performance of the night with a very special surprise guest.
He brought the one and only Wynonna Judd to the stage as he performed his hit, “Need A Favor.”
“I need a savior,” Judd sang, clutching Roll’s arm for much of her performance.
It was a full circle moment for Judd, as she last performed with her late mother and music partner, Naomi Judd, at the CMT Awards on April 11, 2022. Naomi Judd would die by suicide just a few weeks later.
The two had performed “Love Can Build a Bridge” on the show.
“The last thing I said to her was ‘I love you,’ and I’m so grateful for that,” she told People at the time.
The evening before he was set to take the stage, Roll tweeted that he couldn’t sleep because he was so excited.
Judd is currently on her “Back to Wy” tour. The 15-show run ends in Knoxville, Tennessee, on Dec. 1.
4m ago / 9:03 PM EST
Luke Combs wins single of the year and song of the year for “Fast Car”
Luke Combs took home the first two wins of the night, claiming single of the year and song of the year for his cover of Tracy Chapman’s 1988 hit “Fast Car.”
“I’m supposed to be talking, I think,” Combs said upon accepting the single of the year award. “First and foremost, I want to thank Tracy Chapman for writing one of the best songs of all time.”
The song was produced by Combs, Chip Matthews, and Jonathan Singleton. Matthews was also the song’s mix engineer.
For single of the year, Combs was up against Lainey Wilson’s “Heart Like A Truck,” Jelly Roll’s “Need A Favor,” Jordan Davis’ “Next Thing You Know” and HARDY’s “wait in the truck.”
Combs was known to belt out his cover of “Fast Car” during concerts, but never released his own version until this past year. In July, Chapman told Billboard, “I never expected to find myself on the country charts, but I’m honored to be there. I’m happy for Luke and his success and grateful that new fans have found and embraced ‘Fast Car.’”
Despite the positive reaction from Chapman, some found the release to be controversial, surrounding race, gender and sexuality.
25m ago / 8:42 PM EST
Kieth Urban, Post Malone, Morgan Wallen and more arrive at the CMAs
With the ceremony about to begin, some of country music’s top performers are hitting the carpet.
Kieth Urban wore a dark-washed button up shirt with his sleeves rolled. His wife, Nicole Kidman, was on his arm with a long black gown with a cutout in the center.
With a red Solo cup in hand, Post Malone donned a bolo tie over his black suit, complete with a beige cowboy hat. He posed alongside Morgan Wallen, who wore a red suit jacket over a black ensemble.
Wallen is nominated for entertainer of the year, male vocalist of the year and album of the year for “One Thing At A Time.”
Darius Rucker stepped out onto the CMA Awards red carpet in a plaid black suit with a complimentary black tie.
1h ago / 7:56 PM EST
‘Golden Bachelor’ Gerry Turner talks show ending on the carpet
“Golden Bachelor” Gerry Turner walked the red carpet at the CMA Awards and hinted as to how he’s doing now that the show has wrapped (even though the premiere isn’t until the end of November).
“I wear a smile perpetually now,” he told George Pennacchio.
For fans following, Turner has narrowed down his search for love to three women, all within the ages of 60 and 75. The show’s finale airs Thursday, Nov. 30.
Turner added that he’s “very happy about where things finished.”
1h ago / 7:48 PM EST
Luke Combs aims to claim entertainer of the year title for third year in a row
Luke Combs doesn’t seem to be breaking a sweat, arriving at the CMA Awards with the potential to win the coveted entertainer of the year title for the third year in a row.
Speaking to the red carpet host about his 2021 and 2022 wins, Combs reveals that he doesn’t prepare speech and never expects a victory. This year, he’s also nominated for top male vocalist, album of the year for “Gettin’ Old” and single of the year for “Fast Car.”
His version of “Fast Car,” orginally made famous by Tracy Chapman in 1988, has also been nominated for song of the year.
The “When It Rains It Pours” singer showed up alongside his wife, Nicole Combs, who wore a short red dress, which slid off her right shoulder. Combs sported a plaid brown suit set over dark button-up shirt.
2h ago / 7:34 PM EST
Kelsea Ballerini arrives at the CMA Awards with Chase Stokes
Kelsea Ballerini arrived in Nashville donning a bright pink one-shoulder gown with a slit along the leg. Her boyfriend actor Chase Stokes was by her side, dressed in a sleek all-black look.
The “I Quit Drinking” singer is expected to perform as part of the CMA Awards ceremony. Ballerini has also been nominated for female vocalist of the year and album of the year for “Rolling Up the Welcome Mat.”
2h ago / 7:17 PM EST
Chris Stapleton, Old Dominion and more rock iconic looks on the red carpet
With the award ceremony set to kick off in just over an hour, stars continue to flash smiles and flaunt breathtaking ensembles while posing with fellow country music icons.
Chris Stapleton stepped out onto the CMA Awards red carpet with wife Morgane Stapleton on his arm. The “Tennessee Whiskey” singer donned a cowboy hat with his black suit, while his wife wore a black dress topped with colorful flowers and sheer sleeves.
Country music group Old Dominion, including band members Trevor Rosen, Geoff Spring, Matthew Ramsey and Brad Tursi coordinated suits with each wearing a different colored suit.
Paula Abdul, who is on tap to announce an award category during the CMA Awards, donned a plunging gown that had a sparkling design with a gold belt.
Sara Evans couldn’t have looked prouder walking with her daughter, Olivia Evans, who sported a floor-length red gown. The “I Could Not Ask For More” singer wore a black gown with golden accents and black heels.
K. Michelle looked as excited as ever to make her CMA Awards appearance, showing off a merlot red-colored gown with a deep plunging neckline.
During an interview with the red carpet host, she revealed that she would be opening the show with Jelly Roll, paying homage to the music off The Judds. Naomi Judd, matriarch of the country music group, died in April 2022 at age 76.
3h ago / 6:33 PM EST
Country music stars start to arrive on the red carpet
The hottest stars of country music have begun making their appearances on the CMA Awards red carpet — and they’re glowing!
Jelly Roll told carpet hosts that he spent last year’s CMAs watching from his couch and he’s thanked God that this year he’s nominated and opening the show.
The “Need a Favor” singer wore a blacked out ensamble with a silver cross necklace, alongside wife Bunnie XO. She was dressed in a matching black gown and gloves.
Colbie Caillat arrived dressed in a floor-length black gown with a deep neckline and sheer silver train.
Riley Greene showed off a cream-colored set, complete with a matching blazer, vest and pants.
Sister duo Kendra Slaubaugh and Krista Slaubaugh of Tigirlily Gold excitedly spoke on the red carpet about finally making it to country music’s biggest night.
Kendra Slaubaugh was decked out in a black dress and gloves while Krista Slaubaugh donned a sparkly red suit with a plunging neckline. Both sisters showed off complimenting platinum blond hair.
Reyna Roberts was all smiles to kick off the event, wearing a white bodysuit and matching gloves, along with fishnet stockings and a black cowgirl hat.
George Birge opted for an all-black look at the red carpet, sporting a black cowboy hat with a black blazer over a dark shirt and a silver cross necklace.
Sacha donned a pink floral-patterned dress, which featured pearls along the sleeves and a sheer fabric reaching the ground, which hit the carpet with pink lace.
4h ago / 4:40 PM EST
Who’s nominated for the 2023 Country Music Awards?
The top categories at the Country Music Awards include this year’s top entertainer, album, female vocalist and male vocalist, though fans are also waiting to see who was the best new artist and who released the top song.
Nominations for the CMA Awards were announced about two month ago on Sept. 7, with Lainey Wilson claiming nine nominations, including ones for entertainer of the year, album of the year and female vocalist of the year.
Jelly Roll is heading to Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena with five nominations and Luke Combs is tied with HARDY for four nominations this evening.
The five artists who garnered nominations for entertainer of the year include Luke Combs, Chris Stapleton, Carrie Underwood, Morgan Wallen and Lainey Wilson.
Source: News
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