BEST Moments of the 2017 CMA Awards

The 51st annual CMA Awards aired this week (November 8th), and truly did not disappoint. This year was one of the most emotional CMA Awards yet - from tributes for lost loved ones to power duets, this year was full of laughter and tears, and most importantly, UNITY. The whole thing was absolutely amazing, but we wanted to highlight OUR favorite parts of the night.

1. Carrie Brad moments

Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley have been hosting the CMA awards for 10 years in a row. This year was one of the funniest of all. Shortly after the start of the show, Brad was already playing politically-humored songs, which Carrie eventually chimed into. “Maybe next time he’ll think before he tweets.” was just one of the parody songs they played.

In order to announce the Entertainer of the Year nominees, they put on eclipse glasses and sang “Total Eclipse of the GARTH”, to announce Garth Brooks. At one point, Brad went off script and had to ask what his lines were. Overall, a very well put together balance of funny and serious.

2. Stellar Performances

Dierks Bentley and Rascal Flatts absolutely NAILED the tribute of “My Town” for the loss of country star, Troy Gentry of Montgomery Gentry. Later into the song, Eddie Montgomery came in proclaiming “MY TOWN BABY” and the crowd went wild.

Reba McEntire joined Kelsea Ballerini to perform her new single, “Legends”. You could just see the joy on both of their faces as they joined in song. Kelsea Ballerini was truly so ecstatic to sing with such a legend.

Shortly after receiving his award, Chris Stapleton performed “Broken Halos” with his wife singing by his side in harmony.

During the In Memoriam segment, Many media sources agree that “you could hear a pin drop” when Carrie Underwood sang a beautiful rendition of the hymn “Softly and Tenderly Jesus Is Calling”. The first part of the slideshow was legends we lost this year. The second part of the slideshow was dedicated to the Vegas victims of the mass shooting at the Harvest Festival in Vegas last month. Carrie got VERY emotional and the whole crowd was moved to tears.

Brad Paisley performed his new single, “Heaven South”. Kane Brown made a surprise appearance halfway through the song and finished it out with him.

3. Award Winners:

Entertainer of the Year

Garth Brooks — winner

Luke Bryan

Eric Church

Chris Stapleton

Keith Urban

Male Vocalist of the Year

Dierks Bentley

Eric Church

Thomas Rhett

Chris Stapleton — winner

Keith Urban

Female Vocalist of the Year

Kelsea Ballerini

Miranda Lambert — winner

Reba McEntire

Maren Morris

Carrie Underwood

Album of the Year

“The Breaker,” Little Big Town

“From A Room, Vol. 1,” Chris Stapleton — winner

“Heart Break,” Lady Antebellum

“The Nashville Sound,” Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit

“The Weight of These Wings,” ­Miranda Lambert

Single of the Year

“Better Man,” Little Big Town

“Blue Ain’t Your Color,” Keith Urban — winner

“Body Like a Back Road,” Sam Hunt

“Dirt on My Boots,” Jon Pardi

“Tin Man,” Miranda Lambert

Song of the Year

“Better Man,” Little Big Town (written by Taylor Swift) — winner

“Blue Ain’t Your Color,” Keith Urban (written by Clint Lagerberg, Hillary Lindsey, Steven Olsen)

“Body Like a Back Road,” Sam Hunt (written by Sam Hunt, Zach Crowell, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne)

“Dirt on My Boots,” Jon Pardi (written by Rhett Akins, Jesse Frasure, Ashley Gorley)

“Tin Man,” Miranda Lambert (written by Miranda Lambert, Jack Ingram, Jon Randall)

New Artist of the Year

Luke Combs

Old Dominion

Jon Pardi — winner

Brett Young

Lauren Alaina

Vocal Duo of the Year

Dan + Shay

Florida Georgia Line

LoCash

Maddie and Tae

Brothers Osborne — winner

Vocal Group of the Year

Lady Antebellum

Little Big Town — winner

Old Dominion

Rascal Flatts

Zac Brown Band

Music Video of the Year

“Better Man,” Little Big Town

“Blue Ain’t Your Color,” Keith Urban

“Craving You,” Thomas Rhett feat. Maren Morris

“It Ain’t My Fault,” Brothers Osborne — winner

“Vice,” Miranda Lambert

Musical Event of the Year

“Craving You,” Thomas Rhett feat. Maren Morris

“Funny How Time Slips Away,” Glen Campbell with Willie Nelson — winner

“Kill a Word,” Eric Church feat. Rhiannon Giddens

“Setting the World on Fire,” Kenny Chesney with Pink

“Speak to a Girl,” Tim McGraw and Faith Hill