The top country stories today and it’s all about last night CMA awards (mostly)

1. The 57th Annual CMA Awards are in the books and they did not disappoint.  The awards this year boasted 29 first-time nominees, including John Osborne, Hailey Whitters, Zach Bryan, Tracy Chapman and more.  From all who slayed on the red carpet, to the performances, the speeches and back stage, there is a lot to unpack. Wynonna looked like her crushing anxiety got the best of her and she still smashed it.

The big winner of the night was Lainey Wilson who won 5 of the 9 awards she was nominated for including Album, Female Artist and ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR.

Jelly Roll’s acceptance speech took us to church. I mean, it got EVERYONE on their feet and believing they could do anything

https://youtu.be/fwCcQfpeH4E?si=Pail77oXZofh5g_S

Let’s talk about the tributes and collaborations.  Zac Brown and Alas n Jackson and then Kenny Chesney and Mac McAnally paying tribute to Jimmy Buffet

https://youtu.be/fb_QDvqhT5Y?si=VL3myODaYdbYCb1U

https://youtu.be/T8_jYByttpc?si=6JpCqNkGHYbo7JpF

Hardy, Morgan Wallen and Post Malone honoring Joe Diffie was the performance you didn’t know you needed

And let’s not forget about the surprise performance from Morgan Wallen and Eric Church with “Man Made A Bar”

https://youtu.be/u3jCpGsu9EU?si=5ozXCDghlW1YmQ4T

Back Stage Chris Stapleton revealed the loss of a friend and crew member that happened just days ago

The 2023 CMA Awards Red Carpet, Performances, Winners and More

Good news if you liked Hardy’s “Hixtape” Vol. 1 and 2.  Yesterday he announced Vol. 3 is on the way

Kenny Chesney is dropping a new single tomorrow (Friday) and KFDI has the New Country World Premiere all day

and Shania Twain’s tour bus was involved in a crash sending some of her crew members to the hospital