The fact that he took the stage over polished, multi-platinum stars that enjoy mass radio airplay and can sell out arenas is a clear signal from the industry folk responsible for making country music that, after years of deafening criticism both inside and outside of Nashville, broad popularity isn’t deserving of heraldry. Stapleton’s anointing by the insiders of Music Row has been immediately celebrated as a victory for fans of great country music. Stapleton was visibly moved by all the recognition, and during his speech for male vocalist of the year, he graciously thanked the superstar artists in the room for helping him support his family over the past 15 years (his unkempt beard and feathered cowboy hat stood in stark contrast to the glittering jackets and CrossFit bodies of his fellow nominees), and he broke into tears as he talked about his father, whose passing two years ago provided much of the inspiration for Traveller. However, in a single evening, Stapleton went from relative obscurity to the single buzziest artist in America, and he’s become the latest act to disprove Gary Overton’s statement, “If you’re not on country radio, you don’t exist.” Music Row insiders have known his name, but few outside the industry had Stapleton on their radar. Stapleton has been a respected songwriter in Nashville for about a decade, and he’s helped pen beloved songs like Luke Bryan’s Drink a Beer and Josh Turner’s Your Man. The CMA awards’ other big winner was Chris Stapleton, who became not just the story of the night, but of the entire year with a remarkable sweep that saw him win new artist of the year, album of the year and male vocalist of the year – the three categories in which he was nominated – just six months after releasing his debut album Traveller, which has been lavished with critical praise, yet has received almost no airplay on country radio. Little Big Town later took the stage and demonstrated their vocal harmonizing chops and won group of the year as well. When Fairchild accepted the single of the year trophy, though, she casually dismissed the suggestion that Girl Crush became a smash because of its social implications: “This is about a 6/8 ballad,” she began, rightly naming the most shocking thing about the song’s success in a radio climate so enamored with pop beats. Around the same time, the conversation about women in country music reached a fever pitch when radio programmer Keith Hill made his now infamous “tomato” comments (they were referred to in the monologue last night), and Girl Crush, which features lead vocals from Karen Fairchild and was written by three women – Liz Rose, Lori McKenna and Hillary Lindsey – became a song that people wanted to see succeed, both to show country’s support for women and to demonstrate LGBT tolerance. Little Big Town took home song of the year and single of the year for Girl Crush, a terrific ballad about jealousy that became a flashpoint for controversy earlier this year after a report alleged that radio stations weren’t playing the song because of its perceived lesbian overtones. We try to reach the bar,” earned nervous laughter from the audience, many of whom undoubtedly felt a little called out. The duo’s humor has grown increasingly sardonic in recent years, and throwaway asides from Paisley like, “Miley sets the bar. Of course, they throw in quirky quips and musical interludes that often hit and often miss, but their bits rarely overstay their welcome.

I’d argue that they’re the best hosting duo on live TV, mostly because they excel at a job too many hosts forget: moving the show along briskly. Let’s jump right in.īrad Paisley and Carrie Underwood, in their eighth year hosting, remained an affable pair and an asset to the show. The CMA awards were filled with great music, a few big laughs, divorce intrigue, shock wins, a surprise album drop and a jaw-dropping performance that people will be talking about for years to come. Fortunately for us, the Country Music Association awards are consistently the most prestigious and most well-produced affair of them all, and last night’s telecast of the 49th annual ceremony was no exception. Save your complaints about the overcrowded slate of country music awards shows each year.

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