50th Annual CMA Awards Complete Preview
(Tune in Wednesday night for Saving Country Music’s LIVE Blog of the CMA Awards)
The 50th ANNUAL CMA AWARDS
When: 7 p.m. Central, 8 p.m. Eastern Wednesday, November 2nd 2016 on ABC.
Where: The Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN.
Hosts: Brad Paisley & Carrie Underwood (9th consecutive year)
THINGS TO WATCH FOR
Tons of Traditional Country Artists to Appear. We’re not talking just one or two. Pound for pound, the 50th Annual CMA Awards will have just as many traditional country performers as contemporary performers. There have also been numerous traditional country presenters announced, including the retired Barbara Mandrell and Bill Anderson. Granted, with so many performers, undoubtedly there will be duets, pairings, medleys of hits, and other ways to squeeze everyone in. But compare this to any other year for the CMA’s, or the 50th Annual ACM Awards that did nothing like this, and the face time for traditional country artists on primetime television will be unprecedented.
Multiple Tributes to Legendary Artists. Though specifics on this year’s performances have been more hush hush than normal, it appears we’ll be getting tributes to Dolly Parton, Randy Travis, and Merle Haggard. Expect many of the announced country legends to participate in these tributes together.
Entertainer of the Year is a Complete Toss Up. Could Chris Stapleton Win? Rarely or ever have we gone into the CMA Awards with so much uncertainty of who could win the night’s biggest prize. A strong case can be made for Garth Brooks after he’s amassed incredible numbers during his comeback tour. Carrie Underwood also has to be given strong consideration, and there is a sense out there it could be “her year” to win this. But Chris Stapleton has never lost a CMA Awards he’s been nominated for (UPDATE: Just announced, he won for Video of the Year, but lost for Musical Event of the Year), and has to be considered a favorite as well. Ultimately though, it still might remain Luke Bryan’s to lose. Only Keith Urban seems to not have a chance.
Will Miranda Lambert’s Female Vocalist Streak End? Six years in a row Miranda Lambert has won the Female Vocalist of the Year. Being such a down year for her production wise, it’s hard to see her winning. But who knows? Carrie Underwood could finally break Miranda’s streak, or perhaps dark horse Maren Morris rises up to take it.
World Series Game 7 Will Take a Bite Out of Ratings. The CMA’s have been laboring for the last six months to make sure as many eyeballs as possible are affixed to their 50th Annual awards Wednesday night. But a very high profile Game 7 in the World Series with the Chicago Cubs and Cleveland Indians will put a significant dent in not just viewership, but the attention paid to the entire country music industry. Depending on how good the game is, it could be nothing short of catastrophic.
THE PRESENTERS
Artists presenters include Barbara Mandrell, Bill Anderson, Brenda Lee, Cam, Cole Swindell, Lee Greenwood, Olivia Newton-John, and the Oak Ridge Boys.
Non artist presenters include Olympian gymnasts Aly Raisman, Laurie Hernandez, Gabby Douglas, Madison Kocian and Simone Biles, a.k.a “The Fierce Five,” actors Josh Dallas and Matthew McConaughey, and actresses Sharon Stone, Jennifer Garner, and Lily Tomlin.
THE PERFORMERS
LATE BREAKING: Beyonce has officially been announced as a late-edition to the lineup. She will perform during the beginning segment with The Dixie Chicks singing her “country” song “Daddy Lessons.”
This year, the performers have been pretty hush hush about the songs to be performed, and the collaborations to happen. What we do know is Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood will be performing together, Dierks Bentley and Elle King will be performing together, Ben Haggard will be performing with a group of country legends, and Pentatonix will be participating in a presentation for Dolly Parton.
Country Legends:
Charley Pride, George Strait, Vince Gill, Alabama, Reba McEntire, Charlie Daniels, Randy Travis, Ricky Skaggs, Roy Clark, Dwight Yoakam.
Older Contemporary Stars:
Brooks & Dunn, Martina McBride, Tim McGraw, Trisha Yearwood, Garth Brooks, Alan Jackson.
New Performers:
Chris Stapleton, Thomas Rhett, Jason Aldean, Jennifer Nettles, Elle King, Carrie Underwood, Brad Paisley, Little Big Town, Kacey Musgraves, Dierks Bentley, Eric Church, Miranda Lambert, Maren Morris, Keith Urban, Kelsea Ballerini, Luke Bryan, Florida Georgia Line, and Ben Haggard.
AWARD NOMINEES
Chris Stapleton has already won Video of the Year for “Fire Away,” and Dierks Bentley / Elle King have won Musical Event of the Year for “Different For Girls.”
(READ: Saving Country Music’s Picks & Prognostications)
Entertainer of the Year
Garth Brooks
Luke Bryan
Chris Stapleton
Carrie Underwood
Keith Urban
Single of the Year
“Die a Happy Man,” Thomas Rhett
“Humble and Kind,” Tim McGraw
“My Church,” Maren Morris
“Nobody to Blame,” Chris Stapleton
“Record Year,” Eric Church
Album of the Year
Black, Dierks Bentley
Hero, Maren Morris
Mr. Misunderstood, Eric Church
Ripcord, Keith Urban
Storyteller, Carrie Underwood
Song of the Year
“Burning House,” Camaron “Cam” Ochs, Tyler Johnson, Jeff Bhasker
“Die a Happy Man,” Sean Douglas, Thomas Rhett, Joe Spargur
“Humble and Kind,” Lori McKenna
“My Church,” busbee, Maren Morris
“Record Year,” Eric Church, Jeff Hyde
(Award goes to songwriters)
Female Vocalist of the Year
Kelsea Ballerini
Miranda Lambert
Maren Morris
Kacey Musgraves
Carrie Underwood
Male Vocalist of the Year
Dierks Bentley
Eric Church
Tim McGraw
Chris Stapleton
Keith Urban
Vocal Group of the Year
Lady Antebellum
Little Big Town
Old Dominion
Rascal Flatts
Zac Brown Band
Vocal Duo of the Year
Brothers Osborne
Dan + Shay
Florida Georgia Line
Joey + Rory
Maddie & Tae
New Artist of the Year
Kelsea Ballerini
Brothers Osborne
Maren Morris
Old Dominion
Cole Swindell
Musical Event of the Year
“Different for Girls,” Dierks Bentley featuring Elle King – WINNER
“Home Alone Tonight,” Luke Bryan featuring Karen Fairchild
“The Fighter,” Keith Urban featuring Carrie Underwood
“Think of You,” Chris Young with Cassadee Pope
“You Are My Sunshine,” Morgane Stapleton with Chris Stapleton
Music Video of the Year
“Burning House,” Cam
“Fire Away,” Chris Stapleton – WINNER
“Humble and Kind,” Tim McGraw
“Record Year,” Eric Church
“Somewhere on a Beach,” Dierks Bentley
Musician of the Year
Jerry Douglas (Dobro/lap steel)
Paul Franklin (steel guitar)
Dann Huff (guitar) – WINNER
Brent Mason (guitar)
Derek Wells (guitar)
Brian
November 2, 2016 @ 8:09 am
With the big announcement about the first 8 minutes being must watch, I am starting to think they are basically going to do a live version of the “Forever Country” mashup song and all of the older artists that were announced in the beginning are all a part of that song, so they could be the extent to which that first round of older artists are involved.
Trigger
November 2, 2016 @ 8:25 am
I don’t think that will be the case. I think they’ll bunch up a lot of the older performers, but with a Randy Travis tribute, potentially a Merle Haggard tribute, and a bunch of other stuff planned, I just don’t see them bring all the older performers out there at once and then being done with it. Also, this is not the way to suck in fickle fly-by viewers. You do that with the hot names of the day and pyrotechnics.
JC Eldredge
November 2, 2016 @ 8:35 am
I read on another sure that they were only going to show the video, not do the don’t live because they couldn’t get them all there. I’m not sure who couldn’t come though, because it seems like most are listed as attending.
at
November 2, 2016 @ 8:44 am
I know Blake Shelton isn’t planning on attending and he was part of that song.
With so many artists involved, I would imagine that getting them to all rehearsal at the same time would’ve been nearly impossible. And the fact that the song involves so many pieces (background vocals, artists singing multiple songs/verses at the same time etc) would involve a lot of rehersal. I realize they are all doing this at a pro level, but it prob had the potential to be a underwhelming train wreck of the time wasn’t there to polish it before show time. But if they surprise us and perform and nail it, that would be pretty cool.
seak05
November 2, 2016 @ 8:46 am
Shane stated a while ago that they weren’t doing it because it would take to much rehearsal time. And a few aren’t attending (Blake for one), but again plan was never to do it live.
Austin Lee
November 2, 2016 @ 8:35 am
I mentioned last night to someone how a game 7 would not be good cause the awards will take a hit in ratings. With the focus being on a throwback/traditional feel that will hurt us moving forward cause the decision makers will think traditional sounding country music isn’t worth pushing.
Trigger
November 2, 2016 @ 8:48 am
We don’t know yet how everything will shake out yet. If it’s a boring game, folks might flip over to the CMA’s and then flip back for the ending of the game. If it’s close, it could be devastating. I think this is a horrible, horrible development. I’m feeling little to no anticipation for the CMA’s right now. I’m feeling less anticipation than I ever have, despite all the bluster ahead of it. It’s all about Game 7 beside the water coolers of America. There’s no air in the balloon the CMA’s have been trying to fill up for a long time, and yes, all the grey hairs could end up being the scapegoat. It’s a pretty terrible development. But who knows, until we see the numbers we won’t know how it will shake out.
Austin Lee
November 2, 2016 @ 9:37 am
Yeah I agree. We’ve had some good things happening lately and I think this could be a make or break night regardless of how the awards actually are.
Travis
November 2, 2016 @ 9:09 am
No one cares about Game 7…the only important baseball news of the day is that our Jacksonville Suns are now the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp!
JC Eldredge
November 2, 2016 @ 8:36 am
Not do the *song live. Damn autocorrect
Ethan
November 2, 2016 @ 8:44 am
Not to be a jerk Trig but you wrote Chris Stapleton has not lost a CMA award where he was nominated. He didn’t win the Musical Event award that has already been awarded.
Trigger
November 2, 2016 @ 8:54 am
I wrote that before this morning’s winners were announced and just added an update on that. Nonetheless, with Stapleton winning for Video of the Year, I think that shows the CMA is still willing to vote for him, and I still think he has a strong change to win Entertainer of the Year.
Ethan
November 2, 2016 @ 9:00 am
No problem and I agree with you.
seak05
November 2, 2016 @ 8:50 am
As much as I love all the country artists coming back for this awards show….I’ll be watching the World Series. I’ll try to flip during the commercials though.
The opening number is I think including the Garth/Trisha duets mash-up.
The only award I really care about is Carrie winning EOTY. She’s the only nominee who was a triple threat this year: big album, radio/TV success, massive headlining tour. And frankly, it’s past time for a woman to win again.
Gena R.
November 2, 2016 @ 10:58 am
“The opening number is I think including the Garth/Trisha duets mash-up.”
Oh, man, I hope so…
Fingers crossed also for “Humble & Kind” to take Song Of The Year (c’mon, Lori!). 😀
Warthog
November 2, 2016 @ 9:02 am
Trigger, I just want to thank you for doing the Live Blog. I’m going to miss the first part of the show, and will be checking in on your commentary to stay updated. Keep it up, man.
Trigger
November 2, 2016 @ 9:15 am
I appreciate that Warthog. Not to make it all about me, but this is pretty devastating for Saving Country Music as well. The CMA Awards are the biggest recruitment day for me every year. That’s one of the reasons I pay so much attention to them. Millions of folks tune in to the CMAs and ask “What the hell has happened to country music?” and end up here. Next thing you know they’re Sturgill Simpson fans.
And it’s not just a World Series Game 7. Even folks who are not really baseball fans have gotten swept up in Cubs fever. I just don’t see how the CMA’s can compete. But it’s out of everyone’s control so you just do the best you can.
Liz Hamblyn
November 2, 2016 @ 10:55 am
That’s how I ended up, all the way from New Zealand. Not quite a Sturgill Simpson fan yet, but are developing an intense dislike of Luke Byrant’s recent music, so that must be good thing. Stopping listerning to radio stations playing top 40 country music and found a station playing country music from the 1990’s.
Donny
November 2, 2016 @ 9:10 am
Just give George a guitar and put him on for three hours.
Colt
November 2, 2016 @ 9:10 am
Album of the year- I’m not the Devil, Cody Jinks
Brandon F
November 2, 2016 @ 12:39 pm
Song of the Year – “Grey”, Cody Jinks
justin casey
November 2, 2016 @ 1:55 pm
“new artist” of the year- sturgill simpson
Brett
November 2, 2016 @ 9:21 am
I’ll be very interested to see how this goes. On one hand there’s a worthy effort at incorporating traditional artists, and on the other hand there’s a bevy of dreadful nominees – entire categories of them, in some cases. I want it to go well, but depending on the execution there’s definitely a chance that in trying to appeal to everyone, they wind up appealing to no one.
seak05
November 2, 2016 @ 9:38 am
BTW if you’re wondering when to plan for a bathroom, or snack fill up break, Luke is performing “Move”
seak05
November 2, 2016 @ 10:04 am
And for those who like to keep track of such things: WME/LN block is 2/2 so far.
at
November 2, 2016 @ 10:35 am
Rumors are flying that Beyoncé has been spotted in Nashville. And that she may be performing on the show tonight.
Update: bobby bones just tweeted that she is performing.
Brett
November 2, 2016 @ 10:56 am
World Series it is.
At
November 2, 2016 @ 11:04 am
They just confirmed its Beyoncé and the Dixie Chicks opening the show.
seak05
November 2, 2016 @ 11:15 am
yep, with Daddy’s lessons (with the Chicks have been performing on tour all year). I’m sort of stunned, in a good way, that the Dixie Chicks are performing.
Amanda
November 2, 2016 @ 11:50 am
Yes! I fucking LOVE The Dixie Chicks! Although I think Beyoncé is the most overrated performer in music, but I’m super-excited to see the Dixie Chicks (so bummed that I couldn’t get tickets to see them in concert in August)!
Gena R.
November 2, 2016 @ 10:54 am
“Chris Stapleton has already won Video of the Year for ‘Fire Away'”
YAY! Such a powerful clip, and good song too — a well-deserved win.
I’ll be missing the middle hour due to ‘L&O: SVU’, so your liveblog will be much appreciated, Trig. 🙂
Gena R.
November 2, 2016 @ 11:25 am
Ah, spoke too soon — in addition to CBS, NBC is also pre-emping new episodes tonight:
http://www.spoilertv.com/2016/11/nbc-pre-empts-tonights-law-and-order.html
Thanks, World Series! 😀
Jt
November 2, 2016 @ 11:03 am
In RealQualityMusic news: I saw Sturgill Simpson in concert for the first time last night at the Midland Theatre in Kansas City, Mo.
It was fucking awesome! My wife was even blown away. And that’s a tough one. She compares everybody to Jason Isbell now, after I took her to see him earlier in the year:)
So screw the CMA ‘s. Who cares. There’s real music out there. Why does it have to be on the radio or apart of Pop Culture?
Sereng3ti
November 2, 2016 @ 11:23 am
Have fun watching that, I’ll be at Sturgill In Des Moines……
Steven
November 2, 2016 @ 11:53 am
I hope we don’t look back on this years CMA event and only remember Beyonces performance. I can’t believe she will be performing let alone showing up. So many more deserving COUNTRY artists who deserve that slot then Beyonce.
BwareDWare94
November 2, 2016 @ 11:58 am
Really, the only award I care about is “Album of the Year” and so long as Ripcord doesn’t win it, I won’t be too upset. Obviously, Mr. Misunderstood is the only good album in the running, but so long as that skid mark Keith Urban calls an album doesn’t win it, I’ll be happy.
Martha
November 2, 2016 @ 12:19 pm
I’ll be watching game 7. Normally I follow the live blog during the awards shows because it makes watching so much more entertaining. I will be checking in on the blog while commercial breaks are going on. Trigger, you do a great job. Thanks for all you do.
Stephanie
November 2, 2016 @ 12:37 pm
I’m actually genuinely sad that I’m going to miss the CMAs and the fun on this site this year. Why did they schedule them during game 7!?
Bear
November 2, 2016 @ 12:39 pm
I still do not understand how noms are selected. I mean how Margo Price not up there. She was on SNL & WTF… And is getting rave reviews..
Also the CMAs every year just make me go back and watch that Alan Jackson clip.
At
November 2, 2016 @ 12:57 pm
To be fair, Margo was in the pool of nominees, she just didn’t make the final five. Her inclusion in that was huge, in my opinion. Big steps for the CMA for sure.
KathyP
November 2, 2016 @ 12:47 pm
Trigger, live blogging these award shows is often better than the shows themselves. I look forward to watching and reading along with you tonight.