AceShowbiz –
The 2018 Country Music Association Awards has officially started. Hosts Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley kicked off the annual event by covering a song from hit musical movie “A Star Is Born” before Garth Brooks took the stage to lead a solemn tribute to the 12 people killed during Thousand Oaks shooting last week.
He said the victims were “lost too soon” and urged viewers and the audience to “celebrate their lives.” Brooks then took off his har and asked everyone to join him in a moment of silence. The names of those killed were shown on a black screen. Luke Bryan then hit the stage to perform “What Makes You Country”.
The first winner of the night was then announced. Defeating fellow nominees such as Sam Hunt, Jason Aldean and Miranda Lambert, Chris Stapleton was named the winner of Song of the Year for his single “Broken Halos”.
Joining Stapleton as one of the winners at the award-giving show was Luke Combs. The singer, whose songs “Hurricane”, “When It Rains It Pours” and “One Number Away” topped Country Airplay chart, notched New Artist of the Year. He defeated the likes of Chris Janson and Brett Young among others.
Thomas Rhett then graced the stage to perform “Life Changes” before Dan + Shay followed it up with a performance of their single “Tequilla”.
That night seemed to be a good night for Stapleton. Not too long after his hit “Broken Halos” was named the Song of the Year, he took the stage once again to receive the trophy for Single of the Year for the same song.
The 52nd annual Country Music Association Awards took place at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee on Wednesday, November 14. Kenny Chesney, who was nominated in Entertainer of the Year category, recently announced that he would not attend the ceremony due to the death of his family member.
Source: Read Full Article