CMA Awards: Six unforgettable moments
The 50th annual CMA awards brought a night of surprising wins, spoiled surprise performances, tributes and teary speeches. We've rounded up a few of the biggest moments.
Beyoncé joins the Dixie Chicks
Beyoncé and The Dixie Chicks didn't need an introduction at Wednesday night's CMA Awards — so they didn't get one.
The surprise guests suddenly appeared after a commercial break on Wednesday's show, and soon the crowd was on their feet as the quartet kicked into Beyoncé's country-leaning tune Daddy Lessons.
Beyoncé steals the show at the 2016 CMA Awards
It was Beyoncé's CMA Awards debut, and the Dixie Chicks' first appearance on the show in a decade.
Beyoncé performed Daddy Lessons at Nashville's Nissan Stadium last month, but at the CMAs, it had even more brass-band oomph. The song also briefly segued into Long Time Gone, a Darrell Scott-penned tune that the Dixie Chicks featured on their 2002 album Home.
"Good job, Bey!" Natalie Maines exclaimed at the end of the song.
"Happy 50th anniversary, CMA," Beyonce said as she exchanged hugs with Maines, Martie Maguire and Emily Robison.
Immediately after the performance, the two acts released a studio version of their collaboration. It's now streaming on Soundcloud.
Dolly's 'touching' tribute
"This was so touching," Dolly Parton said from the CMA Awards stage on Wednesday. "I would have cried, but I didn't want to mess up my eyelashes."
That was Parton's perfect review of the all-star tribute to the country legend, as she was honored with the CMA's Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award, which was presented by her longtime friend and 9 to 5 co-star, Lily Tomlin.
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The medley featured six acts performing four Parton classics. Pentatonix teamed with Jennifer Nettles for an a capella Jolene, Reba McEntire belted out 9 to 5, Kacey Musgraves took Here You Come Again, and Martina McBride and Carrie Underwood joined the group for a closing I Will Always Love You.
“Gosh dang it, Dolly, we love you to pieces,” McEntire said at the end of the song.
"For me to be receiving the Willie Nelson award, this is an absolute high for me," Parton joked from the podium. "I mean, for Willie to have a high achievement award, I mean, how appropriate is that? Because he's had some highs that border on historic, I can tell you that."
Garth Brooks' big night
He performed a medley of duets with his wife Trisha Yearwood, and he sang all night in Target commercials promoting his new box set.
But Garth Brooks' biggest moment at Wednesday's CMA Awards came at the end of the show, when the country superstar won the night's top prize: Entertainer of the Year.
It's the fifth time Brooks has won the award in his career, and his first since 1998.
Brooks accepted the award from presenter and two-time winnerTaylor Swift, who made her first CMA Awards appearance in three years on Wednesday.
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"People, tonight, this is what it's all about," he continued. "It could not have ended better for me. I get to take (Yearwood) home, so that's a great thing for me. But I gotta tell you: We are so damn lucky to be part of this thing called country music!"
"I kind of went numb when they called my name,” Brooks said backstage. “I went into a vacuum. When we left, I never thought I would get to come back. And when you come back, you never think you’re going to get to hold one of these again.”
Garth Brooks wins Entertainer of the Year
Brooks was open about his desire to win CMA’s top honor, which this year pitted him against Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban and Chris Stapleton. Brooks came out of retirement more than two years ago, and said he wanted the trophy for his band and crew. He likened the win to winning the 50th Super Bowl — the milestone year giving the honor added importance.
“I ran into Peyton (Manning) and I said, ‘Where’s the ring?’” Brooks said. “He went, ‘Ehhhh.’ I said, ‘I’m going to make a ring out of this (trophy), I’m going to put it on my finger and I’m going to wear it for the rest of my life. The 50th, that’s a cool thing.”
Surprising wins
Surprise winners of the night include critical darling and top nominee Maren Morris, who bested Cole Swindell and Kelsea Ballerini for New Artist of the Year. Swindell and Ballerini each have multiple No. 1 hits while Morris has yet to chart her first.
Morris smiled through her tears as she accepted her award .The win came just minutes after the Texas-born singer/songwriter lit up the stage with a soul-stirring performance of My Church.
"Y'all! I can't win this award right after performing," she exclaimed from the podium. "I'm gonna fall apart."
"This is so crazy. I have amazing seats tonight ... last year, I sat across the street at a bar and watched this show (on TV). I never thought, as a songwriter, I'd be standing here today. Thank y'all so much for voting for me. My songwriting community here in Nashville, you gave me the courage to do this, so thank you."
Maren Morris just proved she's the CMA Awards' breakout star
Brothers Osborne were also admittedly stunned by their win for Vocal Duo of the Year, beating out the likes of Florida Georgia Line.
Little Big Town’s Karen Fairchild called the duo’s triumph “unbelievable” during the group’s acceptance speech for Vocal Group of the Year. At the same time, Brothers Osborne were in the press room reiterating their shock.
“I’m almost convinced it’s an elaborate hoax,” said John Osborne.
“It took all we had not to fall down in the aisle and roll out in tears,” added brother T.J. Osborne.
An incredible opening
While modern country music was in the spotlight, the show paid tribute to the genre’s history with a star-studded opening that spanned decades.
Hosts Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood opened the program with a medley of classic and beloved country songs, accompanied by an armada of past winners of the show's top award: Entertainer of the Year: Charley Pride (1971), Roy Clark (1973), Alabama (1982-1984), Reba McEntire (1986), Ricky Skaggs (1985),Alan Jackson (2002-2003), as well as Vince Gill (1993-1994), who teamed up with Dwight Yoakum and Ben Haggard to honor his father, 1970 winner Merle Haggard, who died in April. Most sang a few bars of the tunes for which they are best known.
Haggard paid tribute to his father with Mama Tried, Underwood covered Tammy Wynette’s Stand By Your Man and Randy Travis watched as Paisley and Underwood sang his iconic Forever and Ever, Amen, chiming in on the song’s last “amen.” Travis nearly died after he suffered a stroke in 2013 and is working to regain his speech.
“There was so many just legends in the intro, I was sitting there singing like I was kid,” said Male Vocalist of the Year winner Chris Stapleton. “I got a little overwhelmed at the beginning, the gravity of what we get to be a part of, country music and the CMAs, it feels heavy but in a good way.
Brad and Carrie take on Trump, Clinton
Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood told The Tennessean that election jokes were off-limits for their annual monologue at the CMA Awards.
Turns out that was a bit of a white lie — or as Paisley would say, "LIES!"
That's what the country star exclaimed as he hovered behind Underwood on stage, mimicking Donald Trump's moves at the second presidential debate.
"Crooked Carrie," he called her as she pointed out nominees for Entertainer of the Year in the audience. But really, Paisley explained, he was pulling for Underwood in the category.
Carrie Underwood, Brad Paisley bash elections at CMA Awards
"I love all you guys, but hashtag #I'mWithCarrie" he said from the stage.
"But what I think doesn't really matter, because this show is rigged — bigly!"
From there, Brad and Carrie moved into Hillary territory. This year's show had a special gift basket for all guests, Underwood explained — "Your very own basket of deplorables!"
Items included Willie Nelson's Potted Meat and Tim McGraw/Faith Hill-branded Barbie dolls, complete with their own tour bus.