The 2016 50th Annual CMA Awards Show was an unforgettable night
in history marking 5 decades of incredible Country Music in the making
with the song, FOREVER COUNTRY, which debuted at #1 on the charts
worldwide, and with over 40 million views online to mark the historic
event. 30 Country Music artists collaborated on the epic song and “time
capsule”, FOREVER COUNTRY, to commemorate country music at it’s best!
The 3 song arrangement includes three classic country music hits: John
Denver’s “TAKE ME HOME’, Willie Nelson’s “ON THE ROAD AGAIN”, and Dolly
Parton’s “I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU”.
in history marking 5 decades of incredible Country Music in the making
with the song, FOREVER COUNTRY, which debuted at #1 on the charts
worldwide, and with over 40 million views online to mark the historic
event. 30 Country Music artists collaborated on the epic song and “time
capsule”, FOREVER COUNTRY, to commemorate country music at it’s best!
The 3 song arrangement includes three classic country music hits: John
Denver’s “TAKE ME HOME’, Willie Nelson’s “ON THE ROAD AGAIN”, and Dolly
Parton’s “I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU”.
With the
return of Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood hosting the event, the
#CMAawards50 promised a night of entertainment with a few surprises
along the way! The show opened the first 10 minutes with a collaboration
of legendary songs with performers in attendance such as: Roy Clark,
Charlie Pride, Charlie Daniels, Tanya Tucker, Olivia Newton-John, Dwight
Yoakam, George Strait, Dolly Parton, Reba, Alan Jackson, Alabama, The
Oakridge Boys, Randy Travis, Clint Black, Garth Brooks, Ben Haggard..
Merle’s son, Kenny Chesney, Brooks and Dunn, Tricia Yearwood, Faith Hill
and Tim McGraw.
return of Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood hosting the event, the
#CMAawards50 promised a night of entertainment with a few surprises
along the way! The show opened the first 10 minutes with a collaboration
of legendary songs with performers in attendance such as: Roy Clark,
Charlie Pride, Charlie Daniels, Tanya Tucker, Olivia Newton-John, Dwight
Yoakam, George Strait, Dolly Parton, Reba, Alan Jackson, Alabama, The
Oakridge Boys, Randy Travis, Clint Black, Garth Brooks, Ben Haggard..
Merle’s son, Kenny Chesney, Brooks and Dunn, Tricia Yearwood, Faith Hill
and Tim McGraw.
The Country Music Hall of Fame
recognizes country music artists for their outstanding contributions to
country music with it’s highest honor. The 2016 Country Music Hall of
Fame inductees this year were: Mr. Charlie Daniels inducted into the
Country Music Hall of Fame as “Veterans Era Artist”, Mr. Randy Travis
inducted as “Modern Era Artist”, and Mr. Fred Foster was inducted into
the “Non-Performer” category making a lifetime total of 130 inductee
members. Congratulations to each of you; you are truly an inspiration to
us all! An onstage tribute to Merle Haggard was presented by his son,
Ben Haggard. and a tribute to Randy Travis was done in honor of his
lifetime achievement of musical success.
recognizes country music artists for their outstanding contributions to
country music with it’s highest honor. The 2016 Country Music Hall of
Fame inductees this year were: Mr. Charlie Daniels inducted into the
Country Music Hall of Fame as “Veterans Era Artist”, Mr. Randy Travis
inducted as “Modern Era Artist”, and Mr. Fred Foster was inducted into
the “Non-Performer” category making a lifetime total of 130 inductee
members. Congratulations to each of you; you are truly an inspiration to
us all! An onstage tribute to Merle Haggard was presented by his son,
Ben Haggard. and a tribute to Randy Travis was done in honor of his
lifetime achievement of musical success.
Dolly
Parton was honored with the prestigious WILLIE NELSON LIFETIME
ACHIEVEMNET AWARD on this special night of the #CMAawards50. This award
is bestowed upon “an iconic artist who has attained the highest degree
of recognition in Country Music….an artist who has achieved both
national and international prominence and stature through concert
performances, humanitarian efforts, philanthropy, record sales, and
public representation at the highest level’. . Reba, Jennifer Nettles of
Dolly’s movie, “COAT OF MANY COLORS”, along with Pentatonix, Kacey
Musgraves, Carrie Underwood and Martina McBride performed a montage of
songs opening with Dolly’s hit song,” JOLENE”,” 9 TO 5″, and “I WILL
ALWAYS LOVE YOU” I had to jump over to Dolly’s Facebook page and found
this tidbit of info about Dolly… “At tomorrow’s #CMAawards50 I will
accept the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award. Looking back, my
career really started when I was thirteen and had recorded my very first
song. In many ways “PUPPY LOVE” was the start of this whole
journey”-Dolly. On stage Dolly accepted her award from long-time friend
and co-star from the movie “9 to 5”, Ms. Lilly Tomlin calling Dolly “one
of the greatest artists in the history of Country Music”. Dolly is
quoted as saying during her acceptance speech, “To be receiving the
Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award, well, this is an absolute HIGH
for me!”.
Parton was honored with the prestigious WILLIE NELSON LIFETIME
ACHIEVEMNET AWARD on this special night of the #CMAawards50. This award
is bestowed upon “an iconic artist who has attained the highest degree
of recognition in Country Music….an artist who has achieved both
national and international prominence and stature through concert
performances, humanitarian efforts, philanthropy, record sales, and
public representation at the highest level’. . Reba, Jennifer Nettles of
Dolly’s movie, “COAT OF MANY COLORS”, along with Pentatonix, Kacey
Musgraves, Carrie Underwood and Martina McBride performed a montage of
songs opening with Dolly’s hit song,” JOLENE”,” 9 TO 5″, and “I WILL
ALWAYS LOVE YOU” I had to jump over to Dolly’s Facebook page and found
this tidbit of info about Dolly… “At tomorrow’s #CMAawards50 I will
accept the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award. Looking back, my
career really started when I was thirteen and had recorded my very first
song. In many ways “PUPPY LOVE” was the start of this whole
journey”-Dolly. On stage Dolly accepted her award from long-time friend
and co-star from the movie “9 to 5”, Ms. Lilly Tomlin calling Dolly “one
of the greatest artists in the history of Country Music”. Dolly is
quoted as saying during her acceptance speech, “To be receiving the
Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award, well, this is an absolute HIGH
for me!”.
Congratulations Dolly, you’re my hero!!
Also
receiving an award on November 2nd at the CMA’s was Kenny Chesney who
was honored with the prestigious Pinnacle Award recognizing his lifetime
achievement of Country Music and songwriting, and his impact on Country
Music traditions through the years. Peyton Manning, pro-football player
and long time friend of Chesney’s, presented the award to Chesney which
“recognizes an artist who has achieved global prominence and record
sales at levels unique in Country Music” and has reached the “pinnacle
of success” in his musical endeavors. Mr. Chesney is the 3rd only
recipient of this award and joins ranks with Garth Brooks and Taylor
Swift, number 1 and 2 recipients, respectfully. With 17 albums, 29 No.1
songs, Chesney has played to 135 sold out stadiums, and has become the
ONLY Country Music artist on Billboard’s Top 10 Touring Acts of the last
25 years! Mr. Chesney accepted the well deserved Pinnacle Award with a
standing ovation from the CMA crowd and was moved to tears as he humbly
stated in his acceptance speech, “Standing up here in this spot tonight,
looking out at a lot of my friends and heroes that have touched my life
in so many ways. Your music and your songs showed me it was possible…
I want to thank the CMA for such an unbelievable honor. When I think
about what this means to me, it means connection with a lot of people
that have invested a lot of their life in my music and what we do. To
those fans out there, who we call NO SHOES NATION, I want to thank you
for allowing me and my band, and my road family, to hold your lives in
the palm of our hand for a little while. Thanks for giving me an amazing
life.”- Kenny Chesney.
receiving an award on November 2nd at the CMA’s was Kenny Chesney who
was honored with the prestigious Pinnacle Award recognizing his lifetime
achievement of Country Music and songwriting, and his impact on Country
Music traditions through the years. Peyton Manning, pro-football player
and long time friend of Chesney’s, presented the award to Chesney which
“recognizes an artist who has achieved global prominence and record
sales at levels unique in Country Music” and has reached the “pinnacle
of success” in his musical endeavors. Mr. Chesney is the 3rd only
recipient of this award and joins ranks with Garth Brooks and Taylor
Swift, number 1 and 2 recipients, respectfully. With 17 albums, 29 No.1
songs, Chesney has played to 135 sold out stadiums, and has become the
ONLY Country Music artist on Billboard’s Top 10 Touring Acts of the last
25 years! Mr. Chesney accepted the well deserved Pinnacle Award with a
standing ovation from the CMA crowd and was moved to tears as he humbly
stated in his acceptance speech, “Standing up here in this spot tonight,
looking out at a lot of my friends and heroes that have touched my life
in so many ways. Your music and your songs showed me it was possible…
I want to thank the CMA for such an unbelievable honor. When I think
about what this means to me, it means connection with a lot of people
that have invested a lot of their life in my music and what we do. To
those fans out there, who we call NO SHOES NATION, I want to thank you
for allowing me and my band, and my road family, to hold your lives in
the palm of our hand for a little while. Thanks for giving me an amazing
life.”- Kenny Chesney.
Bringing the house down
with such song performances as: Brooks and Dunn with Jason Aldean
singing, “BRAND NEW MAN”, Alan Jackson and George Strait, “REMEMBER
WHEN”, Tim McGraw, “HUMBLE AND KIND”, Chris Stapleton and Dwight Yoakam
performing “SEVEN SPANISH ANGELS”, Miranda’s “VICE”, Garth and Trisha
collaborating on some of the greatest songs in Country Music history
starting with Johnny Cash & June Carter’s “JACKSON”, Kelsea
Ballerini’s AWESOME performance of “PETER PAN”, Little Big Town, Dierks
Bentley and Elle King, Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood, Georgia-Florida
Line, and the Dixie Chicks featuring Beyonce’ were just a few of the
nights performances and highlights. It was a night to remember and one
that will go down in the history books marking 50 years of Country Music
achievements and legendary music!
with such song performances as: Brooks and Dunn with Jason Aldean
singing, “BRAND NEW MAN”, Alan Jackson and George Strait, “REMEMBER
WHEN”, Tim McGraw, “HUMBLE AND KIND”, Chris Stapleton and Dwight Yoakam
performing “SEVEN SPANISH ANGELS”, Miranda’s “VICE”, Garth and Trisha
collaborating on some of the greatest songs in Country Music history
starting with Johnny Cash & June Carter’s “JACKSON”, Kelsea
Ballerini’s AWESOME performance of “PETER PAN”, Little Big Town, Dierks
Bentley and Elle King, Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood, Georgia-Florida
Line, and the Dixie Chicks featuring Beyonce’ were just a few of the
nights performances and highlights. It was a night to remember and one
that will go down in the history books marking 50 years of Country Music
achievements and legendary music!
A special
thanks to The Country Music Association, it’s ABC affiliates, and to
Country Music News International for letting me be a part of this
momentous night!
thanks to The Country Music Association, it’s ABC affiliates, and to
Country Music News International for letting me be a part of this
momentous night!
Cc: pdh/Country Music News International Nov. 8, 2016
“ALL clips and photos are courtesy of the Country Music Association
and American Broadcasting Companies, Inc., ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.”
and American Broadcasting Companies, Inc., ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.”
