On Wednesday night (November 20), the 58th annual Country Music Association Awards showcased the best and brightest that country has to offer, from its rising stars to a moving tribute to the man they call the King of Country, George Strait .
It also featured multiple appearances from new girl rapper-turned-girl Post Malone, as well as some spotlight moments for Jelly Roll, who cemented his status as one of Nashville's brightest, most inspiring singers when he held his own with Brooks & Dunn during a performance of their inspirational gospel track 'Believe'.
Malone and Chris Stapleton kicked things off with their duet “California Sober,” followed by the bright “Am I Okay?” of new artist of the year Megan Moroney. and Shaboozey's meandering through the ballad “Highway,” which landed at Billboard Hot 100 No. 1, lasting 18 weeks, “A Bar Song (Tipsy).”
Other notable duets came from Kelsea Ballerini and Noah Kahan on “Cowboys Cry Too,” Thomas Rhett and Teddy Swims combining “Somethin” “Bout a Woman” and “Lose Control” and “I'm Gonna Love” by Cody Johnson and Carrie Underwood You.”
Although he went into the night with seven nominations, Artist of the Year winner Morgan Wallen was a no-show, while Stapleton had a great night, winning three of the top five awards, including Single of the Year and Song of the Year for “White Horse.”
If you missed some or all of the action, watch all of the 2024 CMA Awards performances below.
Post Malone and Chris Stapleton
The dynamic duo opened the show in style, belting out their signature anthem from Posty's hit debut country album, F-1 Tris.
Megan Moroney
The new artist of the year honoree brought the glam with a stunning rendition of the title track from her latest album, am i ok
Shaboozey
For a minute there it looked like this year's trailblazing country superstar might be eschewing his ubiquitous hit in favor of the more brooding new single, “Highway.” Not to worry, though, he also came through with an energetic version of “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” that had the all-star crowd at Bridgestone Arena dancing and singing along.
Ella Langley and Riley Green
After winning music event of the year before the broadcast, the duo performed their old-school duet, “You Look Like You Love Me,” with Langley taking the stage after starting on the arena floor as she sang-talked with her way. at the bar located on the main stage. Green followed suit, doing the same slow walk with his trusty chest acoustic.
Thomas Rhett and Teddy Swims
Dressed in their best black leathers, Rhett and Swims started from the backstage of the venue and slowly moved into the spotlight for a romp through the soulful “Somethin' 'Bout a Woman” from Rhett's first from his seventh studio album . About a woman. Keeping the love vibes going, they turned to the equally impassioned Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 hit. 1 of Swims “Lose Control”.
Luke Combs
Combs lit up the stage with his Twisters Soundtrack hit “Ain't No Love in Oklahoma,” running through the rock track to a set with giant rusted oil tankers, towering pyro effects and digital lightning flashing behind him.
Kelsea Ballerini and Noah Kahan
Ballerini and Kahan performed their duet of “Cowboys Cry Too” — the lead single from Ballerini's recently released fifth album, Patterns — live together for the first time on TV.
Cody Johnson and Carrie Underwood
With images of snow-capped mountains behind them, Johnson and Underwood gave us all the feels with their soulful duet from the 2023 deluxe edition Skin album.
Chris Stapleton
The night's big winner proved why he's Nashville's humble favorite son with an unadorned, mesmerizing performance of Higher up ballad “What Am I Gonna Do,” accompanied by his “secret weapon,” his wife, singer/songwriter Morgane Stapleton.
Kacey Musgraves
Musgraves needed nothing but her trusty acoustics and crystal-clear voice to traverse the wonder-of-the-universe single 'The Architect' from this year's Deeper well album.
Brooks & Dunn and Jelly Roll
The triple-threat trio brought the CMAs to church with their soulful, explosive rendition of the duo's favorite “Believe,” backed by a full orchestra and soaring choir.
Laney Wilson
The evening's co-host took the crowd to a late-night tailgate party with her passionate rendition of her latest single, “4x4xU,” surrounded by fires and twinkling stars.
Bailey Zimmerman
Adding some rock energy to the proceedings, Zimmerman flexed with the bravado of “New to Country” in a set highlighted by a quad, his initials in towering red letters and a bunch of solo bros playing beer pong with a wrestler. .
George Strait tribute with Lainey Wilson, Jamey Johnson, Miranda Lambert, Parker McCollum and Chris Stapleton
The beloved King of Country earned due respect during a nine-minute all-star tribute that began with Wilson performing “Amarillo By Morning,” followed by Johnson's “Give It Away,” with Lambert and McCollum joining in “Troubadour”. ” and the Country Music Hall of Famer himself who came out with Stapleton on their collaboration, “Honky Tonk Hall of Fame”.
Ashley McBryde
McBryde's reverent tribute to the late country outlaw Kris Kristofferson through his classic “Help Me Make It Through the Night,” brought silence to the arena as her crystalline voice was accompanied by a series of photos of the beloved singer who died at 88 in September.
Luke Bryan
THE American Idol The night's judge and co-host kept it simple with a blistering run through the Top 5 Country Airplay hit, “Love You, Miss You, Mean It.”
Eric Church
In his continued effort to keep a light on those Americans in his home state of North Carolina affected by Hurricane Helene, Church played “Darkest Hour,” a song he released last month to aid recovery efforts. The passionate Van Morrison-esque ballad, which found Church backed by a horn and string section and choir, featured projected images of the devastating storm's aftermath.
Editor's note: At the time Post Malone's solo rendition of the ballad “Yous” was released, Jelly Roll and Keith Urban team up on “Liar” and the finale “American Girl” with Dierks Bentley, Molly Tuttle, Sierra Hull and Bronwyn Keith-Hynes were unavailable on YouTube's CMA stream.
from our partners at https://www.billboard.com/music/country/2024-cma-awards-performances-videos-watch-1235835378/
