The 2017 CMA Awards, which took place at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday night (Nov. 8), were all about unity. In the wake of natural disasters and mass shootings, country stars — including co-hosts Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood, Little Big Town and Miranda Lambert — all took time to speak to the power of country music to bring people together and help them heal in the midst of tragedy.
But in honoring those lost, the CMA Awards didn’t take too heavy of a tone. While Underwood’s performance of “Softly and Tenderly” in tribute to country artists who passed away in 2017 and those who lost their lives in the Route 91 shooting didn’t leave one dry eye in the building, other tributes were much less somber. Dierks Bentley and Rascal Flatts performed an upbeat cover of Montgomery Gentry‘s “My Town” in honor of Troy Gentry, while Brothers Osborne paid homage to Don Williams with a rendition of “Tulsa Time” that had everyone out of their seats.
Of course, the awards were as exciting as ever, with Garth Brooks beating out an impressive line up of nominees to take home his second consecutive Entertainer of the Year trophy and Miranda Lambert winning her eighth Female Vocalist of the Year award. Jon Pardi was crowned New Artist of the Year, Chris Stapleton‘s From A Room: Volume 1 won Album of the Year.
Flip through the photo gallery above to see pictures from throughout the 2017 CMA Awards ceremony.
Stars Walk the 2017 CMA Awards Red Carpet
Unforgettable CMA Awards Controversies
This Article Was Originally Posted at www.TheBoot.com
