Chris Stapleton was the big winner during Wednesday night’s CMA Awards, as he swept all three awards in which he was nominated. He was named Male Vocalist and New Artist of the Year, while his album, Traveller, was named Album of the Year. Chris also received a second trophy as a producer for the project, which he co-produced with Dave Cobb. This marks the first time a New Artist winner also won for Album of the Year and are his first CMA Awards. Chris also had THE performance of the evening with his collaboration with pop superstar Justin Timberlake on the mashup of “Tennessee Whiskey” and “Drink You Away.”
Of the wins, Chris said, “It’s surreal. Very unbelievable. I don’t have enough kind of adjectives to get there, but it’s a wonderful feeling. It’s a lot of love. I feel a lot of love. I feel very loved. It’s a short answer, but it’s a real one.”
Luke Bryan, who performed his recent two-week No. 1 hit “Strip It Down,” picked up his second consecutive award for Entertainer of the Year. “I don’t think I’ve ever sang or performed better on the road than this year,” said Luke. “I’ve really enjoyed every night, and for this to happen tonight is such a blessing.”
Keith Urban and Eric Church picked up the award for Musical Event of the Year for “Raise ‘Em Up.” The win marks Keith’s fourth trophy in the category, tying him with Vince Gill, Tim McGraw and Brad Paisley as top winners. He’s also the only artist to win three years in a row.
Little Big Town picked up a couple of awards including their fourth consecutive Vocal Group of the Year for the fourth consecutive time. Their smash hit, “Girl Crush,” was named Single and Song of the Year. Songwriters Hillary Lindsey, Lori McKenna and Liz Rose are first-time winners for penning the song. “We knew when we heard this song that it was incredibly special. It literally took my breath. I gasped when I realized what the song was actually about,” said LBT’s Kimberly Schlapman. “These three women poured their heart and soul into an incredibly special, once-in-a-lifetime song, and the fact that we were able to cut it is an incredible special. We’ll always be thankful to them for letting us do it.”
Audio / Backstage at this year’s CMA Awards, Chris Stapleton had a hard time putting into words what all of his CMA wins means to him.
DownloadChris Stapleton (feeling of being embraced) OC: …a real one, you know? :17
“It’s surreal. Very unbelievable. I don’t have enough kind of adjectives to get there, but it’s a wonderful feeling. It’s a lot of love. I feel a lot of love. I feel very loved. It’s a short answer, but it’s a real one, you know.”
Audio / Backstage at Wednesday night’s CMA Awards, Chris Stapleton talks about performing with Justin Timberlake, in what turned out to be THE performance of the night.
DownloadChris Stapleton (performing with JT) OC: …crazy thing, man. :24
“All those guys and my guys too brought it. They’re all pros and then some. It elevates you in a way that maybe it cannot happen on your own – all those guys and my wife and my bass player, JT Cure, on the bass over there. I’ve played music with him for 20 years almost. To get to do this tonight in a way we did it, it’s a crazy thing, man.”
Audio / Backstage at this year’s CMA Awards, Luke Bryan talks about winning his second consecutive CMA Entertainer of the Year award.
DownloadLuke Bryan (winning CMA entertainer) OC: …amazing. :40
“I got to tell you, it just felt unsurmountable this year a little more, and it’s just been an amazing year for me on the road. It’s been the most enjoyable year on the road. From A to Z, I don’t think I’ve ever sang or performed better on the road than this year. I’ve really enjoyed every night, and for this to happen tonight is such a blessing. That’s all you can say. When it’s the CMA, in the hands of the CMA voters, people that come out and they pay attention to what you’re doing and for them to do this for me is truly amazing.”
Audio / Little Big Town’s Kimberly Schlapman talks about being able to record a once-in-a-lifetime song with “Girl Crush.”
DownloadLittle Big Town (cutting Girl Crush) OC: …us do it. (laughs) :25
“We knew when we heard this song that it was incredibly special. It literally took my breath. I gasped when I realized what the song was actually about. These three women poured their heart and soul into an incredibly special, once-in-a-lifetime song, and the fact that we were able to cut it is an incredible special. We’ll always be thankful to them for letting us do it.” (laughs)
