We are celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the CMA Awards, and we will be rolling out more audio as we get closer to November 2nd when the 50th Annual CMA Awards will be broadcast live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena at 8pm ET on ABC.
Dierks Bentley has four nominations going into this year’s CMA Awards, including Male Vocalist, Album of the Year for Black, Music Video for “Somewhere on a Beach” and Musical Event of the Year for “Different for Girls” with Elle King, who scores her first CMA nomination.
Audio / Dierks Bentley talks about the 50th anniversary of the CMA Awards.
DownloadDierks Bentley (CMA 50th) OC: …memorable night. :28
“It’s a huge deal being the 50th anniversary of the CMA Awards. I have so much respect for this awards show. I used to watch it at home in Arizona, and when I moved out here I was intern for the CMA, so I’ve spent a lot of time watching the rehearsals here and the actual show. So, it’s amazing to see how it’s grown over the last 50 years and now being in the arena now downtown. It’s a huge event. It’s a big night. The 50th will be, you know, I’ve seen some of the behind-the-scenes stuff going on for the 50th, and it’s gonna be a really, really memorable night.”
Audio / Dierks Bentley looks back at his acceptance speech for the CMA Horizon Award in 2005.
DownloadDierks Bentley (CMA Horizon memory) OC: …down the road. :43
“There’s a lot of Jager bombs between then and now and three kids. Looking at that is like looking at a totally different person. My wife was there. It was helpful to see her. It kinda gave me a frame of reference where I was in my life. I think we had just gotten married that year, but gosh, that is a long, long time ago. I’d like to win one again sometime. Have more fresh memories. I’m sure it felt great. Winning a CMA must, is, obviously I’ve won one, it’s a great feeling. I’ve been nominated a bunch. I know what that feels like. Nominations are probably, that roller coaster ride is something I’m more familiar with than actually winning. But it’s cool and hopefully happens again down the road.”
Audio / Dierks Bentley says there was a lot to live up to after winning his one and only CMA Award for the Horizon Award (now New Artist of the Year) in 2005.
DownloadDierks Bentley (CMA Horizon memory) 2 OC: …my music. :35
“The Horizon Award (now New Artist of the Year) is a really big deal, and it’s awesome when you get that encouragement from the community that says you’re doing something right. There’s a lot to live up to. I mean, I can tell you winning that award early on, it’s a tough one to win because there’s a lot of expectations, a lot of weight thrown on you. So, I remember winning that in 2005, and then I started headlining in 2006 and just worked really hard for about three years on the road to make something happen that wasn’t really ready to happen at the time. So, I feel like now would be a better time to win one [laughs], ‘cause I feel like I’ve truly figured out who I am and what I’m singing and writing about and what I’m trying to do with my music.”
