Luke Bryan.Photo:Terry Wyatt/Getty
Terry Wyatt/Getty
This year’sCMA Awardshad it all: big wins, big performances and even bigger talents. FromTracy Chapman’s historic win for “Fast Car,” to The War and Treaty’s soulful performance, the 2023 ceremony wasn’t one to forget.Plus,Luke BryanandPeyton Manningguided the special night with heart and humor — they even threw in an especially topical quip aboutTaylor Swift and Travis Kelce.Check out all of the best moments from country music’s night in Nashville.
This year’sCMA Awardshad it all: big wins, big performances and even bigger talents. FromTracy Chapman’s historic win for “Fast Car,” to The War and Treaty’s soulful performance, the 2023 ceremony wasn’t one to forget.
Plus,Luke BryanandPeyton Manningguided the special night with heart and humor — they even threw in an especially topical quip aboutTaylor Swift and Travis Kelce.
Check out all of the best moments from country music’s night in Nashville.
01of 07Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning’s Joke about Taylor Swift and Travis KelcePeyton Manning and Luke Bryan, Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce.Taylor Hill/FilmMagic; Gotham/GCThe evening’s hosts kicked off their opening monologue with a few funny quips, including one about another popular musician-athlete pair,Taylor SwiftandTravis Kelce.“We’re back. You know what that means?”Manningasked. In response,Bryanjested, “Yep, Travis and Taylor weren’t available.”
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Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning’s Joke about Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce
Peyton Manning and Luke Bryan, Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce.Taylor Hill/FilmMagic; Gotham/GC
Taylor Hill/FilmMagic; Gotham/GC
The evening’s hosts kicked off their opening monologue with a few funny quips, including one about another popular musician-athlete pair,Taylor SwiftandTravis Kelce.
“We’re back. You know what that means?”Manningasked. In response,Bryanjested, “Yep, Travis and Taylor weren’t available.”
02of 07Tracy Chapman’s ‘Fast Car’ Song of the Year WinTracy Chapman.Tim Mosenfelder/ImageDirectThanks toLuke Combs' recent cover,Chapmannabbedsong of the year— her first ever CMA Award win — for “Fast Car” decades after she released the song in 1988. The singer-songwriter wasn’t there to accept the award in person, but she still shared some grateful words in absentia.“I’m sorry I couldn’t join you all tonight. It’s truly an honor for my song to be newly recognized after 35 years of it’s debut. Wow,” read the category’s presenter, Sara Evans, on behalf of Chapman. “Thank you to the CMAs and a special thanks to Luke [Combs] and to all of the fans of ‘Fast Car.'“Combs' version of the song also won single of the year, but 2023 isn’t the first time “Fast Car” has gotten recognition. In 1989, Chapman’s original recording won the Grammy for best female pop performance.
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Tracy Chapman’s ‘Fast Car’ Song of the Year Win
Tracy Chapman.Tim Mosenfelder/ImageDirect
Tim Mosenfelder/ImageDirect
Thanks toLuke Combs' recent cover,Chapmannabbedsong of the year— her first ever CMA Award win — for “Fast Car” decades after she released the song in 1988. The singer-songwriter wasn’t there to accept the award in person, but she still shared some grateful words in absentia.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t join you all tonight. It’s truly an honor for my song to be newly recognized after 35 years of it’s debut. Wow,” read the category’s presenter, Sara Evans, on behalf of Chapman. “Thank you to the CMAs and a special thanks to Luke [Combs] and to all of the fans of ‘Fast Car.'”
Combs' version of the song also won single of the year, but 2023 isn’t the first time “Fast Car” has gotten recognition. In 1989, Chapman’s original recording won the Grammy for best female pop performance.
03of 07Luke Bryan’s High-Energy SingalongLuke Bryan.Terry Wyatt/GettyBryan seamlessly transitioned out of hosting and into performing when he stepped on stage to sing for cheering fans. The hitmaker sang a medley of crowd-pleasers, sampling “That’s My Kind of Night,” “Country Girl,” “One Margarita” and more favorites from his discography.
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Luke Bryan’s High-Energy Singalong
Luke Bryan.Terry Wyatt/Getty
Bryan seamlessly transitioned out of hosting and into performing when he stepped on stage to sing for cheering fans. The hitmaker sang a medley of crowd-pleasers, sampling “That’s My Kind of Night,” “Country Girl,” “One Margarita” and more favorites from his discography.
04of 07Lainey Wilson’s Fiery Performance (and Many Wins!)Lainey Wilson.Terry Wyatt/GettyThe night’smost nominated artist— up for a total of nine awards — lit up the room with “Wildflowers and Wild Horses” off her recordBell Bottom Country. Later on in the evening, Wilson accept the awards for album of the year and entertainer of the year.
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Lainey Wilson’s Fiery Performance (and Many Wins!)
Lainey Wilson.Terry Wyatt/Getty
The night’smost nominated artist— up for a total of nine awards — lit up the room with “Wildflowers and Wild Horses” off her recordBell Bottom Country. Later on in the evening, Wilson accept the awards for album of the year and entertainer of the year.
05of 07The War and Treaty’s Passionate DuetMichael Trotter Jr. and Tanya Blount of The War and Treaty.Christopher Polk/gettyMichael Trotter Jr. and Tanya Blountof The War and Treaty stole the show with their natural chemistry and soulful vocals. The husband-wife duo belted their ballad “That’s How Love Is Made” under moody red lighting.
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The War and Treaty’s Passionate Duet
Michael Trotter Jr. and Tanya Blount of The War and Treaty.Christopher Polk/getty
Christopher Polk/getty
Michael Trotter Jr. and Tanya Blountof The War and Treaty stole the show with their natural chemistry and soulful vocals. The husband-wife duo belted their ballad “That’s How Love Is Made” under moody red lighting.
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Jelly Roll’s New Artist of the Year Win
Jelly Roll.Terry Wyatt/Getty
The “I Need a Favor” singer delivereda heartfelt acceptance speechas he received this year’s up-and-comer CMA Award. As he waved his statuette in the air, Jelly Roll greeted the audience, “Nashville! I only got a second, and I’m gonna say a lot, and I’m sorry.”
He went on to thank his record label, country music radio and “most importantly, my Lord andmy wife.” Gratefully, the artist also nodded to his fellow nominees,Zach Bryan,Parker McCollum,Megan MoroneyandHailey Whitters.
Finally, the artist took a moment to acknowledge the significance of his win, which came just ahead of his 39th birthday.
07of 07The Heartfelt Jimmy Buffett TributeAlan Jackson and Zac Brown.Terry Wyatt/GettyKenny Chesney,Mac McAnally,Alan JacksonandZac Brown Bandshared in song to honor Jimmy Buffett, whodied this Septemberat age 76. The genre powerhouses took the mic on stage to cover the late musician’s songs “A Pirate Looks at Forty” and the iconic “Margaritaville.“During their performance, a slideshow of photos from Buffett’s life and career played on the screen behind them.
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The Heartfelt Jimmy Buffett Tribute
Alan Jackson and Zac Brown.Terry Wyatt/Getty
Kenny Chesney,Mac McAnally,Alan JacksonandZac Brown Bandshared in song to honor Jimmy Buffett, whodied this Septemberat age 76. The genre powerhouses took the mic on stage to cover the late musician’s songs “A Pirate Looks at Forty” and the iconic “Margaritaville.”
During their performance, a slideshow of photos from Buffett’s life and career played on the screen behind them.
source: people.com
