5 Memorable Moments From The 50th Annual CMA Awards

The 50th annual CMA Awards aired tonight and it was nothing short of spectacular. Oh, and Beyonce showed up to sing with The Dixie Chicks!

Country music superstars and country music fans, alike, came together for the 50th annual Country Music Association Awards tonight. Country capital Nashville, TN was bubbling with a full Bridgestone Arena as Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood hosted their ninth consecutive award show. The performances were nothing short of spectacular as music icons like Tim McGraw, Keith Urban, and even Beyonce put on a show.

1. The Opening Performance

Talk about an opening performance. I’m still shaking from it. Every year, the CMA Awards opens up with a stellar collaboration of musicians and this 50th year did not disappoint. Old time classics were intertwined with newer faces, creating a show that will be held tightly by fans for years to come. Hosts Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley were joined by country icons like Reba, Alan Jackson, and Charlie Daniels. And the fans were crazy about it. It was ten minutes of pure brilliance. If the entire show would’ve entirely been that, I wouldn’t have complained. To make it just a bit more emotional, Randy Travis came on stage just a few weeks after suffering a massive stroke. He sung a few words and brought tears to the eyes of us all.

NASHVILLE, TN – NOVEMBER 02: (L-R) Charlie Daniels, Charley Pride, Dwight Yoakam, Carrie Underwood, Randy Travis, Brad Paisley, Reba McEntire, and Jeff Cook perform onstage at the 50th annual CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on November 2, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Gustavo Caballero/Getty Images)

2. Country Gets Political

Every year at the CMA Awards, things get a little political- but always in a joking way… I think. This year, the hosts went crazy for political puns between performances and announcing winners. And I loved it. When the Country Music Association is cracking jokes about the republican presidential runner, you can’t help but laugh. I’m just glad I’m not the only one who finds this election funny. Between introducing performers as “bad hombres” and Paisley calling Underwood a “nasty woman,” the dynamic between the hosts never disappoints.

NASHVILLE, TN – NOVEMBER 02: Co-hosts Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood perform onstage at the 50th annual CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on November 2, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Gustavo Caballero/Getty Images)

3. Maren Morris’s Post Performance Win

Holy. Moly. Maren Morris’s performance of “My Church” was bone chilling, in all the best ways. Her powerhouse of a voice cut through the audience and by the end of the song, every person was out of their seats singing along. As if that wasn’t enough, immediately after, she takes home the award for “New Artist of the Year.” And her thank you speech was emotional as ever. She talked about how just last year, she was sitting at a bar across the street from that theater, watching the Awards on TV. Now, she’s not only performing during them, but walking home with a trophy to prove she’s made it. Morris has been in this business since she was 11 and has dreamed of this moment since then. Her emotional thank you had the audience in tears, and makes you realize just how important the CMA Awards are to these artists.

NASHVILLE, TN – NOVEMBER 02: Maren Morris performs onstage at the 50th annual CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on November 2, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images)

4. Beyonce Goes Country

It was the talk of social media today that Beyonce was going country. Some people were skeptical, some embraced it with open arms, but everyone dropped their jaws once she showed up on stage.  It’s Beyonce. They don’t call her Queen B for nothing. Although her background isn’t necessarily country, tonight was about celebrating music, musicians, and artists, and Beyonce is one of the best.

She shows up on stage with The Dixie Chicks and sings the lyrics of “Daddy Lessons” intertwined with The Dixie Chicks 2002 original, “Long Time Gone.” Despite “Daddy Lessons” having a country twang to it, it never made it to this twangy side of the genre spectrum. The Dixie Chicks then covered it, giving it the appreciation it deserved. The musical styles of each artist brought something different to this performance and it easily won us over. So now we’re left to wonder, where can we buy this incredible duet!?

5. Entertainer of the Year

Ah, Entertainer of the Year- the coveted CMA Award that every artist hopes to go home with one day. It was between Garth Brooks, Luke Bryan, Chris Stapleton, Carrie Underwood, and Keith Urban this year. Although each of these artists was deserving of this award, it could only be given to one. And 2016 Entertainer of the Year went to… Garth Brooks! And what a loving and beautiful thank you speech he gave- owing it all to his wife, Trisha Yearwood.

NASHVILLE, TN – NOVEMBER 02: Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood perform onstage at the 50th annual CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on November 2, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images)

The CMA Awards have played a crucial role in the country music industry for years. It’s a time for stars to come together to honor one another, celebrate the music they love, and the passion that fuels each of them. This year was the awards 50th anniversary and the perfromances were 50th anniversary worthy. Beyonce even showed up to pay tribute to the music that started it all, and put on an incredible show in the process.

Next: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Nominees Named for 2017

Catch a full recap of the CMA Awards right here on Culturess coming soon.