Widely known as the biggest night in country music, country superstars and fans alike filled Bridgestone Arena in Nashville for the 57th annual CMA Awards.
Introduction
The CMA Awards is the longest-running country music award ceremony. With a rich history of performances, awards, and presenters, the night is monumental for all country music lovers.
It may seem like a one-night event, but months of work go into making the event come to life. Over the span of the week, there are several additional events such as the BMI awards or the Good Morning America broadcasts that build excitement around the final event.
Around 18 awards were handed out throughout the duration of the week, but only 13 were handed out on stage.
I was selected to join the Temp Media Staff as an Artist Escort, so I was able to get an inside look of the event. Safe to say, the night was a dream come true!
Setting the Stage:
Bridgestone Arena, a legendary venue nestled in the heart of downtown Nashville, served as the perfect backdrop for this spectacular event.
The arena, with its state-of-the-art facilities and a seating capacity that echoed the cheers of thousands of fans, created an electric atmosphere.
The city, known as the “Music City,” embraced the event with open arms, adding to the charm and allure of the evening.
Red Carpet Extravaganza:
Prior to the stars arriving at the red carpet, we were briefed on our job duties and media etiquette.
Before we knew it, talent began arriving at the Music City Center (MCC) where the red carpet was being held indoors.
The red carpet began at drop off, where fans stood on the other side of the gate waiting to greet and cheer on their favorite artists and personalities as they entered the building. All talent and their teams were expected to go through security.
After security, the team was assigned an escort (that’s me!) to guide them through the actual carpet.
The first stop was a Chevy activation, where a live feed recorded the talent passing by nice cars.
Talent then had the option to stop at the famous K. Kloss photo booth. Each year, this booth has an extravagant design and photos are sent directly to the artist teams for their personal use, unlike the media and paparazzi photos.
Around the corner, talent then went to the “stop and repeat” section of the carpet. My role was to hold the talent’s name card front and center before the artist assumed their position.
As someone who has never navigated the red carpet before, this process was a bit stressful with all of the flashes and yelling. I found myself accidentally photo-bombing photos and trying my best to remain as small as possible.
After walking both Lindsey Hubbard, TV personality, and George Birge, artist, through the photo portion of the red carpet, the process was finally beginning to feel familiar.
The Looks that Ate:
Being on the red carpet itself, I had the first-hand opportunity to see the stunning outfits and talent. As always, the artist partner’s served (as always).
Some of my favorite looks included:
- Caleigh Ryan
- Hailey Whitters
- Charlotte Jones
- I mean she was 9 ½ months pregnant and still looked phenomenal
- Chapel Hill
- Lindsey Hubbard
Of course, I didn’t get the opportunity to see every talent’s outfit, but the night was filled with jaw-dropping looks.
Unforgettable Performances:
The heart of the CMA Awards lies in its performances, and this year was no exception. The stage came alive with a lineup that showcased the depth and versatility of country music. CMA has a tradition for bringing together legendary collaborations, and this year’s awards was nothing short of iconic
I, and everyone in attendance, was especially moved by the Jimmy Buffet tribute. Legendary artists like Kenny Chesney and Alan Jackson teamed up to honor Buffet in an iconic musical complication. Let me tell you, I have never experienced something as magical as screaming “Salt, Salt, Salt” alongside artists like Zach Bryan and Cody Johnson during “Margaritaville”.
Lainey Wilson also took the stage to perform a powerful and energetic rendition of “Wildflowers and Wild Horses”.
I know that I will also never stop talking about the joint performance of Hardy, Morgan Wallen and Post Malone. Definitely didn’t have that one on my 2023 bingo card.
Here is a full list of this year’s performances:
- Jelly Roll and Wynonna
- Luke Bryan
- Luke Combs
- Cody Johnson
- Megan Moroney and Old Dominion
- Kelsea Ballerini
- Carly Pearce and Chris Stapleton
- War and Treaty
- Morgan Wallen and Eric Church
- Morgan Wallen, Post Malone and HARDY
- Jordan Davis
- Dan + Shay
- Tanya Tucker and Little Big Town
- Ashley McBryde
- Lainey Wilson
- Jimmy Buffet Tribute: Kenny Chesney, Mac Mcnally, Alan Jackson and Zac Brown Band
- K. Michelle and Jelly Roll
Honoring Achievements:
The CMA Awards, at its core, is a recognition of excellence in the country music industry. The night celebrated the achievements of artists, songwriters, musicians, and industry professionals who have made significant contributions to the genre.
Categories ranging from Entertainer of the Year to New Artist of the Year highlighted the diverse talents that make country music a dynamic and ever-evolving genre.
Here is a list of some of this year’s award winners:
Entertainer of the Year: Lainey Wilson
Male Vocalist of the Year: Chris Stapleton
Female Vocalist of the Year: Lainey Wilson
Duo of the Year: Brothers Osborne
Group of the Year: Old Dominion
Single of the Year: “Fast Car” by Luke Combs
Song of the Year: “Fast Car” by Tracy Chapman
Album of the Year: “Bell Bottom Country” by Lainey Wilson
Music Video of the Year: “wait in the truck” by Hardy and Lainey Wilson
Event of the Year: “wait in the truck” by Hardy and Lainey Wilson
New Artist of the Year: Jelly Roll
Conclusion:
The 2023 CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee, were more than just a glamorous event; they were a celebration of the vibrant tapestry of country music.
From the dazzling red carpet to the emotional performances, the night showcased the genre’s ability to evolve, embrace diversity, and unite generations.
As the lights dimmed and the echoes of the final performance lingered in the air, it was evident that the CMA Awards had once again left an indelible mark on the soul of country music, reaffirming its status as a genre that resonates with hearts and souls across the world.
