Country Music’s CMA Awards
Contents
The Country Music Association Awards, also known as the CMA Awards or CMAs, are an annual awards show produced by the Country Music Association.
Introduction
The Country Music Association Awards, more commonly known as the CMA Awards, are voted on by eligible members of the Country Music Association. The award recognizes outstanding achievement in the country music industry. The award is given in various categories, such as Entertainer of the Year, Male/Female Vocalist of the Year, Album of the Year, and Song of the Year.
The Awards Show
The CMA Awards show is an annual event held to recognize the achievements in the country music industry. The event was first held in 1967 and has been held every year since. The awards show is usually held in November and is broadcast live on television. This year’s show will be held on November 14, 2017.
The Hosts
The Country Music Association Awards, more commonly known as the CMA Awards, are awards bestowed upon country music artists and television personalities in recognition of their outstanding achievements in the industry. The show has been held annually since 1967 and televised since 1972. It is usually held in Nashville, Tennessee, though in recent years it has been held in other cities such as New York and Los Angeles.
This year’s show will be hosted by country music stars Reba McEntire and Brooks & Dunn. Reba is a Grammy-winning singer, songwriter, actress, and television producer who has been active in the music industry for over four decades. Brooks & Dunn are a country music duo that have been active since the 1990s; they have won numerous awards and have sold over 30 million records.
The Performers
The CMAs are always packed with powerhouse performances, and this list of performers for the 53rd annual show is no different. Some of country music’s brightest stars will take the stage, including Carrie Underwood, Dierks Bentley, Keith Urban, Florida Georgia Line, Luke Bryan, Lady Antebellum, Blake Shelton, Little Big Town and more.
The Winners
The CMAs are voted on by industry talent, meaning people who work within country music. This includes songwriters, producers, radio personnel, and many more. The award is meant to honor outstanding achievement and creativity, so winning a CMA is a very big deal.
This year’s big winner was Miranda Lambert, who took home four awards including Album of the Year for her album “The Weight of These Wings.” She also won Female Vocalist of the Year, Song of the Year for her hit single “Tin Man,” and Music Event of the Year for her collaboration with Keith Urban on “Blue Ain’t Your Color.”
Other notable winners included Jason Aldean, who won Entertainer of the Year; Little Big Town, who won Vocal Group of the Year; Jon Pardi, who won New Artist of the Year; and Thomas Rhett, who won Single of the Year for his hit song “Die a Happy Man.”
The full list of winners can be found below.
-Album of the Year: The Weight of These Wings – Miranda Lambert
-Single of the Year: Die a Happy Man – Thomas Rhett
-Song of the Year: Tin Man – Miranda Lambert
-Entertainer of the Year: Jason Aldean
-Female Vocalist of the Year: Miranda Lambert
-Male Vocalist of the Year: Chris Stapleton
-Vocal Group of the Year: Little Big Town
-Vocal Duo of the Year: Brothers Osborne
-New Artist of the year: Jon Pardi
Country Music Today
The CMA Awards are given out annually by the Country Music Association, and they are considered to be the highest honor that a country artist can receive. The awards are voted on by the members of the CMA, which is made up of industry professionals.
The Mainstream
Over the past few years, the sound of mainstream country music has been evolving. “Urban country” artists like Keith Urban and Faith Hill have been incorporating elements of pop, rock, and R&B into their music, while traditionalists like George Strait and Alan Jackson have stuck to more classic sounds. This transformation has led to some debate within the genre about what “true” country music is.
One thing that all fans of country music can agree on is that the genre has been through a lot of changes in recent years. While some of these changes have been welcomed by fans, others have been met with some resistance. Here are a few of the biggest changes that country music has undergone in recent years.
The most obvious change that has taken place in country music is the sound of the music itself. Artists like Keith Urban and Faith Hill have blended elements of pop, rock, and R&B into their music, giving it a more polished sound that is radio-friendly. This change has been welcomed by many fans who appreciate the new direction that country music is taking.
Another change that has occurred in country music is the subject matter of the songs. In the past, most country songs were about heartbreak, loss, and other sad topics. However, nowadays there are plenty of songs about love, friendship, and happy times. This change has been met with mixed reactions from fans; some appreciate the new optimistic perspective, while others miss the old days when country songs were more melancholy.
Finally, there has been a change in the overall atmosphere of country music. In recent years, there has been an influx of younger fans who are attracted to the party scene surrounding many country music festivals. This new generation of fans has brought a more laid-back attitude to the genre, which has not always been received well by older fans who prefer a more traditional approach to country music.
The Underdog
Underdog is a title that is most often used in sports, but it can also apply to life in general. It’s the little guy or girl who battled against all odds and came out on top. In country music, the underdog is a singer or songwriter who doesn’t quite fit the mold of what is currently popular, but still manages to find success.
The CMA Awards are known for honoring the biggest names in country music, but they also occasionally recognize an underdog. This year, that honor went to Maren Morris, who won the award for Best New Artist. Morris is a 28-year-old singer from Arlington, Texas who has been making music for less than a decade. She doesn’t have the same kind of mainstream appeal as some of her peers, but her music has resonated with fans and critics alike.
Morris’ debut album, HERO, was released in 2016 to critical acclaim. She followed it up with GIRL, which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart. Morris has been nominated for several Grammy Awards and she won five CMA Awards this year. In her acceptance speech for Best New Artist, Morris said that she never thought she would be standing on that stage. She also thanked her husband and collaborator Ryan Hurd for always believing in her.
The underdog story is one that we can all relate to, and it’s always inspiring to see someone like Maren Morris find success against all odds. Country music is better for having her in it, and we can’t wait to see what she does next.
Conclusion
The CMA Awards are over and it was a great show! We saw some amazing performances, surprises, and emotional moments. And, of course, there were the awards. Here are some of the highlights:
– Album of the Year went to Kacey Musgraves for Golden Hour
– Male Vocalist of the Year went to Chris Stapleton
– Female Vocalist of the Year went to Miranda Lambert
– Group of the Year went to Midland
– New Artist of the Year went to Luke Combs
This was a great year for country music and we can’t wait to see what next year brings!