CMIL’s Top 10 Moments of ‘The 47th Annual CMA Awards’

Written by Lauren Jo Black
CMIL’s Top 10 Moments of ‘The 47th Annual CMA Awards’

Luke Bryan - CMA Awards 2013

“Country Music’s Biggest Night’ has come and gone, but that doesn’t mean we’re finished re-living the music, glamour, laughs, and surprises from the night!

We’ve compiled our 10 favorite moments from the “The 47th Annual CMA Awards” below. Check them out and let us know what your favorite moments were in the comments section.

10. Taylor Swift Sings “Red” with Vince Gill and Alison Krauss:
Taylor Swift stripped-down performance of “Red” with Vince Gill and Alison Krauss was one of the better awards show performances of Swift’s career. It’s hard not to love the new, stripped down version of the song either.

 

9. Keith Urban and Miranda Lambert’s “We Were Us” Duet:
Finally, the moment we’ve all been waiting for – Keith Urban and Miranda Lambert’s television debut of “We Were Us.” The much-anticipated moment did not disappoint.

 

8. Taylor Swift’s Pinnacle Award Presentation:
Taylor Swift’s former tour mates, George Strait, Keith Urban, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Brad Paisley, and Rascal Flatts, came together to honor the superstar with the coveted Pinnacle Award. The moment, which also included shoutouts from stars like Ellen DeGeneres, Justin Timberlake, and Julia Roberts, was very special and also a great way to honor the massive achievements the 23-year-old has earned so far in her career.

 

7. Carrie Underwood Performs a Medley of Hits:
Carrie Underwood took a break from hosting to perform a medley of hits from her latest album, Blown Away. The superstar sang each of the album’s four singles – “Good Girl,” “See You Again,” “Blown Away,” and “Two Black Cadillacs.” We think it’s safe to say she ‘blew everyone away’ with this performance…and her amazing legs!

 

6. Kenny Rogers Tribute/Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award Presentation:
Another highlight of the evening was the Jennifer Nettles/Rascal Flatts/Darius Rucker tribute to recent Country Music Hall of Fame inductee, Kenny Rogers. Each artist put their own spin on Rogers’s classics and it was fun to see the special moment wrap up with everyone singing along to “Islands in the Stream” together.

 

5. Little Big Town’s “Sober” Performance:
Reigning CMA Vocal Group of the Year Little Big Town wow-ed fans with their performance of “Sober,” the latest single from their platinum-selling album Tornado. Their on-stage chemistry an harmonies couldn’t be better!

 

4. Luke Bryan’s Heartfelt “Drink A Beer” Performance:
Fans were introduced to a more serious side of superstar Luke Bryan on Wednesday with the debut of his newest single, “Drink A Beer.” The Georgia native honored his late brother Chris and sister Kelly, whom he lost in 1996 and 2007 respectively, with the performance.

 

3. Alan Jackson and George Strait’s George Jones Tribute:
Two of the greatest living country singers, Alan Jackson and George Strait, came together to honor one of the greatest country music singers of all time, George Jones. Talk about perfection! Re-live Jackson and Strait’s “He Stopped Loving Her Today” performance below.

 

2. Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood’s Opening Monologue:
CMA Awards co-hosts Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood have definitely honed in on their comedic skills over the years. This year’s opening monologue was arguably their best yet. The pair’s targets included Luke Bryan, Zac Brown, Kenny Rogers, and Obamacare.

 

1. George Strait’s Entertainer of the Year Win:
The cowboy is riding away with an Entertainer of the Year trophy! The King of Country Music, George Strait, earned his third Entertainer of the Year trophy (and first since 1990) on Wednesday night. We can’t think of a better way to honor the end of his touring career.