Chris Stapleton Offers Sophisticated ‘Cold’ on 2021 CMA Awards
There's a reason he keeps winning all those awards!
Chris Stapleton brought a moment of sophistication to the 55th Annual CMA Awards, delivering a captivating rendition of his latest single, “Cold.”
Slowing the show down for a heart-wrenching country ballad filled with bluesy power, the perennial awards-show favorite made Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena feel like a tiny jazz club, as the cavernous space seemed to collapse down to a single, soul-crushing point. With his legendary, bourbon-soaked vocals aching — and yet somehow soaring at the same time — the singer-songwriter took fans on a trip to the North Pole of breakups, with a full string section behind him.
Chris Stapleton was tied for the most nominations of the field coming into the night with five, and at this point in the show had already won two — earning Song of the Year and Single of the Year, both for “Starting Over.” The hitmaker was also up for Entertainer of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year and Album of the Year (Starting Over).
Back in their usual format after the pandemic-impacted 2020 show, the 55th Annual CMA Awards aired live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on November 10. The night featured dozens of performances and awards presentation for a glitzy ceremony dubbed “Country’s Biggest Night,” and was hosted by superstar Luke Bryan for the first time. You can check out Sounds Like Nashville’s full coverage here.
