Kelsea Ballerini and Reba Confirm Legendary Status With CMA Performance

Two eras of country music came together for a special performance. 

Written by Annie Reuter
Kelsea Ballerini and Reba Confirm Legendary Status With CMA Performance
Reba McEntire and Kelsea Ballerini; Photo by Terry Wyatt/FilmMagic

Two eras of country music came together for a special performance at the 51st Annual CMA Awards when Kelsea Ballerini and Reba shared the stage for an epic duet.

In the first hour of the awards ceremony, Ballerini entered the stage at Bridgestone Arena donning a floor-length gold gown to sing “Legends.” The lead single from her new album Unapologetically, “Legends” became even more memorable when Ballerini was joined by a true legend herself, Reba.

Beginning the song on stage alone, Ballerini looked stunning as she performed the first verse. Moments later, Reba entered to screams from the audience as she put her unique spin on “Legends” with her classic twang. The two artists traded vocals throughout the song as Ballerini’s fiancé Morgan Evans looked on with a smile.

Ballerini and Reba are both vying for Female Vocalist of the Year at the CMA Awards tonight. They’re nominated in the category alongside Miranda Lambert, Maren Morris and Carrie Underwood.

“I think getting to perform ‘Legends’ with a legend is awesome, and the biggest gift [over] the last few years has been the people that I look up to the most, and have studied their careers, turning around and reaching out to me. Taylor, Shania, and now Reba, and just having people that have blazed the trail for new artists like myself, turn around and be kind and give advice, and be open with me. It’s awesome,” Ballerini previously told Sounds Like Nashville.

The 51st Annual CMA Awards are hosted by Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood for the 10th year in a row. See all of the awards and accolades handed out at tonight’s show by checking out posts HERE.

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