It is the one award ceremony that is considered country music’s biggest night. The 52^ndannual Country Music Awards, often referred to as the CMAs, was hosted on Wednesday November 14, 2018. Country artists stepped onto the red carpet and then into the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, TN all dressed up in bejeweled cowboy hats, boots, and belt buckles.

Country artists Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley returned to host the CMAs once again this year. This is their tenth consecutive year as co-hosts. Aside from Vince Gill’s 12-year run as host from 1992-2003, Underwood and Paisley own the longest reign. Underwood stepped out on stage with Paisley and showed off how she can still rock off amazing selections of wardrobe even with her baby bump. Every award show, the two artists always improvise lyrics with the help of Paisley on guitar. While singing, viral sensation Mason Ramsey appeared on stage pretending to be Underwood’s son. After some good laughs, it was time to present the first award of the night.

Only twelve awards were handed out that night. Up first was the award for musician of the year. Out of the five nominees, the first artist to claim the CMA that night was Mac McAnally. Throughout the entire award ceremony, twenty artists performed for the audience in attendance and for the millions watching on TV. Some of the performances made audiences clap and sing along while other performances brought tears to eyes of audience members and to the eyes of the actual performer.

Garth Brooks gave one of the most heart-felt performances of the night. He unveiled a never-heard-before song, called “Stronger than Me,” that was a tribute to his wife, fellow country artist Trisha Yearwood. Carrie Underwood also performed with her recently new hit “Love Wins.” During a night when the perennial co-host of the ceremony made a decision to stay away from politics in the opening monologue, Underwood made a case for most powerful performance on the night by taking on her current single. In an emotional display that stunned those watching, Underwood is making a solid case for herself as one of the top female talents in country music history. Underwood also claimed the CMA for Female Vocalist of the Year later in the evening. She was brought to tears when accepting the award and thanking everyone in her little acceptance speech.

Country artist Chris Stapleton took home three awards that night including “Single of the Year,” “Song of the Year,” and “Male Vocalist of the Year.” The biggest award is always saved until the very end of the show. There were five nominees for “Entertainer of the Year;” Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Kenny Chesney, Chris Stapleton, and Keith Urban. The name written inside of the envelope was Keith Urban and he was thrown off guard when his name was announced. Urban took the time to thank his wife, Australian actress Nicole Kidman. He thanked everyone and accepted his award.

Country music’s biggest night concluded after Urban won “Entertainer of the Year.” Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley joined on stage one final time thanking everyone who tuned in and sang one final song. Then an announcement was made for fans to be prepared for the 53^rdannual CMAs that will air sometime next year. Congratulations to all the winners at the 52^ndannual Country Music Awards!