01of 08
AGame of ThronesStar Made a Surprise Appearance
To kick off the show, hosts Little Big Town pointed out that there was an infamous celebrity among the A-list audience: the “breakout star” ofGame of Thrones, also known as a Starbucks coffee cup.
02of 08
Midland Handed Out Beers to Little Big Town
“I can’t let him host with just one beer — you gotta have some backups, man!” Wystrach yelled. The group continued to teasingly heckle the hosts as the show went on, even setting up a game of beer pong in front of the camera.
03of 08Kelsea Ballerini Lit Up the StageKevin Mazur/GettyBallerini took her performance of her hit song “Miss Me More” to the next level with pyrotechnics and a dazzling light show. The special effects gave the lyrics “I forgot I had dreams, I forgot I had wings” a particularly powerful resonance as the screen behind her lit up with a giant pair of pink wings.
03of 08
Kelsea Ballerini Lit Up the Stage
Kevin Mazur/Getty
Ballerini took her performance of her hit song “Miss Me More” to the next level with pyrotechnics and a dazzling light show. The special effects gave the lyrics “I forgot I had dreams, I forgot I had wings” a particularly powerful resonance as the screen behind her lit up with a giant pair of pink wings.
04of 08
Ashley McBryde Stole Luke Combs' Drink to Accept Her Award
“I’m always awkward, and I usually bring my drink with me but I didn’t have a drink, so I took Luke Combs' drink …” she said after taking the mic.
05of 08Zac Brown Told Haters to F— OffThe Zac Brown Band leader took the time to encourage aspiring musicians and to thank the band’s longtime supporters while accepting the group video of the year award for ZBB’s song “Someone I Used to Know” — and he had a message for the haters, as well.“For you young artists, have courage to stand up against the machine, be yourself, work hard, and one day you can stand up here and tell all the haters to f— off,” he said.
05of 08
Zac Brown Told Haters to F— Off
The Zac Brown Band leader took the time to encourage aspiring musicians and to thank the band’s longtime supporters while accepting the group video of the year award for ZBB’s song “Someone I Used to Know” — and he had a message for the haters, as well.
“For you young artists, have courage to stand up against the machine, be yourself, work hard, and one day you can stand up here and tell all the haters to f— off,” he said.
06of 08
Maren Morris & Sheryl Crow Stole the Spotlight
Maren Morris & Sheryl Crow.Kevin Mazur/Getty
07of 08Kimberly Schlapman Advocated Bringing Back the MulletThe ladies of Little Big Town spoke out about the need for more female country stars on the radio — and Schlapman jokingly proposed a novel idea about how women could get more air time. “We need a mullet!” she said, pulling off her cowboy hat to reveal a flowing brown wig.“Business in the front, party in the back, power on the charts!” she cheered.
07of 08
Kimberly Schlapman Advocated Bringing Back the Mullet
The ladies of Little Big Town spoke out about the need for more female country stars on the radio — and Schlapman jokingly proposed a novel idea about how women could get more air time. “We need a mullet!” she said, pulling off her cowboy hat to reveal a flowing brown wig.
“Business in the front, party in the back, power on the charts!” she cheered.
08of 08
Brandi Carlile & Tanya Tucker Shared the Stage with Their Fellow Female Artists
CMT
Martina McBride, Trisha Yearwood, Lauren Alaina, Deana Carter, RaeLynn and Carly Pearce joined the duo on stage to deliver an emotional performance of Tucker’s 1972 hit song “Delta Dawn.”
source: people.com
