NASHVILLE, Nov. 5 (UPI) — Luke Bryan took home the top prize of Entertainer of the Year at the 49th Country Music Association Awards ceremony in Nashville.
“I put so much pride in giving all I’ve got every night performing, getting off the stage with ice packs on my knees and out of breath,” Bryan said in his acceptance speech Wednesday night. “This is a night where I can go, ‘Gosh, people are paying attention to that.'”
Miranda Lambert was declared Female Vocalist of the Year, and Chris Stapleton was named both Male Vocalist of the Year and New Vocalist of the Year. Stapleton also scored the Album of the Year honor for Traveller.
“I feel lots of love. It’s a short answer, but it’s a real one,” Stapleton said.
Little Big Town won the Vocal Group of the Year honor, while its hit “Girl Crush” earned the accolades for Single of the Year and Song of the Year. The Vocal Duo of the Year title went to Florida Georgia Line.
The trophy for Music Video of the Year was presented to Maddie & Tae for “Girl in a Country Song” and the Musician of the Year statuette to Mac McAnally.
The event took place at the Bridgestone Arena and was hosted by Brad Paisley andCarrie Underwood for an eighth, consecutive year.
Underwood made headlines when she arrived for the gala wearing a gorgeous, coral-colored, peplum gown with a plunging neckline.
The ABC telecast included performances by Jason Aldean, Kenny Chesney, Reba, Fall Out Boy, Sam Hunt, John Mellencamp, Keith Urban and Kacey Musgraves.
