The pair win CMA Musical Event of the Year
With The 55th Annual CMA Awards airing in just a few short hours, early winners were revealed this morning in two categories. First-time CMA Awards winner Kelsea Ballerini and nine-time CMA Awards winner, Kenny Chesney take home trophies in two categories for “Half of My Hometown.” Produced by Ballerini, Ross Copperman and Jimmy Robbins the collaboration wins in both the CMA Musical Event of the Year and CMA Music Video of the Year categories. The video was directed by Patrick Tracy.
“Growing up in East Tennessee, it’s a deeper kind of home. You have to have lived it to really understand. Kelsea knows that, knows how hard it is to leave to chase a dream like music. It’s what made being part of ‘Half of My Hometown’ so special! I know that feeling of everyone having an opinion, hating leaving all that love and needing to go out and find your place in the songs,” Chesney shares in a statement. “I’m thrilled for Kelsea to win Musical Event and Music Video of the Year! She couldn’t deserve it more, and I’m honored to be a part of it.”
The announcement took place live on ABC’s Good Morning America, as the show took over Bridgestone Plaza in downtown Nashville where reigning CMA Vocal Group of the Year and nominees in the category again this year. Old Dominion took to the Bridgestone Plaza stage to perform their songs “Hotel Key” and “All I Know About Girls.” CMA New Artist of the Year nominee Jimmie Allen also joined Spencer to chat on the Plaza this morning.
With 20 unforgettable performances from some of the biggest names in music, The 55th Annual CMA Awards airs live tonight (Wed, Nov 10th) from 8-11 pm ET/delayed PT on ABC, hosted by Luke Bryan. Artists taking the CMA Awards stage include Jason Aldean and Carrie Underwood, Jimmie Allen, Gabby Barrett, Dierks Bentley feat. BRELAND and HARDY, Brothers Osborne, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Luke Combs, Dan + Shay, Mickey Guyton feat. Brittney Spencer and Madeline Edwards, Jennifer Hudson, Miranda Lambert, Old Dominion, Carly Pearce and Ashley McBryde, Thomas Rhett, Blake Shelton, Chris Stapleton, Keith Urban, Chris Young and Kane Brown, and Zac Brown Band.
Presenters include Trace Adkins, Ingrid Andress, Kelsea Ballerini, Deana Carter, Lauren Daigle, Russell Dickerson, Faith Fennidy, Florida Georgia Line, Freddie Freeman, Amy Grant, Dulé Hill, Alan Jackson, Elle King, Lady A, Zachary Levi, Scotty McCreery, Hayley Orrantia, Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, Darius Rucker, Susan Sarandon, Saycon Sengbloh, Kurt Warner, Lainey Wilson, and Trisha Yearwood.
Eric Church and Chris Stapleton lead the nominees with five each. Other top nominees include Gabby Barrett along with mix engineer Jason Hall and producer Jay Joyce each with four nominations, while Brothers Osborne, Kane Brown, Luke Combs, Miranda Lambert, Ashley McBryde, Maren Morris and Chris Young secure three nominations each. Combs, Lambert and Carrie Underwood all return alongside Church and Stapleton with nominations in the Entertainer of the Year category, the night’s highest honor.
