Photo: Getty Images
Chris Stapleton dominated the 2021 Country Music Association Awards last night in Nashville.
Stapleton's album"Starting Over" earned him Album of the Year, while the lead single of the same name wonSingle of the Year and Song of the Year.
He also wonMale Vocalist of the Year.
The Kentucky singer-songwriter also took to the stage alongside Jennifer Hudson as they performed a tribute to Aretha Franklin.
The evening marked the first time that fans were invited back to attend the awards show since the COVID-19 pandemic.
During his opening monologue,Luke Bryan said that everyone in attendance had been tested "or immunized" before the show poking fun at Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers who used the same phrase to describe his status prior to the season before testing positive for the virus last week. His fellow "Idol" judges Katy Perry and Lionel Richie also made an appearance.
Other big winners on the night includedCarly Pearce as Female Vocalist of the Year, Old Dominion winning Vocal Group of the Year,Brothers Osborne being named Vocal Duo of the Year, fiddle player Jenee Fleenor earning the title of Musician of the Year andLuke Combs closing the night by winningEntertainer of the Year.
Jimmie Allen also put on a show for the crowd performing his single "Freedom Was A Highway" after winning New Artist of the Year.
Earlier Wednesday,Kelsea Ballerini and Kenny Chesney were awarded Musical Event of the Year and Music Video of the Year for their song "Half of My Hometown" on "Good Morning America".
Source: NY Post, The Tennessean.
Photo Credit: Jason Kempin/Getty Images.