Stapleton surprises at CMA Awards

“And I will be leaving with the most gorgeous woman on the planet”.

The pair teamed up for a raucous duet of Stapleton’s hit “Tennessee Whiskey” before transitioning into Timberlake’s jam “Drink You Away” from “The 20/20 Experience”.

“How you feelin’ tonight? Can I put a little Memphis up in here?”

During Little Big Town’s 2015 CMA Awards performance the four vocalists were on an empty stage without a backing band.

The past few artists to have won the album of the year prize, which was won by newbie Stapleton this year, are veterans Lambert, Shelton, and Eric Church.

Even Luke Bryan is rethinking their opening slot on his tour next year.

“Watching Chris Stapleton have this night is so uplifting”, Bryan said onstage after accepting the night’s biggest award for entertainer of the year. “Just tell me when to show up.’ So here we are, we’re gonna do it!” Song of the Year went to the writers of “Girl Crush”, Liz Rose, Lori McKenna and Hillary Lindsey. It literally took my breath.

And Timberlake gushes about Stapleton’s talent, continuing: “He is one of THE MOST gifted musicians, songwriters, and vocalists I’ve ever met”. “I’m not going to take it lightly”, said Stapleton.

She also won quote of the night.

Lambert could have been referring to her divorce to Blake Shelton, announced in July.

Singers Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood hosted the program.

“On a completely unrelated topic”, Paisley added.

The audience laughed, as did Shelton.

Stapleton’s wins surprised many in the country industry.

A new face in the country world stole the show last night at the 2015 CMA Awards and his name is Chris Stapleton. Stapleton’s album, “Traveller”, was inspired after his father passed away. During his speech he thanked everyone from his label to his fans, including a special thank you to his wife Caroline for letting him “go out on the road so many times and do what I love for the people that I love – our fans, our friends, our family”.

We say that because the country star is a hot commodity for songwriting – he’s written songs for George Strait, Adele, Luke Bryan and Kenny Chesney.

Hunt will also hit the stage, as will Kacey Musgraves, Jason Aldean, Little Big Town, Florida Georgia Line, Reba McEntire, Dierks Bentley and Kelsea Ballerini. But having a non-country star steal headlines isn’t great for the annual ceremony.