Justin Timberlake And Chris Stapleton Steal The Show At The CMAs

Backstage at the CMA Awards Wednesday night in Nashville, all the talk was about Chris Stapleton’s surprise sweep.

She wasn’t allowed to forget her ex right from the start of the show as regular co-hosts Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley poked fun at the situation. The singer/songwriter won all three categories he was nominated for, including Male Vocalist, New Artist and Album of the Year for Traveller, and the other winners acknowledged his great night during their comments to the press. She’d later go on to win Female Vocalist of the Year – stanning for Chris Stapleton with a tour tee – saying she “needed a bright spot this year”. They strummed their guitars while singing “Tennessee Whiskey”, which Stapleton wrote, and followed that with Timberlake’s tune, “Drink You Away”.

Timberlake’s falsetto meshed beautifully with Stapleton’s growling baritone and by the time they finished their duet, the crowd was on their feet and cheering.

Meanwhile, American vocal group- Little Big Town took home “Single of the Year” and “Song of the Year” for the track “Girl Crush”, and “Vocal Group of the Year” awards. Paisley replied. The camera panned to Shelton who laughed and clapped his hands, along with the audience.

The show opened with a “Star Wars” takeoff featuring Underwood as Princess Leia and Paisley as Han Solo. “Just tell me when to show up”.

“We all are out here, and anybody that’s in here tonight, making music and working to the degree that it takes to be in the room, deserves the respect, and I think that of everybody that is out playing music”.

Chris Stapleton has written songs for so many folks in Nashville that it shouldn’t be surprising that most of the CMA members voted for him.

In ceremonies held before the telecast, Mac McAnally won his eighth award for musician of the year – one shy of tying the record held by Chet Atkins.

“This is about being courageous and being bold”, singer Karen Fairchild declared upon accepting the Single of the Year award.

Florida Georgia Line won vocal duo of the year.

Performers on the night included Fall Out Boy, Eric Church and Hank Williams Jr, and John Mellencamp and Keith Urban.

Safe to say Stapleton has already had an illustrious career and is clearly well-liked by big players in the country community, but it looks like his superstar ship may have just come in.