Brad and Carrie's "News of the Year" was hilarious. Especially the Political Medley.
The Final Five looked uncomfortable presenting the Single of the Year. Well, Madison Kocian always looks nervous anywhere. Not a huge fan of Thomas Rhett or his song "Die A Happy Man," but it's okay.
Not much a fan of Kelsea Ballerini or her song "Lost Boy."
Didn't know that Olivia Newton-John got her start in country music, or that she was the 1974 Female Vocalist of the Year. "Humble and Kind" wins Song of the Year (which goes to the songwriters.)
Brooks and Dunn reuniting to do their "Brand New Man" with Jason Aldean was AWESOME.
I either love or hate most of Dierks Bentley's music, and while "Different for Girls" isn't awful, it's not great, either. And hate that girl Elle King's voice that he sings it with. Cool that she plays banjo, though.
Don't like Maren Morris's song "My Church," but she has a good voice. That guitar is extremely white, though....and really large.
Jennifer Garner makes a very good presenter at something like this. Maren Morris wins the Horizon Award (New Artist of the Year).
GARTH AND TRISHA!!!!!! They did a medley duet of famous songs throughout history, including Conway Twitty and Loretta Lynn's "Louisiana Woman, Mississippi Man." It was great.
Not sure what Carrie's costume was supposed to be during "Dirty Laundry," but it was a cool set.
Album of the Year is Eric Church's "Mr. Misunderstood."
Little Big Town's "Better Man" is a good song. And it's awesome that it was written by Taylor Swift.
Miranda did well with her performance of "Vice."
Tim did a great job with "Humble and Kind."
Brad and his pals the Oak Ridge Boys jamming "Elvira" together, haha...
Alan Jackson and "Remember When"! And George Strait with "Troubadour."
Never heard of the Brothers Osborne, but I guess that's some Disney synergy in getting ESPN people Kirk Herbstreit and Samantha Ponder to announce the Vocal Duo of the Year.
Keith is awesome, but "Blue Ain't Your Color" is extremely boring.
Little Big Town beats out Rascal Flatts, Lady Antebellum and the Zac Brown Band, plus a new group called Old Dominion, for Vocal Group of the Year.
Uh....what is Beyonce doing here?
Kenny Chesney becomes only the third person to win the Pinnacle Award, after Garth Brooks and Taylor Swift.
Thomas Rhett is using the same guitar as Maren Morris. Also, "Die a Happy Man" is better than the song he did last year.
Chris Stapleton and Dwight Yoakam doing a Ray Charles cover was cool.
Luke Bryan wasn't awful, but that was an odd scheduling choice.
Lee Greenwood sighting!
The short-haired Florida Georgia Line guy is also playing the white oversize guitar. This song "May We All" is good for them, though. And Tim McGraw helping out doesn't hurt, either.
Carrie wins Female Artist of the Year! "And I....I....I've just suddenly become so stupid right now....Thank you all so much!" Miranda would've been a good choice, too. Kacey Musgraves, Maren Morris and Kelsea Ballerini were the other nominees. Vince Gill is cool and all, but why didn't a woman like Dolly or Reba announce this category?
Dann Huff wins Musician of the Year.
Not my favorite-ever Eric Church performance, but it was good. Just forgettable, is all.
Jennifer Nettles and Pentatonix with "Jolene", Reba with "9 To 5," Kacey Musgraves with "Here You Come Again," and then Carrie and Martina "I Will Always Love You" Reba - "Gosh dang it, Dolly, we love your better than Christmas." Dolly - "I had a big speech prepared, but they won't let me give it! They're tellin' me to hurry up, but how can you hurry up a lifetime? So thank y'all so very much."
Chris Stapleton wins Male Vocalist of the Year over Keith Urban, Eric Church, Tim McGraw and Dierks Bentley.
Taylor is the presenter of the Entertainer of the Year! And Carrie, Keith and Garth are all nominees, along with Chris Stapleton and Luke Bryan. And.....GARTH WINS!!!!!
