Luke Combs claims CMA Awards top honor for second year in a row
Luke Combs was named Entertainer of the Year at the Country Music Association Awards, the second year in a row he took home the top honor of the night.
I want to thank country music for making my dream come true,” Combs said, giving the award to his wife and newborn child.
His victory came after a three-hour show that celebrated country icons and new vocalists.
Close
Luke Combs presented his award by Michael Shannon and Jessica Chastain (Mark Humphrey/AP)
“The country sounds more rural for a long time tonight,” Combs said. He also won Album of the Year for ‘Growin’ Up.
The show opened with Carrie Underwood, Miranda Lambert and Reba McEntire playing in memory of the late country music queen Loretta Lynn.
The superstar trio performed a medley of Lynn’s hits including You Ain’t Woman Enough, Don’t Come Home A-Drinkin’ and Coal Miner’s Daughter as images of Lynn were projected behind them and the audience sang follow.
Rock pioneer Jerry Lee Lewis, who like Lynn passed away last month, was honored with a fiery tribute by Elle King and the Black Keys.
Close
Elle King, left, and Dan Auerback, of The Black Keys, perform Great Balls of Fire (Mark Humphrey/AP)
Alan Jackson received the lifetime achievement award, recounting how a movie about Hank Williams inspired him to move to Nashville when he went bankrupt. He broke down in tears during his speech, ending it by telling the audience, “I’m still living that perverted dream, guys.”
Brothers Osborne won Vocal Duo of the Year and Old Dominion won the trophy for vocal group.
Chris Stapleton won Male Vocalist of the Year, his sixth win in the category. Bryan, Combs, Eric Church and Morgan Wallen were also nominated.
Video of the day
“Everybody in this category deserves this award,” Stapleton said.
He dedicates the award to his 12-year-old daughter, whose birthday is Wednesday.
Close
Katy Perry arrives at the 56th Annual CMA Awards (Evan Agostini / Invision / AP)
Rising country superstar Lainey Wilson was the top nominee with six nods, taking home the trophy for new artist and female vocalist.
Jordan Davis’ Buy Dirt won Song of the Year. The song featured CMA Awards host Luke Bryan, who was called on stage by Davis for a hug.
Bryan co-hosted the show at Bridgestone Arena alongside NFL great Peyton Manning.
Joining the country’s biggest stars for the evening were Katy Perry and actors Jessica Chastain and Michael Shannon, who are playing Tammy Wynette and George Jones in the upcoming Showtime limited series and have given Combs to top title of the night.
Perry took to the stage and performed Where We Started alongside Thomas Rhett during the show.
https://www.independent.ie/entertainment/music/luke-combs-claims-cma-awards-top-honour-for-second-straight-year-42133116.html Luke Combs claims CMA Awards top honor for second year in a row