'CMT Artists Of The Year' Balances Celebration With Somber Remembrance

CMT Honors Artists, Victims

Acceptance speeches and trophy presentations were set aside during last night's (10/18) "CMT ARTISTS OF THE YEAR" telecast at NASHVILLE's SCHERMERHORN SYMPHONY CENTER, which aired live on CMT-TV (NET NEWS 9/6). Instead, the night was dedicated to victims of recent tragedies, that include the LAS VEGAS shooting, plus HURRICANES HARVEY and IRMA and CALIFORNIA's wildfires. A moving opening number featured LITTLE BIG TOWN (LBT), LEE ANN WOMACK, and ANDRA DAY performing "Rise Up," followed by DAY, LBT, and DANIELLE BRADBERY, joined by rapper COMMON, for a collaboration on "Stand For Something." This set the tone for a show that successfully balanced recognition for artists' individual accomplishments during the past year while honoring victims of the aforementioned tragedies.

An "In Memoriam" segment noted the loss of Country artists DON WILLIAMS, GLEN CAMPBELL, and TROY GENTRY, and Rockers TOM PETTY and GREGG ALLMAN, but also scrolled a list of all 58 LAS VEGAS victims. The playlist from the evening's honorees reflected a more somber, muted celebration than past "ARTST OF THE YEAR" telecasts. BROTHERS OSBORNE colorfully introduced CHRIS STAPLETON, who sang "Broken Halos," which he's dedicated to LAS VEGAS victims. STAPLETON also added, "On this night when we usually celebrate a year of music, we also want to celebrate a year of incredible human spirit, the spirit we see in our fans every night." LUKE BRYAN performed the reflective "Fast," while KEITH URBAN offered a slowed-down, Jazzy version of "Blue Ain't Your Color." FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE's TYLER HUBBARD and BRIAN KELLEY were on hand but did not perform; instead, the BACKSTREET BOYS covered FGL's hit, "H.O.L.Y."

The evening climaxed with a collaboration featuring JASON ALDEAN, who reprised his recent "SATURDAY Night Live" performance of PETTY's "Won't Back Down." ALDEAN was joined by STAPLETON and URBAN, who traded guitar licks, and LITTLE BIG TOWN's impeccable harmonies. Said ALDEAN, "Heartbroken doesn't even begin to describe how some of us feel. But, we have proven time and again in this country that we have the power to overcome anything that threatens our way of life, or our freedom. We dedicate this night to you and everyone who has experienced loss or tragedy in the last few months."

The show will be will be repeated tonight (10/19) at 11p (ET/PT) and SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21st at 11a (ET/PT).

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