A team of paramedics working a Zach Bryan show on November 22nd responded to a false alarm when one of the band members appeared to faint. When Zach introduces his band to the crowd, his steel guitar player and banjoist Read O'Connolly slumps over and falls to the ground. The rest of the band rushes to his side and starts fanning him with a hat. This is part of the show. Eventually, he comes around and starts playing a banjo solo to kick off the song "Revival." The problem was that the paramedics didn't know about it. So they rushed the stage when they thought a medical emergency was happening. "They should tell us that's part of the act!" one paramedic said to a concertgoer after they realized he was not in distress. Zach's Quittin' Time Tour will wrap up in December. He's said that's he won't be touring next year so you can pursue a master's degree in Paris.
Cody Johnson's producer Trent Willmon addressed his CMA Awards comment about Shaboozey over the weekend. "Shout out to Shaboozey for your response to my fumble and having a great sense of humour," he wrote. "Congrats on that 17-Week #1 song!" The fumble he's referring to happened when Trent and Cody Johnson were onstage accepting the CMA for Album of the Year for Leather, which Trent produced. During his speech, he said, "This is for the cowboy that's been kicking Shaboozey for a lot of years." After the show, Shaboozey laughed it off in a social media post showing a picture of himself shrugging his shoulders and writing, "Ain't nobody kicking me!" Trent admitted that he chose the wrong words to express his feelings while he was onstage. "What I meant to express in my overly-shocked and excited state was that I am very proud of Cody Johnson. He has worked his BOOTY off the last 15 years putting out and performing great music and it's not an overnight success," Trent wrote. "I was so proud he's finally getting recognized!"
Luke Combs was shocked to be named People Magazine's Sexiest 34-Year-Old Man. He is part of the "Sexy at Every Age" list, which is included in their Sexiest Man Alive issue. Luke talked about it at the CMA Awards when he was asked about the moment he knew he made it. "I think the moment for me is when my mom sent me a People magazine article that said I was the sexiest 34-year-old man on the planet," he jokes. "And that's when I was like, down year. 1990 must have been a down year. I thought it was a Most Cheeseburgers Eaten list." Luke wasn't the only country artist to appear on the list. Tim McGraw was named Sexiest Long-Married Star. Warren Zeiders was named the sexiest 25-year-old, and Hunter Hayes takes the title for 33 years olds.
CMA Country Christmas is returning to ABC on December 3rd. Trisha Yearwood and Amy Grant are returning as hosts for the second time. So far, country artists confirmed to be performing during the show are Cody Johnson, Jon Pardi, Ashley McBryde and Brittney Spencer. It will also feature Cece Winans, For King and Country and Carin Leon. Trisha Yearwood and Amy Grant will also perform.
Sam Hunt and his wife, Hannah Lee Fowler, are expecting baby number three. Backstage at the CMA Awards, Sam says that they learned the news a couple of months ago when he was planning a hunting trip and Hannah started to feel ill and couldn't manage to take care of their two little ones. The couple welcomed their first child, Lucy Louise in 2022 and their second child, Lowry Lee, in 2023.
Chris Stapleton was the big winner at last night's CMA Awards. He took home three of the five awards he was nominated for. Brooks and Dunn were also surprised to win their 15th Vocal Duo of the Year after 15 years. Here's a look at the winners from last night...
Entertainer of the Year: Morgan Wallen
Female Vocalist of the Year: Lainey Wilson
Male Vocalist of the Year: Chris Stapleton
Vocal Group of the Year: Old Dominion
Vocal Duo of the Year: Brooks and Dunn
New Artist of the Year: Megan Moroney
Album of the Year: Cody Johnson - Leather
Single of the Year: Chris Stapleton - "White Horse"
Song of the Year: Chris Stapleton - "White Horse"
Musical Event of the Year: Ella Langley (featuring Riley Green) - "You Look Like You Love Me"
Musician of the Year: Charlie Worsham - guitar
Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award: George Strait
Jeff Walker Global Country Artist: Josh Ross
Luke Bryan is getting ready to host the 2024 CMA Awards tonight with Lainey Wilson and Peyton Manning. Luke was asked what categories he would add to the show if he could. "I think you should allow singers that are in groups to be up for Vocalist of the Year," he said. "When you look at a Ronnie Dunn and a Randy Owen...some of the great singers of our time that never had the chance to win Male Vocalist." Luke would also like to see a Touring Artist of the Year category added. The last real change to the categories happened in 2007 when they renamed the Horizon Award to New Artist of the Year. The 58th Annual CMA Awards airs tonight at 8PM on ABC.
Jelly Roll's new Nashville bar, Goodnight Nashville, will be opening soon. It will be all things Jelly Roll, including a very unique souvenir...tattoos. The venue will be five-stories of entertainment with the tallest rooftop in Nashville. It will also feature a back bar dedicated to his late father, Horace "Buddy" DeFord, who died in 2019. It will be called Buddy's Bar.