The 50th Annual CMA Awards in 2016 brought out the biggest and best country stars for a historic night of celebrating the history of country music.
The show began with a spectacular opening number honoring all the country legends. Vince Gill and Merle Haggard’s youngest son, Ben, kicked it off with “Mama Tried,” Carrie Underwood sang Tammy Wynette’s hit “Stand By Your Man,” and Charley Pride sang his signature song “Kiss An Angel Good Mornin’.”
The number also included performances by Reba McEntire, Alabama, Brad Paisley, Ricky Skaggs, Alan Jackson, George Strait, and a surprise appearance by Randy Travis, who moved everyone to tears when he sang the final line to his song “Forever and Ever, Amen.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MefTKUV_aNU
Throughout the night, the awards show did not disappoint with a few legendary duets including Strait and Jackson, Dwight Yoakam and Chris Stapleton, and a star-studded tribute to Dolly Parton.
She was being awarded the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award and was honored with a medley of her hits sung by Reba McEntire, who actually flubbed the opening lyrics to “9 to 5”, Kacey Musgraves, Jennifer Nettles, Pentatonix, Martina McBride, and Carrie Underwood.
Because Parton was the star of the night, The Tennessean decided to have some fun on the red carpet. They asked each country star they were interviewing to put on an impromptu performance of their favorite Dolly Parton song.
Cole Swindell sang Parton’s 1974 smash hit “I Will Always Love You,” and even accompanied it with a little dance. Recent Country Music Hall of Fame inductee Charlie Daniels gave “9 to 5” his best college try, but failed to remember the lyrics!
“Workin’ 9 to 5, I forgot the rest of the lyrics! Workin’ 9 to 5,” he sang. He stopped himself before he could forget even more lyrics.
“Kiss You In The Morning” singer Michael Ray sang a brooding version of “Jolene,” while Jon Pardi sang a very high-pitched chorus to “9 to 5.” Country veteran Bill Anderson began singing a song he recorded with Parton called “If It’s All The Same To You,” but didn’t finish because he “didn’t have a whole lot to do with it!”
RaeLynn, Gretchen Wilson, Mark Collie, Cam, and Electra Mustaine all sang their favorite Dolly Parton songs. Each singer’s version of their favorite Parton hit was more hysterical than the last, ending with heavy metal band Megadeath’s lead singer Dave Mustaine singing “9 to 5.” He was in attendance supporting his 18-year-old daughter Electra, who is a country music singer.
Watch the full video below. Which singer gave your favorite performance? Sound off in the comments section!