CMA Awards 2013: Performances and Presentations

CMA Awards 2013: Performances and Presentations

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Listen to ALL the Award presentations and performances using the embedded players below and sidebar drop down list.

CMA Awards 2013 CLICK to ENLARGE

The CMA 2013 Running Order and Timeline

** Times shown in UK GMT (Nashville time - 6 hours GMT) **

The 47th Annual Country Music Association Awards contained the usual blend of all-star concert event following on from the glitzy red carpet glam. Hosted yet again by Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley, the Nashville-based country music kudosfest was packed with live performances and Award presentations on the 3 hour show.

It featured performances by (in A - Z order):

Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Florida Georgia Line, Vince Gill, Dave Grohl, Hunter Hayes, Alan Jackson, Alison Krauss, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Tim McGraw, Jason Mraz, Kacey Musgraves, Jennifer Nettles, Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts, Darius Rucker, Blake Shelton, Lennon & Maisy Stella, George Strait, Taylor Swift, The Band Perry, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban and Zac Brown Band.

KNUE (KNUE Studio 3810 Brookside Drive Tyler, TX 75701) broadcast the whole show live (less the Darius Rucker performance as the TV credits rolled) on Wednesday, Nov.6, 2013! 101.5 KNUE is the No.1 country music station in East Texas.

The station was well-represented with nominees Miranda Lambert and Kacey Musgraves. Both of the Texas ladies were winners on the night!

Numerous times throughout the 3 hour broadcast the station ran an advert with “country music” hit making duo Florida Georgia Line and industrial product supplier W.W. Grainger Inc. teaming up to do their part to help plug the industrial-trade skills gap during the Nashville-based group’s upcoming summer concert tour. Grainger sponsored 20 of Florida Georgia Line’s concerts during the summer with the duo paying tribute to students who have been awarded scholarships as part of Grainger’s Tools for Tomorrow scholarship program. 

Watch the promo vid

1) 01:02 Performance - Kicking of the CMA proceedings was Luke Bryan joined by Florida Georgia Line with a "That’s My Kind Of Night"/ "Cruise" Mashup. Bryan, who shook his thang, was dressed in black jeans and the front panels on his black shirt sparkled in the lights as he danced. 

01:07 CMA Skits – Hosts Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood provided at least three “Oh no they didn’t!” moments during their opening monologue with Zac Brown, Luke Bryan, Taylor Swift, Julianne Hough, Obamacare, Keith Urban, ‘Duck Dynasty’ and the ‘evil’ Kenny Rogers were all targets, taken in good spirits. The co-hosts began singing ‘Why Can’t We Be Friends’ — with modified lyrics. Kellie Pickler then handed out “feud assignments. After trying to sign up for health insurance (while singing ‘Obamacare by Morning,’ a take on George Strait‘s ‘Amarillo by Morning’), Paisley and Underwood thanked Swift for growing up with maturity, as opposed to Miley Cyrus, who has been caught twerking and licking hammers in recent months. >> Watch (5 mins in)

2) 01:16 Presentation & Award -  Willie & Korie Robertson and Jase & Missy Robertson from “Duck Dynasty”  came out to present the Single of the Year to: Florida Georgia Line.

Willie started out his speech with laughter, saying, “I’m pretty sure I just twerked with Carrie Underwood.” 

3) 01:22 Performance – Jason Aldean performed his album title cut, "Night Train". 

Jason wearing a muted red button-down shirt and his signature cowboy hat, played his acoustic guitar with a full band. The song is the title track from his fifth studio album, and he first introduced it at the 2013 CMT Music Awards.

4) 01:27 Performance – Kasey Musgraves performed her new radio single, "Follow Your Arrow". 

The sassy Kacey (with 6 nominations) looked extra pretty in a ruffly, lemon yellow party dress that showed off those killer legs and her brown hair was in a stylish side pony. Unfortunately, censors muted one the song’s lyrics, due to the content when she sang the signature “roll up a joint” line. Too controversial for prime time TV and radio airplay. Her grandma was her CMA date! ). Lighted arrow props hung behind her as she performed singer at the 2013 CMA Awards. >> Video

5) 01:34 Performance – Lady Antebellum performed their new radio single, "Compass"  .

The crowd started to sing along as Lady A performed on an elegant black and white stage set.  was simple, yet elegant, and the trio sang together in front of the white script that read their new single’s name. Charles Kelley walked down the audience to shake a few hands, whilst Dave Haywood joined Kelley in front of the fans playing mandolin.
>> Listen to live segments 1 - 9 using the player below and select from the sidebar options

6) 01:36 Presentation & Award -  Jake Owen & “Pretty Little Liars” actress/ newbie country

singer Lucy Hale came out to present the Song of the Year to: "I Drive Your Truck," performed by Lee Brice (written by Jessi Alexander, Connie Harrington, Jimmy Yeary) The award goes to the songwriters.

n a surprising showdown, country singer Lee Brice snatched the award for Song of the Year at the 2013 CMAs, beating out some stiff competition with his poignant and moving ’I Drive Your Truck.’ Brice handed the mic to Jimmy Yeary, one of the main songwriters. The song has an incredible back-story, as it was written for Sergeant First Class Jared Monti, who gave his life in Afghanistan.
His father, Paul Monti, coped with his grief by driving his son’s truck.

7) 01:44 Performance – Little Big Town performed their latest single "Sober," from their album TORNADO

8) 01:47 Presentation & Award – New artist nominees Lee Brice, Brett Eldridge and Kip Moore come out to present the Vocal Duo of the Year to: Florida Georgia Line

9) 01:51 Performance – Keith Urban and Miranda Lambert performed their new radio single  “We Were Us”. Lambert, showing off her sassy stage presence, looked sleek and trim as she donned a black miniskirt embellished with rhinestones and a leather peplum shirt, with her blonde locks in perfect waves and sported heeled cowboy boots. Urban opted for a cool-as-ever-casual-look in jeans and t-shirt.

10) 02:00 Performance – Taylor Swift joined by Vince Gill, Alison Krauss performed an acoustic rendition of her title track and latest country radio single  “Red” . This (likely) one-time-only version was customized, slowed down of her love-gone-wrong number. On the darkened CMAs stage the players accompanied by several string players were seated in a semi-circle, and they were backlit., Swift led the song, strumming her guitar, while Krauss and Gill (guitar) provided harmonies. According to Taste of Country: Swift and Krauss harmonized on the bridge to the song’s coda, it was breathtakingly, achingly beautiful. >> Video

11) 02:05 Performance – Florida Georgia Line performed “Round Here”.

Following that the announcement was made for Musician of the Year award: Mac McAnally wins again, 6 times in a row!

12) 02:12 Performance – Hunter Hayes and Jason Mraz performed “Everybody’s Got Somebody But Me”   

Country goes POP with two “singers” who sported perfectly coordinated outfits. Hayes was wearing all denim and Mraz was sleek and confident in a button-up shirt and stylish hat. The performance actually began backstage, Hayes knocked on Mraz’s dressing room door, and they strolled down the hallway singing, before they walked through a path of fans, all the way up to the CMA stage.

13) 02:14 Presentation & Award – Hunter Hayes and Jason Mraz presented New Artist of the Year to: Kacey Musgraves 

The above song morphed into the transition to the New Artist of the Year nominees, and Hayes asked the audience to give it up for the talented stars. Kacey, 25, picked up her first CMA win.  “This first year for me has just been indescribable,” she said during her acceptance speech. “I can’t even put into to words how much I appreciate the love from country music and every other genre.”  

14) 02:16 Performance – Eric Church showcased his brand new rock-heavy radio single “The Outsiders” from his February 2014 album. Eric minus a hat, added some rock to his outfit with a pair of aviators. Blue lights welcomed the singer before he started out the single in a subdued manner. As steam rose from the ground it wasn’t long before things cranked up for full on rock, with hard drum beats, an electric guitar and Church screaming the lyrics.  

>> Listen to the Audio:

15)  02:22 Performance - The Band Perry performed their new single ‘Don’t Let Me Be Lonely’. The trio who are due to head for Europe lit up the stage. Kimberly Perry standing in the main spotlight wore a strapless white and gold dress and her usual super high four inch heels while her brothers, stood more toward the back in the shadows wore handsome in fitted cardigans and suit jackets, their signature styled hair looking tousled and cool. In Guy Fawkes fashion (?) fireworks went off towards the end of the number to the delight of the CMA crowd.  

16) 02:29 Presentation & Award – Sheryl Crow presented the Album of the Year which went to: Blake Shelton for BASED ON A TRUE STORY.

This was his first win to snag the prestigious Album of the Year category.  Shelton jokingly snatched the award from presenter Sheryl Crow, saying, “Gimme that” after he got on stage to accept. He brought producer Scott Hendricks on stage with him.

Listen to the live segments 10  - 20 using the player below and select from the sidebar options.

17) 02:33 Performance – Tim McGraw performed his latest country radio single and current #1song “Southern Girl”, the fourth from McGraw’s latest album ‘Two Lanes of Freedom.’ Tim wore a maroon shirt and gray slacks plus his black cowboy hat, he sang in front of a colored backdrop.

Cowboy Jack and Bobby Bare were then acknowledged who became new members of the revered Country Music Hall of Fame.

18) 02:42 Performance – Blake Shelton performed new single “Mine Would Be You” which this week landed him a No.1 on Billboard Country Airplay. The set was beautiful, giving a romantic and gasp-inducing backdrop with Shelton, clad in a dark shirt and jeans, hundreds of tiny lights, reminiscent of candles, glowed with a soft and golden light. Next to him, Gwen Sebastian harmonized and it was one of the top performances of the evening. >> Video

19) 02:47 Performance – Lennon & Maisy Stella performed a short cover of “You Belong

With Me” to serenade Taylor Swift who motioned them to come over for a hug and multiple forehead kisses. Enter Faith Hill and Tim McGraw who promptly presented 23-year-old Taylor (resplendent in red) with a special CMA Pinnacle Award. 
Tim narrated a video package and montage, where the A-list likes of Julia Roberts, Reese Witherspoon, Justin Timberlake and more wished Swift congratulations and espoused her general talent. 
Garth Brooks is the only artist to ever have received this award.

20) 02:02 Performance – Carrie Underwood performed a medley of her hits: “Good Girl”, “Blown Away”, “Two Black Cadillacs”  and “See You Again” . Co-host Carrie lit up the pink and purple stage with her fun hit ‘Good Girl’ in front of a background full of TVs showing her videos as she wore a sparkly black top and black shorts with heels that featured draped jewels. >> Video  

21) 03:05 Presentation & Award – Kellie Pickler and P. Diddy (Sean Combs) presented Vocal Group of the Year to: Little Big Town

This was the second year running they have won this category beating out tough competition from Eli Young Band, Lady Antebellum, The Band Perry and Zac Brown Band, this is LBT’s 3rd CMA gong.

22) 03:09 Performance – Alan Jackson & George Strait performed  “He Stopped Lovin’ Her Today” as a tribute to the late George Jones. The 2013 CMA Awards paid tribute to the legend with Jackson and Strait on-hand (who are themselves considered living legends) Strait strummed his guitar alongside Jackson and they harmonized with images of Jones throughout his storied life flashed on the screen behind them. R.I.P., George Jones. >>  Video

23) 03:18 Performance – The Zac Brown Band showcased a brand new song “Day For The Dead”  with Foo Fighter’s drummer, Dave Grohl (producer). Zac Brown was dressed the part for the rock-meets-country song, wearing his signature beanie as well as a jacket covered in skulls. It ended with a standing ovation from the crowd and a cheer from Carrie Underwood. >> Video  

24) 03:23 Performance – Brad Paisley performed  “The Mona Lisa” with Brad wearing a black t-shirt with an image of Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa.  , Brad Paisley brought pizzaz to the 2013 CMAs stage with, of course, ‘The Mona Lisa.’

The song forms part  of his 17-track album ‘Wheelhouse’. >> Video

25) 03:33 Performance A Tribute to Kenny Rogers: Jennifer Nettles performed a

segment of “Sweet Music Man” followed by Rascal Flatts who recalled Rogers' pop-music phase (”the psychedelic era!") with the First Edition by performing "Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In)."  
They then passed the baton to Darius Rucker to sing “The Gambler” as Kenny joined in CMA feel-good fun to sing his monster hit “Islands In The Stream” with Jennifer Nettles taking on the Dolly Parton duet role. Jennifer presented the 2013 Hall of Fame inductee with the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award.

>>  Video  



26) 03:39 Presentation & Award – ‘Nashville’ ABC TV stars Connie Britton and Charles Esten presented the Female Vocalist of the Year to: Miranda Lambert. This was her fourth successive win in the category and her 7th CMA win overall. Britton, who plays a country singer on her hit show, says she can relate to those women nominated for this award. “I’ve been there, you know,” she joked! Esten quickly offered a correction: “Honey, that was just our show.”  >> Video

27) 03:48 Performance – Luke Bryan in an emotional performance with a nod to his deceased sister and brother performed his new radio single “Drink A Beer”.  The singer sat on a bar stool along with members of his band, simply clad in a t-shirt and jeans. The song is dedicated to his late siblings, brother Chris and sister Kelly, whom he lost in 1996 and 2007. Listen to the live segments 21  - 30 using the player below and select from the sidebar options.

28) 03:53 Presentation & Award – Kelly Clarkson presented the Male Vocalist of the Year to: Blake Shelton his fourth successive win in the category and his 8th CMA win. >> Video

29) 03:57 Presentation & Award –  ‘Good Morning America’ host Robin Roberts presented the Entertainer of the Year to: George Strait. The King of Country, reigned supreme nabbing the coveted trophy. The legend, who is retiring from active touring next year, was truly surprised by the win. His 2013 Cowboy Rides Away Tour sold out show after show. He notched his 60th No. 1 single of his career (Mediabase) as he turned 61, as well.

“Never in a million years, thank you so much,” Strait said upon taking the stage to accept. “My dad is having good conversations up there. This blows me away. I can’t believe it.” 
Watch >> Video

Darius Rucker had the privilege of closing out the 2013 CMA Awards with his smash hit ‘Wagon Wheel,’ perfectly completing the country-filled evening with the classic to bring the CMAs to a jovial finale.

SOURCES: Thank you 101.5 KNUE for the live ABC broadcast feed and YouTube users CMN Texas and MrTelevisionMaster for your video uploads.

Photos: CMT.com award gallery credited to Larry Busacca (WireImage), Rick Diamond (Getty Images)