The 2019 CMA Awards started off on a high note (literally) Wednesday night, with a much-publicized medley performance celebrating the accomplishments of women in country music.
Hosts Carrie Underwood, Reba McEntire, and Dolly Parton led the historic number, which also featured Terri Clark, Sara Evans, Crystal Gayle, the Highwomen (Brandi Carlile, Natalie Hemby, Maren Morris, and Amanda Shires), Martina McBride, Jennifer Nettles, Tanya Tucker, and Gretchen Wilson.
The singers performed iconic country songs spanning the decades. Underwood, McEntire, and Parton kicked things off with a rendition of “Those Memories of You,” the Highwomen performed Tammy Wynette’s 1967 hit “Your Good Girl is Gonna Go Bad,” and Evans sang her 2000 song “Born to Fly.” Other songs in the medley included “You’re Lookin’ at Country,” “Delta Dawn,” “Redneck Woman,” and “Independence Day.”
Loretta Lynn, the first woman to ever win Entertainer of the Year at the CMAs, was seen jamming along to the medley, and received a special shout-out on stage.
Before the performance, Nettles celebrated female artists in another way, by making a statement with her ensemble: a custom Christian Siriano suit with a pink satin train, which featured a message calling for equal radio play time for women performers. “Play our f—ing records,” it read. “Please and thank you.”
The 53rd Country Music Association Awards are being held at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. Prior to the ceremony, it was announced on Good Morning America that Kacey Musgrave’s “Rainbow” video had won Music Video of the Year, while Lil Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus’ “Old Town Road (Remix)” won Musical Event of the Year.
See the full list of winners here, and check out a clip of the medley below:
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