Dan + Shay, Chris Janson, McBryde, Shelton
Deliver Powerful Performances on CMA Stage
It was a monumental evening for the Warner Music Nashville family, with superstars Dan + Shay taking home their first-ever CMA Award for Duo of the Year – making them the first artists to win Duo since the company came under the direction of Chairman and CEO John Esposito in 2009 – the skyrocketing Ashley McBryde winning the coveted title of New Artist of the Year, and country iconBlake Shelton returning for a tenth CMA Award, this time for a massive Single of the Year with “God’s Country,” co-written by label mate Devin Dawson.
“I am so thankful for this,” said Shay Mooney. “We love country music. It raised us, it teaches us so much about empowerment... This is amazing. Thank you guys so much.”
Added Dan Smyers, “Thank you country radio for playing these songs and country music fans. There are so many people I want to thank right now, but… Shay. I love you, man. You’re my best friend… and favorite singer in the entire world.”
In the seven years since they formed, Dan + Shay have amassed nearly four billion streams globally, accumulated 17 total RIAA Platinum and Gold certifications and achieved six No. 1 singles at country radio. Their current single “10,000 Hours” with Justin Bieber has taken the world by storm, already topping 300 million streams worldwide and screaming up the U.S. country airplay, pop and adult contemporary charts. They took home their first-ever GRAMMY earlier this year and followed the honor with ACM, CMT Music, Billboard Music, Teen Choice and now a CMA Award, effectively sweeping the country categories. They will hit the road in 2020 with their first-ever headlining arena tour that includes an already sold-out show at New York’s Madison Square Garden.
Following a thank you to his on-stage producers, Shelton offered: “I want to thank the songwriters, thank you to Warner Records, country radio, whoever votes on these things… I want to dedicate this to busbee and Earl Thomas Conley, who we lost this year. Thank you guys so much – we did it!”
Already a previous Entertainer of the Year and a five-time Male Vocalist of the Year, Shelton continues to add to his superstar status. The newly crowned “God’s Country” became his 26th No. 1 on country radio, where it remained for a multi-week run, in addition to marking his 16th chart-topper on Billboard Hot Country Songs. On December 13 he will new music and recent hits on his album Fully Loaded: God’s Country. He will hit the road again in 2020 for the second leg of his Friends and Heroes tour alongside very special guest Lauren Alaina as well as appearances by The Bellamy Brothers, John Anderson and Adkins.
“I once had the pleasure of playing a tribute show for Mr. John Prine, and the next day he shook my hand and he said, ‘You’re real good. You’re no Reba, but you’re real good,’” McBryde said. “I cherish those little moments that are like that – that are truth and guidance from voices that we respect and admire. And I’m thankful for that, and for this, and for the opportunity to step up.”
Lauded by The New York Times as “an alluringly flexible singer, fluent in classic country, blues and Southern rock, with a voice that moves easily from tender to tough,” McBryde caught the attention of some of Nashville’s most raucous entertainers, landing her dates opening for Eric Church, Chris Stapleton, Luke Combs, Little Big Town and George Strait. She most recently released her Jay Joyce-produced single “One Night Standards” and is currently on Miranda Lambert’s all-female Roadside Bars & Pink Guitars Tour for select dates alongside Elle King and Maren Morris. The GRAMMY and Emmy nominee began and capped the year with New Artist wins, earning an ACM in April and now her first-ever CMA Award.
WMN artists also shone under the spotlight on the stage at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. Following the celebratory opening medley, Dan + Shay delivered the evening’s first official performance of the night with their global smash “Speechless.” McBryde took the stage alongside some of country music’s foremost female stars and up-and-comers for a performance of Little Big Town’s “Girl Crush,” while Shelton pulled double duty with a floor-stomping rendition of his award-winning “God’s Country” as well as a “Dive Bar” duet alongside Garth Brooks. In a high-energy collaboration of “Me and Bobby McGee” with Dierks Bentley, Sheryl Crow, John Osborne and Joe Walsh honoring Kris Kristofferson, Chris Janson contributed a signature rollicking harmonica solo.
ABOUT WARNER MUSIC NASHVILLE
Warner Music Nashville was created in 2009 under the leadership of Chairman & CEO John Esposito. It continues to champion Warner Music Group’s presence in the Nashville music community its family of labels have called home for more than 60 years.
