Garth Brooks became the first star to win the Entertainer of the Year prize for a seventh time at the Country Music Awards on Wednesday night (13.11.19).
The 57-year-old singer praised the spectacle’s co-host Reba McEntire, who presented the event alongside Carrie Underwood and Dolly Parton, as he picked up the accolade, and also tipped Luke Combs for huge success.
He told the crowd: "If they gave this award for this show tonight, I’d have to give it to Reba McEntire for her performance tonight of ‘Fancy’.
"And Kelsea Ballerini – if you want to know what an entertainer is, take a guitar and just a single voice in the middle of an arena and shrink a room … fantastic performance."
And referring to Luke, who won Male Vocalist of the Year and Song of the Year for ‘Beautiful Crazy’, Garth said: "Wherever you’re at, this has got your name on it in the future. I can tell you that right now."
Kacey Musgraves was another big winner at the event, which took place at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, as she took home the Female Vocalist of the Year accolade and Music Video of the Year for the accompaniment to her hit ‘Rainbow’. Speaking to the crowd while accepting her award for Female Vocalist of the Year, the 31-year-old star said: "Ultimately, I just want to say that I feel that the female creative spirit, female energy, it’s really needed right now. It’s really important.
"I feel like it’s something earth needs.
"So whether it’s me up here or any of the other women in this category, I just think it’s a beautiful thing and I’m very appreciative.
"Thank you so much. I love country music. I have an amazing team. They worked their a**es off.
"I’m really thankful to be here."
Kacey and country legend Willie Nelson performed at the spectacle, and Halsey collaborated with Lady Antebellum, who lost out on the Vocal Group of the Year gong to Old Dominion.
Elsewhere at the CMAs, Maren Morris triumphed in the Album of the Year category for ‘Girl’, Ashley McBryde was named New Artist of the Year, and Blake Shelton won Single of the Year for ‘God’s Country’.
Dolly took to the stage to collaborate with Zach Williams and For King & Country, and Carrie also performed at the event, as did Miranda Lambert.
Country Music Awards 2019 winners list:
Entertainer of the Year: Garth Brooks
Female Vocalist of the Year: Kacey Musgraves
Male Vocalist of the Year: Luke Combs
Album of the Year: ‘Girl’, Maren Morris
New Artist of the Year: Ashley McBryde
Song of the Year: ‘Beautiful Crazy’, Luke Combs
Single of the Year: ‘God’s Country’, Blake Shelton
Vocal Group of the Year: Old Dominion
Vocal Duo of the Year: Dan + Shay
Musical Event of the Year: Lil Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus, ‘Old Town Road (Remix)’
Music Video of the Year: ‘Rainbow,’ Kacey Musgraves
Musician of the Year: Jenee Fleenor
Lifetime Achievement Award: Kris Kristofferson