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The CMAswere a night of expectations.
HIGH: A Loretta Lynn tribute that sparkles.
Each showcased a different part of Lynns appeal.
The whole performance shimmered literally too, with surely enough sparkles to c’mon Lynn.
I keep tellin him hes like a brother to me, Manning joked at one point.
He doesnt understand thats not a compliment.
HIGH: We love all the women ofLindeville.
We are LOVING this performance!
Lets hear it for@AshleyMcBrydefeat.
@TheBrandyClark,@CayleeHammack,@PillboxPatti, and John Osborne!
Are yall watching the#CMAawardsLIVE with us right now?!
WHOA: Jo Dee Messina had us at Heads Carolina.
Everyone welcome@JoDeeMessinato the stage with@ColeSwindellfor She Had Me At Heads Carolina!
We love us some ’90s Country!#CMAawardspic.twitter.com/mhcYCX0K6t
Cole Swindell needed help.
Luckily, Jo Dee Messina was there.
Consider it a reminder why she was good enough to inspire Swindells song in the first place.
WHOA: Miranda Lambert and Carrie Underwood bring the fireworks.
Hows everyones hearts holdin up after this smokin performance by the one and only,@CarrieUnderwood?!
Two of countrys most explosive divas, time and again.
LOW: Luke Bryan, again?
Were gettin our Country On with#CMAawardshost,@LukeBryan, right NOW on@ABCNetwork?!
Yall keepin up with us?
pic.twitter.com/buR44J2rZr
We already had to endure him as host for another year.
But a performance, too?
Like Bryans hosting job, his rendition of the stale Country On was equally strained.
Not even all the neon on the stage could distract from that.
Even Katy Perrydonned a hatto round out her countrified look for her duet with Thomas Rhett.
LOW: Hardy is no match for Lainey Wilson.
We’ve been waiting for this one,@HARDYmusicand@LaineyWilson!!
It was a necessary distraction from Hardy, whose nasally, off-key performance simply couldnt carry the song live.
HIGH: Kelsea Ballerinis singles night.
@KelseaBallerini,@KellyClarkson, and@CarlyPearcesharing ONE stage at the#CMAawards?!
We know thats right!
The boisterous performance radiated joy, from the womens smiles to Clarkson ad-libbing byes and thats right.
HIGH: Big ballads, bigger voices.
WHOA: Lainey Wilson hasnt gotten over her wins.
LET’S GO@LaineyWilson!!
Im still livin that honky-tonk dream, yall.
Yes, its an achievement for Combs to win a second year in a row.
Its also another year removed from the last time a woman won the award, in 2011.
