Good Morning America hosts Lara Spencer and Adam Rippon had the honor of announcing the winners in two CMA Awards categories Wednesday (Nov. 14) morning as they broadcast live from Dierks Bentleyâs Whiskey Row restaurant in Nashville. The announcements were made ahead of tonightâs CMA Awards telecast at 7 p.m. CT.
In the Musical Event of the Year category, âEverythingâs Gonna Be Alrightâ by David Lee Murphy with Kenny Chesney bested the competition, while Video of the Year was awarded to Thomas Rhettâs âMarry Me,â which was directed by TK McKamy.
In June, David Lee, scored the second No. 1 single of his career this week with âEverythingâs Gonna Be Alright,â which features vocals from Kenny Chesney. The tune topped both the Billboard Country Airplay chart and Mediabase chart. David Lee, whoâs probably best known for his 1995 No. 1 hit, âDust on the Bottle,â hadnât scored a hitâas a singerâsince 2004âs âLoco,â which reached No. 5. But over the last dozen or so years, the Illinois native has stayed busy as a songwriter, penning hits such as âBig Green Tractorâ (Jason Aldean), âAre You Gonna Kiss Me Or Notâ (Thompson Square), âAnywhere With Youâ (Jake Owen), âThe More I Drinkâ (Blake Shelton), ââTil Itâs Goneâ (Kenny Chesney) and more. The CMA Award is David Leeâs first.
Thomas Rhett scored the 10th No. 1 single of his career as âMarry Meâ ascended to the top of the Mediabase and Billboard Country Airplay charts in March. TR says the twisting tune, which he co-penned with Jesse Frasure, Ashley Gorley and Shane McAnally, is his âwhat ifâ song.
ââMarry Meâ is one of my favorite tracks on the record,â says Thomas Rhett. âItâs my big âwhat ifâ song. I wrote it from the perspective of if I had never told my wife how I felt about her all those years ago. I probably would have been sitting at her wedding watching her marry someone else. Heartbreaking thoughtâand thankfully I did tell her how I feltâbut it makes for a great song concept that so many people can relate to.â
Musical Event of the Year
âBurning Manâ â Dierks Bentley feat. Brothers Osborne
âDear Hateâ â Maren Morris (Feat. Vince Gill)
âDrowns the Whiskeyâ â Jason Aldean (Feat. Miranda Lambert)
âEverythingâs Gonna Be Alrightâ â David Lee Murphy (with Kenny Chesney) WINNER
âMeant to Beâ â Bebe Rexha & Florida Georgia Line
Music Video of the Year (Awarded to Artist & Director)
âBabeâ â Sugarland (Featuring Taylor Swift); Director: Anthony Mandler
âCry Prettyâ â Carrie Underwood; Director: Randee St. Nicholas
âDrunk Girlâ â Chris Janson; Director: Jeff Venable
âMarry Meâ â Thomas Rhett; Director: TK McKamy WINNER
âTequilaâ â Dan + Shay; Director: Patrick Tracy
photo by Jason Simanek