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 Bentley’s Whiskey Row restaurant in Nashville. The announcements were made ahead of tonight’s CMA Awards telecast at 7 p.m. CT.
In the Musical Event of the Year category, “Everything’s Gonna Be Alright” by David Lee Murphy with Kenny Chesney bested the competition, while Video of the Year was awarded to Thomas Rhett’s “Marry Me,” which was directed by TK McKamy.
In June, David Lee, scored the second No. 1 single of his career this week with “Everything’s Gonna Be Alright,” which features vocals from Kenny Chesney. The tune topped both the Billboard Country Airplay chart and Mediabase chart. David Lee, who’s probably best known for his 1995 No. 1 hit, “Dust on the Bottle,” hadn’t scored a hit—as a singer—since 2004’s “Loco,” 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 “Big Green Tractor” (Jason Aldean), “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not” (Thompson Square), “Anywhere With You” (Jake Owen), “The More I Drink” (Blake Shelton), “’Til It’s Gone” (Kenny Chesney) and more. The CMA Award is David Lee’s first.
Thomas Rhett scored the 10th No. 1 single of his career as “Marry Me” 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 “what if” song.
“‘Marry Me’ is one of my favorite tracks on the record,” says Thomas Rhett. “It’s my big ‘what if’ 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 thought—and thankfully I did tell her how I felt—but it makes for a great song concept that so many people can relate to.”
Musical Event of the Year
“Burning Man” – Dierks Bentley feat. Brothers Osborne
“Dear Hate” – Maren Morris (Feat. Vince Gill)
“Drowns the Whiskey” – Jason Aldean (Feat. Miranda Lambert)
“Everything’s Gonna Be Alright” – David Lee Murphy (with Kenny Chesney) WINNER
“Meant to Be” – Bebe Rexha & Florida Georgia Line
Music Video of the Year (Awarded to Artist & Director)
“Babe” – Sugarland (Featuring Taylor Swift); Director: Anthony Mandler
“Cry Pretty” – Carrie Underwood; Director: Randee St. Nicholas
“Drunk Girl” – Chris Janson; Director: Jeff Venable
“Marry Me” – Thomas Rhett; Director: TK McKamy WINNER
“Tequila” – Dan + Shay; Director: Patrick Tracy
