Country Music Awards Get Political
At the 51st Country Music Awards, hosts Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood started off the live show in an uncharacteristically political manner. Because of the usually wildly diverse views in their audiences, country music artists typically refrain from getting too controversial, yet this year, the CMAs seem to have completely ignored this unspoken rule. In fact, the first words spoken addressed the recent tragedies that have occurred throughout 2017.
“Las Vegas, Charlottesville, New York, Sutherland Springs, historic storms in Texas, Puerto Rico and Florida and the list goes on and on,” Carrie Underwood said. “This has been a year marked by tragedy impacting countless lives including so many in our country music family. So tonight, we’re going to do what families do, come together, pray together, cry together, and sing together too.”
Paisley added: “The way we see it, the best way to honor our fans is to play our music, loud and proud. Our music lifts people up and that’s what we’re here to do tonight. This year’s show is dedicated to all those we lost and those who are still healing, we love you and we will never forget you.”
The hosting duo shifted from this heartfelt, serious tone to a comedic one, continuing with a light-hearted song, mocking both sides of the political spectrum. Yet, as the awards continued, almost every artist that was performing, receiving, or announcing, could not help but shift back to the more serious mood by commenting on specific, recent issues.
Carrie Underwood held back tears as she paid a touching tribute to prominent country artists whose lives were lost in 2017, ending with images of the Las Vegas victims displayed on a screen behind her as she sang “Softly and Tenderly.” Correspondingly, Keith Urban performed a new song entitled “Female” that tackles the complex issue of sexual assault in Hollywood, partially basing the song on the scandal surrounding Harvey Weinstein.
This year marks the first year the country music community decided to tackle tough issues, no matter how political or controversial, and it stunned fans worldwide.
