CMA Awards 2024 Performances Ranked Worst to Greatest

Put up Malone made a large foray into nation music this yr together with his F-1 Trillion album and hit duets with Morgan Wallen (the Billboard Sizzling 100 topper “I Had Some Assist”) and Blake Shelton (“Pour Me a Drink”). Although his F-1 Trillion album is full of collabs, Put up Malone was typically at his greatest on the document together with his solo materials. To that finish, one among his two CMA Awards performances Wednesday evening was a solo efficiency of the ballad “Yours,” an ode to his daughter. He’s beforehand turned in some stellar vocal performances, however right here, Put up Malone’s usually supple voice sounded tough and strained, turning into considerably of a distraction from the music’s candy sentiments.

Zimmerman instantly caught viewers’ consideration by decreasing from the ceiling in entrance of a large signal emblazoned together with his initials. Clad in a sleeveless shirt and jean shorts, Zimmerman sang his music “New to Nation.” Confetti fluttered over the gang as he churned by way of the brand new monitor, backed by his band. As all the time, Zimmerman approached the efficiency with loads of vitality, however given the style’s current tilt towards extra traditional-leaning sounds, the music itself felt barely dated.

Along with his duties co-hosting the CMA Awards, Luke Bryan carried out his current prime 5 Nation Airplay hit “Love You, Miss You, Imply It,” providing up a superb efficiency that showcased each his hitmaker standing and his easygoing, fun-natured efficiency model.

Ballerini and Kahan sang a chic tackle their collab “Cowboys Cry Too,” included on Ballerini’s newest album, Patterns. Their vocals sounded candy collectively, although Kahan, who is mostly seen performing together with his guitar, appeared barely uncomfortable onstage. Nonetheless, the tender rendering made for a strong efficiency.

Chris Stapleton and Put up Malone launched this yr’s present with a collaboration of “California Sober,” their duet from Put up Malone’s F-1 Trillion. Their joyous vibe was an awesome begin to the present they usually every turned in a passionate, rollicking, honky-tonk vibe. Nonetheless, Stapleton’s highly effective vocal instrument overpowered Put up Malone’s at moments, although it’s exhausting for any vocalist to face as much as Stapleton’s highly effective growth of a voice.

Megan Moroney supplied up one of many present’s flashiest moments throughout her efficiency of “Am I Okay?,” the title monitor of her newest album. She showcased simply why her profession has surged greater over the previous yr. Extending the blue-toned theme of her album cowl, her efficiency was marked by blue sparkles spanning huge screens, lasers and her platform stage. Her wit and charisma have been on show as Moroney sauntered and twirled by way of the sassy music, earlier than dropping to at least one knee on the music’s bridge, singing the music’s flirty, love-fueled verses with wink and a smile. Even so, her voice appeared barely unsteady at occasions, although the efficiency nonetheless had loads of allure.

Shaboozey’s “A Bar Music (Tipsy)” has been an inescapable hit this yr, spending 18 weeks atop the Billboard Sizzling 100. He introduced that star energy to the CMA stage, first opening together with his new music “Freeway,” earlier than saying his intentions to “flip this place into the best dive bar on the planet” and launching into his breakthrough hit. Flanked by dancers garbed in western put on, he supplied a laid-back charisma and had no drawback getting the entire viewers on its ft, and his fellow artists grooving.

Lainey Wilson, who additionally served as a co-host this yr alongside Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning, introduced a dramatic aptitude to the love music “4x4xU.” Standing earlier than a firepit, with a backing display that seemed like stars flung throughout the evening sky, Wilson sang her lilting hit about discovering respite from a protracted day by spending time together with her lover. Wilson held court docket with a seasoned confidence.

Dierks Bentley was joined by a trio of gifted bluegrass luminaries and IBMA Award winners — Molly Tuttle, Sierra Hull and Bronwyn Keith-Hynes — to honor the late Tom Petty with a bluegrassed-up model of “American Lady.” (Bentley recorded a model of the music for the tribute album Petty Nation.) For the reason that starting of his profession, Bentley has made no secret of his love for bluegrass music. Helmed by Bentley’s gritty twang, the efficiency was full of swaths of mandolin, fiddle and guitar, and was notably highly effective as a result of it put a much-deserved highlight the musical acumen of Tuttle, Hull and Keith-Hynes.

Thomas Rhett and Teddy Swims introduced a soulful, sultry tackle TR’s “Somethin’ ‘Bout a Lady,” earlier than transitioning into Swims’s “Lose Management.” This mix of pop, soul, blues and nation, with dynamic melodies, fantastically highlighted the vocal expertise of each artists, making a second that clearly resonated with the viewers, bringing the gang to its ft.

Wearing darkish apparel and his signature shades, Eric Church turned in an aching and chic efficiency of “Darkest Hour,” a solo write from Church, with all of his publishing royalties from the music going to help these impacted by Hurricane Helene. Backed by horns and strings, in addition to a choir, as he sang powerfully and soulfully in regards to the energy of standing by the facet of family members by way of attempting occasions. The vigorous efficiency proved one of many night’s most impactful.

Ella Langley and Riley Inexperienced gave a efficiency that felt like a wonderful throwback to old-school CMA Awards performances as they carried out their collaboration “You Look Like You Love Me.” Langley started the music whereas seated within the viewers, then stood and sauntered by way of the aisles, taking part in to the digital camera, and up the steps to the CMA stage as she carried out the primary verse of “You Look Like You Love Me.” Inexperienced quickly joined her, and their onstage efficiency and vocal charisma was simple, immediately drawing a standing ovation from the gang. A strong showcase for these two gifted artists.

Combs supplied a blistering vocal efficiency as he sang the rock-fueled “Ain’t No Love in Oklahoma,” his contribution to the soundtrack to the Twisters soundtrack. Combs constantly proves he has some of the commanding voices in nation music and this roaring efficiency was no exception.

Accompanying herself on guitar, Ashley McBryde turned in a surprising tribute to the late Kris Kristofferson, with a solemn, tender rendition of “Assist Me Make It By way of The Evening” as images of Kristofferson flashed on a display. The easy, elegant efficiency garnered a standing ovation in tribute to the enduring singer-songwriter Kristofferson.

This heartbreaker of a music, embodying the ache of loss, is a basic from these two: reserved instrumentation highlighting deeply felt vocals and a timeless message.

Texan Cody Johnson, who simply offered out his first headline stadium live performance in Arlington, Texas, is thought for his high-octane performances. However on the CMA Awards, he supplied one of many top-tier ballads of the night, as he was joined by Carrie Underwood for a efficiency of their collaboration on “I’m Gonna Love You.” The music is a top-notch vessel for these two highly effective vocalists and seasoned entertainers.

Musgraves supplied a easy guitar-vocal efficiency that positioned the highlight on the exquisitely crafted tune about pondering free will, and the which means (if any) behind life’s possibilities and random turns. The easy efficiency was a potent reminder of Musgraves’ devotion to top-shelf songcraft.

For his or her efficiency of “Liar,” a music about combating the lies that result in and accompany habit, Jelly Roll and Keith City supplied up an intense efficiency, one additional heightened by the fiery onstage manufacturing. With City displaying his stellar guitar work, and the backing of a vocal group, Jelly Roll turned within the type of passionate, soulful efficiency he’s turn into identified for.

Brooks & Dunn and Jelly Roll turned in one of many night’s most emotional, impactful performances halfway by way of the present with a rendition of Brooks & Dunn’s gospel-inflected “Imagine.” Jelly Roll launched into the acquainted music of a person who turns to a better energy to fill the emotional void after the demise of family members, accompanied by Kix Brooks on piano and Ronnie Dunn’s stirring voice. Brooks & Dunn and Jelly Roll hit the music’s zenith on the hovering refrain as Jelly Roll raised his fingers, inflicting many within the viewers to do the identical, some wiping away tears.

Nation Music Corridor of Famer George Strait was celebrated mightily in the course of the CMA Awards with a number of artists performing a few of his many hit songs.

Lainey Wilson launched into the tribute with a model of “Amarillo By Morning,” which made nice use of her pure twang. “You’re a true inspiration to me,” Wilson advised Strait, as Jamey Johnson then took to the stage for a stellar efficiency of Strait’s “Give It Away,” which Johnson co-wrote.

Johnson was then joined by Miranda Lambert and Parker McCollum, who sang “Troubadour” as images of Strait over time flashed onscreen. From there, on one other stage, Strait himself took the stage alongside Stapleton to carry out their collaboration “Honky Tonk Corridor of Fame,” from Strait’s newest album Cowboys and Dreamers. At 72, Strait proved why he stays the benchmark that so many artists within the style look as much as.