Country superstars Kelsea Ballerini and Kenny Chesney are already big winners ahead of tonight’s 55th Annual CMA Awards.
The superstar pair won Musical Event of the Year Video of the Year for “Half Of My Hometown.” The news was announced on Wednesday morning on ABC’s Good Morning America.
“Half of My Hometown” was produced by Kelsea Ballerini, Ross Copperman and Jimmy Robbins and was co-written by Ballerini, Copperman and Robbins with Shane McAnally and Nicolle Galyon.
The music video was directed by Patrick Tracy.
Ballerini took to Instagram stories with a tearful reaction to the news of her first-ever CMA Award.
“I’m in my car crying because I just found out that I won two CMAs awards this morning, and I’ve never won a CMA Award before,” she emotionally shared. “We just won for Musical Event Of The Year and Music Video Of The Year for “Half Of My Hometown.” I’m so happy, I love this song. I’m so proud of this song and I love everyone that’s a part of it, Kenny Chesney holy shit. And I can’t wait to go to the show tonight and celebrate. It’s my first one! Thank you guys.”
@musicmayhemmagazine @kelseaballerini in tears after winning TWO #CMAAwards alongside @kennychesney, marking Ballerini’s first-ever CMA Award win! #KelseaBallerini
Chesney also reacted to the news with a sweet message about the opportunity to be part of such a special song.
“Growing up in East Tennessee, it’s a deeper kind of home. You have to have lived it to really understand,” Chesney shared. “Kelsea knows that, knows how hard it is to leave to chase a dream like music. It’s what made being part of “Half of My Hometown” so special! I know that feeling of everyone having an opinion, hating leaving all that love and needing to go out and find your place in the songs,” he shared. “I’m thrilled for Kelsea to have won Musical Event and Music Video of the Year! She couldn’t deserve it more, and I’m honored to be a part of it.”
The 55th Annual CMA Awards will feature performance from Jason Aldean and Carrie Underwood, Jimmie Allen, Gabby Barrett, Dierks Bentley feat. BRELAND and HARDY, Brothers Osborne, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Luke Combs, Dan + Shay, Mickey Guyton featuring Brittney Spencer and Madeline Edwards, Jennifer Hudson, Miranda Lambert, Old Dominion, Carly Pearce and Ashley McBryde, Thomas Rhett, Blake Shelton, Chris Stapleton, Keith Urban, Chris Young and Kane Brown, and Zac Brown Band.
Additionally, the star-studded awards ceremony will feature dozens of presenters, including Trace Adkins, Ingrid Andress, Kelsea Ballerini, Deana Carter, Lauren Daigle, Russell Dickerson, Faith Fennidy, Florida Georgia Line, Freddie Freeman, Amy Grant, Dulé Hill, Alan Jackson, Elle King, Lady A, Zachary Levi, Scotty McCreery, Hayley Orrantia, Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, Darius Rucker, Susan Sarandon, Saycon Sengbloh, Kurt Warner, Lainey Wilson, and Trisha Yearwood.
Hosted by Luke Bryan, the star-studded show is set to broadcast live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 10 beginning at 8/7c on ABC.
