Gabby Barrett returned to the 2021 CMA Awards stage for the second consecutive year on Wednesday (Nov. 10).
After being introduced by American Idol judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie, Barrett was joined by husband Cade Foehner, the country superstar and Pennsylvania native served up a new take of her chart-topping single, “The Good Ones,” live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena.
The new rendition of “The Good Ones” gave new life to the beloved track alongside an orchestra, which Barrett co-wrote alongside Emily Landis, Jim McCormick and Zach Kale.
.@GabbyBarrett_ looking and sounding like an angel tonight at the #CMAawards 😇😍 @CountryMusic pic.twitter.com/NEeS9aZ2zZ
— ABC (@ABCNetwork) November 11, 2021
Ahead of her performance, Barrett admitted that it’s “a little nerve-racking” performing on such a big stage in front of some of her musical idols.
“Carrie Underwood, Chris Stapleton and like all of the people that I have looked up to and have heard my entire life are sitting, staring in front of me, listening to every word that comes out of my mouth,” Barrett, who is the most-nominated female at the CMA Awards, told Taste Of Country.
Barrett has 4 nominations at the coveted awards ceremony, including Female Vocalist of the Year, New Artist of the Year, Single of the Year and Song of the Year for “The Good Ones.”
The 55th Annual CMA Awards also featured performances from Luke Combs, Jimmie Allen, Brothers Osborne, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Dan + Shay, Jennifer Hudson, Miranda Lambert, Old Dominion, Thomas Rhett, Blake Shelton, Chris Stapleton, Keith Urban, and Zac Brown Band.
Additionally, the show included star-studded collaborations by Chris Young and Kane Brown, Carly Pearce and Ashley McBryde, Mickey Guyton, Brittney Spencer and Madeline Edwards, Jason Aldean and Carrie Underwood, Dierks Bentley, BRELAND and HARDY.
Country singers Trace Adkins, Ingrid Andress, Kelsea Ballerini, Deana Carter, Russell Dickerson, Florida Georgia Line, Alan Jackson, Lady A, Scotty McCreery, Darius Rucker, Lainey Wilson, and Trisha Yearwood were on hand to present during the ceremony.
Lauren Daigle, Faith Fennidy, Freddie Freeman, Amy Grant, Dulé Hill, Elle King, Zachary Levi, Hayley Orrantia, Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, Susan Sarandon, Saycon Sengbloh and Kurt Warner also made special appearances throughout the broadcast.
Hosted by Luke Bryan, the 2021 CMA Awards broadcasted live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 10 at 8/7c on ABC.
