Jason Aldean & Carrie Underwood Joke Luke Bryan Has “Some Big Shoes To Fill” Hosting 2021 CMA Awards

Jason Aldean and Carrie Underwood are gearing up to perform their chart-topping duet, “If I Didn’t Love You,” for the first-time ever at the 55th Annual CMA Awards on Wednesday, November 10, and it’s safe to say fans are looking…

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Andrew Wendowski

Andrew Wendowski is the Founder and CEO of Music Mayhem. As a 29-year-old entrepreneur, he oversees content as the Editor-In-Chief for the independent brand. Wendowski, who splits time between Philadelphia, Penn., and Nashville, Tenn., has an extensive background in multimedia. Before launching Music Mayhem in 2014, he worked as a highly sought-after photojournalist and tour photographer, collaborating with such labels as Interscope Records and Republic Records. He has captured photos of some of the biggest names, including Taylor Swift, Metallica, Harry Styles, P!NK, Morgan Wallen, Carrie Underwood, The Rolling Stones, Madonna, Shania Twain, and hundreds more. Wendowski’s photos and freelance work have appeared nationwide and can be seen everywhere from ad campaigns to various publications, including Billboard and Rolling Stone. When Wendowski isn’t running Music Mayhem, he enjoys spending time at concerts, traveling, and capturing photos.

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Posted on November 8, 2021

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Carrie Underwood and Jason Aldean; Photo Courtesy of CMA Awards EPK

Jason Aldean and Carrie Underwood are gearing up to perform their chart-topping duet, “If I Didn’t Love You,” for the first-time ever at the 55th Annual CMA Awards on Wednesday, November 10, and it’s safe to say fans are looking forward to their show-stopping performance.

Just days before the coveted awards show, the country music superstars teased their performance while at CMA rehearsals at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena.

“We are performing ‘If I Didn’t Love You,’ which is a song we have currently on the radio. This is the first time we have performed it in front of people that aren’t like his band,” Underwood said. “So, it’s really exciting!”

“We did fake it about a hundred times for the video, but that’s about it, so far,” Aldean added. “So, to get to do it live for the first time at the CMAs… So excited.”

During the nearly 4-minute interview, Aldean recalled how the song came about and shared how he landed on Underwood as his duet partner.

“Carrie’s somebody I wanted to work with for a long time, and it’s just hard when you want to do that, but you don’t have the song,” he admitted. “I feel like you’re kind of chasing the song a lot of times and so, some of the guys in my band and a new artist that I’m working with, John Morgan, went in and wanted to try to write a duet and came out with this song.”

Aldean shared how the song came about just as he was wrapping up his forthcoming 10th studio album, and revealed that “If I Didn’t Love You” was turned in just in the nick of time.

“I think from the time they wrote it to the time we had Carrie on it was maybe two weeks. So, it happened pretty quick, and it was just one of those songs when I heard it for the first time that she was the first person that I thought of,” he said.

While Aldean was unsure if Underwood was available to join him, it happened to work out perfectly.

“The stars have to align,” Underwood acknowledged.

Jason Aldean & Carrie Underwood; Photo Provided
Jason Aldean & Carrie Underwood; Photo Provided

“Yeah, it all has to work out perfectly and luckily, it did, this time, and we got a big ol’ hit out of it,” Aldean added.

Aside from performing, the pair shared that they are looking forward to seeing their longtime friend and fellow country superstar take the stage as the host of the 2021 CMA Awards.

“I kind of look forward to just seeing who’s here to present, and I’m looking forward to [seeing] Luke host. Not that you didn’t do a good job when you did it,” Aldean said with a laugh.

“I know, I mean, he’s got some big shoes to fill that’s for sure,” Underwood joked, before Aldean added, “he really does.”

Aldean went on to share his excitement of seeing Bryan host the show.

“Luke is my dude, so I’m excited to watch him,” Aldean excitedly added. “I think he’s great at that kind of stuff.”

Underwood and Aldean are also looking forward to catching up with old friends and meeting new ones.

“You kind of have people from all different genres, whether that be music or actors or whatever,” Aldean said. “And you kind of end up meeting some really cool people like that. So I think for me that’s always a thing I look forward to.”

“I’m definitely looking forward to performing,” Underwood shared. “And then I feel like this is kind of like just a big night out for so many of us. Hopefully fans will be able to come and enjoy themselves and people can watch on TV and cheer for their favorite artists. It’s just a fun night to get all dressed up and see everybody. Everybody’s in one place at one time, and it just always make for a great evening.”

@musicmayhemmagazine

Here’s a sneak peek at @jasonaldeanmusic and @carrieunderwood’s #CMAAwards performance. #IfIDidntLoveYou #CarrieUnderwood #JasonAldean

♬ If I Didn’t Love You – Jason Aldean & Carrie Underwood

The 55th Annual CMA Awards will also feature performances 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.

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Written by

Andrew Wendowski is the Founder and CEO of Music Mayhem. As a 29-year-old entrepreneur, he oversees content as the Editor-In-Chief for the independent brand. Wendowski, who splits time between Philadelphia, Penn., and Nashville, Tenn., has an extensive background in multimedia. Before launching Music Mayhem in 2014, he worked as a highly sought-after photojournalist and tour photographer, collaborating with such labels as Interscope Records and Republic Records. He has captured photos of some of the biggest names, including Taylor Swift, Metallica, Harry Styles, P!NK, Morgan Wallen, Carrie Underwood, The Rolling Stones, Madonna, Shania Twain, and hundreds more. Wendowski’s photos and freelance work have appeared nationwide and can be seen everywhere from ad campaigns to various publications, including Billboard and Rolling Stone. When Wendowski isn’t running Music Mayhem, he enjoys spending time at concerts, traveling, and capturing photos.

See more posts from Andrew Wendowski

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