Little Big Town Tribute The Late Kenny Rogers With Performance of ‘Sweet Music Man’ At 2020 CMA Awards

Little Big Town paid tribute to the late country music icon Kenny Rogers on Wednesday (Nov. 11) during the 2020 CMA Awards.

The Vocal Group Of The Year nominees performed Rogers single, “Sweet Music Man.” Ending their performance with a photo of the iconic country singer filling the backdrop of the stage paying tribute to him with a standing ovation.

Rogers died from natural causes earlier this year on March 20 at age 81.

The country icon is best known for being the voice behind such genre-bending hits as “The Gambler,” “Lady,” “Islands in the Stream,” and “Lucille,” among others. A multi-talented star, his career moved beyond the stage to the small screen as he starred in popular TV movies based on “The Gambler” and other songs. Rogers also ventured into other endeavors throughout his career, becoming a co-founder of the restaurant chain Kenny Rogers Roasters as well as the author behind book releases, including his autobiography, “Making It With Music.”

A decorated artist, Rogers has won a total of six CMA Awards and three Grammys throughout his 60-year career. In 2013, he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. He also received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Country Music Association that same year.

The 54th Annual CMA Awards also featured performances from Chris Stapleton, Rascal Flatts, Morgan Wallen, Miranda Lambert, Maren Morris, Luke Combs, Eric Church, Jon Pardi, Keith Urban, Jimmie Allen, Ingrid Andress, Rascal Flatts, Old Dominion and Kelsea Ballerini.

Additionally, the show included star-studded collaborations by Dan + Shay with Justin Bieber, Reba McEntire featuring Darius Rucker, Gabby Barrett and Charlie Puth, Carly Pearce with Charles Kelley, Thomas Rhett together with McEntire, Chris Tomlin and Hillary Scott, as well as Darius Rucker featuring Lady A. The show opener featured an all-star performance from Jason Aldean, Dierks Bentley, Brothers Osborne, Jenee Fleenor and Ashley McBryde paying tribute to the late Charlie Daniels.

Hosted by Reba McEntire and Darius Rucker, “Country Music’s Biggest Night” aired on Wednesday, November 11 (live 8:00-11:00 PM ET) on ABC.

Written by

Andrew Wendowski

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