Miranda Lambert celebrated her 38th birthday as she kicked off the 55th Annual CMA Awards on Wednesday (Nov. 10) with a medley of her biggest hits.
While sporting an outfit that gave a nod to her chart-topping hit, “Bluebird,” the Texas native opened her performance with her iconic hit, “Kerosene,” as pyrotechnics fired off around her. She went on to perform “Mama’s Broken Heart,” “Bluebird,” “Little Red Wagon” and “Gunpowder and Lead.”
As Lambert performed, her peers nodded and sang along from the audience as she concluded her performance with a standing ovation.
Lambert was introduced to the stage by Gabby Barrett, Mickey Guyton and Carly Pearce.
That performance was on FIRE, @MirandaLambert! ❤️🔥 The #CMAawards are just getting started! @CountryMusic pic.twitter.com/DgglCgUTnW
— ABC (@ABCNetwork) November 11, 2021
Ahead of her performance, she teased fans while also revealing that she is excited to kick off the show as she will get done early and will be able to relax for the remainder of the evening.
“I’m also done at 7:05, so I get to sit and enjoy my night, which is amazing,” Lambert admitted.
Lambert, who holds the record for the most CMA Female Vocalist of the Year wins, had three nominations for tonight’s ceremony, including Entertainer of the Year, Female Vocalist of the Year and Musical Event of the Year.
Ahead of the show, Lambert expressed how grateful she is to still be able to attend the awards nearly two decades later.
“I’m so thankful to still be coming to the CMAs, it’s been like a decade and a half, and I’ve gotten to be a part of it for a really long time,” Lambert shared. “It never gets old.”
She also added that she loves getting to reunite with her friends.
“It’s also one of those nights where you just get to reunite with friends. You know, we make all these friends over the years, but we don’t get to see each other as much when we’re all on the road, so it’s a really cool night,” the Texas native said.
Here we go! @mirandalambert is kicking off the #CMAawards with a 🔥 performance of her biggest hits! | @CountryMusic pic.twitter.com/FtWnyUQSke
— Audacy (@Audacy) November 11, 2021
The 55th Annual CMA Awards also featured performances from Luke Combs, Jimmie Allen, Gabby Barrett, Brothers Osborne, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Dan + Shay, Jennifer Hudson, 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.
