To kick off the 2022 CMA Awards, Miranda Lambert, Reba McEntire, and Carrie Underwood paid tribute to the late Loretta Lynn with a medley of her biggest hits.
After showing a throwback video of Loretta Lynn winning CMA Entertainer of the Year award in 1972, making history 50 years ago as the first woman to ever win the pinnacle honor, Carrie Underwood took the stage to perform “You Ain’t Woman Enough (To Take My Man)”.
Wearing a sparkling yellow dress reminiscent of Lynn’s extravagant wardrobe, Underwood delivered a nostalgic performance of the iconic song.
Next up in the medley of Lynn’s hits was Miranda Lambert performing “Don’t Come Home a Drinkin’.” Lambert wore a western style black dress decorated with silver tassles and rhinestones, a possible nod to the first stage outfit that Lynn ever made.
Following Lambert was Reba McEntire, who performed “You’re Lookin’ at Country.” Wearing a black pantsuit with green embellishments, she ad libbed toward the end, saying “If you were lookin at Loretta, you’re lookin at country”
The all-star trio united to close out the medley with Lynn’s signature song, “Coal Miner’s Daughter.” Lambert kicked off the first verse, followed by McEntire, then Underwood. They exchanged verses in order until the last line of the song, which they all sang together.
Lynn passed away on Tuesday, October 4 at the age of 90. She was later laid to rest on her ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee on Friday, October 7 next to her late husband, Oliver Vanetta “Doolittle,” during a private ceremony. Her public memorial service, Coal Miner’s Daughter: A Celebration Of The Life & Music of Loretta Lynn featured performances from Alan Jackson, Brandi Carlile, Darius Rucker, George Strait, The Highwomen’s Carlile, Amanda Shires + Natalie Hemby with Brittany Spencer, Jack White, Keith Urban, Little Big Town, Margo Price, Emmy Russell + Lukas Nelson, Tanya Tucker and Wynonna with Gaither Vocal Band + Larry Strickland.
The public memorial service was co-hosted by Jenna Bush Hager and also featured heartfelt messages from Barbara Mandrell, Darius Rucker, Faith Hill, Hoda Kotb, Martina McBride, Sheryl Crow, and Tim McGraw. Additionally, Dolly Parton, Kacey Musgraves, Marty Stuart, Miranda Lambert, Reba, Sissy Spacek, and Taylor Swift shared sweet video tributes.
The 56th Annual CMA Awards featured performances from Luke Combs, Morgan Wallen, Miranda Lambert, Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Cole Swindell, Cody Johnson, and Carly Pearce.
The show opened with an all-star tribute to the late Loretta Lynn from Underwood, Reba McEntire and Lambert.
Underwood, Dierks Bentley, Jon Pardi, and Lainey Wilson joined together to honor the 2022 CMA Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, Alan Jackson.
Additionally, the show included star-studded collaborations from Kelsea Ballerini, Kelly Clarkson and Carly Pearce, HARDY and Lainey Wilson, Elle King with The Black Keys, Brothers featuring The War and Treaty, Thomas Rhett and Katy Perry, Chris Stapleton with Patty Loveless, Zac Brown Band, Jimmie Allen and Marcus King as well as Ashley McBryde with Pillbox Patti, Brandy Clark, Caylee Hammack and John Osborne.
Mookie Betts, BRELAND, Jessica Chastain, Jordan Davis, Sarah Drew, Cole Hauser, Tyler Hubbard, Wynonna Judd, Lady A, Rex Linn, Little Big Town, Parker McCollum, Reba McEntire, Ben and Erin Napier, Jeannie Seely, Michael Shannon, and Lainey Wilson were on hand to present during the ceremony.
Co-hosted by Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning, the 2022 CMA Awards broadcasted live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena and aired on ABC (8:00-11:00 PM/ET).
The CMA Awards will also be available for viewing on Hulu beginning Thursday, Nov. 10.
The 56th Annual CMA Awards was a production of the Country Music Association. Robert Deaton served as the Executive Producer, Alan Carter as the Director, and Jon Macks as the Head Writer.
