2017 CMA Performances: Complete Guide to Highlights, Lineup, and Tributes

The 2017 CMA performances featured an unforgettable lineup of country music icon tributes, genre-spanning collaborations, and emotional solos during the 51st Annual Country Music Association Awards on November 8, 2017. Highlighting messages of healing, unity, and tradition, the broadcast delivered historic moments ranging from Carrie Underwood's solemn "Softly and Tenderly" to high-energy showcases by Chris Stapleton, Miranda Lambert, and Garth Brooks.

Overview of the 51st Annual CMA Awards

broadcast live from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee, on November 8, 2017, the 51st Annual Country Music Association Awards stood as one of the most poignant telecasts in the organization's history. Hosted for the tenth consecutive year by Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood, the evening served a dual purpose: celebrating excellence in country music while offering comfort to a community still reeling from tragic events in late 2017.

Just five weeks prior to the ceremony, the country music world experienced a devastating tragedy during the Route 91 Harvest festival in Las Vegas. Additionally, 2017 brought severe natural disasters across the United States and the loss of several foundational genre figures, including Glen Campbell, Don Williams, and Troy Gentry. Rather than leaning purely into grand spectacle, the producers and artists crafted a musical program anchored in solace, reverence, and artistic collaboration.

The live production brought together multi-generational superstars, pop crossover guests, and emerging hitmakers. With over 20 distinct musical segments spanning more than three hours of live television, the 2017 CMA performances set a standard for how live award shows balance entertainment, historical tribute, and community support.

The Historic Opening Collaboration: "Hold My Hand" and "Amazing Grace"

The broadcast bypassed the traditional comical opening monologue in favor of a solemn, unifying musical statement. The telecast began in near-total darkness with Eric Church standing center stage under a solitary spotlight, performing a sparse, solo acoustic rendition of the traditional hymn "Amazing Grace."

As Church completed the verse, the stage lights widened to reveal co-hosts Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood alongside a ensemble of country royalty. Darius Rucker stepped forward to lead the supergroup in a rendition of Hootie & the Blowfish’s 1994 anthem "Hold My Hand."

Opening Ensemble Lineup:

1. Eric Church
2. Darius Rucker
3. Reba McEntire
4. Lady A
5. Keith Urban
6. Little Big Town
7. Luke Bryan
8. Garth Brooks

The collaborative performance incorporated harmonies and solo lines from:

• Reba McEntire
• Lady A (then known as Lady Antebellum)
• Keith Urban
• Little Big Town
• Luke Bryan
• Garth Brooks

By bringing together competing nominees and hall-of-fame veterans on one stage without musical backing tracks or elaborate choreography, the opening set an empathetic tone for the rest of the evening. The choice of song emphasized collective strength, directly addressing the audience at home and the survivors of the Las Vegas shooting seated in the arena.

Most Emotional Tributes of the Night

Tribute performances formed the emotional core of the 2017 broadcast. Several segments paid direct homage to fallen icons and victims of national tragedy through stripped-down arrangements and acoustic instrumentation.

Carrie Underwood’s "Softly and Tenderly" In Memoriam

The evening's most talked-about performance occurred during the annual In Memoriam segment. Carrie Underwood performed the classic 19th-century Christian hymn "Softly and Tenderly," arranged with subtle piano and string accompaniment.

As Underwood sang, the video screens behind her projected photographs of industry figures, songwriters, and artists lost throughout 2017. The tribute built to a emotional peak when the backdrop transitioned from industry veterans to display the portraits and names of the 58 victims killed at the Route 91 Harvest festival. Underwood’s vocal execution, combined with the visual honor roll, created a silent, respectful atmosphere inside Bridgestone Arena, earning a standing ovation from the crowd.

Eddie Montgomery and Rascal Flatts’ Tribute to Troy Gentry

In September 2017, Troy Gentry—one half of the award-winning duo Montgomery Gentry—died in a helicopter crash prior to a scheduled concert in New Jersey. To honor Gentry's legacy, country trio Rascal Flatts took the stage to begin Montgomery Gentry’s 2002 hit song "My Town."

Midway through the first verse, Eddie Montgomery made an unannounced appearance, walking out from stage left to sing his late partner's parts. Joining Rascal Flatts on chorus harmonies, Montgomery’s unexpected participation marked his first public musical appearance following Gentry's passing. The performance balanced mourning with celebration, showcasing the tight-knit camaraderie of late-1990s and 2000s country music acts.

Remembrances for Glen Campbell and Don Williams

The 2017 telecast also dedicated musical moments to Country Music Hall of Fame inductees Glen Campbell and Don Williams, both of whom passed away in August and September 2017, respectively.

• Glen Campbell: Honored through instrumental touches and acoustic nods throughout the broadcast, emphasizing his legacy as a virtuoso guitarist and crossover star.
• Don Williams: Remembered through understated acoustic guitar interludes, honoring his title as the "Gentle Giant" of country music.

High-Impact Solo Showcases and Major Winners

Alongside tributes, the 2017 CMA Awards highlighted individual artistic milestones, showcasing songs that defined the charts and critically acclaimed releases of the year.

Chris Stapleton – "Broken Halos"

Chris Stapleton delivered a raw, soulful performance of "Broken Halos," taken from his sophomore studio album From A Room: Volume 1. Backed by his wife Morgane Stapleton on harmony vocals, along with his long-time touring band, Stapleton relied on minimalist stage lighting and his signature vocal rasp.

"Broken Halos"—a song written about friends lost too early—resonated deeply with the night's broader theme of remembrance. Later in the broadcast, Stapleton took home trophies for both Male Vocalist of the Year and Album of the Year, cementing his position as a primary figure in modern traditionalist country.

Miranda Lambert – "Tin Man"

Miranda Lambert performed her ballad "Tin Man," a track from her double album The Weight of These Wings. Dressed in a simple outfit and holding an acoustic guitar, Lambert stood alone at the microphone without backing musicians or video screen projections.

The sparse arrangement highlighted the songwriting craft of the track, which borrows imagery from The Wizard of Oz to explore heartbreak and vulnerability. Lambert's vocal control and lyricism earned critical praise, and she went on to win Female Vocalist of the Year later in the evening, extending her record for the most wins in that category.

Key Winner Showcases (2017):

1. Chris Stapleton: "Broken Halos" (Won Male Vocalist & Album of the Year)
2. Miranda Lambert: "Tin Man" (Won Female Vocalist of the Year)
3. Garth Brooks: "Ask Me How I Know" (Won Entertainer of the Year)

Garth Brooks – "Ask Me How I Know"

Reigning Entertainer of the Year Garth Brooks brought stadium-level energy to the arena floor with his performance of "Ask Me How I Know," written by Mitch Rossell. Brooks utilized full pyrotechnics, moving light rigs, and aggressive vocal delivery. Shortly after his performance, Brooks was awarded his sixth Entertainer of the Year trophy, reinforcing his enduring status as one of country music's top live touring acts.

Keith Urban – "Female"

Keith Urban debuted his single "Female," written by Nicolle Galyon, Ross Copperman, and Shane McAnally. Written partly in response to contemporary national conversations surrounding women's empowerment and safety, Urban’s performance featured acoustic guitar, layered backing vocals, and minimal electronic production. His wife, actress Nicole Kidman, watched from the front row as Urban delivered one of the most socially topical songs performed on a CMA stage in recent years.

Genre Crossovers and Unique Duets

Cross-genre collaborations have long been a hallmark of the CMA Awards broadcast, and the 2017 show featured several high-profile musical pairings.

Maren Morris and Niall Horan – "Seeing Blind" & "I Could Use a Love Song"

Former One Direction member Niall Horan joined Maren Morris for a acoustic-driven duet. The pair performed "Seeing Blind," an acoustic-pop and country crossover track from Horan's debut solo album Flicker, before transitioning into Morris’s solo hit "I Could Use a Love Song." Their vocal blending showcased how modern pop artists continue to draw inspiration from Nashville's songcraft and acoustic arrangements.

Reba McEntire and Kelsea Ballerini – "Legends"

Representing two different generations of female country stars, Reba McEntire joined nominee Kelsea Ballerini to perform Ballerini’s hit single "Legends." The duet paired McEntire’s traditional country belt with Ballerini’s modern country-pop style. The staging underscored a sense of mentorship and continuity within the genre, as McEntire shared lead vocals on the track's dramatic chorus.

Pop Superstar Pink – "Barbies"

Pop icon Pink made her debut performance on the CMA stage, singing her folk-influenced track "Barbies" from her album Beautiful Trauma. Supported by an acoustic string ensemble, Pink delivered a stripped-back, seated performance that prioritized vocal clarity over arena-pop choreography. The appearance was widely noted for its natural alignment with Nashville's singer-songwriter traditions.

Tim McGraw and Faith Hill – "The Rest of Our Life"

Country music's premier power couple, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, performed the title track from their joint album The Rest of Our Life. Standing center stage facing one another, the couple delivered a traditional country ballad arrangement written by Ed Sheeran, Amy Wadge, Johnny McDaid, and Steve Mac. Their performance highlighted classic romantic country duets, supported by full orchestral backing.

Comprehensive Summary of 2017 CMA Performances

The table below outlines the primary performances from the 51st Annual CMA Awards, detailing the artists, songs, performance styles, and notable awards context from the broadcast.

How to Watch and Experience Historic CMA Performances Today

Accessing archived CMA performances requires navigating official rights-managed channels, as full historical broadcasts are rarely kept permanently on free streaming sites due to music licensing restrictions.

Official Digital Platforms

• CMA Official YouTube Channel: The Country Music Association periodically uploads remastered video clips of stand-out award show performances. High-definition clips of Carrie Underwood's "Softly and Tenderly" and Chris Stapleton's "Broken Halos" remain accessible on the CMA YouTube Channel.
• Hulu and Network Streaming: Current-year CMA Award broadcasts stream on Hulu following their ABC network premiere. However, back-catalog broadcasts like the 2017 ceremony are typically rotated out of active SVOD catalogs due to annual rights expirations.

Music Streaming and Physical Media

• Live Audio Releases: Selected live tracks recorded during the 2017 broadcast were compiled for special promotional releases and digital EP samplers distributed via platforms like Apple Music and Spotify.
• Archival Institutions: For researchers, historians, and fans seeking complete footage of historical country broadcasts, institutions such as the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville maintain extensive media archives for historical preservation and public study.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who opened the 2017 CMA Awards?

Eric Church opened the 2017 CMA Awards with an acoustic performance of "Amazing Grace." He was immediately joined by Darius Rucker, Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood, Reba McEntire, Lady A, Keith Urban, Little Big Town, Luke Bryan, and Garth Brooks to perform Hootie & the Blowfish's "Hold My Hand" as a message of unity.

Which song did Carrie Underwood sing during the 2017 In Memoriam segment?

Carrie Underwood performed the traditional Christian hymn "Softly and Tenderly." The performance paid tribute to country music figures who died in 2017, concluding with a visual dedication to the 58 victims of the Route 91 Harvest festival shooting in Las Vegas.

Did Pink perform at the 2017 CMA Awards?

Yes, pop singer Pink made her CMA Awards performance debut at the 2017 ceremony. She performed her folk-pop track "Barbies" from her album Beautiful Trauma, accompanied by a seated string ensemble.

Who won Entertainer of the Year at the 2017 CMAs?

Garth Brooks won Entertainer of the Year at the 2017 CMA Awards. He performed his hit single "Ask Me How I Know" during the live broadcast shortly before receiving the honor.

What surprise tribute took place for Troy Gentry in 2017?

Following the death of Montgomery Gentry member Troy Gentry in September 2017, country group Rascal Flatts began performing Montgomery Gentry's hit "My Town." Duo partner Eddie Montgomery made a surprise appearance onstage to sing lead vocals alongside them in memory of Gentry.

What song won Song of the Year at the 2017 CMA Awards?

"Better Man," performed by Little Big Town and written by Taylor Swift, won Song of the Year at the 2017 CMA Awards. Little Big Town performed the track live during the broadcast.

Practical Recommendations for Country Music Enthusiasts

To explore country music history, landmark performances, and live production highlights:

1. Explore Official Archives First: Visit the official digital channels of the Country Music Association for verified setlists, official photo galleries, and licensed performance clips.
2. Study Songwriting Context: Examine the original album releases behind landmark 2017 performances, such as Chris Stapleton’s From A Room: Volume 1 and Miranda Lambert’s The Weight of These Wings, to understand how these live arrangements evolved from studio tracks.
3. Support Music Preservation Efforts: Support organizations like the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, which actively preserve video recordings, stage costumes, and instrument artifacts from historic award show telecasts.