Big night for country music with boost from Beyonce

Beyonce hit the stage unintroduced when the show was about two-thirds over Wednesday, wearing multiple strands of pearls and a sheer, champagne-colored body-hugging dress.

It shouldn’t have come as a shock to anyone really, since the Dixie Chicks were set to perform at the CMA Awards 2016 and they have been covering “Daddy Lessons” while on tour. However, some viewers and die-hard country music fans had a few opinions on Twitter that-you guessed it-weren’t very constructive. With 12 different performances entertaining the audience, the show’s 50th anniversary event didn’t disappoint.

Dolly received the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award-basically the highest honor possible for country music stars. “I would have cried but I didn’t want to mess up my eyelashes”.

Chris Stapleton was named male vocalist of the year, and ended his speech saying “It takes a village”, a line often associated with United States presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.

“What a wonderful night”. Not yet a pop princess but a rising country superstar, 19-year-old Taylor Swift became the youngest person to win the top prize, entertainer of the year.

Miranda Lambert wiped her eyes at the end of the show’s emotional opener, which featured a medley of classic country songs that culminated in a singalong of “Forever and Ever, Amen” with Randy Travis, who suffered a near-fatal stroke three years ago. “I think the beauty of that storytelling is that we can all relate to being disappointed in someone and still loving them, but saying ‘Enough is enough, ‘” she shared.

Jason Aldean, center, and Kix Brooks, left, and Ronnie Dunn, right, of Brooks & Dunn perform “Brand New Man” at the 50th annual CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn.

“We’re so sick of politics, we don’t even care who wins”, they sang in harmony. Maines has also been critical of Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump. Jason Aldean joined Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn for a great version of “Brand New Man” and Alan Jackson and George Strait performed together. In his acceptance speech, Rhett thanked, “My lovely wife.she was the full inspiration for the song.God, this is a dream come true”.

Kenny Chesney was presented the special Pinnacle Award, only the third time the honour has ever been presented.

The night’s giddiest winners were John and TJ Osborne, a.k.a Brothers Osborne, who copped the vocal duo of the year award in a refreshing upset of reigning category kings Florida Georgia Line.

To close out the night Garth Brooks won the biggest award of the night, Entertainer of the Year. When Underwood asked if Paisley would accept the night’s results, he responded, “Yes”.

Chris Stapleton, Eric Church and newcomer Maren Morris were the overall leaders with five nominations each.

Song of the Year honors went to “Humble and Kind” by Lori McKenna. He also expressed his appreciation for his devoted fan group No Shoes Nation, telling them, “Thanks for giving me an unbelievable life”.

To see how they and other stars like Taylor Swift and even Keith Urban have evolved, check out our CMA Awards Red Carpet Styles Through The Years gallery below.