Carrie Underwood has become one of the biggest names in country music, since winning season four of American Idol in 2005.
And the seven-time Grammy winner has frequently shown her appreciation for the women who came before her.
She paid tribute to Dolly Parton, Patson Cline and other queens of country Wednesday, as she performed a medley of hits at the 55th Academy of Country Music Awards.
Queens of country: Carrie Underwood paid tribute to Dolly Parton, Patson Cline and other queens of country Wednesday, as she performed a medley of hits at the 55th Academy of Country Music Awards
The 37-year-old dazzled in a red floral gown, as she marked the 95th anniversary of the historic Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, where she took the stage.
She prefaced the song, speaking to the empty audience: ‘Patsy and Loretta, Martina and Barbara, Reba and Dolly. These strong voices mean so much to me and to all the other female artists who stand on their shoulders.
‘They are some of my heroes, and I am so honored to stand alongside them as a fellow member of the Grand Ole Opry. It’s my pleasure to pay tribute to these legendary ladies as we celebrate the Opry’s 95th anniversary.’
Carrie launched into Cline’s Crazy, before transitioning into Loretta Lynn’s You Ain’t Woman Enough, Barbara Mandrell’s I Was Country When Country Wasn’t Cool and Why’d You Come in Here by Parton.
Lady in red: The 37-year-old dazzled in a red floral gown, as she marked the 95th anniversary of the historic Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, where she took the stage
Strong voices: She prefaced the song, speaking to the empty audience: ‘Patsy and Loretta, Martina and Barbara, Reba and Dolly. These strong voices mean so much to me and to all the other female artists who stand on their shoulders’
She also squeezed Reba McEntire’s The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia and Martina McBride’s A Broken Wing into the medley.
The Cowboy Casanova artist made her predecessors proud when she beat out male nominees Luke Bryan, Eric Church and Luke Combs for Entertainer of the Year.
She tied with Thomas Rhett for the honor, which was a first for the prestigious award show’s 55-year history.
Carrie and her fellow nominees previously opened the awards show with a medley of their own songs, as she performed Before He Cheats.
She put on a stunning display in a sparkling gold mini dress with billowy sleeves, as she sang into a matching gold microphone.
Winner winner: The Cowboy Casanova artist made her predecessors proud when she beat out male nominees Luke Bryan, Eric Church and Luke Combs for Entertainer of the Year, tying with Thomas Rhett for the honor
Oldie but goodie: Carrie and her fellow nominees previously opened the awards show with a medley of their own songs, as she performed Before He Cheats
Stay gold: She put on a stunning display in a sparkling gold mini dress with billowy sleeves, as she sang into a matching gold microphone
The Last Name artist was also nominated for Female Artist of the Year, which was ultimately awarded to Maren Morris.
Carrie took to Instagram before the show, as she put rollers in her hair, while getting ready in some leopard-print leggings from her line CALIA by Carrie, writing: ‘Getting ready for tonight! Let’s do this, @ACMawards!’
After a five month delay, amid the global COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s show was moved from Las Vegas to Nashville for the first time, with no live audience.
Performers like Carrie hit the stage at three iconic locations for country music, including Grand Ole Opry, Ryman Auditorium and the Bluebird Cafe.
Brand loyalty: Carrie took to Instagram before the show, as she put rollers in her hair, while getting ready in some leopard-print leggings from her line CALIA by Carrie
2020 ACM Awards Winners
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
Luke Bryan
Eric Church
Luke Combs
Thomas Rhett – TIE – WINNER
Carrie Underwood – TIE – WINNER
Golden girl: Carrie Underwood took the top honor along with Thomas Rhett in a historic tie for Entertainer of the Year
FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Kelsea Ballerini
Miranda Lambert
Maren Morris – WINNER
Kacey Musgraves
Carrie Underwood
Wow factor: Maren Morris earned Female Artist of the Year
MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Dierks Bentley
Luke Combs – WINNER
Thomas Rhett
Chris Stapleton
Keith Urban
DUO OF THE YEAR
Brooks & Dunn
Brothers Osborne
Dan + Shay – WINNER
Florida Georgia Line
Maddie & Tae
GROUP OF THE YEAR
Lady Antebellum
Little Big Town
Midland
Old Dominion – WINNER
The Highwomen
Squad goals: Old Dominion were a big winner as they earned Group of the Year
NEW FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Ingrid Andress
Gabby Barrett
Lindsay Ell
Caylee Hammack
Tenille Townes – WINNER
NEW MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Jordan Davis
Russell Dickerson
Riley Green – WINNER
Cody Johnson
Morgan Wallen
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Center Point Road – Thomas Rhett
GIRL – Maren Morris
Heartache Medication – Jon Pardi
What You See Is What You Get – Luke Combs – WINNER
Wildcard – Miranda Lambert
Double fisting: Luke Combs won Album Of The Year and Male Artist of the Year
SINGLE OF THE YEAR
“God’s Country” – Blake Shelton – WINNER
“One Man Band” – Old Dominion
“Rainbow” – Kacey Musgraves
“Rumor” – Lee Brice
“What If I Never Get Over You” – Lady Antebellum
SONG OF THE YEAR
“10,000 Hours” – Dan + Shay feat. Justin Bieber
“Girl Goin’ Nowhere” – Ashley McBryde
“God’s Country” – Blake Shelton
“One Man Band” – Old Dominion – WINNER
“Some of It” – Eric Church
VIDEO OF THE YEAR
“10,000 Hours” – Dan + Shay feat. Justin Bieber
“God’s Country” – Blake Shelton
“One Man Band” – Old Dominion
“Remember You Young” – Thomas Rhett – WINNER
“Sugar Coat” – Little Big Town
Sweet: Thomas Rhett not only took home Entertainer of the Year but also earned Video of the Year
SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR
Ashley Gorley
Michael Hardy
Hillary Lindsey – WINNER
Shane McAnally
Josh Osborne
MUSIC EVENT OF THE YEAR
“10,000 Hours” – Dan + Shay feat. Justin Bieber
“Dive Bar” – Garth Brooks feat. Blake Shelton
“Fooled Around and Fell in Love” – Miranda Lambert feat. Maren Morris, Ashley McBryde, Tenille Townes, Caylee Hammack & Elle King – WINNER
“Old Town Road” – Lil Nas X feat. Billy Ray Cyrus
“What Happens in a Small Town” – Brantley Gilbert feat. Lindsay Ell