Country Update

BILLBOARD COUNTRY UPDATE NOVEMBER 7, 2016 | PAGE 14 OF 24
CMA WEEK IN PICTURES
The 50th annual Country Music Association Awards ran into a ratings buzzsaw, up against Game Seven of the Chicago Cubs’ historic World Series win, which
drew more than 40 million viewers. Despite that competition, the ABC telecast retained 93 percent of its viewership from 2015, with a total viewer count of
12.6 million that is expected to increase in TV playback. Following are just a few of the images from the night:
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Randy Travis’ final note on “Forever and Ever, Amen” was a sentimental
highlight of the awards. From left: co-host Carrie Underwood, Travis
and co-host Brad Paisley.
George Strait and Alan Jackson attended the Universal Music Group
Nashville afterparty at the Musicians Hall of Fame. From left: UMGN
president Cindy Mabe, Strait, Jackson and UMGN chairman/CEO
Mike Dungan.
3 4
5
Warner Music Nashville hosted its party at the WMN
office on Music Row. From left: RaeLynn, WMN
chairman/CEO John Esposito, Aubrie Sellers and
Brandy Clark.
6
Jennifer Nettles celebrated
with Big Machine Label Group
president/CEO Scott Borchetta at
the label’s post-awards party.
Miranda Lambert joined executives at the Sony
Music Nashville post-awards party at the Bell
Tower. From left: ShopKeeper Management owner
Marion Kraft, SMN chairman/CEO Randy Goodman,
Lambert, Columbia chairman/CEO Rob Stringer and
Sony CEO Doug Morris.
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1: COURTESTY CMA, 4: RICK DIAMOND/GETTY IMAGES, 5: ERIKA GOLDRING,
Beyoncé’s performance with Dixie Chicks provided the most-talked-about
— and most controversial — segment of the CMA Awards. From left: the
band’s Natalie Maines, Beyoncé and band member Martie Maguire.
Faith Hill adjusted Eric Church’s
tie as he accepted album of the
year for Mr. Misunderstood.
Chris Stapleton accepted the
male vocalist of the year trophy for
the second straight year.