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Tennessee - Beyoncé conquered a stage she's never performed on: The singer sang her twangy song Daddy Lessons alongside the Dixie Chicks at the Country Music Association Awards on a night celebrating the organisation's 50th anniversary.
It was the first time Beyoncé, who is from Houston, performed at the country awards show, and the performance also marked a return for the Dixie Chicks, who hadn't attended the CMA Awards in some time.
"Everybody get on your feet. Put your hands together," Beyoncé told the crowd on Wednesday at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee.
Beyoncé sported a sheer champagne-colored dress that plunged in the center and layered pearls around her neck. Faith Hill sang along, Trisha Yearwood clapped and Miranda Lambert moved side to side during the song, which the Dixie Chicks have also covered at their live shows.
A mix of classic and contemporary country stars kicked off the show with 12 performances to celebrate its milestone anniversary, including Randy Travis, Vince Gill, Carrie Underwood, Charley Pride and Merle Haggard's youngest son, Ben.
Brad Paisley, Roy Clark, Alabama, Charlie Daniels, Reba, Ricky Skaggs, Alan Jackson and Dwight Yoakam also helped start the show, singing songs like Mama Tried and Forever And Ever, Amen.
Later in the show, Jason Aldean sang Brooks & Dunn's Brand New Man with the duo; couple Garth Brooks and Yearwood performed a medley together; and Little Big Town sang their new song, Better Man, which was written by Taylor Swift, who will present entertainer of the year.
Paisley and Underwood, returning as hosts for the ninth time, told jokes about politics, Wikileaks, Brangelina's breakup and more.
"We're so sick of politics, we don't even care who wins," they sang in harmony. At one point, Paisley called Underwood a "nasty woman," mocking Donald Trump.
Luke Bryan also performed, but lost out on having a "three-peat" as Entertainer of the Year. He was nominated for the top prize, which he won the last two consecutive years, however it was Brooks who took the prize of the night home.
Chris Stapleton, Eric Church and newcomer Maren Morris were the overall leaders with five nominations each. Church won Album of the Year for Mr. Misunderstood, released as a surprise album at last year's CMAs.
"I'm not sure what's better — winning the award or Faith Hill fixing my tie," said Church, who was presented the award by Hill.
Church was also nominated for Male Vocalist of the Year, where Stapleton, who won Music Video of the Year for Fire Away, also took the win.
Morris, who moved the needle this year with her genre-bending album Hero, won new artist of the year, and hit several high notes before strumming her guitar to perform the hit, My Church.
"Y'all! I can't win this award right after performing — I'm going to fall apart," she said onstage. "Last year, I sat across the street at a bar and watched this show. I never thought as a songwriter I'd be standing here today."
A number of celebrities were in the audience, including Matthew McConaughey, Peyton Manning, Jennifer Garner, Olivia Newton-John, Nicole Kidman, and the Final Five Olympic gymnasts: Simone Biles, Aly Raisman, Gabby Douglas, Laurie Hernandez and Madison Kocian.
Thomas Rhett won Single of the Year for Die a Happy Man, taking home the first award of the night.
"I gotta first thank the Lord ... my lovely wife in the blue dress; she was the full inspiration of this song," said Rhett, adding that he cried during the opening number with Garth Brooks, who was sitting near him.
Lori McKenna won Song of the Year for writing Tim McGraw's Humble and Kind, a tune she said was based off a prayer she wrote for her five children. McKenna co-wrote Little Big Town's megahit Girl Crush, earning a Grammy Award this year and last year's Song of the Year honour at the CMAs.
"I have a job in this town because of this guy's wife, Faith Hill," said McKenna, who was escorted to the stage by McGraw.
Miranda Lambert, George Strait and Kenny Chesney, who earned the Pinnacle Award, also performed. Little Big Town and Brothers Osborne won Vocal Group and Vocal Duo of the Year, respectively, while Dierks Bentley and Elle King's Different for Girls won Musical event of the Year.
Here is a complete list of the CMA Award winners:
Entertainer of the Year — Garth Brooks.
Female vocalist of the year — Carrie Underwood.
Male vocalist of the year — Chris Stapleton.
Album of the Year — "Mr. Misunderstood," Eric Church.
Song of the Year (songwriter's award) — "Humble and Kind," Lori McKenna (recorded by Tim McGraw).
Single of the Year — "Die a Happy Man," Thomas Rhett.
Vocal group of the year — Little Big Town.
Vocal duo of the year — Brothers Osborne.
New artist of the year — Maren Morris.
Musical event of the Year — "Different for Girls," Dierks Bentley featuring Elle King.
Music video of the Year — "Fire Away," Chris Stapleton.
Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award — Dolly Parton.
Pinnacle Award — Kenny Chesney.
Musician of the Year — Dann Huff (guitar).
(Photos: Getty Images)
