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Chris Stapleton left fans wanting more as he opened the 2024 Country Music Association (CMA) Awards on Wednesday, Nov. 20, with a blistering performance featuring a special guest.
On Wednesday evening, the 46-year-old took the stage at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., wearing black pants, a black shirt and a black jacket with his trademark cowboy hat. He was joined by Post Malone, who released his debut country album F-1 Trillion back in August. The rapper-turned-country-star was similarly dressed in a black suit and cream-colored cowboy hat.
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The two took the stage to perform “California Sober,” one of the tracks featured on F-1 Trillion. Viewers immediately became overwhelmed as they applauded the decision to pair the two for the annual award show’s opening.
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“Glad he and Chris Stapleton opened the show, this is what I was want to see,” one fan wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
“Amazing opening,” a viewer agreed as another said the performance was a “Solid way to kick off” the CMAs.
“Chris Stapleton and Post Malone opening the CMAs *chefs kiss*,” another X user tweeted.
“Chris Stapleton and Post Malone are secretly best friends,” one fan declared, adding, “We can feel it.”
Fans had similar reactions to last year’s performance, going so far as to dub the “Tennessee Whiskey” crooner “the best voice” in country at the time.
As for tonight, Stapleton is up for an award in several categories, including some of the biggest and most sought-after honors. Among them is a nomination for Entertainer of the Year, for which Stapleton faces off against Lainey Wilson, Luke Combs, Jelly Roll and Morgan Wallen, the latter of whom are also competing for Male Vocalist of the Year.
Shortly after his opening performance, Stapleton won the first award of the night for “White Horse,” which ran in the Single of the Year category against Shaboozey‘s “A Bar Song (Tipsy),” Cody Johnson‘s “Dirt Cheap,” Post Malone and Wallen’s “I Had Some Help,” and Wilson’s “Watermelon Moonshine.”
Stapleton is also hoping to bring home the Album of the Year award for his fifth studio album, Higher, which is competing against Kacey Musgraves‘ Deeper Well, Combs’ Father & Sons, Johnson’s Leather and Jelly Roll’s Whitsitt Chapel.
Next: See the Spectacular Red Carpet Fashions from the 2024 CMA Awards Red Carpet
