Dwight Yoakam performs "Seven Spanish Angels" at the 50th annual CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP) (Associated Press) 
 
 Dwight Yoakam performs "Seven Spanish Angels" at the 50th annual CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP) (Associated Press) 
 
 Garth Brooks, who lost entertainer of the year at last year's Country Music Association Awards when he returned to music after a 13-year break, won the top prize at the show Wednesday, where Beyonce and the Dixie Chicks' surprise duet performance was met with love and hate. 
 
 Brooks beat out Carrie Underwood, Chris Stapleton, Keith Urban and last year's winner, Luke Bryan. 
 
 "We are so damn lucky to part of this thing called country music," Brooks yelled loudly at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. 
 
 Taylor Swift presented Brooks the award, but she wasn't the only pop star in the building: Beyonce sang her twangy song "Daddy Lessons" on a night celebrating the CMA Awards' 50th anniversary. It was the first time Beyonce, a Houston native, performed at the country awards show. 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," Beyonce told the crowd. 
 
 The diva 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. 
 
 Beyonce and the trio's appearance, though, wasn't cheered by everyone: On social media some fans tweeted angrily about the performance — some country music fans have disliked Dixie Chicks since band member Natalie Maines criticized former U.S. President George W. Bush over a decade ago. 
 
 The night featured a number of other memorable performances, too: A mix of classic and contemporary country stars kicked off the show with 12 performances to celebrate its milestone anniversary, which included Randy Travis, Vince Gill, Charley Pride, Roy Clark, Alabama, Charlie Daniels, Ricky Skaggs, Alan Jackson, Dwight Yoakam and Merle Haggard's youngest son, Ben. 
 
 Dolly Parton, who earned the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award, was honored by Reba, Underwood, Martina McBride, Jennifer Nettles and Kacey Musgraves, who all sang a rousing rendition of "I Will Always Love You." 
 
 "I would have cried, but I didn't want to mess up my eyelashes," said Parton, sporting a bright yellow dress. 
 
 Chris Stapleton, who won big at last year's show, was the night's top winner with two: He took home male vocalist and music video of the year. 
 
 "What a wonderful night ... I've cried just watching everybody," said Stapleton, who walked into the show as the top nominee along with Eric Church and newcomer Maren Morris. 
 
 Underwood won female vocalist of the year, ending Lambert's six-year consecutive winning streak since 2010. 
 
 "Glory to God, thank you Jesus," said a teary Underwood, who also thanked her husband and son. 
 
 Church won album of the year for "Mr. Misunderstood" and Morris picked up new artist of the year. 
 
 "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," she said. 
 
 A number of celebrities were in the audience and presented awards, including Matthew McConaughey, Peyton Manning, Jennifer Garner, Olivia Newton-John, Nicole Kidman, Lily Tomlin, Sharon Stone and the Final Five Olympic gymnasts: Simone Biles, Aly Raisman, Gabby Douglas, Laurie Hernandez and Madison Kocian. 
 
 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 Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump. 
 
 The three-hour-plus show, which aired on ABC, also featured performances by George Strait, Brooks & Dunn, Jason Aldean and Little Big Town, who sang their new song "Better Man," written by Swift. 
 
 The first award of the night went to Thomas Rhett, who won single of the year for "Die a Happy Man." 
 
 "I gotta first thank the Lord ... my lovely wife in the blue dress; she was the full inspiration of this song," said Rhett. 
 
 Lori McKenna won song of the year for writing Tim McGraw's "Humble and Kind," a tune she said was based on 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 honor 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. 
 
 Kenny Chesney, who released a new album last week, earned the Pinnacle Award. 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. 
 
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 Online: 
 
 http://www.cmaworld.com/ ||||| Miranda Lambert, left, and Jason Aldean perform "Drowns the Whiskey" at the 52nd annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP) (Associated Press) 
 
 Miranda Lambert, left, and Jason Aldean perform "Drowns the Whiskey" at the 52nd annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP) (Associated Press) 
 
 Chris Stapleton won the most awards at the 2018 Country Music Association Awards and had the show's best performance, almost capping a perfect night. 
 
 That was until Keith Urban surprisingly won the top prize — entertainer of the year — moments before the three-hour show wrapped Wednesday night. 
 
 Urban's actress-wife, Nicole Kidman, was in tears as the singer walked onstage to collect the award at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. 
 
 "Baby girl, I love you so much," he said. "I'm shocked beyond shocked." 
 
 Urban last won entertainer of the year in 2005 and also beat out Luke Bryan, Jason Aldean and Kenny Chesney for the prize. 
 
 "I wish my dad was alive to see this," the Australian performer said. 
 
 Stapleton, however, cleaned house at the CMAs, winning four awards including male vocalist, song and single of the year. 
 
 "I want to thank my kids who put up with me being gone quite a bit and not getting to be as a good daddy that I would always like to be," said the father of four and soon to be five since his wife, singer-songwriter Morgane Stapleton, is pregnant. 
 
 Stapleton also won the performance of the night: His supergroup featuring Mavis Staples, Maren Morris, Marty Stuart and his wife gave a soulful and powerful performance of "Friendship," a song made famous by Pop Staples, the iconic singer's late father. They then performed "I'll Take You There," jamming onstage along with a choir. They earned a standing ovation from the audience. 
 
 When Stapleton won single of the year — where he won as both a performer and producer — earlier in the show, he said he was "thinking about the people in California right now" and he wants to "dedicate this award to them." 
 
 He was referring to the 12 people who were killed at a Southern California country music bar last week, who were also honored at the top of the show when Garth Brooks held a moment of silence as the names of the victims were displayed on the screen. 
 
 "Tonight let's celebrate their lives. Let the music unite us with love," Brooks said. 
 
 The CMAs, which aired on ABC, also took time to honor those affected by the deadly wildfires in California. 
 
 "We send our love to you," said Carrie Underwood, also mentioning the "brave firefighters." 
 
 Underwood worked triple-duty as co-host, performer and nominee at the CMAs. She was teary-eyed when she won female vocalist of the year. 
 
 "Thank you God. I have been blessed with so much in my life," she said. "Thank you family. Thank you country music. Thank you country music family. ...It's all about family around here." 
 
 She kept the positive and uplifting theme of the show going when she gave a rousing performance of her song "Love Wins." It features the lyrics, "I believe you and me are sisters and brothers/And I believe we're made to be here for each other." 
 
 Kacey Musgraves, the only woman nominated for album of the year, won the prize for "Golden Hour." 
 
 "This is really, really crazy timing — 10 years ago today I moved to Nashville. That's so crazy," she said. 
 
 "I'm so proud of it," she said of the pop-leaning country album, which was inspired by Sade, the Bee Gees and others. "It's inspired by this beautiful universe, and all of you, and mostly love." 
 
 Dan + Shay lost in all four categories they were nominated in but gave an impressive performance of their hit "Tequila." When Brothers Osborne won vocal duo of the year, John Osborne said, "I thought this was going to go to Dan + Shay. Make some noise for those boys." 
 
 "I don't know why we keep winning this," John Osborne said when he first walked onstage. 
 
 "If this was in Florida there definitely would be a recount," added T.J. Osborne, which earned laughs from the crowd. 
 
 Luke Combs, who has the year's most-streamed country music album, sang onstage with a red cup in his hand and won new artist of the year. 
 
 "God, I love country music, man," said Combs. 
 
 Brooks performed a touching new song dedicated to his wife, Trisha Yearwood, who was teary-eyed and was hearing the song for the first time. Recent Country Hall of Famer Ricky Skaggs performed alongside Brad Paisley and Urban. 
 
 Underwood and Paisley returned as CMA hosts for the 11th time this year, telling jokes at the top of the show, which ranged from Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper's "A Star Is Born" to Underwood's pregnancy. 
 
 Underwood seemingly revealed a secret about the child, saying it will be a "Willie" after Paisley repeatedly asked about the sex of the baby. ||||| NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Miranda Lambert has reached new heights as a female country performer: The fiery singer is the most decorated female artist in the history of the Country Music Association Awards. 
 
 Miranda Lambert, left, and Meghan Trainor perform onstage at the 48th annual CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2014, in Nashville, Tenn. (Photo by Wade Payne/Invision/AP) (Associated Press) 
 
 Miranda Lambert poses in the press room with the award for album of the year for Platinum at the 48th annual CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2014, in Nashville, Tenn. (Photo... (Associated Press) 
 
 Jennifer Nettles, left, and Hillary Scott, of the musical group Lady Antebellum, perform onstage at the 48th annual CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2014, in Nashville, Tenn.... (Associated Press) 
 
 Luke Bryan accepts the award for entertainer of the year onstage at the 48th annual CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2014, in Nashville, Tenn. (Photo by Wade Payne/Invision/AP) (Associated Press) 
 
 Blake Shelton accepts the award for male vocalist of the year onstage at the 48th annual CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2014, in Nashville, Tenn. (Photo by Wade Payne/Invision/AP) (Associated Press) 
 
 Miranda Lambert, center, and from left, Jimi Westbrook, Kimberly Schlapman, Karen Fairchild and Phillip Sweet, of the musical group Little Big Town, perform on stage at the 48th annual CMA Awards at the... (Associated Press) 
 
 Kacey Musgraves, left, with one show off, poses in the press room after winning the song of the year award for “Follow Your Arrow” as Shane McAnally and Brandy Clark, right, look on at the 48th annual... (Associated Press) 
 
 Hosts Brad Paisley, left, and Carrie Underwood speak onstage at the 48th annual CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2014, in Nashville, Tenn. (Photo by Wade Payne/Invision/AP) (Associated Press) 
 
 Luke Bryan performs onstage at the 48th annual CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2014, in Nashville, Tenn. (Photo by Wade Payne/Invision/AP) (Associated Press) 
 
 Ariana Grande, second from left, embraces Kimberly Schlapman, as they perform with Karen Fairchild and Phillip Sweet, right, of the musical group Little Big Town, perform on stage at the 48th annual CMA... (Associated Press) 
 
 Caroline Boyer, left, and Luke Bryan arrive at the 48th annual CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2014, in Nashville, Tenn. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP) (Associated Press) 
 
 Kacey Musgraves arrives at the 48th annual CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2014, in Nashville, Tenn. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP) (Associated Press) 
 
 Kimberly Schlapman, of the musical group Little Big Town, left, and Ariana Grande perform on stage at the 48th annual CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2014, in Nashville, Tenn.... (Associated Press) 
 
 Blake Shelton, left, and Miranda Lambert arrive at the 48th annual CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2014, in Nashville, Tenn. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP) (Associated Press) 
 
 Carrie Underwood performs at the 48th annual CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2014, in Nashville, Tenn. (Photo by Wade Payne/Invision/AP) (Associated Press) 
 
 Miranda Lambert accepts the female vocalist of the year award on stage at the 48th annual CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2014, in Nashville, Tenn. (Photo by Wade Payne/Invision/AP) (Associated Press) 
 
 Blake Shelton poses in the press room with the award for male vocalist of the year at the 48th annual CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2014, in Nashville, Tenn. (Photo by Evan... (Associated Press) 
 
 Luke Bryan poses in the press room with the award for entertainer of the year at the 48th annual CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2014, in Nashville, Tenn. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP) (Associated Press) 
 
 Luke Bryan accepts the award for entertainer of the year on stage at the 48th annual CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2014, in Nashville, Tenn. (Photo by Wade Payne/Invision/AP) (Associated Press) 
 
 Kacey Musgraves poses in the press room with the song of the year award for “Follow Your Arrow” at the 48th annual CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2014, in Nashville, Tenn. (Photo... (Associated Press) 
 
 Lambert's four wins Wednesday night give the 30-year-old a total of 11 CMA trophies throughout her career, putting her ahead of any other female act. Lambert's fifth consecutive win for female vocalist of the year Wednesday beat a record set by herself, Reba McEntire and Martina McBride. 
 
 Lambert also took home album of the year for "Platinum," single of the year for "Automatic" and music event of the year for "We Were Us" with Keith Urban. 
 
 "It's really unbelievable," she said backstage. "I felt like this whole night was about really celebrating music." 
 
 Lambert lost the night's top award to Luke Bryan, giving the 38-year-old his first CMA. The win for entertainer of the year marked a shift in the genre, which has shunned the party-boy singer who is the leader the contemporary pack of bro-country performers, which includes acts like Florida Georgia Line. 
 
 "I have longed and sought after to get one of these in my hands ... To get the respect of the CMA board ... is a ginormous deal," a happy Bryan said backstage. "I am really humbled. I think about the hard work it took to get here. I am so blessed this is from the CMAs and I will never take it for granted." 
 
 Bryan beat out George Strait, Blake Shelton and Urban for entertainer of the year, and his successful year included the top-selling album "Crash My Party," a string of hit songs and a top-grossing tour. 
 
 Bryan also was named last year's entertainer of the year at the Academy of Country Music Awards. He was snubbed when the Grammy Awards revealed their nominees last year, but his CMA win could help him earn some love from the Recording Academy when they announce their nominations next month. 
 
 Lambert, too, could be bringing home some Grammy gold since she was the reigning queen of Wednesday's awards show. She stole the night with fashion choices that were winners, too, and performances. She sang twice onstage, including a country-tinged version of "All About That Bass" with breakthrough singer Meghan Trainor, where Shelton looked up and bopped his head. 
 
 Shelton, like his wife, made CMA history: He tied Strait and Vince Gill for five wins for male vocalist of the year. 
 
 "For me and my family, this may be the biggest night of our lives as far as music goes," Shelton said backstage. 
 
 "I told my wife when we were walking off the stage, I go, 'Miranda, I'm sorry, you only won four CMAs tonight. I mean, I'm really sorry," he said as reporters laughed. 
 
 The theme of the CMAs seemed to be paired performances: Shelton sang with Ashley Monroe; the Doobie Brothers performed with Lady Antebellum's Hillary Scott, Jennifer Nettles and Hunter Hayes; Strait and Eric Church performed "Cowboys Like Us"; and pop diva Ariana Grande sported a mini top and skirt as she sang the hit "Bang Bang" alongside Little Big Town, who won vocal group of the year. 
 
 But the night's best collaboration was Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley. The white-hot duo, hosting the CMAs for a seventh time, earned laugh after laugh for jokes that ranged from Ebola to Taylor Swift to Underwood's baby bump. 
 
 Swift's switch to pop from country was referred to as "Postpartum Taylor Swift Disorder," or PPTSD. 
 
 "President Barack Obama doesn't care about PPTSD!" Paisley yelled. Underwood followed with: "I'm pretty sure it's why the Democrats lost the senate." 
 
 Underwood and Paisley sang a version of Dolly Parton's "Jolene," calling it "Quarantine." Paisley also earned roaring laughter when he noted that the ABC series "Black-ish," which airs Wednesdays, would not be airing because of the CMAs. 
 
 "If you were expecting to see the show 'Black-ish,' this ain't it ... I hope you're enjoying 'White-ish,'" he said. 
 
 Kacey Musgraves, who won two Grammy Awards earlier this year, won song of the year for "Follow Your Arrow," which she co-wrote with Brandy Clark, who is openly gay and was among the contenders for new artist of the year. "Follow Your Arrow" features the lyrics, "So make lots of noise, kiss lots of boys, or kiss lots of girls, if that's something you're into." 
 
 "For a song that I was told could never, and would never, be a single, it just blows my mind," Musgraves said. "It's just an anthem for all kinds of people so I could not be more proud." 
 
 Musgraves switched gears backstage, closing with a story about a malfunction before her performance Wednesday night. 
 
 "Just saw y'all now, my panties totally came off," she said as reporters laughed. "They were the stick-on kind. Look at this dress, there's not much to work with." 
 
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 Online: 
 
 http://www.cmaworld.com/cma-awards/ 
 
 ___ 
 
 Follow Mesfin Fekadu on Twitter at https://twitter.com/MusicMesfin .
– Garth Brooks, who lost entertainer of the year at last year's Country Music Association Awards when he returned to music after a 13-year break, won the top prize at the show Wednesday, the AP reports. Brooks beat out Carrie Underwood, Chris Stapleton, Keith Urban, and last year's winner, Luke Bryan. "We are so damn lucky to be part of this thing called country music," Brooks yelled loudly at Nashville's Bridgestone Arena. Taylor Swift presented Brooks the award, but she wasn't the only pop star in the building: In a surprise duet with the Dixie Chicks, Beyonce sang her twangy song "Daddy Lessons" on a night celebrating the CMA Awards' 50th anniversary. Dolly Parton, who earned the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award, was honored by Reba McEntire, Underwood, Martina McBride, and Kacey Musgraves, who all sang a rousing rendition of "I Will Always Love You." "I would have cried, but I didn't want to mess up my eyelashes," said Parton. Stapleton, who won big at last year's show, was the night's top winner with two: He took home male vocalist and music video of the year. Underwood won female vocalist of the year, ending Miranda Lambert's six-year consecutive winning streak since 2010. Eric Church won album of the year for "Mr. Misunderstood" and Maren Morris picked up new artist of the year. Click for a full list of winners.