Double trouble… and the exact two people I’d want to be sitting with.
The 2025 CMA Awards will air live from the Bridgestone Arena this Wednesday, November 19th at 7 p.m. CT on ABC with Lainey Wilson taking over as solo host this year.
There’s always a few notable moments, and usually one or two really standout performances, but I think many of us are on the same page about how much, or how little, these kinds of awards shows usually mean anymore.
I think big artists like Miranda Lambert and Ashley McBryde take it all with a grain of salt, as they should, knowing that they clearly don’t need it at this point and it’s basically a popularity contest, though I’m sure the fun part is really just getting to dress up and see old friends, and maybe hit up an after party or two.
Miranda rolling up to the 2020 CMA’s with her own fully-stocked cooler, where she also snuck in a flask just to ensure that she had everything she needed to really enjoy the evening, is a perfect example of how you can really make your own fun on a night like the CMA Awards.
A girl after my own heart, truly…
@mirandalambert Always be prepared y’all. #cmaawards ♬ original sound – Miranda Lambert
That evening Miranda’s cooler moment went viral, Ashley was also seated at her table, and they were seen cutting up and having a big old time throughout the night. To be fair, this was in the thick of the COVID pandemic, and no one had really gotten out or seen each other much over the last several months, so I think that added to the excitement and everyone was just happy to be out and about at a semi-normal event.
Ashley McBryde was also at Miranda’s table, and in an interview with Audacy’s Stars and Strings a couple years ago, Ashley revealed that they’re actually never sat together anymore at award shows… I don’t know if it’s because of that night, but it’s a cryin’ shame regardless.
She explained that many of the artists there are also friends, so they enjoy “trash talking” each other about who’s wining which award, but possibly no duo more than Ashley and Miranda. I’d die to be a fly on the wall for that…
Ashley also added “that’s why they don’t seat us together anymore,” but personally I think that would make it way more interesting:
“When you’re in a room full of people that do what you do, it’s nice to be able to sit down and talk trash about each other, because we do… Especially Miranda and I.
I think that’s why they don’t seat us together anymore – we give each other a hard time, but we’re always cheering each other on. Especially, the women in Country music — we all are really good at challenging each other and showing up for each other at the same time.”
What I’d give to be seated at a show like this with Ashley and Miranda… those two seem like so much fun and I feel like it would be non-stop laughter the entire time, and certainly the most entertaining part of the evening.
You never know what can happen at a live show like this, so I’m sure there will be a few notable moments, and you can see the full list of nominees HERE.
Speaking of Ashley, she gave the performance of the night at the 2024 CMA Awards while honoring the late, great Kris Kristofferson with a rendition of his classic hit, “Help Me Make It Through The Night”:
