Country trio Lady Antebellum kicked off the CMT Music Awards with the help of one of electronic dance music’s top stars.
The Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee, was full of hands pumping in the air, explosive blasts and beaming lights as Grammy-winning DJ-producer Zedd, known for the hits “Clarity” and “Break Free” with Ariana Grande, played piano and backed Lady A. The trio performed some of Zedd’s “Beautiful Now” in between their own song, “Long Stretch of Love.”
Carrie Underwood, the lead nominee with five, won the first award Wednesday for collaborative video of the year for “Somethin’ Bad,” her duet with Miranda Lambert.
“This is so amazing,” the country star said, who stunned in a skin-tight white dress. “I, of course, accept this award on behalf of the one and only Miranda Lambert.”
Underwood is also nominated twice for video of the year, and she could extend her record-winning streak at the CMT Awards.