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Chris Young honored his high school music teacher with a special surprise during the 2023 CMA Awards. On Wednesday, November 8th, the Country superstar brought out Mrs. Gregory onto the stage following a pre-recorded segment of Young surprising her with a new car. The CMA Award winner went on to show love for music teachers around the country.
"Let's hear it for all of our music educators," Young said as Mrs. Gregory and the star-studded crowd at Nashville's Bridgestone Arena clapped and cheered. The CMA Foundation's Music Teachers of Excellence was created to "recognize educators who are having the greatest impact on their students, using the power of music as an avenue for change."
The 57th annual CMA Awards are hosted by Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning for the second year in a row as the Country Music Association celebrates the artists, songwriters, and producers making waves in the country genre. Lainey Wilson led the nominations with an impressive nine nods making her the only artist to ever lead the nominations in her first two appearances on the final ballot. Behind her, Jelly Roll earned five nominations, and HARDY and Luke Combs earned four nominations each. Jordan Davis, Ashley McBryde, Chris Stapleton, and Morgan Wallen, also earned three nominations each. For the coveted Entertainer of the Year award, Combs, Stapleton, Wallen, Wilson, and Carrie Underwood are all nominated.
In addition to awards, A-listers will hit the stage to perform some of the biggest songs of the year including Kelsea Ballerini, Luke Combs, Dan + Shay, Jordan Davis, HARDY, Jelly Roll, Cody Johnson, Little Big Town, Ashley McBryde, Megan Moroney, Carly Pearce, Old Dominion, Chris Stapleton, Morgan Wallen, The War and Treaty, Lainey Wilson, and Zac Brown Band. Other performers include Kenny Chesney, Alan Jackson, Mac McAnally, K. Michelle, Post Malone, and Tanya Tucker.