5 Things I Learned Watching the CMA Awards Last Night

What a great night it was for Country music. The 50th Anniversary of the CMA Awards on Wednesday night brought us a blend of classic country and the new "pop" country. It was an evening filled with great music, heartfelt speeches, and a who's who of the Country music world.

Here's 5 Things I Learned by Watching the CMAs Last Night:

5 - Crystal Gale & Loretta Lynn are sisters. Yes, I knew that but completely forgot and it was great seeing them side-by-side together in the front row.

4 - Maren Morris was sitting in a bar across the street from the Bridgestone Arena last year watching the CMA Awards on TV. Last night she was on stage picking up the Best New Artist Award.

3 - People are still mad at the Dixie Chicks. Judging from the comments on social media after they performed with Beyonce, it doesn't look like many people are very forgiving about what they said out the president back in 2003. At a show in London, Nataile Maines said, “Just so you know, we’re on the good side with y’all. We do not want this war, this violence, and we’re ashamed that the President of the United States is from Texas.” Some Country music fans have still not turned the page on that.

2 - The CMAs are hands-down the BEST of all TV awards shows. The content of the show, the pace, and the delicate blend of comedy and music are excellently done. The Academy Award producers should talk to the CMA producers to learn how to put on an entertaining awards show.

1 - Garth Brooks is still the man!

A complete list of CMA winners