The Country Music Awards 2022 ~ what an epic experience!

I don't like shopping and I don't like 'things'...I live for experiences. So when life grants me a once in a lifetime opportunity - I take it! Me and a couple friends were planning a trip to Nashville to soak in the sunshine, see all kinds of live music, and drink expensive beers. Shortly after we booked the flight, we learned that the Country Music Awards (CMA's) were live in Nashville the very day we were going to fly in. One of my friends is a ticket guru- if there is a ticket, she will find it. And so she did. I didn't even know 'buying a ticket for the CMA's' was possible. It sure changed my method of packing in a hurry - after all, the CMA's are a Black Tie Affair. As we walked up to the Nashville Bridgestone Arena, the sidewalks were glowing with fanciness. There were long flowy gowns draping onto the concrete below the sparkly high heels, elegant ballgowns that made Cinderella come to life, and so many sequins. We had seats in row one of the balcony - it was a perfect seat to see the performers being shuffled into the arena and escorted to the tables directly in front of the stage during each commercial break, as the announcer did the 'commercial ending in 30 seconds' announcements, followed by, 'everyone must be seated for the live broadcast in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1...' I always thought the stars all sat through the entire award ceremony, when in fact, the nominees for each category are brought in and seated directly in front of the stage for that part of the show, then whisked away for the next group during commercials. The amount of coordination that goes into shuffling the stars around, setting up the stage for the next live performance, and ensuring everyone is where they need to be before the commercial break ends was impressive.

There were so many country music names sitting amongst us - it was surreal. Alan Jackson, Patty Loveless, Zac Brown Band, Wynonna Judd, Jeannie Seely, Cody Johnson, Morgan Wallen, Miranda Lambert, Reba McEntire, Thomas Rhett, Luke Combs, Chris Stapleton and more - were all in the same building that I was in!!!! Being a part of the CMA's Opening Tribute to Loretta Lynn was incredible. Feeling the heat above burning piano that Elle King was playing during the Jerry Lee Lewis Tribute - complete with leather pants and using her feet to play the keys - I still get goosebumps thinking of it all.