Carly Pearce and Lee Brice Secure CMA Musical Event of the Year Win for ‘I Hope You’re Happy Now’

The 54th Annual CMA Awards aren’t until tonight, however, Carly Pearce and Lee Brice are already big winners. It was…

Lauren Jo Black

| Posted on

November 11, 2020

7:50 am

Carly Pearce, Lee Brice; Photo by John Shearer

The 54th Annual CMA Awards aren’t until tonight, however, Carly Pearce and Lee Brice are already big winners.

It was just announced on ABC’s Good Morning America that their chart-topping duet, “I Hope You’re Happy Now,” has been awarded with the title of CMA Musical Event of the Year. The award goes to the artists as well as the producer, the late busbee.

Pearce and Brice were set to perform the song during tonight’s show, however, Brice was diagnosed with COVID-19 prior to the show. Lady A’s Charles Kelley will now fill in for Brice to perform the song alongside Pearce.

Other collaborations nominated in the category were “10,000 Hours” – Dan + Shay (with Justin Bieber), “Be A Light” – Thomas Rhett featuring Reba McEntire, Hillary Scott, Chris Tomlin, Keith Urban, “The Bones” – Maren Morris with Hozier and “Fooled Around And Fell In Love” – Miranda Lambert (feat. Maren Morris, Elle King, Ashley McBryde, Tenille Townes & Caylee Hammack).

The 54th Annual CMA Awards will also feature performances from Chris Stapleton, Morgan Wallen, Miranda Lambert, Maren Morris, Luke Combs, Jason Aldean, Eric Church, Jon Pardi, Keith Urban, Jimmie Allen, Ingrid Andress, Little Big Town, Rascal Flatts, Ashley McBryde, Old Dominion, Gabby Barrett, Charlie Puth, Reba McEntire, Darius Rucker, Thomas Rhett, Brothers Osborne, Jenee Fleenor, Dierks Bentley, Lady A, Hillary Scott, Chris Tomlin, Dan + Shay and Justin Bieber.

Hosted by Reba McEntire and Darius Rucker, the star-studded event is set to air tonight on ABC at 8/7 c.

Written by

Lauren Jo Black

Lauren Jo Black, a University of Central Florida graduate, has immersed herself in the world of country music for over 15 years. In 2008, she co-founded CountryMusicIsLove, eventually selling it to a major record label in 2015. Following the rebranding of the website to Sounds Like Nashville, Black served as Editor-in-Chief for two and a half years. Currently, she assumes the role of Editor-in-Chief at Country Now and oversees Country Now’s content and digital footprint. Her extensive experience also encompasses her previous role as a Country Music Expert Writer for Answers.com and her work being featured on Forbes.com. She’s been spotlighted among Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. Black also spent time in front of the camera as host of Country Now Live, which brought live music directly to fans in 2021 when the majority of concerts were halted due to the pandemic. During this time, she hosted 24 weeks of live concerts via Country Now Live on Twitch with special guests such as Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Jordan Davis, Brett Young, and Jon Pardi. Over the course of her career, she has had the privilege of conducting interviews with some of the industry’s most prominent stars, including Reba McEntire, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson, and many others. Lauren Jo Black is a longtime member of the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music.