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Dan + Shay Take Home First CMA Vocal Duo of the Year Win

“Country Music’s Biggest Night” is turning into a huge night for Dan + Shay! The talented duo just nabbed the…

Melinda Lorge

| Posted on

November 13, 2019

Dan + Shay; Photo by Terry Wyatt/Getty Images

“Country Music’s Biggest Night” is turning into a huge night for Dan + Shay!

The talented duo just nabbed the 2019 CMA Vocal Duo of the Year trophy at The 53rd Annual CMA Awards. This is the pair’s first win in the highly-regarded category after being nominated in the category for several years in a row.

Upon accepting their award, the duo’s Shay Mooney gave a shout out to his grandmother, who was watching the live telecast from her hospital bed.

“This is absolutely incredible. I have so many friends and family watching right now. My grandma’s actually in the hospital right now,” Shay said while gripping the trophy. “Granny, I’m giving a shout-out to you. Thank you so much for teaching me about Jesus, loving people and being a good person. I don’t even know what to say, clearly, but I am so thankful for this. We love country music. It raised us, and taught us so much about empowerment.”

“There are so many people I want to thank right now. But, Shay, I love you man,” Dan Smyers added. “You’re my friend in the world and you’re my favorite singer in the entire world. I’m so thankful I get to do this with you.”

Dan + Shay had some stiff competition leading up to the winning CMA Vocal Duo of the Year award. Other nominees in the running for the same category included Brooks & Dunn, Brothers Osborne, Florida Georgia Line and Maddie & Tae.

Dan + Shay also earned nominations in the categories for Single of the Year for “Speechless” and Album of the Year for their 2018 self-titled studio album, Dan + Shay.

Written by

Melinda Lorge

Melinda Lorge is a Nashville-based freelance writer who specializes in covering country music. Along with Country Now, her work has appeared in publications, including Rare Country, Rolling Stone Country, Nashville Lifestyles Magazine, Wide Open Country and more. After joining Rare Country in early 2016, Lorge was presented with the opportunity to lead coverage on late-night television programs, including “The Voice” and “American Idol,” which helped her to sharpen her writing skills even more. Lorge earned her degree at Middle Tennessee State University, following the completion of five internships within the country music industry. She has an undeniable love for music and entertainment. When she isn’t living and breathing country music, she can be found enjoying time outdoors with family and friends.