Morgan Wallen’s Son, Indie, Proves He’s Wallen’s Biggest Little Fan While ‘Watchin’ His Daddy’ Perform On TV
Morgan Wallen took to the Bridgestone Arena stage during the 56th Annual CMA Awards to perform his seventh No.1 single,…
Morgan Wallen, Son Indie; Photo by ABC, KT Smith (Instagram)
Morgan Wallen took to the Bridgestone Arena stage during the 56th Annual CMA Awards to perform his seventh No.1 single, “You Proof” and his 2-year-old son, Indigo (Indie) Wilder, cheered him on from home.
According to a social media post by Indie’s mother, KT Smith, Wallen’s son was “watchin’ his daddy” on TV as he delivered the live television debut of the tune.
Wallen, who was named CMA New Artist Of The Year in 2020, was joined by his full touring band to perform his latest chart-topping hit during the “Country Music’s Biggest Night.”
In the adorable photo, Indie could be seen sporting a diaper while glued to the television screen where Wallen was performing from Downtown Nashville.
Smith also shared how upset she was that Wallen didn’t win any of the CMA Awards he was nominated for, including Entertainer Of The Year and Male Vocalist Of The Year.
“@cma do better,” Smith wrote in her Instagram stories. “You robbed the one with the most talent tonight. Truly sickening.”
She went on to explain that she usually stays quiet but admitted she just had to speak up this time.
“I typically keep my mouth shut, but this time I couldn’t. hardy and mo should have won most of those awards tonight. without a shadow of a doubt, everyone knows Mo was the most talented in that room. but to rob someone of something they so rightly deserve is sickening,” Smith continued. ”I’m glad you got your views this year CMA awards- but it’s likely that a lot of us won’t be watching again after that. we all know that the one who sells out all of his shows night after night, spends hours in the studio to make his fans happy, breaks records, and the one that does everything he can to make his son proud- is the one who should have won tonight.”
Some fans took to social media to share similar opinions on the outcome of the show.
“When a guy who’s album has been in the Billboard top 10 for 86 weeks doesn’t win any awards you know you must be watching the CMA’s. @MorganWallen was robbed,” one fan passionately wrote.
“Shame on you CMA! Morgan Wallen has sold more tickets and out-sold every country singer but you refuse to recognize his success! #rigged,” another shared.
While Wallen didn’t walk away with any trophies, he is still seeing massive success on the sales, airplay, and streaming charts.
“You Proof” recently topped the charts at country radio for multiple weeks. The infectious track was released earlier this year and made a huge impact at country radio upon its official debut with 52 first-week adds and 94 in total.
The heartbreak anthem was co-written by Wallen with Ashley Gorley, Ernest K. Smith, and Charlie Handsome. Released to streaming services in honor of Wallen’s 29th birthday, the song finds the country hitmaker crooning over the need to drown his memories with a bottle of something strong in the aftermath of a breakup.
“I need something you proof/ Somethin’ stronger than I’m used to/ Yeah, I’ve been pourin’ ninety to a hundred/ Feel like nothing’s gonna cut it, that’s the hard truth/ Yeah, I need something you proof/ Oh, I need something you proof,” he sings.
Heading into the 2022 CMA Awards broadcast, Wallen was nominated for Male Vocalist of the Year and the night’s highest honor, Entertainer of the Year. Additionally, his song “Sand In My Boots,” written by HARDY, Ashley Gorley and Josh Osborne, was nominated for Song Of The Year.
The 56th Annual CMA Awards featured performances from Luke Combs, Morgan Wallen, Miranda Lambert, Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Cole Swindell, Cody Johnson, and Carly Pearce.
The show opened with an all-star tribute to the late Loretta Lynn from Underwood, Reba McEntire and Lambert.
Underwood, Dierks Bentley, Jon Pardi, and Lainey Wilson joined together to honor the 2022 CMA Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, Alan Jackson.
Additionally, the show included star-studded collaborations from Kelsea Ballerini, Kelly Clarkson and Carly Pearce, HARDY and Lainey Wilson, Elle King with The Black Keys, Brothers featuring The War and Treaty, Thomas Rhett and Katy Perry, Chris Stapleton with Patty Loveless, Zac Brown Band, Jimmie Allen and Marcus King as well as Ashley McBryde with Pillbox Patti, Brandy Clark, Caylee Hammack and John Osborne.
Mookie Betts, BRELAND, Jessica Chastain, Jordan Davis, Sarah Drew, Cole Hauser, Tyler Hubbard, Wynonna Judd, Lady A, Rex Linn, Little Big Town, Parker McCollum, Reba McEntire, Ben and Erin Napier, Jeannie Seely, Michael Shannon, and Lainey Wilson were on hand to present during the ceremony.
Co-hosted by Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning, the 2022 CMA Awards broadcasted live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena and aired on ABC (8:00-11:00 PM/ET).
The CMA Awards will also be available for viewing on Hulu beginning Thursday, Nov. 10.
The 56th Annual CMA Awards was a production of the Country Music Association. Robert Deaton served as the Executive Producer, Alan Carter as the Director, and Jon Macks as the Head Writer.
Lauren Jo Black is a longtime country music journalist, editor, host, and media personality whose work has helped shape the conversation around country music for nearly two decades. As the current Editor-in-Chief of Country Now, she has become one of the genre’s most respected voices, interviewing hundreds of country music’s biggest stars, including Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire, Shania Twain, Randy Travis, Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, and countless others. Over the course of her career, Black’s written work and interviews have reached billions of country music fans worldwide. A 2009 graduate of the University of Central Florida, Black began her career by founding Country Music Is Love, one of country music’s earliest independent digital publications, which she later sold to a major record label in 2015 before it was rebranded as Sounds Like Nashville. She then served as the publication’s Editor-in-Chief for more than two years. Her work has also appeared in Forbes, and she previously served as the Country Music Expert for Answers.com. Widely recognized for her expertise, Black has appeared as a featured guest on The Bobby Bones Show, BobbyCast, and Scripps News Morning Rush, providing insight on country music’s biggest moments. She has also hosted Country Now Live, a concert series featuring performances from artists including Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Riley Green, Jordan Davis, Dustin Lynch, Gabby Barrett, Brett Young, Jon Pardi, Kip Moore, Chris Young, and more. The series has welcomed thousands of fans in person while reaching millions more online. In addition, she hosted Connect With Country Now, a weekly interview series featuring conversations with rising country stars. Throughout her career, Black has earned a reputation for discovering and championing artists long before they become household names. She has covered Luke Bryan since the early days of his career, beginning when he was writing songs for other artists, including Billy Currington’s No. 1 hit “Good Directions,” before stepping into the spotlight with his debut single, “All My Friends Say” and eventually becoming one of biggest names in music. She also gave Megan Moroney her first opportunity to walk a major red carpet as Country Now’s official guest correspondent at the 2022 CMA Awards. An interview she conducted in 2018 for Forbes.com with Luke Combs that inspired his multi-week No. 1 hit, “Doin’ This.” She has also hosted stages at CMA Fest, moderated an industry panel at Country Radio Seminar, and helped lead important conversations about the evolving landscape of country music media. Beyond journalism, Black has also used her platform to support charitable causes and highlight organizations making an impact. Through Country Now Live, she has helped raise awareness and support for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, while also advocating for animal rescue through Country Now’s Pupdate series, spotlighting organizations including MuttNation Foundation, Wags & Walks, and Proverbs 12:10 Animal Rescue. Black has been recognized as one of Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. She is a longtime member of both the Country Music Association (CMA) and the Academy of Country Music (ACM). After nearly 20 years covering country music, Lauren Jo Black has spent her career telling the stories behind the artists, songs, and moments that have shaped the genre. Her first-ever book, Country Music Forever: An A-to-Z Celebration of Icons, Songs and Stories, brings that same passion and firsthand knowledge to the page, celebrating not only the legendary artists and timeless songs that have become the soundtrack to generations of fans, but also the places, traditions, and cultural moments that have made country music one of the most beloved genres around the world.
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