Page 23 - 2017 Official CMA Program

┴ Hank Williams, Jr. makes a surprise ┴ Paisley and Underwood go “Gangham Style” during the 2012 ┴ Paisley, Peyton Manning, Underwood, and HOSTS
appearance during Paisley and CMA Awards. Deaton gather during rehearsals for the 2016
Underwood's monologue for the 2011 CMA Awards.”
CMA Awards.
strongly that Brad and Carrie were absolutely the right decision and I It was also the first year that our ratings grew during the monologue,
decided not to give up. which historically is a lower rated part of any award show. That was a
big revelation. People were tuning in to see what Brad and Carrie were
I waited a few months then went back to both ABC and CMA to plead going to do during their opening monologue! This was confirmation
my case. I thought that the no-host approach was too choppy and we had made the right decision.
the broadcast needed a host to take you on a journey, essentially. And
I felt we needed a voice. Someone that could represent the show in Now we were literally off to the races. After year four and up through
phone interviews, promos, morning and late-night talk shows, etc. last year’s show, it has been like a greatest hits package of Brad and
This time I got the green light. Carrie. All you have to do is mention a phrase and fans will know
exactly the moment.
Here’s why it works. Yes, they are both supremely talented, have
developed impeccable timing, and both put in the effort to make It’s important to acknowledge that one thing a performer doing
something good into something great. But the real reason it works is comedy or stand-up must have is courage. Each joke or parody can hit
that they are genuinely close friends and they trust each other. There’s big or fall flat. Brad and Carrie have the courage to go for it every time,
that word again. with full confidence.

The first year they hosted, the opening monologue was around five Here is an interesting example. Because of cellphones and social
minutes. This was just my second year and their first so we were all media in year three, we realized we could not rehearse any of Brad
learning on the job in front of millions of people. and Carrie’s copy onstage, knowing it would be leaked online before
we went on air. Our only solution was to not rehearse onstage. So the
The second year, Brad and Carrie performed their first musical parody, first time they performed their monologue onstage was during the
“Mamas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Kanye.” This was an actual live broadcast. That takes great courage, belief in each other
important moment in the evolution of the Brad-and-Carrie brand. The and the material. It also takes great talent.
parody gave us something completely unique to Brad and Carrie. We
could “own” this as their signature, separating us from all other award I have spent most of my time in this article focusing on Brad and
shows and late-night television broadcasts. Carrie. I know that Bill, Ann, David, and Kendal would not want it any
other way. Our job is to support, encourage and, in some instances,
Year four was when we really hit our stride. Brad and Carrie were fully protect Brad and Carrie. Because at the end of the day, it is Brad
confident in their timing and mutual chemistry. We knew the musical and Carrie who make us all look good. To say that we are lucky to
parodies were working, big time. I think we all understood by now the have them would be a huge understatement. In a world where there
beats of a joke and the overall structure of a monologue. seems to be an award show on every week, Brad and Carrie give us
the opportunity to cut through the clutter, to be different, and be
That year brought the surprise appearance of Hank Williams Jr., the remembered.
Tim and Faith Barbies bit, and the musical parody of “I’m Going to
Love You Forever” with Eric Stonestreet from “Modern Family.” This
monologue from beginning to end was packed with great jokes, by Robert Deaton
surprises, and musical comedy.

Photo 1 credit: John Russell/CMA, Photos 2 credit: Donn Jones/CMA, Photo 3 credit: Ann Edelblute
THE 51st ANNUAL CMA AWARDS 21