Darius Rucker, Eric Church, Lady Antebellum & Keith Urban Open The CMAs

Even with a string of collaborative performances from the likes of Tim McGraw and Faith Hill and Reba McEntire and Kelsea Ballerini, all eyes were on Eric Church, Lady Antebellum, Keith Urban, Darius Rucker and almost every single other heavyweight of the night opened the 51st annual CMA Awards on Thursday (November 8) with a rousing medley of "Amazing Grace" and Hootie and the Blowfish's classic, "Hold My Hand."

In what was promoted as an "unprecedented opening collaboration," the acts kicked off the annual affair live from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on ABC with an acapella performance of "Amazing Grace" by Church. But the pace picked up when Darius and Urban jumped into Hootie and the Blowfish's "Hold My Hand" territory and was eventually joined by Lady Antebellum, a full band, and several background singers. 

Urban shined when he took front and center for a guitar solo, but the agenda wasn't to put the focus on just one star. It was to come together as a country family and share a sweet sentiment of unity as seen when everyone from McEntire, Ballerini, McGraw, Little Big Town and more appeared for the final chorus to wrap the track up.

Prior to the performance, Hillary Scott made the rounds to promote their set and described it as "really beautiful and heartfelt," admitting that the number setups the energy for the rest of the evening. "I think it's going to set the tone for the night in a really beautiful and reverent way," she said. Lady A, who have two CMA Awards nods this year for Vocal Group of the Year and Album of the Year for Heart Break, also explained the reasoning for why they love the annual affair. 

"The awards shows are a bit of a reunion," Charles Kelley explained. "Everybody's touring, like ships passing through the night all summer and [it's great] to be able to catch up and talk about what we're all going through."

Stay tuned for more from the 51st annual Country Music Association Awards, including a full list of winners and additional updates on the Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley-hosted affair!

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