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Chris Stapleton was the big winner but Carrie Underwood and her unborn baby stole the limelight at the Country Music Association (CMA) awards on Wednesday.
A pregnant Underwood, one of the country's biggest celebrities, the live televised show in Nashville to reveal for the first time that the second child is expecting is a boy.
#CarrieBlewIt It's a Willie !!!#CMAawards
Underwood, who co-hosted the show with singer Brad Paisley, won female vocalist of the year for the fifth time and brought the house down with an emotional performance of her Love Wins.
"Thank you God, I have been blessed with so much in my life," Underwood said.
Chris Stapleton, seen at left performing with Maren Morris, was the night's biggest winner. (Charles Sykes / Invision / Associated Press)
Stapleton Won Three Awards: Male Vocalist Of The Year Broken Halos.
But in a surprise result, he lost the night's biggest prize – Entertainer of the year – Keith Urban, the trainer American Idol Nicole Kidman, judge and husband of actress.
"I am shocked beyond shocked," Urban said tearfully. "I feel very grateful that I get to do what I do. God hurt country music."
A teary Keith Urban accepts the entertainer of the year trophy. (Charles Sykes / Invision / Associated Press)
Garth Brooks opened the show with a minute of silence for the 12 people shot at a bar in Southern California. The gunman, to form U.S. Marine, died of an apparently self-inflicted gunshot.
"Tonight, let's celebrate their lives," Brooks said. "Let the music unite us with love in their enduring memory."
We have a male-dominated night, Kacey Musgraves, 30, won her first big CMA prize, taking home album of the year for Golden Hour. No women were among the five nominees this year for entertainer of the year.
Kacey Musgraves, seen at left being embraced by Karen Fairchild's Little Big Town, took home album of the year for Golden Hour. (Charles Sykes / Invision / Associated Press)
"2018 has been a huge year in country music," quipped Paisley as he opened the three-hour show with Underwood.
"Finally!" Underwood retorted.
The oldest and youngest stars were among the most-talked about performers.
Veteran performer Ricky Skaggs, right, was joined by a host of others, including co-host Brad Paisley, on-stage. (Charles Sykes / Invision / Associated Press)
Veteran bluegrbad musician Ricky Skaggs, 64, got an extended showcase, playing with Paisley and Urban, while Brooks, a country staple for 30 years, debuted an acoustic ballad, Stronger Than Me, Dedicated to his wife, Trisha Yearwood.
On the younger end, Kelsea Ballerini, 25, performed her defiant dance-pop ode to female empowerment, Miss Me More.
Kelsea Ballerini is seen performing Miss Me More during Wednesday's show. (Charles Sykes / Invision / Associated Press)
Other winners on Wednesday included Old Dominion, Brothers Osborne, Rhett Thomas, and best new artist Luke Combs.
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