Celebrate the Heart of Country, Americana, and Roots Music!

Drop Us A Line, Y'all

Y'all interested in advertising, partnering up, contributing stories, joining our team, or just got a question? Well, don't be shy, drop us a line!

Follow Us

CMA’s Opening Loaded with Tributes to Charlie Daniels and Other Greats of Country Music

by
  • Ryden is a Junior Country Music Journalist at Country Thang Daily, specializing in data analysis and trends within the genre.
  • Before joining Country Thang Daily, Ryden wrote for top music publications and interviewed icons like Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson.
  • Ryden has a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Middle Tennessee State University, with a minor in Data Analytics.

“The Devil Went Down to Georgia” singer Charlie Daniels will be the first amongst all present and past country artists to be recognized in this 2020 CMA Awards night.

The whole country music industry sheds a tear when the news about the passing of Daniels was passed on drawing memories and appreciation from various country artists around the world. This year, the brightest country artists of today including Jason Aldean, Dierks Bentley, Ashley McBryde will be opening the awards night with a multi-song performance as a tribute to the late singer and Country Music Hall of Fame Member. The CMA “Musician of the Year,” Jenee Fleenor will also be amongst the great to recognize a great in country music.

It’s Charlie Daniels’ Country

Charlie Daniels brought a lot to the table over decades of an outstanding career. He had filled it with swampy, country-rock songs, humorous story-telling, and his fantastic skill in playing his fiddle.

Although Daniels usually plays his guitar on live shows, his fiddle playing was a sight to see. “Long Haired Country Boy,” “The Legend of Wooley Swamp,” and “Simple Man” are just a few of Charlie Daniels’s great songs through the years. We can’t also miss out on one of his all-genre Billboard Top 3 hits “The Devil Went to Georgia.”

An Intimate Awards Night

The 2020 CMA Awards will also be featuring several tributes to past country music greats. This will include tributes for Kenny Rogers and Joe Diffie who both passed away this year. It was also announced earlier this week that Dan + Shay, Keith Urban, and Little Big Town will be joining the lineup of performers. They will also be joined by Eric Church, Luke Combs, and Miranda Lambert. This makes four out of five Entertainers of the Year nominees for this year listed as performers.

The 2020 CMA Awards will air live on ABC this November 11, 2020 at 8 PM ET. With Miranda Lambert leading the way with a total of 7 nominees, the show will bring all of the artists to a socially distant venue in the Music Center in Nashville without the presence of live audiences.

Latest Stories

Billy Ray Cyrus' six kids—Miley, Noah, Trace, and more—have each made their mark in music, entertainment, and beyond.

Billy Ray Cyrus’ 6 Children Are Making Names For Themselves In And Out Of Music

Billy Ray Cyrus isn’t just a country music legend—he’s also a father to six children who have carved out their own unique paths in life. From Grammy-nominated artists to podcast ...

Journalist Alanna Nash shares a rare encounter with Carl Dean, revealing glimpses of Dolly Parton’s private husband and his sharp-witted personality.

A Journalist’s Rare Encounter With Carl Dean Reveals the Man Behind the Mystery

Carl Dean, Dolly Parton’s famously private husband, spent his life avoiding the spotlight. While the country legend became one of the most recognizable figures in music, Dean remained a mystery—even ...

Chris Stapleton delivers a powerful, soulful cover of Vince Gill's 'Whenever You Come Around,' showcasing raw emotion in one of country music's greatest tributes.

Chris Stapleton’s Soulful Cover of ‘Whenever You Come Around’ is Country Perfection

Some songs are so powerful they don’t just get covered—they get felt. And when Chris Stapleton took on Vince Gill’s “Whenever You Come Around,” he didn’t just sing it—he poured ...

Country legend Travis Tritt takes pride in fatherhood, sharing insights on his children—Tyler Reese, Tristan, and Tarian—and his warnings about the music industry.

Travis Tritt’s Kids Are All Grown Up—here’s What They’re Doing Now

Travis Tritt has built a career on grit, storytelling, and a voice that cuts through like a steel guitar. But if you ask him what he’s most proud of, it’s ...

Stella Parton thanks fans for their prayers and support as the Parton family mourns the passing of Dolly Parton’s husband, Carl Dean.

Stella Parton Shares An Emotional Message After Carl Dean’s Death

Stella Parton is expressing gratitude for the outpouring of support following the passing of her sister Dolly Parton’s husband, Carl Dean. Shortly after Dolly confirmed Dean’s death on Monday, March ...

Mark Chesnutt calls Zach Top 'the real deal,' saying he’s bringing real country music back and giving fans hope for its future.

Mark Chesnutt Declares Zach Top the Future of Real Country Music

If you’ve been longing for real country music to make a comeback, you’re not alone. Country legend Mark Chesnutt has watched mainstream country drift further from its roots. Until recently, ...

Alan Jackson never ended a date early over 'putting out'—the rumor stems from Chattahoochee lyrics, a song he once doubted would be a hit.

Alan Jackson and the Chattahoochee Lyric That Started a Wild Rumor

Alan Jackson is a country music icon, but even legends aren’t immune to rumors. One of the wildest—and most persistent—claims about Jackson is that he once took a girl home ...

Dolly Parton and Carl Dean’s lasting love teaches us that privacy, respect, and keeping some things just between two people can strengthen a relationship.

Dolly Parton and Carl Dean Prove That Oversharing Kills Relationships

Dolly Parton and Carl Dean’s love story wasn’t built on grand public displays of affection or dramatic headlines. In a world where people air every detail of their relationships online, ...

A young Luke Combs performs a raw, heartfelt cover of Keith Whitley's 'Don't Close Your Eyes,' showcasing his deep connection to classic country before fame.

Young Luke Combs Took On Keith Whitley’s “Don’t Close Your Eyes” And Crushed It

Keith Whitley’s music has a way of cutting straight to the soul. His voice carried an unmatched depth of emotion, and even decades after his passing, his songs remain some ...

Loretta Lynn's fearless songwriting challenged country music norms, with five iconic songs facing radio bans yet becoming timeless classics.

5 Loretta Lynn Songs That Were Radio Banned But Still Became Hits

Loretta Lynn didn’t just sing country music—she changed it. While many artists tiptoed around the harder truths of life, Loretta faced them head-on. She sang about birth control, cheating, divorce, ...