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2020 CMA Awards: Jason Aldean pays tribute to Charlie Daniels, fans 'love the nod' to the irreplaceable legend

'The Charlie Daniels tribute was beautiful and poignant,' wrote a viewer

The award season of 2020 continues with the coveted CMA Awards where we most recently saw renowned country singer Jason Aldean opening the award ceremony by paying tribute to the late country legend Charlie Daniels. The latter passed away in July 2020 at the age of 83 from a hemorrhagic stroke in Nashville. Aldean crooned Daniels’ number-one country hit ‘The Devil Went Down to Georgia’ as a part of his tribute which completely floored social media users.

A lot of people took to Twitter to share how much they loved Aldean’s performance on the popular country number. One user stated, “The Charlie Daniels tribute was beautiful and poignant! Great job by @AshleyMcBryde, @DierksBentley,@Jason_Aldean and @brothersosborne! #CMAawards” One fan tweeted, “Great tribute to Charlie Daniels. I've seen him live a few times. He will be missed #CMAawards” 

Another added, “Loving the nod to the irreplaceable @CharlieDaniels in the #CMAawards opening number.” One user expressed, “Watching the CMA awards was so enjoyable...then the Charlie Daniels Tribute ended....#CMAawards #bringbackrealcountrymusic #stopthepopcoubtry”

Jason Aldean is known for his hit 2010 album ‘My Kinda Party’ which is certified quadruple-platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and his other slew of hits include ‘Why’, ‘She’s Country’, ‘Big Green Tractor’, ‘The Truth’, ‘Don't You Wanna Stay’, ‘Dirt Road Anthem’, ‘Fly Over States’ and others.

Charlie Daniels is known for his contributions to Southern rock, country and bluegrass music. He was inducted in the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum in 2009 and the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2016.

Global musicians like Justin Bieber, Miranda Lambert and Luke Combs among others will hit the stage with their popular songs. The award ceremony is being hosted by Reba McEntire and Darius Rucker, who will also perform at the event. Singer-songwriter Miranda Lambert is leading the nominations race with seven nods followed closely by Luke Combs with six nods. Interestingly, both the artistes will be competing for the Entertainer of the Year award as well.

The award ceremony will be paying a tribute to the late Country music legend Charlie Daniels Apart from Aldean, Dierks Bentley will also be a part of the opening tribute. He might hit the stage with his popular songs like ‘Bad Angel’ and ‘Kings of Neon’. Jenee Fleenor, the American singer-songwriter won Musician of the Year at the 2019 CMA Awards and she also is part of the opening tribute where she might belt out her 2020 hit song ‘Good Ol’ Girls’.

Ashley McBryde is another artiste who will be seen crooning her hit numbers at the opening act. The singer has scored three CMA nominations this year including Album of the Year for ‘Never Will’ and Female Vocalist of the Year. Fans can catch the 54th edition of the renowned CMA Awards live from Nashville’s Music City Center from 8 to 11 pm ET on ABC.