'CMT Celebrates Our Heroes': Little Big Town, Carrie Underwood start off night with tribute to frontline workers
CMT chose to honor frontline workers that are tirelessly battling the coronavirus with a two-hour all-star tribute event tonight.
In celebration of the heroes of the pandemic, the ones who are putting themselves at risk to keep the rest of us safe, country music's biggest stars appeared via pre-recorded messages and at-home performances, sharing messages of hope and support during these confusing and trying times.
"We sure hope it brings you peace and joy," stated Karen Fairchild of the band Little Big Town in their opening performance, adding, "and we can’t wait to be together with you soon."
Singer Carrie Underwood also dropped by to honor the teachers and educators who had to learn an entirely new way of educating when their classes all went virtual. "There was no playbook for this. There was no lesson plan," Underwood stated, sharing that her sisters and mother are all educators and recognizing the difficult role teachers play in society.
The special one-night, two-hour event includes singers like Blake Shelton, Tim McGraw, Brandi Carlile, Sam Hunt, Darius Rucker, Brothers Osborne, Florida Georgia Line, Kelsea Ballerini, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert and Thomas Rhett and more.
Viewers soon took to Twitter to share their own messages of gratitude to all who continue to do their best to ensure the pandemic does not stop us from living. "#CMTCelebratesOurHeroes thank you to our heavy civil construction companies!" tweeted one viewer, adding, "We did not get shut down and have been working hard and fast to fix our streets and water mains while traffic is light!"
Another shared, "Mail Carriers haven’t missed a beat and are actually working 12-14 hour days since the pandemic started because people are ordering online and not out physically shopping. They seem to be overlooked and under appreciated! #CMTCelebratesOurHeroes."
One tweet read, "#CMTCelebratesOurHeroes The airline and aircraft maintenance workers who still have to go to work during this pandemic to keep the aircraft flying."
Naturally, many shared notes of gratitude for the medical workers that have not stopped fighting COVID-19, even when it meant they were at risk themselves.
"#CMTCelebratesOurHeroes l just wanted to mention about the heroes at valley hospital in ridgewood new jersey that saved my life I had the corona virus I was on ventilator for 2 weeks and they told my wife I was going to die,but thanks to the nurse’s and Dr’s I am now home," shared one survivor, another said, "#CMTCelebratesOurHeroes - the custodians of hospitals and facilities keeping thing clean and sanitized," and one stated, "I want to say thank you to all the hospital labs that are running the COVID tests! They are working overtime and helping get patients diagnosed faster! #CMTCelebratesOurHeroes."
Another viewer tweeted, "Shoutout to all of the funeral directors/morticians that are helping families through some of the toughest times in their lives. It’s takes a special kind of person to be able to comfort someone who was not able to be with their loved ones when they pass. #CMTCelebratesOurHeroes."
Some took the time to thank their fellow frontline workers, tweeting, "My best friends and I work at Walmart and have been working during this whole thing. Just wanna thank all of our grocery store workers and all the ones who have been working during these hard times! God bless!! #CMTCelebratesOurHeroes."
Others chose to highlight their personal heroes, stating, "#CMTCelebratesOurHeroes I celebrate my hero tonight....my son ....he's finishing up 1st grade....and he has worked very hard through this pandemic!"
Some thanked their families for working hard through the pandemic. One viewer shared a photo of her aunt wearing the notoriously uncomfortable outfit nurses have been sporting, stating, "This is my Aunt Jennifer. She is a nurse in CCD at our local hospital! She works directly with the COVID patients and is the strongest person I know! We love you! #CMTCelebratesOurHeroes."
Another highlighted what many medical workers are putting themselves through, tweeting, "To my brother, a respiratory therapist who puts himself at risk to help others. Jesse Goodson RRT Thank you! #CMTCelebratesOurHeroes."
"#CMTCelebratesOurHeroes@ArleenHornberge Shout out to my sister Arleen treating cancer and infusion patients always taking care even throughout this pandemic."
Women of County, a Nashville-based page dedicated to bringing in gender equality in county music shared, "Thank you to the... Doctors / Nurses / Servers / Janitors / Teachers / Truck drivers / Farmers / Artists / Cashiers / Cooks / Therapists / Pharmacists / Officers / Accountants / And many more! #CMTCelebratesOurHeroes."
And last but certainly not least, viewers thanked CMT for spreading a message of hope.
"#CMTCelebratesOurHeroes Thank you for this show!!!!" tweeted one fan, adding, "I have lost my father to this horrendous virus, but please, please mention those who clean and sterilize all the rooms, beds, utensils, etc. for those affected and those who are part of all the healing. We Love the Staffs, too!"