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Hosts Luke Bryan, Peyton Manning and Lainey Wilson opened the 2024 Country Music Association Awards with a bang.
The trio took the stage after Post Malone and Chris Stapleton opened show with a performance of “California Sober.” Bryan and Manning, both 48, and Wilson, 32, teamed up to deliver a monologue filled with jokes and advice during the Wednesday, November 20, awards show, which was held at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. For Wilson’s first time hosting, she shared that she turned to her cohosts for some sage advice.
“I stepped in and told Lainey to do what I’ve done my whole career,” Bryan said. “When you’re in a rut, shake that butt!”
Meanwhile, Manning countered with some more helpful tips while making a dig at Bryan.
“Just smile, have fun and do not listen to a word Luke Bryan said. Really,” the former football player quipped.
Both men also recognized Wilson for winning big at last years award show, including the coveted prize of Entertainer of the Year. Bryan joked that after taking home the prestigious award that it’s “all downhill from there” — which Wilson agreed.
“Which is how I wound up here hosting with you two,” she teased.
Bryan has been hosting the CMA Awards since 2021 when he helmed the 55th annual ceremony solo. Manning later joined Bryan as a cohost for the 2022 and 2023 ceremonies, with Wilson making her debut in the role this year. (Wilson is also nominated for four awards, including Entertainer of the Year, Single of the Year for “Watermelon Moonshine,” Female Vocalist of the Year and Music Video of the Year for “Wildflowers and Wild Horses.”)
After the trio were announced as cohosts in September, they each shared their enthusiasm for the opportunity.
“I could not be more excited to host the CMA Awards this year with Luke and Peyton,” Wilson said in a statement at the time. “It’s such an incredible honor and something I’ve always dreamed of doing.”
Manning, for his part, noted that “the past two years have been a lot of fun” and emphasized that “Lainey is going to bring a special [flair]” to the event. “Hopefully she can help me keep Luke in line,” he quipped.
Bryan, meanwhile, shared that he and Manning “have really worked to build off each other” the past two years and “now adding Lainey to the mix will just bring another fun element to the night.”
In an interview with ABC at the time, Wilson elaborated on her gratitude for the chance to cohost the awards show.
“It gives me another opportunity to represent a genre that has just meant so much to me and the way that I grew up and my life and my family, and to be able to use that platform to make people laugh and just shine a light on why country music is incredible, sign me up!” she gushed.
When asked whether Manning would show off his vocal abilities during the broadcast, Wilson playfully teased her cohost. “Well, I heard Peyton sing. Um, have you heard Peyton sing?” she quipped. “I love you, buddy. But um, we might need to leave it to Luke!”
