Chris Stapleton has been a consistent CMA Awards winner since 2015 and it must be the beard because now everyone in country music is trying to replicate his look.
It was clear artists and fans inside the Bridgestone Arena for Wednesday night's CMA Awards felt a special unity that those watching at home weren't always a part of. Some of the best moments simply didn't translate.
Media outlets covering the 2017 CMA Awards from the red carpet cannot ask artists about their political affiliations, views on gun rights or the Las Vegas shooting.
The Country Music Association has apologized for and lifted CMA Awards media guidelines restricting what reporters can and cannot ask during next Wednesday's red carpet.