Two acts with Alabama ties -- Little Big Town and Mac McAnally -- took home trophies tonight at the 51st Annual CMA Awards.
Little Big Town won for Vocal Group of the Year, besting Lady Antebellum, Old Dominion, Rascal Flatts and Zac Brown Band. Little Big Town also performed at the ceremony, televised live from Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. The band paid tribute to the late Glen Campbell with a hushed, heartfelt cover of "Wichita Lineman."
The harmonizing country-pop group includes Jimi Westbrook of Sumiton and Karen Fairchild and Kimberly Schlapman, who met as undergraduates at Samford University in Birmingham. The band has several CMA Awards to its credit, including multiple wins in this category in years past.
McAnally earned the award for Musician of the Year, besting Jerry Douglas, Paul Franklin, Dann Huff and Derek Wells. McAnally -- a guitarist, songwriter, singer and producer -- has won this award eight times previously, 2008-2015. He wasn't nominated in 2016, but returned to the ballot in 2017.
McAnally, 60, was born in Red Bay and has a home and recording studio in Sheffield. He's also a longtime member of Jimmy Buffett's Coral Reefer Band.
Four other acts with links to the state -- Sam Hunt, Jason Isbell, Florida Georgia Line and Zac Brown Band -- received nominations this year, but were shut out in their categories.