Carrie Underwood, Chris Stapleton, Garth Brooks win big at CMAs, but Beyoncé steals the show

Beyonce and the Dixie Chicks at 50th CMAs
(Image credit: Rick Diamond/Getty Images)

The 50th annual Country Music Awards were Wednesday night, and country music's stars turned out in force, but there were also some surprises — like Peyton Manning singing in a bit with co-hosts Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood. Underwood won best female vocalist, and Chris Stapleton took the prize for best male vocalist plus music video of the year for "Fire Away." Garth Brooks took Entertainer of the Year for the first time since 1998, and Dolly Parton was honored with the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award after being serenaded by female country music legends.

The buzziest moment of the night, however, was when Beyoncé took the stage with the Dixie Chicks for a six-minute rendition of Beyoncé's "Daddy Lessons," from her Lemonade album.

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Peter Weber, The Week US

Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.