10, 2021, at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn.
Osborne, left, and John Osborne, of Brothers Osborne, pose in the press room with the award for best vocal duo of the year at the 55th annual CMA Awards on Wednesday, Nov. “I Love My Hair” was introduced by Faith Fennidy, a Black student in Louisiana who was sent home from school after being told her braids violated school policy, an incident that inspired Guyton to write the song. And I just wish, I wish, my younger me could see me now.” The song that followed was written by Osborne after he came out as gay early in 2021, still a rarity in the mainstream country realm.Īlso making a statement was Mickey Guyton, who sang her recent album track “I Love My Hair,” joined in a trio by fellow Black artists Brittney Spencer and Madeline Edwards, who together ensured that country music was having one of its best hair days ever. And I always truthfully felt like it would never be possible because of my sexuality. Introducing the song “Younger Me,” singer TJ Osborne said it has been his dream growing up to be at the CMAs, but “there were so many hurdles for me. He was a double-winner in two of those categories for being a producer as well as artist and songwriter.Īlong with Stapleton, several others were making repeat trips to the podium, like Old Dominion, picking up the band’s fourth win for group of the year, and Brothers Osborne, also getting a fourth trophy for vocal duo of the year.īut it wasn’t just business-as-usual all night for Brothers Osborne and others. Despite missing out in the entertainer category, Stapleton otherwise swept the awards, winning honors for male vocalist as well as album, single and song, all for his “Starting Over” album and its title track.