Kelsea Ballerini, Kenny Chesney Earn Early 2021 CMA Award Wins

Early winners for The 55th Annual CMA Awards have been revealed in two categories. First-time CMA Awards winner Kelsea Ballerini and nine-time CMA Awards winner Kenny Chesney take home two trophies for their collaboration, “Half Of My Hometown.”

Produced by Ballerini, Ross Copperman and Jimmy Robbins, “Half Of My Hometown” has won the award for CMA Musical Event of the Year and CMA Music Video of the Year. The video was directed by Patrick Tracy.

Since its release, the Gold-certified track, written by Ballerini, Copperman, Robbins, Nicolle Galyon and Shane McAnally, has garnered over 90 million streams and is currently in the top 20 at country radio. “Half Of My Hometown” is currently at No. 14 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart and No. 19 on the Hot Country Songs Chart.

Ballerini says: “I’m so proud that my first two CMAs are for a song that represents my roots and also celebrates the dream that made me leave to chase it down. I remember growing up in Knoxville watching the CMAs… So this feels surreal and special to share this with so many of my songwriting friends, and my hometown hero Kenny Chesney. I can’t think of a better moment to keep on my shelf forever.”

“Growing up in East Tennessee, it’s a deeper kind of home. You have to have lived it to really understand,” adds Chesney. “Kelsea knows that, knows how hard it is to leave to chase a dream like music. It’s what made being part of “half of my hometown” so special! I know that feeling of everyone having an opinion, hating leaving all that love and needing to go out and find your place in the songs.”

This year’s CMA Awards will feature 20 performances from some of the biggest names in music, including Jason Aldean and Carrie Underwood, Gabby Barrett, Brothers Osborne, Eric Church, Luke Combs, Dan + Shay, Mickey Guyton feat. Brittney Spencer and Madeline Edwards, Miranda Lambert, Old Dominion, Carly Pearce and Ashley McBryde, and more.

Also on tap is a star-studded list of presenters such as Trace Adkins, Ingrid Andress, Deana Carter, Lauren Daigle, Russell Dickerson, Amy Grant, Alan Jackson, Elle King, Lady A, Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, Darius Rucker, Lainey Wilson, and Trisha Yearwood, among others. The night will be hosted by Luke Bryan.

The 55th Annual CMA Awards will air live tonight (Nov. 10) on ABC from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena at 7:00 p.m. CT.