The 51st Annual Country Music Association (CMA) Awards brought together the biggest artists in country music for an evening of memorable performances, supported by Sennheiser microphones.
The 3-hour telecast found 14.3 million viewers tuning in to listen to their favourite artists, while watching award presentations of country music’s highest honours. Sennheiser microphones and wireless systems were present throughout the broadcast, which turned out to be ABC’s most highly viewed Wednesday night program in 3 years.
Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley hosted the evening, both speaking and singing through a Sennheiser SKM 5200 handheld transmitter and MD 5235 capsule combination — all running through a Sennheiser 3732-II receiver. Underwood also received a nomination for Female Vocalist of the Year.
Lady Antebellum put a Sennheiser Digital 6000/9000 wireless system to work, which included EM 6000 receivers and SKM 9000 handheld transmitters paired with MD 9235 microphone capsules. During the evening, the band also received an Album of the Year nomination for their latest record, Heart Break.
Reba McEntire then joined Best New Artist nominee Kelsea Ballerini for a performance of Ballerini’s hit Legends. McEntire — who also received a nomination for Female Vocalist of the Year — performed through a Sennheiser SKM 5200 handheld transmitter and Neumann KK 105 capsule combination, flawlessly transmitted through a Sennheiser EM 3732-II receiver. The result was a crystal-clear vocal sound that preserved the emotional intensity of Ballerini’s powerful ballad.
While P!NK was captured with Sennheiser’s Digital 6000/9000 wireless system, running through an EM 6000 receiver. Like Lady Antebellum, P!NK relied on a combination of the Sennheiser SKM 9000 handheld transmitter and MD 9235 capsule.
Newly-minted Sennheiser artist Luke Combs received a nomination for Best New Artist, while numerous wired Sennheiser and Neumann microphones, including 130 evolution microphones, were used throughout the awards show on everything from voiceovers to covering assorted backline duties.