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After MidNite with Granger Smith

After MidNite with Granger Smith

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Brad Paisley on CMA Awards: 'This Is a Challenging Year'

The CMA Awards will shine a spotlight on unity in 2017.

Brad Paisley, who will co-host the annual event for the 10th consecutive year with Carrie Underwood, tells Rolling Stone that in the wake of the mass shooting at Route 91 Harvest festival, the tone of “Country Music’s Biggest Night” will be different yet all the same.

“We’re not going to ignore it, but we’re not going to also dwell on that,” he says. “We have to make sure we honor those we’ve lost, but we also [have to] celebrate this music, which lives on, and do a good job having the heart we need to have on that night. And also the theme of the show this year is very much about unity and coming together as a format.”

Brad adds he and Carrie feel the “pressure” to handle the situation in the correct way.

The 51st Annual CMA Awards airs November 8 live from Nashville on ABC.

Photo: Getty Images