Luke Bryan reveals he regrets not being named ‘sexiest man alive’

Luke Bryan is many things: a CMA award winner, a veteran show host, and a lover American Idol right. One thing he hasn’t added to his belt? Being named PEOPLE’s Sexiest Man Alive – and the ‘Buy Dirt’ singer is bummed about it.

During the show’s opening monologue, Bryan and his cohosts discussed feeling disappointed with the hopes of certain voting results, and Bryan talked about losing the coveted title.

“This is not easy, I don’t know how I got left out,” he lamented.

Thomas Rhett and Teddy Swims give a powerful performance

While there were many excellent performances throughout the evening, Thomas Rhett and Teddy Swims put their vocal skills to full use with a live performance of their ‘Somethin’ collaboration ‘Bout a Woman’, followed by a rendition of Swims’ hit ‘Lose Control’.

Luke Bryan almost sparks threesome rumors

He may be a well-known songwriter, but Luke Bryan seems to have had a bit of a problem when it came to welcoming a third member to the host team. In an effort to make Wilson feel at home, the singer decided to buy a T-shirt with all their names engraved on it. However, his choice of words as he prepared to show off that T-shirt did not sit well with his cohosts.

“Now that we’re a threesome…” he started before Wilson quickly interjected. “Luke, no. This is how you start rumors. You need to rephrase that,” she corrected before Bryan turned around to call them a “threesome” and finally showed off his new “Luke + Pey + Lay” T-shirt.

Carrie Underwood joins Cody Johnson in a surprise appearance

Although Carrie Underwood was nowhere to be seen on the red carpet, the country star surprised the crowd mid-show when she joined Cody Johnson on stage to perform their song “I’m Gonna Love You.” For the duet, Underwood wore a white dress, complete with lace accents, fringes and flowing sleeves.

George Strait wins the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award

One of the moving moments of the evening was the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award tribute to George Strait.

Following a performance by Chris Stapleton and Miranda Lambert (wearing a “George” belt buckle), Strait took the stage to accept his award and paid a heartfelt tribute to his wife of more than 50 years, Norma Strait, and the rest of his family. family – son Bubba, 43, daughter-in-law Tamara and grandchildren Jilliann, 8, and Harvey, 12.

“So great to have you all here,” he said, thanking his family in the audience. “But especially Norma, who supported me for almost 53 years in December. It has also been a wonderful 53 years.”

Bailey Zimmerman plays Beer Pong during an onstage performance

Miranda Lambert said the CMAs feel “like a family reunion” and it looks like Bailey Zimmerman feels the same. During his performance, the Illinois native seemed to feel right at home as he brought out a beer pong table and continued playing while singing his hit single “New to Country.”

Kelsea Ballerini and Noah Kahan work hard and play hard

Months after the release of “Cowboys Cry Too” from Ballerini’s album PatternsNoah Kahan joined his friend on stage to give an emotional performance of the song. It’s clear that their chemistry goes beyond just the booth, as the two were pictured hanging out and striking funny poses while backstage at the show.