Morgan Wallen made headlines at the 2023 CMA Awards when he unexpectedly invited Eric Church to the stage.
The two collaborated on November 8th for their first-ever international TV performance of their 2023 hit song, “Man Made a Bar.” Wallen, 30, and Church, 46, alternated between the guitars during their performance, which wowed the crowd with a subtle but powerful version of the song.
Wallen’s two performances at this year’s Nashville awards ceremony are partially responsible for his broad appeal. The CMA Awards had previously revealed that the singer of “Wasted on You,” Post Malone, and HARDY, were going to perform a medley of classic country songs.
Wednesday before his partner hit the stage, Wallen teased a performance with a “special guest.” At the event, he is vying for two titles: Album of the Year for One Thing at a Time and Male Vocalist of the Year.
Following hardships in the previous few years, the “Whiskey Glasses” singer is returning to the CMA Awards. In February 2021, Wallen became well-known after a long-ago video of him using the N-word went viral.
What’s with Morgan Wallen’s racial slur controversy
A video of Wallen using the N-word went viral online in February 2021, sparking a great deal of controversy. He acknowledged using a racist slur that he felt was improper and unacceptable and apologized for it in a statement that was made public. Wallen expressed deep regret, pledged to change his behavior, and made it clear that the language he had used was unjustified.
Wallen apologized, but the controversy’s aftermath led to a brief ban from the music business. Not only was he banned from country radio, but he was also not allowed to attend the 2021 ACM, CMA, or Billboard Music Awards.
Wallen quietly carried on with his award-winning career the following year, despite this setback. His song “Sand in My Boots” was nominated for three CMA Awards in 2022: Song of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, and Entertainer of the Year.
Morgan Wallen had a rough time with his health
Due to health issues, Wallen’s six weeks of performances in May had to be canceled. He revealed on Instagram that he saw a physician, had a scope, and was told he had reinjured vocal cords and vocal fold trauma.
He made the decision to follow their advice and take a six-week vocal rest. Additionally, he disclosed that he had suffered a torn lat muscle during his time in Australia. Despite keeping it a secret, he felt that taking a break would help him heal and restore his general well-being.
Early in June, the performer was given the all-clear to resume shows, and he quickly hit the tour circuit again. Wallen announced the expansion of his One Night at a Time Tour in September, revealing new dates for 2024.
“This has been one of the best years for me and my music, so we’re gonna run it back… same tour name, sticking with this album, and many more cities to visit,” he wrote on Instagram, expressing his excitement. I’m going to play singles like Man Made A Bar, Cowgirls, and maybe even 98 Braves. Let’s maintain this forward momentum.
Wallen and HARDY showred tribute to Diffie
When Wallen and HARDY first worked together, Diffie’s 1993 hit song “John Deere Green” was one of their hits. They sounded like they were having a blast performing the hit song to a thrilled arena crowd, even though their voices weren’t perfect the entire time.
Wallen is a finalist in several categories and a contender for the 2023 Billboard Music Awards. With 17 nominations each, he and SZA are tied for first place, while Taylor Swift leads the field with 20 nominations. HARDY is a finalist for the best rock album as well. On November 19, during the BBMAs broadcast, the winners will be revealed live. You can stay up to date on Billboard’s platforms and social media accounts.
