Morgan Wallen Excites Fans at 2023 CMA Awards With Surprise Guest

Morgan Wallen Excites Fans at 2023 CMA Awards With Surprise Guest
Sara Kauss/FilmMagic

Morgan Wallen was the man of the hour at the 2023 CMA Awards, especially after he surprised fans and brought Eric Church out on stage with him.

The twosome teamed up on Wednesday, November 8, for the world television premiere of their 2023 hit “Man Made a Bar.” During the performance, both Wallen, 30, and Church, 46, played the guitar.

The mellow, but powerful rendition of the track pulled viewers in and kept them on the edge of their feet until the end.

2023 CMA Awards - Arrivals 378 401 Kelsea Ballerini
2023 CMA Awards - Arrivals 378 401 Kelsea Ballerini

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Fans can expect the biggest names in country music to show Us their fierce fashion sense at the 2023 CMA Awards in Nashville on Wednesday, November 8.  From glittering gowns and flirty frocks to stylish suits, the Bridgestone Arena red carpet will be one to remember. Aside from serving up fashionable eye candy, the CMAs […]

Wallen is one of the biggest names at the Nashville awards show this year partially because he is set to take the stage twice. The CMA Awards previously announced that the “Wasted on You” singer would perform with HARDY and Post Malone for a country classics medley.

He also teased singing alongside a “special guest” ahead of his mystery collaborator hitting the stage on Wednesday. Wallen is nominated for two awards at the event, including Album of the Year for One Thing at a Time and Male Vocalist of the Year.

Morgan Wallen Wows at 2023 CMA Awards With Surprise Guest Eric Church By His Side 433
Eric Church, Morgan Wallen. Terry Wyatt/Getty Images

The “Whiskey Glasses” singer’s CMA Awards comeback follows a rocky for years for Wallen. In February 2021, Wallen sparked controversy when a past video of him using the N-word resurfaced.

“I’m embarrassed and sorry. I used an unacceptable and inappropriate racial slur that I wish I could take back,” he said in a statement at the time. “There are no excuses to use this type of language, ever. I want to sincerely apologize for using the word. I promise to do better.”

Complete List of Nominees and Winners at the 2023 CMA Awards 434
Complete List of Nominees and Winners at the 2023 CMA Awards 434

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Country music stars are celebrating big wins at the 2023 CMA Awards. This year’s ceremony, which takes place on Wednesday, November 8, at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, is being hosted by NFL legend Peyton Manning and country music’s own Luke Bryan for the second year in a row. In addition to his hosting duties, […]

Despite his apology, Wallen was temporarily blacklisted from the industry in the wake of the scandal. He was banned from the 2021 ACM Awards, the 2021 CMA Awards and the 2021 Billboard Music Awards in addition to being pulled from country radio.

The following year, Wallen began quietly rebuilding his career and started winning awards once again. At the 2022 CMA Awards, he was nominated for Entertainer of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year and Song of the Year for “Sand in My Boots.”

Morgan Wallen Wows at 2023 CMA Awards With Surprise Guest Eric Church By His Side 432
John Shearer/Getty Images for ACM

Wallen hit another bump in the road in May when he had to cancel six weeks of shows as he battled health issues. “I went in [to the doctors] and got scoped yesterday, and they told me that I reinjured my vocal cords and that I have vocal fold trauma. Their advice is that I go on vocal rest for six weeks, so that’s what I’m gonna do,” he explained via an Instagram video at the time. “I also tore my lat [muscle] while we were in Australia. I’ve been trying to work through that quietly, but this time off is gonna help me get that back right as well.”

Morgan Wallen s Ups and Downs Through the Years- Saturday Night Live Drama N-Word Scandal and More 263
Morgan Wallen s Ups and Downs Through the Years- Saturday Night Live Drama N-Word Scandal and More 263

Related: Morgan Wallen’s Ups and Downs Throughout His Career Over the Years

The bad boy of country music. Morgan Wallen has faced a series of controversies throughout his career. The “Whiskey Glasses” singer got his start on season 6 of The Voice in 2014, where he was a member of Adam Levine’s team but got knocked out during the playoffs. Two years after his appearance on the […]

The musician was cleared to perform again in early June and headed back on tour shortly thereafter. In September, Wallen announced the continuation of his One Night at a Time Tour, sharing new dates had been added for 2024.

“Been one of the best years for me and my music so we’re gonna run it back … same tour name, staying on this album and many more cities to visit,” he wrote via Instagram. “I’ve got plans in mind to still single Cowgirls, Man Made A Bar and who knows maybe 98 Braves. Let’s keep this thing going.”

For more from Nashville, check out Us Weekly‘s VIP Guide to Music City.

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