NASHVILLE, T.N. – The 59th Annual CMA Awards, hosted by reigning Entertainer of the Year Lainey Wilson on Wednesday night, November 19, delivered a high-octane opening that included a major surprise appearance by country veteran Keith Urban.
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Urban’s inclusion in the performance lineup was a surprise for fans, given that he was not nominated for any awards—the last time he received a CMA nomination was back in 2020. His unexpected addition, announced just days before the event, intensified speculation about his role on Country Music’s Biggest Night.
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The mystery was solved during the live broadcast when it was revealed that Urban was the climactic, special guest in Lainey Wilson’s energetic opening performance. Wilson, who was hosting the show solo for the first time, kicked off the night with a medley celebrating decades of country music hits.
- The Performance: Urban surprised Wilson on stage, guitar in hand, to perform a high-energy duet of his 1999 hit, “Where the Blacktop Ends.” The spontaneous-looking collaboration between the modern superstar and the veteran icon drew a massive reaction from the Bridgestone Arena audience.
- The Context: Urban’s appearance marked his first major awards show stage appearance since the news of his high-profile split from estranged wife, actress Nicole Kidman, surfaced in September 2025. Performing one of his career-defining anthems alongside the reigning Entertainer of the Year was a powerful statement of his enduring focus on his musical career.
Data: Nominated for Country’s Top Honors
Though Keith Urban himself was not nominated, the host he joined, Lainey Wilson, had a historic night of her own, which provided a massive platform for the duet.
Wilson’s opening medley, which included snippets of hits by artists like Chris Stapleton (“White Horse”), Miranda Lambert (“Gunpowder and Lead”), and Shaboozey (“A Bar Song (Tipsy)”), culminated with Urban and set the stage for Wilson to sweep several major awards, including:
- Entertainer of the Year
- Female Vocalist of the Year
- Album of the Year (for Whirlwind)
The element of surprise, which the Country Music Association successfully maintained regarding Urban’s song choice and collaboration, proved that Keith Urban remains a major draw and a welcome presence at the genre’s most important event.
