The '80s were a transitional decade for country music: a time when artists could try out different styles and approaches -- and, by extension, adopt new traditions that would come to reverberate in the '90s and beyond.
Country artists have a reputation for penning lyrics that tell tough stories, but one of the hardest things that some stars have to go through isn't always covered in the biggest hits: band breakups.
CMA Fest is like one big gathering of every country star you’ve ever heard of and then some. So surprise collaborations — like Blake Shelton with the legendary Oak Ridge Boys — are sure to pop up during the festival.
Some of country's biggest stars have been announced as performers at the 2016 CMT Music Awards, including Luke Bryan, Chris Stapleton and Blake Shelton.