Reba McEntire is full of praise for Carrie Underwood. The Country Music Hall of Fame member spoke out about the American Idol alum, after Carrie earned two CMA Awards nominations, for both Female Vocalist of the Year and Entertainer of the Year, two categories she shares with Miranda Lambert.
“I’m thrilled with the girls getting back in there,” Reba said (via The Country Daily). “The thing that we have to realize and remember, whether it’s a male or female, the song usually drives the situation—it drives the boat. So when anybody has such a great song that can keep them in front of the public for a while—because there’s so much competition—that’s the thing. And then them coming in with the hard work and the creativity to do different things year after year.
“Carrie has worked her tail off,” she continued. “I’ve watched her. I’ve watched her show. I’m very impressed with how much work she puts into her production and to her creativity, whether it’s the people who surround her [during] her concerts or her costuming—she puts a lot of thought into it. She sings her butt off, so I’m very, very proud of Carrie coming in and working so hard and representing country music.”
Carrie has served as the CMA Awards host for the last 12 years; 11 with Brad Paisley and the last year with both Reba and Dolly Parton, announcing after the 2019 event that she would no longer serve as the show’s host.
“One of the highlights of 2019 and of my entire career so far was being on stage with the legends that are Reba and Dolly Parton,” Carrie said on social media last December. “I’m so proud that we could celebrate the incredible female artists that are part of the legacy of country music, past, present and future, and I’m thankful for the huge audiences all over the world that tuned in to see it.
“It’s hard to believe that it was my 12th year hosting and I will always treasure every show, from the 11 that I was so lucky to do with my partner in crime and friend for life, Brad Paisley, to sharing the stage with two of my all-time heroes,” she continued. “I’m so incredibly grateful to everyone involved with the CMA Awards all these years. It’s hard to imagine topping what we have accomplished together, so I’ve decided that it’s time to pass the hosting torch (at least for now!) to others that will cherish it and honor it as much as I do. I’ve got so many exciting things coming in the new year and beyond, and I can’t wait to see what the future has in store for all of us.”
The 2020 CMA Awards, which will be a virtual event because of COVID-19, will air live from Nashville on Wednesday, November 11, at 8:00 PM ET on ABC.
