Luke Bryan was unable to accept his CMT Artist of the Year on Tuesday night, as he was with family after the death of his brother-in-law. He was certainly not forgotten, however. Keith Urban and Jason Aldean went out of their way to say a kind word, and Lady Antebellum performed in his honor.

The trio sang Bryan’s ‘Drink a Beer,’ a song the superstar connects to the deaths of his brother and sister. Ben Lee Cheshire was married to Bryan’s sister Kelly, who died in 2007. As the trio -- and songwriter Chris Stapleton -- performed, artists like Miranda Lambert and Urban were spotted fighting back tears and singing along.

The acoustic moment was one of several special dedications to Bryan. Aldean recognized his friend early, and while accepting the Artist of the Year award, Urban said, "I want to send my love and prayers out to Luke and all your family tonight too, brother. You're right here tonight, brother."

Bryan was watching and offered his first comments since Cheshire’s death on Saturday:

He was in Georgia for his brother-in-law’s funeral. The 38-year-old officiated the event.

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