cmt artists of the year

The singer's wife also reminisced about their early days in music before he performed, 'Dream You Never Had.'

"I'm very blessed to have so many friend," McEntire said in her emotional acceptance speech at the CMT Artists of the Year ceremony.

When Shay Mooney's standing ovation-earning ending of "Tequila" is a few points down in a list of big moments in a show, it was a busy night.

What a performance!