Now that Taylor Swift's swapped Nashville for New York, the country music scene has been lacking in the poppy, crossover artist department. To be fair, it doesn't really need a pop sound, but, you know, it helps with ratings and whatnot.
As last night's CMA awards got underway, many wondered who would step up. Would Tim McGraw or Brad Paisley welcome another rapper into the fold? Would Kelly Clarkson do a tongue-in-cheek version of her "Shake It Off" cover? Would Blake Shelton drag Voice cohort Adam Levine onstage? Nope. Instead we got Ariana Grande.
The ponytailed pop star joined country act Little Big Town for a performance of her hit "Bang Bang," a sound many in the audience are no doubt familiar with. The gang and their backup drummers all wore outfits with snazzy LED piping, which should definitely go on tour with them should they decide to form a supergroup called Little Big Grande.
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The "Day Drinking" crooners weren't the only country stars willing to share the spotlight with a pop act. The night's big winner, Miranda Lambert, also joined Meghan Trainor for a performance of "All About That Bass," which was suitably sassy.
So, the CMAs got their "boom boom" and "bang bang" after all. Are you happy, Taylor?
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