Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley didn't shy away from poking fun at the political climate in their opening monologue as hosts of the 51st CMA Awards. 
 
 Related CMA Awards 2017: The Complete Winners List From Entertainer of the Year to New Artist, here are the winners of the 51st CMAs 
 
 As expected, they helped further heal a rift between the Country Music Association and members of the media, after the CMA released (and later rescinded under pressure) a strict set of guidelines barring journalists from asking questions about politics. Paisley lamented the fact that he's now unable to sing political songs like "Harper Valley DNC," "Hold Me Closer, Bernie Sanders" and "Stand By Your Manafort," the third a jab at the ongoing Russia probe plaguing the Trump administration. 
 
 But the highlight of their parodies was "Before He Tweets." Performed to the tune of Underwood's "Before He Cheats," the lyrics took down the President's habitual, early-morning tweeting. 
 
 "Right now, he's probably in his PJs / watching cable news / reaching for his cell phone," sang Paisley. "In the middle of the night from the privacy of a gold-plated white toilet seat / he writing Liddle' Bob Corker, NFL and covfefe." 
 
 The payoff line, however, was a chorus as cutting as it was humorous, referencing the high-stakes game some believe Trump is playing with North Korea. 
 
 "It's fun to watch it that's for sure / until little rocket man starts a nuclear war / and maybe next time he'll think before he tweets." 
 
 This marks Paisley and Underwood's 10th consecutive time hosting the CMA Awards. ||||| Carrie Underwood, Brad Paisley mock CMAs ban with Trump parody song 'Before He Tweets' 
 
 CLOSE From Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley's Trump spoof 'Before He Tweets' to Taylor Swift's surprise win, the CMA Awards show was full of memorable moments. USA TODAY 
 
 Did you really think Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley would open the CMA Awards without getting political? 
 
 The hosting duo of 10 years didn't waste time getting to Donald Trump as they opened Wednesday's awards show, which came under fire last week for barring journalists from asking artists questions about gun rights, political affiliations and the recent mass shooting in Las Vegas. 
 
 The Country Music Association apologized and rescinded the restrictions last Friday, but that didn't stop Underwood and Paisley from laying into the ban. 
 
 "We can't be doing any of our silly little songs because this year's show is a 'politics-free zone,' " Underwood joked. 
 
 "Are you kidding me? That's not fair," Paisley rebuffed, offering sample lyrics of political spoofs such as, "Way down wander on the Scaramucci" and "Hold me closer, Bernie Sanders." 
 
 The pair eventually landed on a comical rendition of Underwood's hit Before He Cheats, changing the lyrics to lampoon President Trump's Twitter habits. 
 
 "Right now, he's probably in his PJs, reaching for his cellphone," Paisley sang. "Right now, he's probably asking Siri, 'How in the hell do you spell Pocahontas?' 
 
 "In the middle of the night from the private seat of a gold-plated White House toilet seat, he writes, 'Liddle Bob Corker,' 'NFL' and 'covfefe,' " Paisley continued, before his co-host joined in to finish the chorus. 
 
 "It's fun to watch it, that's for sure, until little Rocket Man starts a war. Then maybe next time he'll think before he tweets." 
 
 Read or Share this story: https://usat.ly/2AlNtgX ||||| The 51st annual Country Music Association Awards kicked off with a tribute to the victims of last month’s Las Vegas tragedy. Darius Rucker led an all-star group of country superstars in a rendition of his Hootie and the Blowfish hit “Hold My Hand.” On stage with him was a who’s-who of the country world including Keith Urban, Lady Antebellum, Tim McGraw & Faith Hill, Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire and more. 
 
 CMA Awards hosts Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley only paid tribute to victims of the horrific shooting at the Route 91 Harvest Festival in Vegas but also the most recent mass shootings that have made headlines. In addition, they recognized the victims of the hurricanes that devastated Texas, Florida, the Caribbean and Puerto Rico. 
 
 The performance comes after last week’s backlash the Country Music Association faced when organizers set guidelines telling journalists not to ask about the Las Vegas shooting when interviewing talent during the awards. The backpedal came after Paisley and others spoke out against the ban. 
 
 “Our music lifts people up, and that’s what we’re here to do tonight,” Paisley said during tonight’s ceremony, which aired on ABC. “So this year’s show’s dedicated to all those we lost and to all those who are still healing. We love you, and we will never forget you.” 
 
 The duo lightened things up by joking to the audience how the ceremony was a politics-free zone, poking fun at the aforementioned ban. Paisley and Underwood went on to sing a song set to the tune of Underwood’s “Before He Cheats” which immediately skewered Donald Trump. 
 
 “In the middle of the night from the privacy of a gold-plated White House toilet seat he writes NFL and covfefe,” they sang. “Til little rocket man starts a nuclear war, maybe next time he’ll think before he tweets.” ||||| Dwight Yoakam performs "Seven Spanish Angels" at the 50th annual CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP) (Associated Press) 
 
 Dwight Yoakam performs "Seven Spanish Angels" at the 50th annual CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP) (Associated Press) 
 
 Garth Brooks, who lost entertainer of the year at last year's Country Music Association Awards when he returned to music after a 13-year break, won the top prize at the show Wednesday, where Beyonce and the Dixie Chicks' surprise duet performance was met with love and hate. 
 
 Brooks beat out Carrie Underwood, Chris Stapleton, Keith Urban and last year's winner, Luke Bryan. 
 
 "We are so damn lucky to part of this thing called country music," Brooks yelled loudly at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. 
 
 Taylor Swift presented Brooks the award, but she wasn't the only pop star in the building: Beyonce sang her twangy song "Daddy Lessons" on a night celebrating the CMA Awards' 50th anniversary. It was the first time Beyonce, a Houston native, performed at the country awards show. The performance also marked a return for the Dixie Chicks, who hadn't attended the CMA Awards in some time. 
 
 "Everybody get on your feet. Put your hands together," Beyonce told the crowd. 
 
 The diva sported a sheer champagne-colored dress that plunged in the center and layered pearls around her neck. Faith Hill sang along, Trisha Yearwood clapped and Miranda Lambert moved side to side during the song, which the Dixie Chicks have also covered at their live shows. 
 
 Beyonce and the trio's appearance, though, wasn't cheered by everyone: On social media some fans tweeted angrily about the performance — some country music fans have disliked Dixie Chicks since band member Natalie Maines criticized former U.S. President George W. Bush over a decade ago. 
 
 The night featured a number of other memorable performances, too: A mix of classic and contemporary country stars kicked off the show with 12 performances to celebrate its milestone anniversary, which included Randy Travis, Vince Gill, Charley Pride, Roy Clark, Alabama, Charlie Daniels, Ricky Skaggs, Alan Jackson, Dwight Yoakam and Merle Haggard's youngest son, Ben. 
 
 Dolly Parton, who earned the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award, was honored by Reba, Underwood, Martina McBride, Jennifer Nettles and Kacey Musgraves, who all sang a rousing rendition of "I Will Always Love You." 
 
 "I would have cried, but I didn't want to mess up my eyelashes," said Parton, sporting a bright yellow dress. 
 
 Chris Stapleton, who won big at last year's show, was the night's top winner with two: He took home male vocalist and music video of the year. 
 
 "What a wonderful night ... I've cried just watching everybody," said Stapleton, who walked into the show as the top nominee along with Eric Church and newcomer Maren Morris. 
 
 Underwood won female vocalist of the year, ending Lambert's six-year consecutive winning streak since 2010. 
 
 "Glory to God, thank you Jesus," said a teary Underwood, who also thanked her husband and son. 
 
 Church won album of the year for "Mr. Misunderstood" and Morris picked up new artist of the year. 
 
 "Last year, I sat across the street at a bar and watched this show. I never thought as a songwriter I'd be standing here today," she said. 
 
 A number of celebrities were in the audience and presented awards, including Matthew McConaughey, Peyton Manning, Jennifer Garner, Olivia Newton-John, Nicole Kidman, Lily Tomlin, Sharon Stone and the Final Five Olympic gymnasts: Simone Biles, Aly Raisman, Gabby Douglas, Laurie Hernandez and Madison Kocian. 
 
 Paisley and Underwood, returning as hosts for the ninth time, told jokes about politics, Wikileaks, Brangelina's breakup and more. 
 
 "We're so sick of politics, we don't even care who wins," they sang in harmony. At one point, Paisley called Underwood a "nasty woman," mocking Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump. 
 
 The three-hour-plus show, which aired on ABC, also featured performances by George Strait, Brooks & Dunn, Jason Aldean and Little Big Town, who sang their new song "Better Man," written by Swift. 
 
 The first award of the night went to Thomas Rhett, who won single of the year for "Die a Happy Man." 
 
 "I gotta first thank the Lord ... my lovely wife in the blue dress; she was the full inspiration of this song," said Rhett. 
 
 Lori McKenna won song of the year for writing Tim McGraw's "Humble and Kind," a tune she said was based on a prayer she wrote for her five children. McKenna co-wrote Little Big Town's megahit "Girl Crush," earning a Grammy Award this year and last year's song of the year honor at the CMAs. 
 
 "I have a job in this town because of this guy's wife, Faith Hill," said McKenna, who was escorted to the stage by McGraw. 
 
 Kenny Chesney, who released a new album last week, earned the Pinnacle Award. Little Big Town and Brothers Osborne won vocal group and vocal duo of the year, respectively, while Dierks Bentley and Elle King's "Different for Girls" won musical event of the year. 
 
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 Online: 
 
 http://www.cmaworld.com/
– The 51st annual Country Music Awards was a "politics-free zone," hosts Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley said Wednesday night—before they launched into a song poking fun at President Trump's Twitter habit. "In the middle of the night, from the privacy of a gold-plated White House toilet seat he writes Liddle Bob Corker, NFL, and covfefe," they sang in "Before He Tweets," sung to the tune of Underwood's "Before He Cheats." The hosts joked about Democrats and Republicans alike, making up song titles including "Harper Valley DNC," "Hold Me Closer, Bernie Sanders," and "Stand By Your Manafort," Rolling Stone reports. The hosts were joking about politics because of the Country Music Association's decision last week to ban journalists from asking about the Las Vegas massacre, political affiliations, and other issues, which it later rescinded, USA Today reports. "Our music lifts people up, and that’s what we’re here to do tonight," Paisley said, per Deadline. "So this year's show is dedicated to all those we lost and to all those who are still healing. We love you, and we will never forget you." The night's big winners included Garth Brooks, who was voted Entertainer of the Year, Miranda Lambert, who was Best Female Vocalist, Chris Stapleton, chosen as Best Male Vocalist, and Taylor Swift, who won Song of the Year for "Better Man." A full list of winners can be seen here.