Stars on Broadway - Morgan Wallen

Chapter 28 - The CMA Awards

The lights in the arena dimmed, and the hum of excited chatter from the audience softened to a hush as the CMA Awards show began. It was the biggest night in country music, and Georgie could feel the energy thrumming through the air as she sat in the front row, surrounded by the industry's biggest stars.

The opening performance exploded onto the stage with dazzling lights and a high-energy medley of country hits. Georgie clapped along, feeling the rush of excitement in the air. She stole a glance at Morgan, who was sitting just a few seats away, flashing a grin when their eyes met. Their matching outfits hadn't gone unnoticed, and the media was still buzzing about their playful antics on the red carpet. But tonight was about the music, the awards, and the celebration of everything they had worked for.

As the first few awards were handed out, Georgie kept her nerves in check. She had seven nominations, each one representing a different piece of her journey. And while she told herself that just being nominated was enough, the anticipation of hearing her name called was undeniable.

The first big moment of the night for Georgie came with the New Artist of the Year category.

The presenter, a legendary country star, stepped up to the mic with a wide grin. "And the nominees for New Artist of the Year are..."

The camera panned to Georgie, and she smiled, her heart pounding in her chest as the names were read aloud.

"...Georgie Day!"

The crowd erupted in applause, and Georgie felt her breath catch. She had been so focused on the moment that the weight of it all hit her suddenly. This was it—the first major recognition of her career. The presenter opened the envelope, the crowd hushed in anticipation.

"And the winner is... Georgie Day!"

The room exploded in applause as Georgie's name rang out across the venue. She sat there for a moment, stunned, before her manager nudged her gently, snapping her back to reality. With a beaming smile, she stood up, the cheers of her peers filling the room as she made her way to the stage.

Taking the award in her hands, Georgie stepped up to the mic, her heart racing. She took a moment to steady herself, looking out at the sea of faces, many of whom had been her idols not too long ago.

"Wow," she began, her voice shaky with emotion. "I can't believe this. I'm just... so grateful. This has been the wildest year of my life, and to be standing here right now, it's a dream come true. I want to thank my parents, who believed in me from the start, and my team, who've been with me every step of the way. And thank you to the fans—none of this would be possible without you."

She paused, her gaze finding Morgan in the crowd. He gave her a small nod, his eyes shining with pride.

"I also want to thank the people who helped me turn my pain into something beautiful. This is for all of you out there who've been through tough times but never gave up. Thank you so much."

As Georgie walked off the stage, clutching her award, the reality of what had just happened hit her. She had won her first CMA Award. Her heart swelled with gratitude, but there was no time to linger—there were more categories to come.

The next big moment came when Single of the Year was announced. Georgie's song Mumma I Lied had been one of the most talked-about tracks of the year, and as the presenter listed the nominees, she felt her nerves rise again.

"And the winner is... Mumma I Lied by Georgie Day!"
Once again, the room erupted in applause, and Georgie made her way to the stage, her second CMA Award in hand. This time, the emotion was harder to contain. Mumma I Lied was such a personal song, and winning this award felt like a validation of her story, her struggles, and her journey to healing.