CMT Artists of the Year Showcases Performances That Inspire

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NASHVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 17: (L-R) Ashley Monroe, Angaleena Presley and Miranda Lambert of musical group Pistol Annies perform onstage during the 2018 CMT Artists of The Year at Schermerhorn Symphony Center on October 17, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for CMT)

By Lauren Tingle

October 17, 2018 / 7:08 PM

We simply cannot get enough of the dynamic performances from Wednesday's (Oct. 17) 2018 CMT Artists of the Year.

Every expression exhibited onstage displayed what is lacking in today’s mainstream country music: more songs from the female’s perspective.

Pistol Annies kicked off the night with the live world premiere of the sultry “Sugar Daddy,” a new original from Interstate Gospel.

Rick Diamond/Getty Images for CMT

Our hearts are still on the floor after Maren Morris and Brandi Carlile’s tribute to the late Aretha Franklin.

NASHVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 17: Brandi Carlile (L) and Maren Morris perform onstage during the 2018 CMT Artists of The Year at Schermerhorn Symphony Center on October 17, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for CMT)

Sheryl Crow, Dierks Bentley and Martina McBride led an all-star salute to Artist of a Lifetime Loretta Lynn.

Rick Diamond

NASHVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 17: Sheryl Crow (L) and Dierks Bentley perform onstage during the 2018 CMT Artists of The Year at Schermerhorn Symphony Center on October 17, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for CMT)

And Carrie Underwood wrapped the night with a medley of female anthems with her Cry Pretty tour mates Maddie & Tae and Runaway June.