There was an awful lot of soul onstage for what was quite arguably the 2018 Country Music Association Awards' hottest collaboration. Chris Stapleton, Mavis Staples, Maren Morris, Morgane Stapleton and Marty Stuart certainly brought the star power, but would they deliver the chemistry and the magical harmonies? The answer was a resounding "yes."
Live from Nashville's Bridgestone Arena, the two-song extravaganza opened with CMA favorite Chris Stapleton crooning the opening lines of his 2017 song "Friendship." After a big, group-powered chorus, Staples received a loud round of applause for her solo verse. And of course, Morris, Morgane Stapleton and Stuart performed their parts admirably.
The living gospel legend (and gospel choir) naturally stole the spotlight for the ensemble's second song "I'll Take You There," made famous by The Staple Singers in the early '70s.