From References to 'Cray-Cray' That Included Bruce Jenner to Justin Timberlake Showcasing His Country Twang, Here Are the 5 Best CMA Moments

The former boyband heart-throb might not be known for the twang common in his southern roots, but Justin Timberlake proved on the stage of the 49th annual Country Music Awards Wednesday night that he can sing the country blues like any good Tennessean.

Timberlake joined singer-songwriter Chris Stapleton on the stage in Nashville for an 8-minute performance that featured Timberlake's "Drink You Away" and Stapleton's "Tennessee Whiskey" in what was one of the top five moments from the CMAs.

Justin Timberlake, left, and Chris Stapleton perform at the 49th annual CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2015, in Nashville, Tenn. (Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Best Moment #1:

Check it out:

"How you feelin' tonight? Can I put a little Memphis up in here?" Timberlake asked of his hometown.

Stapleton ended up taking home awards in all three categories for which he was nominated: album, male vocalist and new artist of the year.

Best Moment #2:

It doesn't get much more country than Reba McEntire and Brooks and Dunn. As singer and CMA co-host Carrie Underwood said in her introduction of the artists, the trio has 25 CMA awards collectively.

Watch their performance from last night:

Best Moment #3

Host Brad Paisley and Underwood's opening monologue did not hold back on the jabs. Stepping out with an acoustic guitar, the pair sung about the various ways in which the world has gone "bat-poop cray cray."

"McDonald's breakfast all day now, Bruce Jenner's a babe now and Trump's leading in the polls," Paisley sang.

Hosts Brad Paisley, left, and Carrie Underwood speak at the 49th annual CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2015, in Nashville, Tenn. (Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

The pair also brought up the break-ups of various celebrity couples.

"Of course, we can't ignore the breakup that really rocked our world, the one that's on everybody's mind, two people in this very room whom we all know and love — splitsville," Underwood said.

"Look, they're not even sitting together," Paisley said as the camera panned to Sesame Street's Miss Piggy and Kermit the frog.

Of course, Paisley and Underwood were lightening the mood around the July divorce of country music power couple Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert after four years of marriage.

And Paisley awkwardly made that connection with a shout-out to Shelton.

"On a completely unrelated topic, howdy, Blake," Paisley said, moving on from the Miss Piggy-Kermit split.

Shelton was a good sport about it, laughing and waving as the camera turned on him.

"Carrie, have you heard that duet that Blake did with Ashley Madison," Paisley then said, referencing the hack of the Internet site meant to facilitate cheating for married individuals as Underwood corrected that it was actually a duet with Ashley Monroe.

Shelton's representative announced Wednesday as well that he and fellow singer Gwen Stefani, both mentors on NBC's "The Voice," are dating.

Best Moment #4:

All the "Star Wars."

The reference to Luke "Stage-Faller" Bryan during the show's opening was followed by Paisley geeking out over how "Star Wars" is his "favorite science-fiction movie franchise of all time" as a stormtrooper walked out on stage. Underwood lifted the helmet to reveal William Shatner, who played Captain James T. Kirk in the original Star Trek series.

Brad Paisley, from left, William Shatner and Carrie Underwood perform a skit at the 49th annual CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2015, in Nashville, Tenn. (Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Watch the opening monologue in full:

Best Moment # 5

Lambert kept her acceptance of her sixth female vocalist of the year award short, sweet and honest.

Miranda Lambert accepts the award for female vocalist of the year at the 49th annual CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2015, in Nashville, Tenn. (Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

"Thank you so much. I appreciate it. I needed a bright spot this year," the artist with pink tipped locks said. "So thank you. I love country music fans."

Watch the moment:

Here's a list the awards presented at the CMA's this year:

Entertainer of the year: Luke Bryan

Male Vocalist of the Year: Chris Stapleton

Female Vocalist of the Year: Miranda Lambert

Song of the year: "Girl Crush"

Single of the year: Little Big Town, "Girl Crush"

Album of the year: Chris Stapleton, "Traveller"

New artist of the year: Chris Stapleton

Vocal group of the year: Little Big Town

Vocal duo of the year: Florida Georgia Line

Music video of the year: Maddie & Tae, "Girl In a Country Song"

Musical event of the year: Keith Urban featuring Eric Church, "Raise 'Em Up"

Musician of the year: Mac McAnally

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The Associated Press contributed to this report. This story has been updated to correct a typo.