Remember When Alabama Collaborated with *NSYNC on the CMA Awards?
Justin Timberlake made headlines when he performed on the CMA Awards with Chris Stapleton, but did you know that wasn't his first appearance on the show?
Collaborations are a big part of the hype for the annual CMA awards. One of the most talked about CMA cross-genre pairings in recent years was when Justin Timberlake took the stage with Chris Stapleton, but that wasn’t the first time the pop star appeared on the show.
In 1999, two mega-bands teamed up for one all-star mashup. Alabama, who ruled the country charts through the 80s, and the hottest pop band of the time, *NSYNC, met on stage to sing their collaborated hit single “God Must Have Spent A Little More Time On You.”
The ballad was originally recorded for *NSYNC’s debut album and eventually went on to be their first top 10 hit on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart. The Alabama-*NSYNC hybrid continued to hit No. 3 on the country charts, producing *NSYNC’s only country claim to fame.
Prior to both bands taking the stage, Vince Gill, the CMA host at the time, called the duet “some really great music for everybody.” He wasn’t lying. Each group alternated verses while coming back together to participate in harmonies that resulted in a performance worthy for the hallowed telecast.
“Your love is like a river/Peaceful and deep/Your soul is like a secret/That I never could keep,” the chorus sings. “When I look into your eyes/I know that it’s true/God must have spent/A little more time/On you.”
The only duo that is guaranteed at this year’s award show is Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood, who will be hosting the annual event for the 10th year in a row. The 51st Annual CMA Awards will air live Wednesday Nov. 8, on ABC at 8 PM EST.
