Eric Church's 'Mr. Misunderstood' named Album of the Year; Dolly Parton accepts Lifetime Achievement Award at the CMAs

NASHVILLE, Nov. 2 (UPI) -- Eric Church's Mr. Misunderstood was named Album of the Year at the 50th annual Country Music Association Awards ceremony in Nashville Wednesday night.

The star-studded gala, which aired live on ABC, was hosted by Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley.

Maren Morris won the prize for New Artist of the Year and songwriter Lori McKenna earned the honor of Song of the Year for "Humble and Kind." The Vocal Group of the Year statuette went to Little Big Town.

The #CMAawards50 NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR winner is... @MarenMorris! pic.twitter.com/MaChyZc2wN

— CMA Country Music (@CountryMusic) November 3, 2016

Kenny Chesney scored the CMA Pinnacle Award, Underwood was declared Female Vocalist of the Year and Chris Stapleton went home with the Male Vocalist of the Year Award.

Lily Tomlin presented her 9 to 5 co-star Dolly Parton with the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award, after which Underwood, Martina McBride, Jennifer Nettles, Pentatonix, Reba McEntire and Kacey Musgraves performed a medley of some of Parton's greatest hits, culminating in a stunning rendition of "I Will Always Love You," which had Parton crying tears of joy as she sat in her seat.