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Dub’s Throwback Thursday- The 2015 CMA Awards

This week with Dub’s Throwback Thursday, we’re going back to 2015. That was the first time I had the chance to go to Nashville for the CMA Awards. The 2022…

Dub's Throwback Thursday- Garth Brooks

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This week with Dub's Throwback Thursday, we're going back to 2015. That was the first time I had the chance to go to Nashville for the CMA Awards. The 2022 CMAs are less than a week away, so it made me think back to some great memories from 2015. Chris O'Kelley told me that we were going to Nashville, and that I would get to broadcast live from the CMAs. He also told me I'd get to do interviews with a bunch of artists.

I already get up early for the morning show, but in Nashville I had to get up extra early. They're an hour behind us, so that meant I had to be ready to go by 5am! As soon as the morning show was over, the artist interviews started. These were some long days, but they were definitely fun days. It was such a cool experience, and I felt super fortunate to be there.

Some of the moments that stand out from the 2015 CMAs are the interviews I did with Thomas Rhett and Chris Stapleton. I'd never had the chance to talk to Thomas Rhett before, and I'm a huge fan of his. He was coming to Kicks99's Guitar Pull that year, and I was excited to talk to him about it. Another artist I had the opportunity to talk to was Chris Stapleton. This was right before he blew up in the mainstream. I'll never forget my first CMA Awards trip.

If you want to see my interview with Thomas Rhett from the 2015 CMA Awards, click here.

To check out my CMA interview with Chris Stapleton, click here.

If you want to see more of my Throwback Thursday pics, you can do that here.

Check out these Dub's Throwback Thursday pics from the 2015 CMA Awards.

About To Go Live

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Had to document my first CMA Awards broadcast


Brad And Carrie

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Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood were the hosts of the 2015 CMA Awards. We got to ask them questions before the show.


Hangin' With Thomas Rhett

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This was the first time I'd had the chance to meet Thomas Rhett. He's such a great guy.


Me and Chris Stapleton

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I'm such a big Chris Stapleton fan, being able to talk to him was so cool.


Me and Jon Pardi

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One of the artists I interviewed at the 2015 CMA Awards was Jon Pardi.


Hangin' With Chris Young

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It's always fun getting to catch up with Chris Young.


Me and Dustin Lynch

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Dustin Lynch stopped by the booth at the 2015 CMAs


Dub and Cole

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It was cool getting to catch up with our boy Cole Swindell at the CMAs.

DubEditor
Bryan “Dub” Axelson is the host of the Kicks Wake Up Krew on KICKS 99 and has been with Beasley Media Group in Augusta for over 20 years. He got his start in radio by being a regular caller on the Kicks 99 morning show. He was soon hired and has worked in various roles in Augusta, including Promotions Director. He was raised in Georgia, and currently lives in Grovetown with his wife Kelsey, their daughter Maddie, and their 3 dogs. Dub enjoys watching sports, playing golf, spending time with his family, and discovering new music.