Hollywood award ceremonies these days are largely venues for celebrities to share the most anti-Trump talking points — and to see who can outdo the other with insults aimed at the president.

This was refreshingly not the case at the CMA (Country Music Association) Awards on Wednesday night.

The 52nd annual CMAs, hosted by Brad Paisley (pictured above right) and Carrie Underwood (above left), was virtually apolitical; it was simply an awards ceremony centered on country music and musicians.

The event started off by paying tribute to the victims of the Thousand Oaks, California, shooting earlier this month — without calling for gun control.

“Tonight let’s celebrate their lives. Let the music unite us with love,” Garth Brooks said from the stage.

Instead of doing the usual “bash the president” routine when up on stage to accept their awards, CMA recipients took a far different approach.

Upon receiving the Entertainer of the Year award, the show’s top honor, Keith Urban said, “God, I thank you so much for the blessing of this. I wish my dad was alive to see this, but I think he’s watching over me tonight … God bless country music. God bless you all.”

When Underwood received the Female Vocalist of the Year award, she responded in a similar fashion.

Through tears of joy, Underwood said, “Thank you, God! I have been blessed with so much in my life. Thank you, God, thank you, family, thank you country music, thank you, country music family … this means so much, thank you.”

The Brothers Osborne — John Osborne and his brother T.J. — won the Vocal Duo of the Year award.

Who do you think would win the Presidency?

By completing the poll, you agree to receive emails from LifeZette, occasional offers from our partners and that you've read and agree to our privacy policy and legal statement.

T.J. made the lone political joke of the night. He said, “If this was in Florida, there definitely would be a recount,” referencing the ongoing recounts and the controversy swirling around the state’s gubernatorial and Senate elections.

Based on the Twitter reactions, it seems viewers of the event appreciated its nearly completely apolitical nature.

Earlier in the week, Paisley explained why he was “not gonna touch” politics at the award show.

“I just don’t find politics funny anymore,” he said. “There was a time when it was. It’s just not funny to me anymore.”

“To me, I wanna do fun stuff,” he added. “I don’t wanna talk down, I don’t wanna talk up — it’s like, ‘Let’s have fun.’ And let’s talk about things that everybody can agree are funny.”

For some highlights from the Country Music Association Awards, check out the video below:

Tom Joyce is a freelance writer from the South Shore of Massachusetts. He covers sports, pop culture, and politics and has contributed to The Federalist, Newsday, and other outlets.