The show kicked off with a performance by fifth-grade students from P.S. 169 Baychester Academy on "We Are the Song," an original they co-wrote with Carly Pearce, Liz Rose and Phil Barton as part of the museum's Words & Music program. Spotted in the audience were CMT Next Women of Country Tour's Sara Evans and RaeLynn, as well as Morris' fiancé Ryan Hurd.