Brothers Osborne on 2016 CMA Awards Win: ‘We Definitely Can Feel the Love’
Brothers Osborne were the surprise winners of the 2016 CMA Award. John and TJ Osborne took home Vocal Duo of the Year -- their very first CMA trophy -- beating out Florida Georgia Line, who had won in the category for the past three years.
"I drank way too much because I didn't even think we'd ever come close," John Osborne admitted to The Boot and other reporters backstage following their emotional acceptance speech. "We sat right behind FGL, and I thought, 'We'll get up, and we'll be on television telling them congratulations.' It was all we had not to fall out in the aisle in tears ...
"We definitely can feel the love, and I feel like we're trying to reciprocate that as much as we can," Osborne continued. "It's amazing ... We look like an overnight success, but we [are] poor blue-collar kids from Maryland."
Brothers Osborne were quick to admit that they aren't solely responsible for their accomplishments, including earning their first No. 1, gold-selling single, "Stay a Little Longer," and touring with artists such as Eric Church and Darius Rucker. The pair credited all of the people who have helped them, including their record label, EMI, and various staff members.
"There were so many people I wanted to thank up there tonight; I wish I had prepared a speech," remarked TJ Osborne. "We walked off offstage, and it was like an onslaught of people I wish we could thank ... It's amazing, and it's so crazy. The worst part of getting an award is seeing the clock countdown."
In the media room, Brothers Osborne also took time to acknowledge their good friend, Maren Morris, who took home the CMA Awards' New Artist of the Year honor, for which they were also nominated.
"We really wanted her to win," TJ Osborne confessed. "We thought, in a long landslide, the craziest thing would be Maren winning an award and us winning Vocal Duo ... I thought it was a long shot, and I really really, genuinely hate being that person who didn't have a speech prepared ... We felt like it was Zoolander. Like, did they say your name?"
Brothers Osborne also thanked their loyal fans, who have supported them since they started out playing in bars.
"Sometimes it sucks," John Osborne admitted. "This is really, really difficult, what we do. Sometimes we want to quit, and these people are smiling at us ... That's what makes this possible."
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