If you watched the CMA Awards last night - and if you're a country fan, you were watching - you probably heard show host Brad Paisley sing a brand new song.
At least that was his plan, to debut "This Is Country Music," from the album he's currently at work on in the studio.
He told ABC News Radio that, when he records a new tune, he often takes a friend and hits the road for a car ride where he plays the song - to test-drive the tune, you might say. So it's like he's doing that same thing here ... but for the whole CMA audience and not just one pal.
Beyond the recordings, Paisley is one of the best country performers out there. You'll see what we mean if you go to the Paisley concert Friday at Mohegan Sun Arena.
This is his H2O tour, complete with some watery effects in honor of his single "Water." Paisley gets strong opening-act support from Justin Moore and Darius Rucker, who's made a transformation from Hootie-and-the-Blowfish frontman to true country-music star.