Hunter Hayes Wins Country Music Association’s Best New Artist Award

The acclaim just keeps on comin’ for Breaux Bridge native Hunter Hayes. The 21-year-old music phenom won New Artist of the Year at Thursday’s 46th annual Country Music Association Awards.

Back in early September, singer-songwriter-musician-actor Hayes marked his 21st birthday in New Orleans, where he headlined a concert at the Mahalia Jackson Theater and sang the National Anthem at the Saints home opener. He’s currently on tour with Carrie Underwood (they’re in Charlotte, NC this evening and will play Lafayette’s Cajundome April 29, 2013 — tickets went on sale yesterday).

An E! Online story described Thursday night’s “Sweet Mama-Bear Moment,” with Underwood proudly introducing the first-ever CMA Awards performance from tour mate Hayes. The fresh-faced hottie,” as E! called him (eesh!), sang his hit “Wanted” — “and the screaming gals in the audience returned the favor.”

Check Hayes’ performance below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHCsKvzYct8