For the 53rd annual Country Music Association Awards, held Wednesday night at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, the organization made a pledge to celebrate “legendary women in country music throughout the ceremony” — though the topic of the industry’s much-criticized gender disparity would have been in the air regardless. But in a night of grand performances by the genre’s female leaders, something ended up pushed to the side: the year’s biggest country smash. Here are the show’s notable moments.

1. Women took back the airwaves (for a night, at least)

Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland lit up social media before the ceremony began, appearing on the red carpet wearing a dress scrawled with messages directed at country radio stations, which notoriously minimize songs by women: “EQUAL PLAY.” The awards did make an effort to move country girls to the front. Dolly Parton, Reba McEntire and Carrie Underwood — representing three unique generations of country royalty and three different country styles — were the hosts. One of the night’s most talked-about moments was McEntire’s performance of her 1991 version of “Fancy” as she removed layers of various feathery and sequined outfits. Garth Brooks, accepting his seventh entertainer of the year trophy, used part of his acceptance speech to gush, “If they gave this award for this show tonight I’d have to give it to Reba McEntire’s performance.”