US country stars say America has been 'tested beyond our worst nightmares'

Some of the biggest names in country music have praised the "incredible human spirit" at this year's Country Music Television awards.

One of the stars involved, Jason Aldean, was performing in Las Vegas when Stephen Paddock shot and killed 58 people earlier this month.

He said America has been "tested beyond our worst nightmares" in recent months.

Other artists spoke of "heartbreak" in America following the violence and several natural disasters.

Jason took to the stage alongside Luke Bryan, Chris Stapleton, Keith Urban, and Florida Georgia Line to make the statement during the show's opening moments.

The speech lasted two minutes. Watch it here.

"From Las Vegas to Puerto Rico, from Florida and Texas to Charlottesville and California, the entire nation is trying to process these devastating events," said Chris Stapleton.

"On this night, one that we usually celebrate a year of music, we also want to celebrate a year of incredible human spirit."

The Las Vegas shooting on 1 October is the worst in US history

Tyler Hubbard of Florida Georgia Line paid tribute to the emergency service workers who save live during violent events in the US.

"During tragedies like Las Vegas, so many people - from concert goers to first responders who risked their own lives for total strangers - it's in those moments, those acts of courage and heroism, that bring light to even the darkest times," he said.

Shortly after the Las Vegas shooting, Jason Aldean described the events at the Route 91 Harvest festival as "beyond horrific," but his message at the CMT awards had a more optimistic note.

Here's what Jason shared on Instagram at the time.

"Heartbroken doesn't even begin to explain how some of us feel," said Jason Aldean.

"But we have proven time and again in this country that we have the power to overcome anything that threatens our way of life, or our freedom.

"We dedicate this night to you and to everyone who's experienced loss or tragedy in the past few months.

"We will get through this together."

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