Morgan Evans went to the 2019 ACM Awards solo, his wife Kelsea Ballerini noticeably absent from his side as he walked the red carpet. She was just too busy to make it this year, he explains.

"Unfortunately we get used to it a little bit, but I’m thankful for the country music family to be here tonight," he told People on Sunday (April 7). "I feel like I just get to hang out with my mates."

Relive the 5 Best Moments of the 2019 ACM Awards

Ballerini is currently rehearsing for her Miss Me More Tour, which launches this month and runs in April and May with support from Brett Young. Thankfully, Evans says, the internet has made things easier on the couple, who married in 2017.

"FaceTime is the best, you can see each other. It's kind of great but also frustrating at the same time because you're so close but so far," the "Kiss Somebody" hitmaker says. "Sometimes talking on the phone is easier, but we always make time."

Evans was due to reunite with his wife on Monday (April 8).

In March, the singer-songwriter finished his run supporting Dan + Shay on their tour. Country music is all one big family — during the 2019 ACM Awards, the duo performed "Keeping Score" with Kelly Clarkson, whom Ballerini just got off on tour with.

Evans guessed that Dan + Shay's moment with Clarkson would be a "highlight" of the 2019 ACMs and spoke highly of his time with Shay Mooney and Dan Smyers.

"We’ve been on the road, and I’ve been able to see and feel the energy firsthand — it's really exciting to be around," he says. "They're just the best guys as well, and I consider them great friends. When you see your friends experience success like that, it's a great feeling. They're ridiculously nice, and Shay is a ridiculously good singer, so good on ya’ boys."

This summer Evans will open shows for Rascal Flatts on their Summer Playlist Tour, as will Lee BriceBilly CurringtonJordan DavisJimmie Allen and LoCash on select dates.

"It's definitely going to be one of those shows that takes you down memory lane with 'What Hurts the Most' and 'Bless the Broken Road,'" Evans says. "They're some of the greatest songs of all time."

See Pictures From the 2019 ACM Awards Red Carpet:

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