Country music’s biggest stars descended upon the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee, on Wednesday to celebrate the 58th Annual Country Music Association (CMA) Awards.
Retired NFL quarterback Peyton Manning joined singer-songwriters Luke Bryan and Lainey Wilson to co-host the annual presentation ceremony, which honored some of the most prominent figures in the country music industry.
Wilson was among the evening’s top winners, taking home the “Music Video of the Year” award for her song “Wildflowers and Wild Horses” from her 2022 album “Bell Bottom Country.”
The Louisiana native also won the award for “Female Vocalist of the Year” for the third year in a row. Wilson began her acceptance speech by thanking her parents before expressing gratitude to the country music industry at large.
“Man, this community has wrapped its arms around me and lifted me up from the get-go,” Wilson said. “I’ve always been told if you feel like you’ve got a gift, you’re supposed to share it, and I think that means whether you drive a tractor or pour coffee, make people smile or laugh, whatever that is, I think you’re supposed to share that gift.”
Chris Stapleton swept the show, winning the most CMA awards, including “Male Vocalist of the Year.” Stapleton’s hit song “White Horse,” from the singer’s 2023 album “Higher,” also earned him “Single of the Year” and “Song of the Year.”
With seven nods under his belt, Morgan Wallen was the most-nominated artist at the CMAs.
The “Last Night” crooner snagged the ceremony’s top honor, “Entertainer of the Year,” which was announced by actor Jeff Bridges. The “True Grit” star accepted the evening’s prestigious award on behalf of Wallen, who was not in attendance.
Country music mainstay Cody Johnson won “Album of the Year” for his ninth studio album, “Leather,” released in November 2023, while newcomer Megan Moroney, who released her debut album in May 2023, won “New Artist of the Year.”
CMA Performances
Star-studded performances by Kelsea Ballerini, Carrie Underwood, Kacey Musgraves, Luke Combs, and Eric Church, among many others, continued to steal the show at the 2024 CMAs.Rapper-turned-country singer Post Malone joined Stapleton in kicking off the event. The duo opened the ceremony by performing “California Sober,” from Malone’s new album “F-1 Trillion,” released in August.
Moroney and Shaboozey, another newcomer to the country music scene, helmed the stage throughout the evening, with the latter singing his hit single “A Bar Song (Tipsy).”
Ella Langley sang her breakout hit “You Look Like You Love Me,” for which she won the CMA Award for “Musical Event of the Year,” joined by singer-songwriter Riley Green.
“Save Me” singer Jelly Roll performed with Brooks & Dunn, later taking the stage with Keith Urban.
Tributes
Before introducing Shaboozey to the stage, Manning, Bryan, and Wilson raised red Solo cups to toast the late country legend Toby Keith, who died on Feb. 5 at the age of 62 after battling stomach cancer.“We want to take a moment to toast the great Toby Keith,” Bryan said. “A great artist, a great American, and a great country music icon. Toby, you will be missed, buddy.”
Before Strait took the stage to accept the honor, a handful of artists paid tribute to the “King of Country Music” by performing some of his most iconic songs.
Wilson, joined by Charlie Worsham and Jenee Fleenor, sang “Amarillo by Morning.”
“Throughout his incredible career, he’s always been authentically Texas and authentically country,” Wilson said after belting out her cover. “George, I just want to say you are truly an inspiration to me and all of us in country music. We love you.”
Jamey Johnson went on to perform “Give It Away,” while Miranda Lambert and Parker McCollum sang “Troubadour.” Stapleton also joined Strait to perform “Honky Tonk Hall of Fame.”
During his acceptance speech, Strait thanked his family, who were seated in the audience, including his wife of more than 50 years, Norma Strait.
“First of all, I want to thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. And I want to thank the CMAs for adding my name to the incredible artists on this small list of recipients carrying the name of the icon, Willie Nelson,” Strait said.
“I want to thank all these great artists who performed some of the songs I’ve recorded over the years. It’s amazing to hear y’all do them—I’m so glad I got them before you.”
