AND THE CMA WINNERS ARE...

Lainey Wilson emerged as the evening's big winner at the Country Music Association Awards that took place Wednesday (11/8) at Nashville's Bridgestone Arena.

The Broken Bow chanteuse walked away with five trophies—for Entertainer of the Year, Album, Musical Event, Music Video and, as in 2022, Female Vocalist. Jelly Roll, meanwhile, was crowned New Artist, and Chris Stapleton picked up the Male Vocalist honor for an astonishing seventh time (breaking his own 2022 record).

Tracy Chapman, whose "Fast Car" was introduced by Luke Combs to a grateful new generation, won Song of the Year for her 1988 breakthrough. She is the first Black songwriter to win in this category.

Other winners included Combs, HARDY, Old Dominion, Brothers Osbourne and Jenee Fleenor.

When accepting his award, Jelly Roll shouted out Zach Bryan, who was also nominated in the New Artist category, along with Parker McCollum, Megan Moroney and Hailey Whitters. "Zach Bryan, I think you are one of the hottest things on earth, not just country music," he said, continuing, "There is something poetic about a 39-year-old man winning New Artist of the Year... What’s in front of you is so much more important than what’s behind you. Let’s party, Nashville!”

WINNERS OF THE 2023 COUNTRY MUSIC ASSOCIATION AWARDS

Entertainer of the Year
Lainey Wilson

Single of the Year
"Fast Car," Luke Combs; producers: Luke Combs, Chip Matthews, Jonathan Singleton; mix engineer: Chip Matthews

Album of the Year
Bell Bottom Country, Lainey Wilson; producer: Jay Joyce; mix engineers: Jason Hall, Jay Joyce

Song of the Year
“Fast Car," Tracy Chapman

Female Vocalist of the Year
Lainey Wilson

Male Vocalist of the Year
Chris Stapleton

Vocal Group of the Year
Old Dominion

Vocal Duo of the Year
Brothers Osborne

New Artist of the Year
Jelly Roll

Musical Event of the Year
“wait in the truck,” HARDY f/Lainey Wilson; producers: HARDY, Joey Moi, Jordan Schmidt, Derek Wells

Music Video of the Year
“wait in the truck,” HARDY f/Lainey Wilson; director: Justin Clough

Musician of the year
Jenee Fleenor (fiddle)