MORGAN, MEGAN, STAPLETON, WILSON WIN BIG AT CMAS

Morgan Wallen took home Entertainer of the Year for the first time, Megan Moroney was anointed New Artist of the Year and Chris Stapleton snagged three trophies at the 58th Annual CMA Awards on 11/20; click the link for some astute observations on the results from our own Holly Gleason.

Stapleton’s “White Horse” earned him Single and Song of the Year (the latter shared with co-writer Dan Wilson). The bearded marvel was also dubbed Male Vocalist of the Year.

Female Vocalist honors went to Lainey Wilson, while Old Dominion took Vocal Group of the Year for the [checks notes] 908th time. Cody Johnson won Album of the Year for his acclaimed set Leather. Brooks & Dunn’s victory in the Vocal Duo category gave them their 19th career trophy—they are tied with Stapleton for the most wins.

Musical Event went to “you look like you love me” by Ella Langley f/Riley Green.

Wilson (who also won for Video of the Year) co-hosted the ceremony with Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning. The list of performers on the show is, frankly staggering, but here we go: Bryan, Eric Church, Luke Combs, Ashley McBryde, Moroney, Kacey Musgraves, Post Malone, Shaboozey, Stapleton, Wilson and Bailey Zimmerman, Kelsea Ballerini with Noah Kahan, Dierks Bentley featuring Molly Tuttle, Sierra Hull and Bronwyn Keith-Hynes, Brooks & Dunn featuring Jelly Roll, Jelly Roll featuring Keith Urban, Langley featuring Green, Malone featuring Stapleton, Thomas Rhett and Teddy Swims and Cody Johnson and surprise guest Carrie Underwood, not to mention a celebration of 2024 CMA Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award recipient George Strait, who performed with Wilson, Jamey Johnson, Miranda Lambert, Parker McCollum and Stapleton. Phew!

The full telecast is streamable on Hulu; individual performances are available for viewing on YouTube. Here are a few.