Country fans got another night of stressing about the outcome of some votes at the CMAs (thanks to that scheduling genius). The awards ceremony, presented by the Country Music Association, took place November 9 at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. After leading the nominees with six, Lainey Wilson earned two awards, a rare double-feat of New Artist of the Year and Female Vocalist of the Year. In an impressive showing for new artists, Cody Johnson also earned two awards, Single of the Year and Music Video of the Year, for “’Til You Can’t.†And Luke Combs won two awards as well, including top honor Entertainer of the Year for a second year running, as well as Album of the Year for Growin’ Up.
Luckily, these votes had long been tabulated, and the CMAs announced two winners before the show during Good Morning America. Carly Pearce and Ashley McBryde won Musical Event of the Year for their hit duet, “Never Wanted to Be That Girl,†sharing with their producers, Shane McAnally and Josh Osborne. Meanwhile, Johnson took his Music Video of the Year trophy, along with director Dustin Haney. “WOWWWW what a way to start #cmaawards day!!! This song means everything to me & seeing the life it has had this year has been so rewarding,†Pearce tweeted.
The star-studded night was hosted by Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning. It include tributes to the late Loretta Lynn and Jerry Lee Lewis, along with Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award winner Alan Jackson. Kelsea Ballerini, Kelly Clarkson, and Pearce gathered for a blockbuster collaboration, as did Thomas Rhett and Katy Perry. And yes, Maren Morris was there. Below, find the ceremony’s winners and nominees.
Entertainer of the Year
Luke Combs
Miranda Lambert
Chris Stapleton
Carrie Underwood
Morgan Wallen
Male Vocalist of the Year
Eric Church
Luke Combs
Cody Johnson
Chris Stapleton
Morgan Wallen
Female Vocalist of the Year
Miranda Lambert
Ashley McBryde
Carly Pearce
Carrie Underwood
Lainey Wilson
New Artist of the Year
Hardy
Walker Hayes
Cody Johnson
Parker McCollum
Lainey Wilson
Album of the Year
Growin’ Up, Luke Combs
Humble Quest, Maren Morris
Palomino, Miranda Lambert
Sayin’ What I’m Thinkin’, Lainey Wilson
Time, Tequila & Therapy, Old Dominion
Single of the Year
“Buy Dirt,†Jordan Davis (featuring Luke Bryan)
“half of my hometown,†Kelsea Ballerini (featuring Kenny Chesney)
“Never Wanted to Be That Girl,†Carly Pearce and Ashley McBryde
“’Til You Can’t,†Cody Johnson
“You Should Probably Leave,†Chris Stapleton
Vocal Group of the Year
Lady A
Little Big Town
Midland
Old Dominion
Zac Brown Band
Vocal Duo of the Year
Brooks & Dunn
Brothers Osborne
Dan + Shay
Locash
Maddie & Tae
Song of the Year
“Buy Dirt,†Jacob Davis, Jordan Davis, Josh Jenkins, Matt Jenkins (Jordan Davis featuring Luke Bryan)
“Never Wanted to Be That Girl,†Shane McAnally, Ashley McBryde, Carly Pearce (Carly Pearce and Ashley McBryde)
“Sand in My Boots,†Ashley Gorley, Michael Hardy, Josh Osborne (Morgan Wallen)
“Things a Man Oughta Know,†Jason Nix, Jonathan Singleton, Lainey Wilson (Lainey Wilson)
“You Should Probably Leave,†Chris DuBois, Ashley Gorley, Chris Stapleton (Chris Stapleton)
Musician of the Year
Jenee Fleenor, fiddle
Paul Franklin, steel guitar
Brent Mason, guitar
Ilya Toshinskiy, banjo
Derek Wells, guitar
Musical Event of the Year
“Beers on Me,†Dierks Bentley with Breland & Hardy
“If I Didn’t Love You,†Jason Aldean & Carrie Underwood
“Longneck Way to Go,†Midland (featuring Jon Pardi)
“Never Say Never,†Cole Swindell (with Lainey Wilson)
“Never Wanted to Be That Girl,†Carly Pearce and Ashley McBryde
Music Video of the Year
“I Bet You Think About Me†(Taylor’s Version) (From the Vault), Taylor Swift (featuring Chris Stapleton)
“Longneck Way to Go,†Midland (featuring Jon Pardi)
“Never Say Never,†Cole Swindell (with Lainey Wilson)
“Never Wanted to Be That Girl,†Carly Pearce and Ashley McBryde
“’Til You Can’t,†Cody Johnson