After dominating the pop and nation charts since 2019, Morgan Wallen picked up his first entertainer of the yr honor at the 2024 CMA Awards, although he wasn’t there to simply accept it.
The nation star beat out final yr’s winner, Lainey Wilson, in addition to Luke Combs, Jelly Roll and Chris Stapleton, who gained a number of honors Wednesday. Jeff Bridges introduced the ultimate award of the night time, which comes weeks after Wallen earned his first pair of Grammy nominations.
Although Wallen missed the present, Stapleton was the massive winner: He took house single, tune and male vocalist of the yr. He additionally opened the three-hour occasion alongside Submit Malone with their collaboration, “California Sober,” sang “Honky Tonk Hall of Fame” with George Strait — who earned the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award — and strummed his guitar whereas staring at his spouse, Morgane Stapleton, as they carried out “What Am I Gonna Do.”
Collectively, the Stapletons gained single of the yr for “White Horse” (Morgane co-produced it). “I am taken aback,” Stapleton stated as he gained tune of the yr, dedicating the award to Morgane.
Brooks & Dunn additionally shined onstage, incomes the efficiency of the night time alongside Jelly Roll for an up to date rendition of their 2005 hit “Believe.” It introduced a number of viewers members to tears, together with Keith City and Little Large City’s Jimi Westbrook and Philip Candy. The icons additionally gained vocal duo of the yr.
“There’s a famous quote that says, ‘Time is undefeated.’ I just say, ‘Not yet I guess,’” Kix Brooks stated.
The efficiency was considered one of many profitable moments for Jelly Roll. He made the guts image along with his fingers as Malone sang his touching tune about his daughter, “Yours”; he cheered Cody Johnson on as he gained album of the yr (Jelly Roll was additionally nominated within the class); and he introduced the home down with a rousing, soulful efficiency of “Liar,” which included a profitable help from City on guitar.
Eric Church honored storm victims along with his efficiency; Combs sang his Grammy-nominated hit “Ain’t No Love in Oklahoma” from the Twisters soundtrack; Ashley McBryde paid tribute to Kris Kristofferson with “Help Me Make It Through the Night”; and Wilson, Miranda Lambert, Parker McCollum and Jamey Johnson honored Strait, who earned a standing ovation from the viewers at the Bridgestone Area in Nashville. “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 stated.
Different performers embody Kacey Musgraves, Thomas Rhett with Teddy Swims, Dierks Bentley, Bailey Zimmerman, Kelsea Ballerini with Noah Kahan, and Shaboozey, who sang “A Bar Song (Tipsy).” The observe not too long ago logged its 18th week on high of the Billboard Scorching 100 and is one week shy of tying the report set by one other country-rap mashup: “Old Town Road” by Lil Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus.
Shaboozey misplaced new artist of the yr to Megan Moroney, whereas Previous Dominion have been named vocal group of the yr and Ella Langley and Riley Inexperienced gained musical occasion of the yr for “You Look Like You Love Me.”
Wilson gained feminine vocalist of the yr and co-hosted the present with Peyton Manning and Luke Bryan.
“There’s one thing I want to say to everybody here about the recent results — whether the candidate you voted for won or lost, we all need to get together behind the winner,” Wilson stated as Manning rapidly chimed in with: “Lainey, we talked about this now, let’s not get into politics tonight.”
She replied: “I’m talking about the vote for People’s Sexiest Man Alive.”
