Chris Stapleton wins male vocalist of the year

Chris Stapleton took home the CMA Award for best male vocalist of the year Wednesday night.

“I won a couple of these and I’m always shocked when I win one,” he said, thanking his wife, Morgane Stapleton, and saying he wouldn’t be where he’s at now without her.

Stapleton was up against fellow male nominees Luke Combs, Morgan Wallen, Jelly Roll and Cody Johnson.

Tanya Turner bring audience to their feet with legendary performance

There wasn’t a country fan in their seat during the iconic Tanya Turner’s performance of “Delta Dawn.”

Little Big Town first opened the song with a harmonization of a portion of the 1972 hit, which turned Turner into a star at the age of 13. According to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, the song reached No. 6 on the country charts at the time.

Turner donned a sparkly black ensemble onstage while throwback pictures of her during her country music heydays flashed on the screen behind her. She was nominated into the Country Music Hall of Fame this year.

Lainey Wilson wins female vocalist of the year

Lainey Wilson took home her second win in a row for the night, being named named the best female vocalist of the year at the CMA Awards once again.

“For all you little girls watching and all the ones that are here tonight, too, it’s something that I’m doing — I’m getting up every single day and I’m looking at myself in the mirror and I’m saying, ‘I am beautiful. I am smart. I am talented. I’m godly. I’m fearless,’” she said during her acceptance speech. “If someone tells me I can’t do it, hold my beer, watch this.”

Wilson added, “Us girls, y’all, we’ve been having to blaze trails from the very beginning.”

The “Never Say Never” singer was in the category with fellow country icons Miranda Lambert, Kelsea Ballerini, Ashley McBryde and Carly Pearce.

Lainey Wilson wins album of the year

Lainey Wilson claimed a big victory Wednesday night, taking home some hardware for album of the year.

“I feel like my love for storytelling truly came from being from Baskin (Louisiana), a town of 200 people,” she said upon accepting her award. “There’s not a whole lot to do, I mean you sit around the kitchen table and you tell the same old stories you’ve been hearing for years — the kind of stories that get better every single time you hear them.”

In 2022, the “Heart Like a Truck” singer released “Bell Bottom Country,” which was produced by Jay Joyce and engineered by Joyce and Jason Hall. The album includes songs “Hillbilly Hippie,” “Watermelon Moonshine” and “Atta Girl,” among others.

Wilson was competing against Morgan Wallen’s “One Thing At A Time,” Luke Combs’ “Gettin’ Old,” Kelsea Ballerini’s “Rolling Up the Welcome Mat” and Ashley McBryde’s “Ashley McBryde Presents: Lindeville.”

Country music honors Jimmy Buffett in touching tribute

Several stars paid tribute to the late Jimmy Buffett with a medley performance. Kenny Chesney, Mac McAnally, Alan Jackson and Zac Brown Band all took to the stage for the number.

Chesney and McAnally first took to the stage, sitting side by side with guitars in hand, playing Buffett’s hit “A Pirate Looks at Forty.”

Jackson and Zac Brown then strummed along to “Margaritaville” while shots of Buffett rolled on a massive screen behind them.

The “It’s 5 O’Clock Somewhere” singer died Sept. 1 at the age 76, after a four-year battle with Merkel cell skin cancer, a statement on his official website revealed.

News of his death was announced on his social media pages at the time.

The statement said he died “peacefully” while “surrounded by his family, friends, music and dogs.”

“He lived his life like a song till the very last breath and will be missed beyond measure by so many,” the statement added. 

Jelly Roll wins new artist of the year

Jelly Roll was named the best new artist of the year at the CMA Awards Wednesday night, immediately thanking “My lord and my wife” in his acceptance speech.

“There is something poetic about a 39-year-old man wining new artist of the year. I don’t know where you’re at in your life or what you’re going through, but I want to tell you keep going, baby. I want to tell you success is on the other side. I want to tell you it’s gonna be OK,” he said, as the audience gave him a standing ovation.

The “Need a Favor” singer was up against Zach Bryan, who he called the “hottest person on this earth” while onstage, as well as Parker McCollum, Megan Moroney and Hailey Whitters.

Old Dominion wins vocal group of the year

Old Dominion, which is made up of Trevor Rosen, Geoff Spring, Matthew Ramsey and Brad Tursi, took home the win for top vocal group of the year.

The group’s latest album release, “Memory Lane,” includes a whopping 18 tunes like titular song “Memory Lane,” “Stay Drunk,” “Can’t Break Up Now” and “Ain’t Got a Worry,” which features Blake Shelton.

For vocal group of the year, Old Dominion was up against fellow country bands Lady A, Little Big Town, Zac Brown Band and Midland.

Morgan Wallen brings out Eric Church in surprise feature performance

Morgan Wallen took to the CMA Awards stage Wednesday night to perform his hit “Man Made a Bar.”

In a surprise move, the entertainer of the year nominee was joined by Eric Church, who is also featured on the song. Garnering quite the reaction from the country music-loving crowd, the two stood side by side playing their respective guitars at Nashville’s Bidgestone Arena.

Brothers Osborne wins vocal duo of the year

Brothers Osborne duo, comprised of brothers T.J. Osborne and John Osborne, took home the win for vocal duo of the year.

“I was a nerd growing up,” John Osborne said upon accepting their award. “And I spend my whole live learning how to play music and write songs. Y’all make me feel like a cool kid every year.”

T.J. Osborne said the two of them are currently living their dream and thanked fans for “letting us do that.”

The “Stay a Little Longer” singers were up against fellow country duos Brooks & Dunn, Dan + Shay, Maddie & Tae and The War And Treaty.

Wynonna Judd makes surprise appearance at CMAs to perform with Jelly Roll

Country artist Jelly Roll kicked off the annual CMA Awards with the first performance of the night with a very special surprise guest.

He brought the one and only Wynonna Judd to the stage as he performed his hit, “Need A Favor.”

“I need a savior,” Judd sang, clutching Roll’s arm for much of her performance.

It was a full circle moment for Judd, as she last performed with her late mother and music partner, Naomi Judd, at the CMT Awards on April 11, 2022. Naomi Judd would die by suicide just a few weeks later.

The two had performed “Love Can Build a Bridge” on the show.

“The last thing I said to her was ‘I love you,’ and I’m so grateful for that,” she told People at the time.

The evening before he was set to take the stage, Roll tweeted that he couldn’t sleep because he was so excited.

Judd, who is currently on her “Back to Wy” tour, spoke with press after her performance.

She said that Roll had made such an impression on her at the CMT Awards earlier this year that she’d approached him after the show, Taste of Country reports.

“I stood up out of my seat because he rocked my world,” she recounted. “I ran up to him and Bunnie afterwards and said, ‘I need to know the two of you. I need to be a part of your world, and I don’t know what that looks like, so here we are.’”

“I think you have to take a step out and have faith, and say ‘What do you want? I’ll do whatever,’”‘ she said.

Judd added that she’d been “nervous” and “excited” to collaborate with him.

“He’s so powerful and great at what he does. I was so nervous and so excited,” she said. “I don’t know how many of these moments I have left, but I can tell you this, that was Top 10 for me.”

“Jelly Roll is a force to be reckoned with and he’s his own person. Getting to stand toe-to-toe with him was one of the best things I’ve ever done.”

Luke Combs wins single of the year and song of the year for “Fast Car”

Luke Combs took home the first two wins of the night, claiming single of the year and song of the year for his cover of Tracy Chapman’s 1988 hit “Fast Car.”

“I’m supposed to be talking, I think,” Combs said upon accepting the single of the year award. “First and foremost, I want to thank Tracy Chapman for writing one of the best songs of all time.”

The song was produced by Combs, Chip Matthews, and Jonathan Singleton. Matthews was also the song’s mix engineer.

For single of the year, Combs was up against Lainey Wilson’s “Heart Like A Truck,” Jelly Roll’s “Need A Favor,” Jordan Davis’ “Next Thing You Know” and HARDY’s “wait in the truck.”

Combs was known to belt out his cover of “Fast Car” during concerts, but never released his own version until this past year. In July, Chapman told Billboard, “I never expected to find myself on the country charts, but I’m honored to be there. I’m happy for Luke and his success and grateful that new fans have found and embraced ‘Fast Car.’”

Despite the positive reaction from Chapman, some found the release to be controversial, surrounding race, gender and sexuality.

Kieth Urban, Post Malone, Morgan Wallen and more arrive at the CMAs

With the ceremony about to begin, some of country music’s top performers are hitting the carpet.

Kieth Urban wore a dark-washed button up shirt with his sleeves rolled. His wife, Nicole Kidman, was on his arm with a long black gown with a cutout in the center.

With a red Solo cup in hand, Post Malone donned a bolo tie over his black suit, complete with a beige cowboy hat. He posed alongside Morgan Wallen, who wore a red suit jacket over a black ensemble.

Wallen is nominated for entertainer of the year, male vocalist of the year and album of the year for “One Thing At A Time.”

Darius Rucker stepped out onto the CMA Awards red carpet in a plaid black suit with a complimentary black tie.

‘Golden Bachelor’ Gerry Turner talks show ending on the carpet

“Golden Bachelor” Gerry Turner walked the red carpet at the CMA Awards and hinted as to how he’s doing now that the show has wrapped (even though the premiere isn’t until the end of November).

“I wear a smile perpetually now,” he told George Pennacchio.

For fans following, Turner has narrowed down his search for love to three women, all within the ages of 60 and 75. The show’s finale airs Thursday, Nov. 30.

Turner added that he’s “very happy about where things finished.”

Luke Combs aims to claim entertainer of the year title for third year in a row

Luke Combs doesn’t seem to be breaking a sweat, arriving at the CMA Awards with the potential to win the coveted entertainer of the year title for the third year in a row.

Speaking to the red carpet host about his 2021 and 2022 wins, Combs reveals that he doesn’t prepare speech and never expects a victory. This year, he’s also nominated for top male vocalist, album of the year for “Gettin’ Old” and single of the year for “Fast Car.”

His version of “Fast Car,” orginally made famous by Tracy Chapman in 1988, has also been nominated for song of the year.

The “When It Rains It Pours” singer showed up alongside his wife, Nicole Combs, who wore a short red dress, which slid off her right shoulder. Combs sported a plaid brown suit set over dark button-up shirt.

Kelsea Ballerini arrives at the CMA Awards with Chase Stokes

Kelsea Ballerini arrived in Nashville donning a bright pink one-shoulder gown with a slit along the leg. Her boyfriend actor Chase Stokes was by her side, dressed in a sleek all-black look.

The “I Quit Drinking” singer is expected to perform as part of the CMA Awards ceremony. Ballerini has also been nominated for female vocalist of the year and album of the year for “Rolling Up the Welcome Mat.”

Chris Stapleton, Old Dominion and more rock iconic looks on the red carpet

With the award ceremony set to kick off in just over an hour, stars continue to flash smiles and flaunt breathtaking ensembles while posing with fellow country music icons.

Chris Stapleton stepped out onto the CMA Awards red carpet with wife Morgane Stapleton on his arm. The “Tennessee Whiskey” singer donned a cowboy hat with his black suit, while his wife wore a black dress topped with colorful flowers and sheer sleeves.

Country music group Old Dominion, including band members Trevor Rosen, Geoff Spring, Matthew Ramsey and Brad Tursi coordinated suits with each wearing a different colored suit.

Paula Abdul, who is on tap to announce an award category during the CMA Awards, donned a plunging gown that had a sparkling design with a gold belt.

Sara Evans couldn’t have looked prouder walking with her daughter, Olivia Evans, who sported a floor-length red gown. The “I Could Not Ask For More” singer wore a black gown with golden accents and black heels.

K. Michelle looked as excited as ever to make her CMA Awards appearance, showing off a merlot red-colored gown with a deep plunging neckline.

Country music stars start to arrive on the red carpet

The hottest stars of country music have begun making their appearances on the CMA Awards red carpet — and they’re glowing!

Jelly Roll told carpet hosts that he spent last year’s CMAs watching from his couch and he’s thanked God that this year he’s nominated and opening the show.

The “Need a Favor” singer wore a blacked out ensamble with a silver cross necklace, alongside wife Bunnie XO. She was dressed in a matching black gown and gloves.

Colbie Caillat arrived dressed in a floor-length black gown with a deep neckline and sheer silver train.

Riley Greene showed off a cream-colored set, complete with a matching blazer, vest and pants.

Sister duo Kendra Slaubaugh and Krista Slaubaugh of Tigirlily Gold excitedly spoke on the red carpet about finally making it to country music’s biggest night.

Kendra Slaubaugh was decked out in a black dress and gloves while Krista Slaubaugh donned a sparkly red suit with a plunging neckline. Both sisters showed off complimenting platinum blond hair.

Reyna Roberts was all smiles to kick off the event, wearing a white bodysuit and matching gloves, along with fishnet stockings and a black cowgirl hat.

George Birge opted for an all-black look at the red carpet, sporting a black cowboy hat with a black blazer over a dark shirt and a silver cross necklace.

Sacha donned a pink floral-patterned dress, which featured pearls along the sleeves and a sheer fabric reaching the ground, which hit the carpet with pink lace.

Who’s nominated for the 2023 Country Music Awards?

The top categories at the Country Music Awards include this year’s top entertainer, album, female vocalist and male vocalist, though fans are also waiting to see who was the best new artist and who released the top song.

Nominations for the CMA Awards were announced about two month ago on Sept. 7, with Lainey Wilson claiming nine nominations, including ones for entertainer of the year, album of the year and female vocalist of the year.

Jelly Roll is heading to Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena with five nominations and Luke Combs is tied with HARDY for four nominations this evening.

The five artists who garnered nominations for entertainer of the year include Luke Combs, Chris Stapleton, Carrie Underwood, Morgan Wallen and Lainey Wilson.

Here’s a full list of CMA nominations.