It’s the biggest night in Country Music with the annual Country Music Association Awards. This year bell bottom queen Lainey Wilson is hosting the gala event.
Luke Combs kicks off the 59th annual gala with a performance.
Wilson noted that she isn’t there as just a host; she’s there as a fan. And gave a performance that included a medley of songs from Country music artists.
Keith Urban takes the stage for a performance and is joined by Lainey Wilson.
The first award of the night was for Single of the Year and went to Ella Langley and Riley Green for “You Look Like You Love Me”. Ella said that he feels like the song keeps on giving because people keep on listening to it.
Zach Top performs his song “Guitar”.
The award for Vocal Duo of the Year went to Brooks and Dunn – their 16th win of the award.
Megan Maroney performs.
Nineteen time CMA Award winner Chris Stapleton takes the stage for a performance.
Kelsea Ballerini gives a performance.
The award for Best New Artist went to Zach Top. He took the stage with his adult beverage in hand.
The award for Musician of the Year is steel guitar player Paul Franklin.
The Red Clay Strays give a performance.
The award for Song of the Year went to “You Look Like You Love Me” written by Riley Green, Ella Langley, and Aaron Raitiere.
New artist nominee Stephen Wilson Jr takes the stage for a performance of “Stand By Me”.
Country Music Hall of Fame member and four time Entertainer of the Year winner Kenny Chesney takes the stage for a performance.
Old Dominion give a performance. The band has won Group of the Year seven times to hold the record.
Alison Brown and Steve Martin take the stage for some fancy banjo picking before presenting the award for Album of the Year to Lainey Wilson for “Whirlwind” – this is her second win for Album of the Year.
Shaboozey teams up with Stephen Wilson Jr for a performance.
The award for Vocal Group of the Year went to The Red Clay Strays for their first win.
Host Lainey Wilson gives a performance.
There are 100 members from Fort Campbell in the audience. Chevrolet presented veteran Nick a fully accessible Chevy Traverse. Nick lost his legs in an IED explosion.
Miranda Lambert and Chris Stapleton take the stage together for a performance.
CMA Award winner Riley Green performs.
Ella Langley performs.
The award for Male Vocalist of the Year went to Cody Johnson for his first win.
New Artist nominee Tucker Wetmore performs.
George Strait presented Country Music Hall of Famer Vince Gill with the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award. Gil joins a very short list of recipients. Gil said that he is pretty sure he is the only person to receive the award who hasn’t smoked weed.
Luke Combs returns to perform a duet with rapper turned country artist BigXThePlug for a duet.
Lady A presented the award for Female Vocalist of the Year to host Lainey Wilson for her fourth win of the award.
Keith Urban presents the biggest award of the night – Entertainer of the Year to Lainey Wilson! Wilson said that she was tickled to host the show.