Nashville’s Power Players: Everything You Missed at the Star-Studded 2025 CMA Awards
Country music’s most glittering evening unfolded at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on November 19th, where the 59th Annual CMA Awards crowned its champions and made history in equal measure. The evening belonged to those who’ve shaped the genre’s past and those defining its electrifying future.
Vince Gill received the prestigious Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award, joining legends like George Strait, Dolly Parton, and Kenny Rogers in country music’s most hallowed circle. Meanwhile, fierce competition ignited across categories, with Entertainer of the Year pitting titans Luke Combs, Chris Stapleton, Morgan Wallen, Cody Johnson, and host Lainey Wilson against each other.
Speaking of Wilson, the “4x4xU” sensation made history as the first solo female host since Reba McEntire commanded the stage in 1991. “I let Reba know I was doing this and she was so excited,” Wilson shared, embracing her groundbreaking role with characteristic humor and authenticity. Her promise? To “poke fun at people” while celebrating the music she loves.
The Female Vocalist of the Year category sparkled with talent—Kelsea Ballerini, Miranda Lambert, Ella Langley, Megan Moroney, and Wilson herself—while show-stopping performances from Ella, Megan, and Luke proved that victory extends far beyond trophies. In Nashville, the true winners are those who make country music’s heart beat louder.
For the complete list of winners at the 2025 CMA Awards, read on.
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
Luke Combs
Cody Johnson
Chris Stapleton
Morgan Wallen
WINNER: Lainey Wilson
SINGLE OF THE YEAR Award goes to Artist(s), Producer(s) and Mix Engineer(s)
“4x4xU” – Lainey Wilson (Producer: Jay Joyce; Mix Engineers: Jason Hall, Jay Joyce)
“Ain’t No Love In Oklahoma” – Luke Combs (Producers: Luke Combs, Chip Matthews, Jonathan Singleton; Mix Engineer: Chip Matthews)
“Am I Okay?” – Megan Moroney (Producer: Kristian Bush; Mix Engineer: Justin Niebank)
“I Never Lie” – Zach Top (Producer: Carson Chamberlain; Mix Engineer: Matt Rovey)
WINNER: “you look like you love me” – Ella Langley & Riley Green (Producer: Will Bundy; Mix Engineer: Jim Cooley)
ALBUM OF THE YEAR Award goes to Artist, Producer(s) and Mix Engineer(s)
“Am I Okay?” – Megan Moroney (Producer: Kristian Bush; Mix Engineer: Justin Niebank)
“Cold Beer & Country Music” – Zach Top (Producer: Carson Chamberlain ;Mix Engineer: Matt Rovey)
“F-1 Trillion” – Post Malone (Producers: Louis Bell, Charlie Handsome, Hoskins; Mix Engineer: Ryan Gore)
“I’m The Problem” – Morgan Wallen (Producers: Jacob Durrett, Charlie Handsome, Joey Moi; Mix Engineers: Charlie Handsome, Joey Moi)
WINNER: “Whirlwind” – Lainey Wilson (Producer: Jay Joyce; Mix Engineers: Jason Hall, Jay Joyce)
SONG OF THE YEAR Award goes to Songwriter(s)
“4x4xU” (Songwriters: Jon Decious, Aaron Raitiere, Lainey Wilson)
“Am I Okay?” (Songwriters: Jessie Jo Dillon, Luke Laird, Megan Moroney)
“I Never Lie” (Songwriters: Carson Chamberlain, Tim Nichols, Zach Top)
“Texas” (Songwriters: Johnny Clawson, Josh Dorr, Lalo Guzman, Kyle Sturrock)
WINNER: “you look like you love me” (Songwriters: Riley Green, Ella Langley, Aaron Raitiere)
FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Kelsea Ballerini
Miranda Lambert
Ella Langley
Megan Moroney
WINNER: Lainey Wilson
MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Luke Combs
WINNER: Cody JohnsonÂ
Chris Stapleton
Zach Top
Morgan Wallen
VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
Lady A
Little Big Town
Old Dominion
Rascal Flatts
WINNER: The Red Clay Strays
VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR
WINNER: Brooks & Dunn
Brothers Osborne
Dan + Shay
Maddie & Tae
The War And Treaty
MUSICAL EVENT OF THE YEAR Award goes to Artists and Producer(s)
“Don’t Mind If I Do” – Riley Green (featuring Ella Langley) (Producers: Scott Borchetta, Jimmy Harnen, Dann Huff)
“Hard Fought Hallelujah” – Brandon Lake with Jelly Roll (Producer: Micah Nichols)
“I’m Gonna Love You” – Cody Johnson (with Carrie Underwood) (Producer: Trent Willmon)
WINNER: “Pour Me A Drink” – Post Malone (feat. Blake Shelton) (Producers: Louis Bell, Charlie Handsome)
“You Had To Be There” – Megan Moroney (feat. Kenny Chesney) (Producer: Kristian Bush)
MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR
Jenee Fleenor – Fiddle
WINNER: Paul Franklin – Steel Guitar
Brent Mason – Guitar
Rob McNelley – Guitar
Derek Wells – Guitar
MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR Award goes to Artist(s) and Director(s)
“Am I Okay?” – Megan Moroney (Directors: Alexandra Gavillet, Megan Moroney)
“I’m Gonna Love You” – Cody Johnson (with Carrie Underwood) (Director: Dustin Haney)
“Somewhere Over Laredo” – Lainey Wilson (Director: TK McKamy)
“Think I’m In Love With You” – Chris Stapleton (Director: Running Bear)
WINNER: “you look like you love me” – Ella Langley & Riley Green (Directors: Ella Langley, John Park, Wales Toney)
NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Ella Langley
Shaboozey
WINNER: Zach Top
Tucker Wetmore
Stephen Wilson Jr.
