59th Annual CMA Awards

This morning, ahead of “The 59th Annual CMA Awards,” the Country Music Association revealed early winners in two categories: Post Malone and Blake Shelton earn CMA Musical Event of the Year for “Pour Me A Drink,” produced by Louis Bell and Charlie Handsome, while Ella Langley and Riley Green and take home the win for CMA Music Video of the Year for “you look like you love me,” directed by Langley, John Park and Wales Toney.

---

The announcement took place live on ABC’s “Good Morning America,” with Lara Spencer sharing the news from downtown Nashville’s Honky Tonk Central. The broadcast also included a special segment with CMA Awards host Lainey Wilson, giving viewers an exclusive tour inside Bridgestone Arena as final preparations for the big night get underway.

Artists taking the CMA Awards stage to perform included Kelsea Ballerini, BigXthaPlug, Brandi Carlile, Kenny Chesney, Luke Combs, Riley Green, Miranda Lambert, Ella Langley, Little Big Town, Patty Loveless, Megan Moroney, Old Dominion, The Red Clay Strays, Shaboozey, Chris Stapleton, Zach Top, Keith Urban, Tucker Wetmore, Lainey Wilson and Stephen Wilson Jr. 

Tonight’s presenters and special guests included Alison Brown, Jessica Capshaw, Billy Ray Cyrus, Lauren Daigle, Jordan Davis, Elizabeth Hurley, Cody Johnson, Bert Kreischer, Lady A, Brandon Lake, Ella Langley, Steve Martin, Leanne Morgan, NE-YO, Chris O’Donnell, Kimberly Perry, LeAnn Rimes, Alan Ritchson, Lara Spencer, Billy Bob Thornton, Grace Van Patten, Gretchen Wilson and Bailey Zimmerman.  

Luke Combs kicked off the CMA Awards with “Back in the Saddle.” Lainey Wilson then came out as this year’s host and opened up singing with Charlie Worsham on gutiar preformed a complation of “Handful of Dust, ” ” you look like you love me,” “Redneck Woman,” “I Need You Now”, “Gunpowder and Lead,” “A Bar Song (tipsy),” “Girl Crush” – with Little Big Town joining in. Then Keith Urban came out to join her with “Where the Black Top Ends.”

Elizabeth Hurley and Billy Ray Cyrus came out to present the award for Single of the Year to “you look like you love me” to Ella Langley and Riley Green. Both first time winners for single of the year.

Leanne Morgan came out dressed as Lainey’s twin. They introduced Zach Top, who performed, “Guitar.”

Gretchen Wilson (20th Anniversary of “Redneck Woman”) and NeYo (20th Anniverary of “Let Me Love You”) came out to present the award for Vocal Duo of the Year to Brooks & Dunn. This is their 16th win for Vocal Duo of the Year.

Megan Moroney then took the stage to perform “6 Months Later” …The song describes the emotional pain after the split in late 2019, it ultimately becomes a song of empowerment as the narrator moves on, only for her ex to eventually call and want her back, leading to her final sassy conclusion: “What doesn’t kill you calls you 6 months later”. 

Chris Stapleton then took the stage to perform “Bad As I Used To Be” …. a legendary guitar and vocal performance as always and was featured in “F1: The Movie.”

Kelsea Ballerini debuted her brand-new song, “I Sit In Parks.” The song resonates for its unguarded honesty – dropping the mask of perfection, and accepting that, if one can’t have it all, learning to love what you want delivers an uneasy place to make sense of growing up.

Chris O’Donnell, Jesica Capshaw and LeAnn Rimes presented the award for Best New Artist of the Year to Zach Top. This was his first CMA Award win.

Also announced by Lainey Wilson and Billy Bob Thornton, was #CMAawards Musician of the Year is Paul Franklin! Join us in congratulating him on this honor! Billy Bob also announced the Red Clay Strays who performed “People Hatin’.”

Kimberly Perry and Grace Van Patten presented Song of the Year to Riley Green, Ella Langley, and Aaron Raitiere for “you look like you love me”

Stephen Wilson Jr. then took the stage to perform “Stand By Me”…. The classic tune, “Stand By Me,” first recorded by Ben E. King in 1961, also has deep roots in his childhood, as Stephen revealed he instantly felt a connection to it while watching a movie of the same name that’s based off a Stephen King book. After his father passed, Stephen began singing the song in his living room, and eventually, he naturally transformed it from a haunting tune into something more like a hymn. For him, it became a way to keep his father’s memory alive.

“It made him feel like a kid on my shoulders. And I’ve been back to what I said before, kind of chasing that feeling ever since. So it’s really wild that I’m playing it at the CMAs and it’s done what it’s done. It has wings that I can’t quite understand. My dad’s probably has a lot to do with that,” he shared.

Kenny Chesney took the stage, kicking it off with “American Kids.” … Four-time CMA Entertainer of the Year marked his 2025 induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame with this special performance that also included “When the Sun Goes Down.”

Lainey then came out with Bailey Zimmerman to announce Old Dominion who performed a compilation of ” Break Up with HIm”, “Memory Lane,” “One Man Band,” Hotel Key,” and “Snap Back.”

Alison Brown and Steve Martin then came out with banjos and then presented Album of the Year to Whirlwind by Lainey Wilson. This was her second win for Album of the Year.

Bert Kreischer announced Shaboozey performing with Stephen Wilson Jr. for “Took A Walk.” Jordan Davis and Lauren Daigle then came out to present the award for Vocal Group of the Year to the Red Clay Strays. This was their first win in this category.

Cody Johnson then came out to give Lainey Wilson her nods for not only hosting but her musical abilities and then introduced her, performing her song “Ring Finger.”

Ella Langley then came out to honor those who have served our country. CMA Female Vocalist of the Year nominee Miranda Lambert joined Chris Stapleton for a performance of their duet “A Song To Sing.”  

Riley Green came out to perform his hit “Worst Way.” Lainey then introduced Ella Langley, who performed “Choosin’ Texas.”

The award for Male Vocalist of the Year was Cody Johnson. Following his presentation, Tucker Wetmore performed “Wind Up Missin’ You.”

Vince Gill was honored by Brandi Carlile joined by Patty Loveless singing “When I Call Your Name.”

“Vince embodies the very best of what Country Music stands for,” says Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “He’s a true trailblazer, one who gives back to the community, honors the roots of our genre, and even now, continues to share his talent with fans across the globe. As a Country Music Hall of Fame member, 18-time CMA Award winner, and former 12-time CMA Awards host, he remains a vibrant force in our industry, and we’re honored to celebrate an artist whose influence is so deeply woven into the fabric of our format.” 

Gill has solidified his place as one of Country Music’s most renowned artists. An Oklahoma native, he has released 20 albums, sold more than 30 million records, and charted 45 singles. Known for his heartfelt songwriting, masterful guitar playing, and unmistakable tenor voice, he is equally admired for the warmth, humility, and quiet humor that have endeared him to fans and artists alike. His musicianship and versatility have also led him to be a key member of several iconic bands, including Pure Prairie League, The Cherry Bombs, and The Time Jumpers. In 2017, Gill was also invited to join the Eagles on tour, and he continues to contribute his talents to the historic group’s journey. Gill, who has been performing for 50 years, is also honoring this career milestone by curating a series of EPs to be released on MCA Records over the course of a year. Thematically titled 50 Years from Home, the first EP of the series, I Gave You Everything I Had, was released October 17. 

Widely regarded as one of the most accomplished and respected artists in Country Music, Gill’s breakthrough came in 1990 with the release of “When I Call Your Name,” a landmark single that earned both CMA Single and Song of the Year honors, along with a GRAMMY for Best Country Vocal Performance, Male. Over the course of his career, he has received 22 GRAMMY Awards and 18 CMA Awards, including a record-setting four wins for Song of the Year, more than any artist in CMA’s history. He also shares the record for most times hosting the CMA Awards, leading the show from 1992 through 2003. He also took home the CMA Irving Waugh Award of Excellence in 2014, the CMA Foundation Humanitarian Award in 2017 and is a four-time CMA Triple Play Award recipient. His most recent GRAMMY came in 2021 in the Best Country Solo Performance category, honoring the heartfelt “When My Amy Prays,” further cementing his legacy as a leading voice in Country Music. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2007, and in 2012 was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.  

The CMA Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award is awarded to an iconic artist who has attained the highest degree of recognition in Country Music. The award recognizes those who have achieved both national and international prominence and stature through concert performances, humanitarian efforts, philanthropy, streaming numbers, record sales, and public representation at the highest level. The artist receiving this award has positively impacted and contributed to the growth of the genre over the course of many years and has proven to have an unprecedented historical impact on fans and industry alike. 

Previous recipients of the CMA Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award include Willie Nelson (2012), Kenny Rogers (2013), Johnny Cash (2015), Dolly Parton (2016), Kris Kristofferson (2019), Charley Pride (2020), Loretta Lynn (2021), Alan Jackson (2022) and George Strait (2024).  

George Strait then came out to honor Vince Gill, noting his musicianship, his songwriting, his vocals, his accolades, and mentioning that he plays with The Eagles. Comically, Vince mentioned only women could sing as high as him, and the only one who probably hasn’t smoked weed. He even used to host the awards show. Vince thanked Grand Ole Opry family, his team, his family, and most importantly, his wife – Amy Grant.

BigXthaPlug was joined by Luke Combs, who performed “Pray Hard.” Then Lady A came out to present Female Vocalist of the Year to Lainey Wilson.

Keith Urban closed out show announcing Entertainer of the Year as Lainey Wilson.

See below for the full list of 2025 CMA Broadcast Awards winners. 

CMA BROADCAST PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR: 

WEEKLY NATIONAL
“Country Countdown USA with Lon Helton” (Lon Helton) – LH Productions 

DAILY NATIONAL  
“The Rob and Holly Show” (Rob Stone and Holly Hutton) – Audacy 

MAJOR MARKET 
“Chris Carr & Company” (Chris Carr, Sam Sansevere, and “Dubs” Michael Wilczynski) – KEEY, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn. 

LARGE MARKET 
“The Q Morning Crew w/ Mike & Amanda” (Mike Wheless and Amanda Daughtry) – WQDR, Raleigh-Durham, N.C. 

MEDIUM MARKET 
“Mo & StyckMan” (Melissa “Mo” Wagner and Greg “StyckMan” Owens) – WUSY, Chattanooga, Tenn. 

SMALL MARKET 
“Ben & Arnie” (Ben Butler and Arnie Andrews) – WCOW, La Crosse, Wis. 

CMA RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR: 

MAJOR MARKET 
KKBQ – Houston, Texas 

LARGE MARKET 
WUBE – Cincinnati, Ohio 

MEDIUM MARKET 
WIVK – Knoxville, Tenn. 

SMALL MARKET
WXBQ – Johnson City-Kingsport-Bristol, Tenn.-Va. 

The CMA Broadcast Award categories are established by market size based on population as ranked by Nielsen. Entries for Broadcast Personality of the Year are judged on aircheck, ratings, community involvement and biographical and impact information. Candidates for Radio Station of the Year are judged on aircheck, ratings, community involvement and leadership and impact information. 

Any full-time, on-air broadcast personalities and radio stations in the United States and Canada were eligible to submit entries, regardless of CMA membership status. The entries are judged by a panel of distinguished broadcast professionals, representing all market sizes and regions.