The 59th annual CMA Awards lit up Nashville last night with a show packed full of huge wins, emotional moments, surprise appearances, and some absolutely killer performances. Luke Combs opened the night with a fiery, pyro-loaded version of “Back in the Saddle,” setting the tone for a night that was all about celebrating country music at full volume and welcoming this year’s host, Lainey Wilson.
Lainey went on to dominate the night, picking up three major awards – Entertainer of the Year, Female Vocalist of the Year, and Album of the Year for Whirlwind. Ella Langley and Riley Green also walked away with three trophies each thanks to their smash hit “You Look Like You Love Me.” Cody Johnson locked down Male Vocalist of the Year, and The Red Clay Strays continued their massive breakout run with Vocal Group of the Year.
One of the standout moments came when Ella Langley paused her speech to recognize 100 soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division Air Assault from nearby Fort Campbell. She then honored retired U.S. Army Sergeant Nick Koulchar, who was injured in Iraq – and thanks to CMA sponsor Chevrolet, Nick was presented with a custom, wheelchair-accessible Traverse.
The crowd also erupted when George Strait made a surprise appearance to honor Vince Gill with the Willie Nelson Humanitarian of the Year Award.
Below is your full look at the night, including embedded performances you don’t want to miss.
Kenny Chesney – “When the Sun Goes Down” (Live at CMA Awards 2025)
Kelsea Ballerini – “I Sit In Parks” (Live at CMA Awards 2025)
Miranda Lambert & Chris Stapleton – “A Song To Sing”
Riley Green – “The Worst Way”
Old Dominion – CMA Awards Medley
“Break Up With Him” / “Memory Lane” / “One Man Band” / “Hotel Key” / “Snapback”
Kenny Chesney – “American Kids”
ALL THE WINNERS
Entertainer of the Year: Lainey Wilson
Female Artist of the Year: Lainey Wilson
Male Artist of the Year: Cody Johnson
Vocal Group of the Year: The Red Clay Strays
Vocal Duo of the Year: Brooks and Dunn
New Artist of the Year: Zach Top
Album of the Year: Whirlwind – Lainey Wilson
Single of the Year: Ella Langley & Riley Green – You Look Like You Love Me
Song of the Year: Ella Langley & Riley Green – You Look Like You Love Me
Video of the Year: Ella Langley & Riley Green – You Look Like You Love Me
Musical Event of the Year: Post Malone & Blake Shelton – Pour Me a Drink
Musician of the Year: Paul Franklin (steel guitar)
Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award: Vince Gill
PERFORMANCES FROM THE NIGHT
Luke Combs – “Back in the Saddle”
Lainey Wilson – Full medley including “White Horse,” “Hillbilly Deluxe,” “You Look Like You Love Me,” and more
Zach Top – “Guitar”
Megan Moroney – “Six Months Later”
Chris Stapleton – “Bad as I Used to Be”
Kelsea Ballerini – “I Sit in Parks”
The Red Clay Strays – “People Hatin’”
Stephen Wilson Jr. – “Stand By Me”
Kenny Chesney – “American Kids,” “When the Sun Goes Down”
Old Dominion – Multi-song medley
Shaboozey & Stephen Wilson Jr. – “Took a Walk”
Lainey Wilson – “Ring Finger”
Miranda Lambert & Chris Stapleton – “A Song to Sing”
Riley Green – “Worst Way”
Ella Langley – “Choosin’ Texas”
Tucker Wetmore – “Wind Up Missin’ You”
Brandi Carlile & Patty Loveless – “When I Call Your Name”
Luke Combs & BigXthaPlug – “Pray Hard”