2024 CMA Awards Crowns New Winners, Showcases Fun Collaborations [Recap]
Luke Bryan, Peyton Manning and Lainey Wilson host The 58th Annual CMA Awards. Photo: Courtesy of CMA
The 58th annual CMA Awards took over Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena last night (Nov. 20) and included performances of some of the past year’s biggest hits and record-breaking wins.
Chris Stapleton accepts the award for Single of the Year at the 58th CMA Awards. Photo: Courtesy of CMA
Morgan Wallen won his first ever Entertainer of the Year trophy, while Megan Moroney was crowned New Artist of the Year. Brooks & Dunn and Chris Stapleton tied for winning the most CMA Awards of all time, each with 19 total wins.
The night’s program kicked off with a rowdy bang, as Post Malone and Stapleton traded snarling verses of “California Sober” from Post’s blockbuster country album released this summer.
Post Malone performs “Yours” at the 58th CMA Awards. Photo: Courtesy of CMA
Co-hosts Lainey Wilson, Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning then appeared to get the show started. The shared banter about each of their roles as co-host, pointed out a guest of honor George Strait and shared that there were 31 first-time nominees.
Soon it was time to present the first award, Single of the Year. The trophy went to Stapleton, Dave Cobb and Vance Powell for “White Horse.”
“There are so many great and very popular songs in this category. I’m very humbled,” Stapleton said, marking the first of many acceptances speech he would go on to give last night.
Shaboozey performs a medley of “Highway” and “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” at the 58th CMA Awards. Photo: Courtesy of CMA
Moroney turned Bridgestone Arena blue for her performance of new single “Am I Okay?” before the hosts returned. They shared a red-solo-cup toast to the late Toby Keith and then introduced Shaboozey to the CMA stage. The hitmaker played a bit of his new single “Highway” before thrilling the room with his record-breaking “A Bar Song (Tipsy).”
The next award, Song of the Year, was presented to Stapleton and Dan Wilson for “White Horse.” Stapleton kept it brief, thanking his family and the voters, and then passed it on to Wilson.
Thomas Rhett and Teddy Swims perform “Somethin’ ‘Bout a Woman” and “Lose Control” at the 58th CMA Awards. Photo: Courtesy of CMA
“Nashville, thank you for letting me come visit and write songs,” Wilson said. “Thanks to Dave, Chris and Morgane Stapleton for producing such a rocking version of the song.”
Ella Langley started her Musical Event-winning breakout hit “You Look Like You Love Me” seated in the audience next to its co-writer Aaron Raitiere. She strutted up to the stage with the ease of a veteran. When Riley Green joined her for his part, it was already a highlight of the evening.
Megan Moroney accepts the award for New Artist of the Year at the CMA Awards. Photo: Courtesy of CMA
Another duo, Thomas Rhett and Teddy Swims, joined voices for “Somethin’ ‘Bout A Woman.” They sounded great together as the tune morphed into Swims’ “Lose Control.” Luke Combs brought the house down with his Grammy-nominated “Ain’t No Love In Oklahoma” from the Twisters movie.
The New Artist prize went to Moroney. She was emotional as she looked around the arena. “This means so much to me. I have an incredible team,” she shared, recognizing her team members. “I’m freaking out! Thank you!”
Kelsea Ballerini and Noah Kahan took the stage for a beautiful rendition of their “Cowboys Cry Too.” Cody Johnson and Carrie Underwood brought the power for “I’m Gonna Love You.” The Stapletons blended their voices in perfect harmony on “What Am I Gonna Do.”
Kelsea Ballerini and Noah Kahan perform “Cowboys Cry Too” at the 58th CMA Awards. Photo: Courtesy of CMA
Kacey Musgraves performed her Grammy-nominated “The Architect,” before The Oak Ridge Boys appeared onstage to tribute their lost member Joe Bonsall. They then presented Vocal Group of the Year to Old Dominion. It was their seventh time clinching the trophy, the longest consecutive stretch of Group of the Year wins in CMA history.
“We just made history, that’s crazy,” Old Dominion frontman Matthew Ramsey said. “If you are an artist of any type or a creator or a musician, this is when the world needs you the most, when it’s weird like it is right now. Get out there and get together and create.”
Cody Johnson accepts the award for Album of the Year at the 58th CMA Awards. Photo: Courtesy of CMA
Jelly Roll joined Brooks & Dunn for a moving performance of “I Believe,” complete with a choir and string section, leading many artists in the audience to wine tears from their eyes. Post Malone then touched hearts with “She’s Yours.”
Album of the Year went to Cody Johnson for Leather. “There’s no way I could have created an album like this without great songwriters, without people that pour their heart and soul out every day on Music Row,” Johnson said before introducing producers Trent Willmon and Jack Clark to speak.
Wilson took a break from her hosting duties to perform “4x4xU” with a string section backing her. Bailey Zimmerman brought the WWE energy for his performance of “New To Country,” dropping onto his stage from the ceiling.
Brooks & Dunn accepts the award for Vocal Duo of the Year at the 58th CMA Awards. Photo: Courtesy of CMA
The next award, Vocal Duo of the Year, went to Brooks & Dunn for the 15th time. They were clearly shocked, smiling as the crowd cheered them up to the podium.
“Time is undefeated. Not yet I guess,” Kix Brooks said.
The Strait tribute started with Wilson singing a bit of “Amarillo By Morning,” with Jenee Fleenor and Charlie Worsham backing her. Jamey Johnson shared his version of “Give It Away,” a song he and Bill Anderson co-wrote for “The King of Country Music.” Miranda Lambert and Parker McCollum joined Johnson on stage for “Troubadour.”
Strait then hit the stage with Stapleton for “Honky Tonk Hall Of Fame.” All the artists joined together for Stapleton to present the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award to “true country music royalty.”
George Strait performs “Honky Tonk Hall of Fame” at the 58th CMA Awards. Photo: Courtesy of CMA
When the crowd gave Straight time to talk, he thanked God, his team, band and crew and his family. He spoke about the longtime team members he’s lost over the past year, including manager Erv Woolsey, road manager Tom Foote and band member Gene Elders.
“I want to thank the CMAs for adding my name to the incredible artists on this small list of recipients carrying the name of the icon, Willie Nelson,” Strait said. “I want to thank these great artists who performed some of the songs I’ve recorded over the years. It’s amazing to hear y’all do them—I’m so glad I got them before you.”
Ashley McBryde sang Kris Krisofferson‘s “Help Me Make It Through the Night” in tribute of the late legend.
Male Vocalist of the Year went to Stapleton, his eighth time claiming the honor.
“I’m out of things to say. I love all of y’all so much. Thank you CMAs for giving this award and all of y’all for voting for me,” the entertainer said.
Eric Church performs “Darkest Hour” at the 58th CMA Awards. Photo: Courtesy of CMA
Host Bryan took to the stage for a performance of “Love You, Miss You, Mean It” before Combs appeared on stage to introduce the next performer, Eric Church. He shared that the two North Carolinians raised $24 million for hurricane relief with their benefit concert, and praised Church for donating royalties for his next song in perpetuity for the cause. Church then performed the philanthropic song, “Darkest Hour.”
Olympian Simone Biles presented Female Vocalist of the Year to Wilson, her third time winning the honor.
“Man, this community has wrapped its arms around me and lifted me up from the get-go,” Wilson said. “I’ve always been told if you feel like you’ve got a gift, you’re supposed to share it, and I think that means whether you drive a tractor or pour coffee, make people smile or laugh, whatever that is I think you’re supposed to share that gift.”
Lainey Wilson accepts the award for Female Vocalist of the Year at the 58th CMA Awards. Photo: Courtesy of CMA
Jelly Roll and Keith Urban came together for a fiery performance of “Liar.” Bluegrass virtuosos Molly Tuttle, Sierra Hull and Bronwyn Keith-Hynes appeared alongside Dierks Bentley for his cover of Tom Petty‘s “American Girl.”
The night’s top honor, Entertainer of the Year, went to Morgan Wallen. It was his first time receiving the honor, but he was not in attendance.
The 58th CMA Awards will be available to watch on Hulu today (Nov. 21).
