The 58th annual CMA Awards were held on Thursday night (November 20) at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. Luke Bryan, Peyton Manning, and Lainey Wilson – who also won Female Vocalist of the Year – co-hosted the ceremony, which celebrated country stars old and new. Chris Stapleton was the night’s big winner, taking home Country Single of the Year and Song of the Year for “White Horse,” while also being awarded Male Vocalist of the Year. Morgan Wallen, who didn’t attend the ceremony, took home the night’s biggest award, Entertainer of the Year, while Cody Johnson took home Album of the Year honors for Leather, and Megan Moroney was awarded New Artist of the Year.
Old Dominion won Vocal Group of the Year, while Brooks & Dunn took home Vocal Duo of the Year, and performed a stirring version of “Believe” with Jelly Roll. The night’s emotional highpoint was the presentation of the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award to George Strait, who also performed his classic, “Honky Tonk Hall of Fame” with Stapleton, following musical tributes to the 72-year-old King of Country from Lainey Wilson, Jamey Johnson, Miranda Lambert, and Parker McCollum.
Ashley McBryde honored the late Kris Kristofferson with an emotional rendition of “Help Me Make It Through The Night,” while Eric Church performed “Darkest Hour,” a song benefiting those affected by Hurricane Helene. Post Malone and Stapleton kicked off the event with a duet on “California Sober,” while Post also delivered a tender ode to his daughter, “Yours,” and Shaboozey performed his crossover chart-topping hit, “A Bar Song (Tipsy).”