What an incredible night for Lainey Wilson!
The 59th Annual CMA Awards was last night at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, which was hosted by Lainey Wilson, who went on to win the event’s biggest awards, Entertainer of the Year, Female Vocalist of the Year, and Album of the Year for Whirlwind.
The evening started with a performance of “Back in the Saddle” by 2-time CMA Entertainer of the Year, Luke Combs. Lainey then sang a medley of the year’s biggest country hits to start her hosting duties, dancing and singing in the aisles with Ella Langley, Miranda Lambert, Shaboozey, and Little Big Town. The most talked about celebrity couple in country, Billy Ray Cyrus and Elizabeth Hurley, presented the night’s first CMA award, as Single of the Year went to Ella Langley and Riley Green for their smash hit, “You Look Like You Love Me,” which also took home Song of the Year and Music Video of the Year. Brooks & Dunn won Vocal Duo of the Year for the 16th time, while Zach Top won his very first CMA award for Best New Artist, after a rendition of his current hit song, “Guitar.”
There were tons of memorable performances, as Chris Stapleton delivered a fantastic rendition of his F1 single, “Bad as I Used to Be,” and later joined with Miranda Lambert for their recent duet, “A Song to Sing,” while Kelsea Ballerini performed her brand new single, “I Sit in Parks,” while barefoot and sitting on a swing. The Red Clay Strays, who were first-time winners for Vocal Group of the Year, delivered their hit, “People Hatin’,” while Stephen Wilson Jr. performed a deeply moving cover of the Ben E. King classic, “Stand By Me,” later joining Shaboozey for a stirring rendition of “Took a Walk.”
Four-time CMA Entertainer of the Year and new inductee into the Country Music Hall of Fame, Kenny Chesney, paid tribute to his late collaborator, songwriter Brett James, while performing his classic hits, “When the Sun Goes Down” and “American Kids.” Old Dominion delivered a medley of their hits, and Lainey Wilson did triple-duty – in addition to hosting and being the night’s big winner – by also performing her Whirlwind standout, “Ring Finger,” in tribute to her fiancé Devlin “Duck” Hodges.
Vince Gill was honored with the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award by the King of Country, George Strait, after Brandi Carlile and Patty Loveless paid tribute to the music legend with a cover of his 1989 classic, “When I Call Your Name.” Cody Johnson won his first Male Vocalist of the Year CMA award, while steel guitar legend Paul Franklin was recognized as Musician of the Year, and Post Malone won his very first CMA Award, winning Musical Event of the Year for his collaboration with Blake Shelton, “Pour Me a Drink.”