singer and Yellowstone TV star Lainey Wilson joined the Country Music Assn in 2023. awards as the top nominee, and she made good on the lead by taking home five trophies on Wednesday, including the top honor, entertainer of the year.
The CMAs took place at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville and were broadcast live on ABC. It airs Thursday on Hulu.
The night’s performers included Wilson, Luke Bryan, Kelsea Ballerini, Luke Combs, Kenny Chesney and a noticeably slimmer Post Malone.
With a record nine nominations, Wilson led the way for the second straight year. Jelly Roll was second with five, while Combs and Hardy each had four.
Jelly Roll kicked off the night with surprise guest Wynonna Judd, who both sang the Jelly Roll hit “Need A Favour”.
It looked like Wynonna needed a favor for the fans who saw her performance. Many noticed how shaky she appeared on stage, holding tight to Jelly Roll’s jacket. She had previously complained of dizziness and may have had a premature seizure.
Combs won Single of the Year for his cover of Tracy Chapman’s 1988 hit “Fast Car.” It also won Song of the Year, which went to Chapman as songwriter.
Chapman was not present, but presenter Sara Evans read a statement from her.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t be there,” she wrote, adding that it was “truly an honor to have my song recognized 35 years after its debut.”
The winners of the night, in bold:
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
Luke Combs
Chris Stapleton
Carrie Underwood
Morgan Wallen
Laine Wilson
SINGLE OF THE YEAR
The award goes to artists, producers and mixing engineers.
“Fast Car” – Luke Combs
Producers: Luke Combs, Chip Matthews, Jonathan Singleton
Mixing Engineer: Chip Matthews
“Heart Like a Truck” – Lainey Wilson
Producer: Jay Joyce
Mixing Engineers: Jason Hall, Jay Joyce
“Need a favor” – Jelly Roll
Producer: Austin Nivarel
Mixing Engineer: Jeff Braun
“The next thing you know” – Jordan Davis
Producer: Paul DiGiovanni
Mixing Engineer: Jim Cooley
“Waiting in the Truck” – Hardy (feat. Lainey Wilson)
Producers: Hardy, Joey Moi, Jordan Schmidt, Derek Wells
Mixing Engineer: Joey Moi
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
The award goes to artists, producers and mixing engineers.
Ashley McBryde Presents: Lindeville – Ashley McBryde
Producers: John Osborne, John Peets
Mixing Engineers: Gena Johnson, John Osborne
Bell Bottom Country – Lainey Wilson
Producer: Jay Joyce
Mixing Engineers: Jason Hall, Jay Joyce
Getting Older – Luke Combs
Producers: Luke Combs, Chip Matthews, Jonathan Singleton
Mixing Engineers: Michael H. Brauer, Jim Cooley, Chip Matthews
One Thing at a Time – Morgan Wallen
Producers: Jacob Durrett, Charlie Handsome, Joey Moi, Cameron Montgomery
Mixing Engineers: Josh Ditty, Joey Moi, Eivind Nordland
Rolling out the welcome mat – Kelsea Ballerini
Producers: Kelsea Ballerini, Alysa Vanderheym
Mixing Engineers: Dan Grech-Marguerat, Alysa Vanderheym
SONG OF THE YEAR
Award goes to songwriter(s)
“Fast Car”
Copywriter: Tracy Chapman
“Heart Like a Truck”
Songwriters: Trannie Anderson, Dallas Wilson, Lainey Wilson
“Next thing you know.”
Songwriters: Jordan Davis, Greylan James, Chase McGill, Josh Osborne
“Tennessee Orange”
Songwriters: David Fanning, Paul Jenkins, Megan Moroney, Ben Williams
“Waiting in the truck”
Songwriters: Renee Blair, Michael Hardy, Hunter Phelps, Jordan Schmidt
SINGER OF THE YEAR
Kelsea Ballerini
Miranda Lambert
Ashley McBryde
Carly Pearce
Laine Wilson
MALE SINGER OF THE YEAR
Luke Combs
jelly roll
Cody Johnson
Chris Stapleton
Morgan Wallen
SINGING GROUP OF THE YEAR
Dame A
Little big city
Midland
Old rule
Zac Brown Group
SINGING DUO OF THE YEAR
Brooks and Dunn
Osborne brothers
Zane + Shay
Maddie and Tae
The war and the treaty
MUSIC EVENT OF THE YEAR
Prize goes to artists and producers
“Save Me” – Jelly Roll (with Lainey Wilson)
Producers: Zach Crowell, David Ray Stevens
“She Had Me At Heads Carolina (Remix)” – Cole Swindell & Jo Dee Messina
Producer: Zach Crowell
“Thank God” – Kane Brown (with Katelyn Brown)
Producer: Toe Huff
“Waiting in the Truck” – Hardy (feat. Lainey Wilson)
Producers: Hardy, Joey Moi, Jordan Schmidt, Derek Wells
“We Don’t Fight No More” – Carly Pearce (with Chris Stapleton)
Producers: Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne, Carly Pearce
MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR
Jenee Fleenor
Paul Franklin
Rob McNally
Derek Wells
Charlie Worsham
MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR
The prize goes to artists and directors.
“The light goes on in the kitchen” – Ashley McBryde
Directed by Reid Long
“Memory Lane” – Old Reign
Directors: Mason Allen, Nicki Fletcher
“Need a favor” – Jelly Roll
director: Patrick Tohill
“The next thing you know” – Jordan Davis
Director: Running Bear
“Waiting in the Truck” – Hardy (feat. Lainey Wilson)
Directed by Justin Clough
NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Zach Bryan
jelly roll
Parker McCollum
Megan Moroney
Hailey Whitters
Source: Deadline
Ashley Root is an author and celebrity journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a keen eye for all things celebrity, Ashley is always up-to-date on the latest gossip and trends in the world of entertainment.
