On a night filled with unexpected twists and stellar performances, the 58th Annual Country Music Association Awards delivered memorable moments that will resonate throughout Nashville and beyond. The ceremony at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, saw surprising victories and notable absences.
Despite being notably absent from the ceremony, Morgan Wallen captured the night’s most prestigious award – Entertainer of the Year. In an awkward moment that quickly went viral, presenter Jeff Bridges mistakenly announced “Morgan Waylon” instead of Wallen’s name, creating an unexpected twist to the evening’s biggest reveal.
The night’s dominant force was undoubtedly Chris Stapleton, who walked away with four CMA Awards, including Male Vocalist of the Year for a record-extending eighth time. His hit “White Horse” earned him both Single of the Year and Song of the Year honors, cementing his position as country music’s premier vocalist and songwriter.
The star-studded event was hosted by an engaging trio: Luke Bryan, Peyton Manning, and Lainey Wilson. Last year’s EYear’siner of the Year winner, Wilson, didn’t leave empty-handed, claiming Female Vocalist of the Year and Music Video of the Year for “Wildflowers and Wild Horses.”
In one of the evening’s surprise turns, Cody Johnson beat out heavy competition to win Album of the Year for “Leather.” Johnson himself expressed shock at his victory, admitting he expected Chris Stapleton or Jelly Roll to take the trophy home.
The ceremony featured several noteworthy performances, with Post Malone making his CMA Awards debut spectacularly. The rapper-turned-country artist opened the show alongside Chris Stapleton, performing “California Sober” while sporting full cowboy attire, complete with an eye-catching bolo tie. Later, he delivered an emotional rendition of “Yours,” dedicated to his young daughter.
A highlight of the evening was the tribute to George Strait, who received the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award. The segment featured an all-star lineup including Lainey Wilson, Jamey Johnson, Miranda Lambert, Parker McCollum, and Chris Stapleton, each performing pieces of Strait’s iconic hits. The 72-year-old legend humbly accepted the award, joking about the performers’ renditions of his songs: “I’m glad I got ’em first.”
Other significant victories included:
- Old Dominion breaking records with their seventh consecutive Vocal Group of the Year win
- Brooks & Dunn claiming Vocal Duo of the Year for the first time since 2006
- Megan Moroney, earning New Artist of the YeYearhe ceremony, wasn’t without its technical difficulties, as viewers noted apparent sound quality issues throughout the broadcast. Despite these challenges, the show maintained its momentum through powerful collaborations and emotional performances, including a memorable gospel-style rendition of “Believe” by Brooks & Dunn and Jelly Roll.
This year’s sMA Awards reflected the evolving landscape of country music, showcasing traditional country values and contemporary crossover appeal. The ceremony highlighted the genre’s growing diversity and willingness to embrace new sounds while honoring its rich heritage.
The ceremony aired live on ABC and will be available for streaming on Hulu starting Thursday, allowing fans to relive the evening’s memorable moments and groundbreaking performances.