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Dolly Parton Defends CMAs After Beyoncé Snub
These artists are going to be living rent free in CMA Awards history.
The hottest musicians in country music stepped out for the 2025 Country Music Association Awards at Nashville's Bridgestone Arena on Nov. 19. And while many of them hope to walk away with coveted trophies, only a few of them will be given the special honor. (To see every star who showed out at the CMA Awards, click here.)
So, who is coming out victorious at the 59th annual ceremony hosted by Lainey Wilson?
Country music legend Vince Gill will be honored with the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award, which has previously gone to the likes of George Strait, Alan Jackson, Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers.
But competition was especially fierce in the other categories. After all, Lainey, Luke Combs, Cody Johnson, Chris Stapleton and Morgan Wallen are facing off in Entertainer of the Year. Plus, Kelsea Ballerini, Miranda Lambert, Ella Langley, Megan Moroney and Lainey each earned nods in the Female Vocalist of the Year category.
However, walking away with a trophy isn't the only way these stars won big at the show. Indeed, Ella, Megan and Luke all are all set to give show-stopping performances during country's big night as well.
Plus, Lainey's hosting gig marked the first time the award ceremony had a solo female host since Reba McEntire led the charge in 1991.
"I let Reba know I was doing this and she was so excited,” Lainey said of her historic role during an Oct. 8 appearance on the Nashville Now podcast. “It’s been a long time since a woman has done it solo. I’m glad they trust me. I like to run my mouth and I love country music.”
Photo by Michael Buckner/Billboard via Getty Images / Photo by Taylor Hill/WireImage
As for what her main goal was for the job? The "4x4xU" singer—who cohosted in 2024 alongside Luke and Peyton Manning—promised to add a little humor.
“If I can poke fun at people, hey, we good,” she explained. “I tried to get them to let me do it last year and they were like, ‘Whoa, whoa, whoa… that’s too far.’ But I go way back with these people.”
For the complete list of winners at the 2025 CMA Awards, read on.
Arroyo-OConnor/AFF-USA/Shutterstock
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
Luke Combs
Cody Johnson
Chris Stapleton
Morgan Wallen
Lainey Wilson
SINGLE OF THE YEAR Award goes to Artist(s), Producer(s) and Mix Engineer(s)
"4x4xU" - Lainey Wilson (Producer: Jay Joyce; Mix Engineers: Jason Hall, Jay Joyce)
"Ain't No Love In Oklahoma" - Luke Combs (Producers: Luke Combs, Chip Matthews, Jonathan Singleton; Mix Engineer: Chip Matthews)
"Am I Okay?" - Megan Moroney (Producer: Kristian Bush; Mix Engineer: Justin Niebank)
"I Never Lie" - Zach Top (Producer: Carson Chamberlain; Mix Engineer: Matt Rovey)
"you look like you love me" - Ella Langley & Riley Green (Producer: Will Bundy; Mix Engineer: Jim Cooley)
ALBUM OF THE YEAR Award goes to Artist, Producer(s) and Mix Engineer(s)
"Am I Okay?" - Megan Moroney (Producer: Kristian Bush; Mix Engineer: Justin Niebank)
"Cold Beer & Country Music" - Zach Top (Producer: Carson Chamberlain ;Mix Engineer: Matt Rovey)
"F-1 Trillion" - Post Malone (Producers: Louis Bell, Charlie Handsome, Hoskins; Mix Engineer: Ryan Gore)
"I'm The Problem" - Morgan Wallen (Producers: Jacob Durrett, Charlie Handsome, Joey Moi; Mix Engineers: Charlie Handsome, Joey Moi)
"Whirlwind" - Lainey Wilson (Producer: Jay Joyce; Mix Engineers: Jason Hall, Jay Joyce)
SONG OF THE YEAR Award goes to Songwriter(s)
"4x4xU" (Songwriters: Jon Decious, Aaron Raitiere, Lainey Wilson)
"Am I Okay?" (Songwriters: Jessie Jo Dillon, Luke Laird, Megan Moroney)
"I Never Lie" (Songwriters: Carson Chamberlain, Tim Nichols, Zach Top)
"Texas" (Songwriters: Johnny Clawson, Josh Dorr, Lalo Guzman, Kyle Sturrock)
"you look like you love me" (Songwriters: Riley Green, Ella Langley, Aaron Raitiere)
FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Kelsea Ballerini
Miranda Lambert
Ella Langley
Megan Moroney
Lainey Wilson
MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Luke Combs
Cody Johnson
Chris Stapleton
Zach Top
Morgan Wallen
VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
Lady A
Little Big Town
Old Dominion
Rascal Flatts
The Red Clay Strays
VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR
Brooks & Dunn
Brothers Osborne
Dan + Shay
Maddie & Tae
The War And Treaty
MUSICAL EVENT OF THE YEAR Award goes to Artists and Producer(s)
"Don't Mind If I Do" - Riley Green (featuring Ella Langley) (Producers: Scott Borchetta, Jimmy Harnen, Dann Huff)
"Hard Fought Hallelujah" - Brandon Lake with Jelly Roll (Producer: Micah Nichols)
"I'm Gonna Love You" - Cody Johnson (with Carrie Underwood) (Producer: Trent Willmon)
WINNER: "Pour Me A Drink" - Post Malone (feat. Blake Shelton) (Producers: Louis Bell, Charlie Handsome)
"You Had To Be There" - Megan Moroney (feat. Kenny Chesney) (Producer: Kristian Bush)
MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR
Jenee Fleenor - Fiddle
Paul Franklin - Steel Guitar
Brent Mason - Guitar
Rob McNelley - Guitar
Derek Wells - Guitar
MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR Award goes to Artist(s) and Director(s)
"Am I Okay?" - Megan Moroney (Directors: Alexandra Gavillet, Megan Moroney)
"I'm Gonna Love You" - Cody Johnson (with Carrie Underwood) (Director: Dustin Haney)
"Somewhere Over Laredo" - Lainey Wilson (Director: TK McKamy)
"Think I'm In Love With You" - Chris Stapleton (Director: Running Bear)
WINNER: "you look like you love me" - Ella Langley & Riley Green (Directors: Ella Langley, John Park, Wales Toney)
NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Ella Langley
Shaboozey
Zach Top
Tucker Wetmore
Stephen Wilson Jr.
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