What Happened at the 2024 CMA Awards? Full Recap

Here is the 58th Annual CMA Awards recap featuring big wins by country superstars Chris Stapleton, Morgan Wallen, Lainey Wilson, and more.

The 58^th Annual CMA Awards took place Wednesday evening, November 20^th, right in the heart of Music City at the Bridgestone Arena. Last year’s CMA Entertainer of the year and this year’s Female Vocalist of the Year, Lainey Wilson, joined Luke Bryan and NFL Hall of Fame quarterback, Peyton Manning to host the historic event which honors Nashville’s brightest stars who had massive success in country music this year. There was a total of 20 performances, 19 presenters, and 31 first-time nominees.

The night kicked off with a special performance by Post Malone and Chris Stapleton—the two sang “California Sober,” off Post Malone’s F-1 Trillion record. This was followed by a comical introduction by the three hosts, and the first award, Single of the Year. 

After the break, Megan Maroney and Shaboozey took the CMA stage for the first time as solo artists. Moroney sang “Am I Okay?” and Shaboozey merged “Highway” with his 17-week #1 smash “A Bar Song (Tipsy).” Later, Riley Green joined another first-time performer, Ella Langley, for their top 10 song, “you look like you love me.” The song was awarded Musical Event of the Year before the show. Charlie Worsham also received an award before the show, bringing home the Musician of the Year.

After Luke Combs sang the rocking “Ain’t No Love in Oklahoma” from the major motion picture, Twisters, Moroney came back to the stage to accept her Best New Artist award. 

Kacey Musgraves performed her graceful tune “The Architect,” then Old Dominion took home their seventh-straight Vocal Group of the Year Award. Lead singer, Matt Ramsey gave an inspirational speech on the power and strength of coming together as bandmates to create something beautiful. Post Malone came back on stage after to sing the emotional tune, “Yours,” about fatherhood.

In a stacked Album of the Year category, Cody Johnson’s Leather beat out Jelly Roll, Chris Stapleton, Kacey Musgraves, and Luke Combs’ records. As the great sport he is, Jelly Roll was second only to Johnson’s wife to congratulate his counterpart with a huge hug. After, New Artist of the Year nominee, Bailey Zimmerman was lowered onto stage from the rafters to sing his new party song, “New To Country.” The performance was filled with smoke and confetti explosions.

Hosts Lainey Wilson and Luke Bryan got their solo moments on stage with performances of “4x4xU” and “Love You, Miss You, Mean It,” respectively. Later, Eric Church showcased “Darkest Hour,” his new, unifying song that recognizes the disasters Hurricane Helene caused in North Carolina and Tennessee. 

The night was an unforgettable one for many, but especially for George Strait, who received the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award. Jamey Johnson, Miranda Lambert, Parker McCollum, Chris Stapleton, and Lainey Wilson helped honor him by performing his biggest songs over the years including “Amarillo By Morning,” “Give It Away,” and “Troubadour” that had everyone in the audience singing along. The King himself sang a new song off his new record, “Honkytonk Hall of Fame.” 

Ashley McBryde, who was nominated for Female Vocalist of the Year, paid tribute to the late Kris Kristofferson with a gorgeous cover of his song, “Help Me Make It Through The Night.” Kristofferson sadly passed away less than two months ago. 

There were two country-pop collaborations: Thomas Rhett and Teddy Swims on Rhett’s “Something ‘Bout A Woman” and Swims’ “Lose Control” and Kelsea Ballerini and Noah Kahan singing “Cowboys Cry Too” off Ballerini’s new record, Patterns. Other collaborations included Cody Johnson and Carrie Underwood singing “I’m Gonna Love You;” and Jelly Roll and Keith Urban performing “Liar.” Jelly Roll also joined Brooks & Dunn for a moving performance of the duo’s hit, “Believe.” Audience member swayed to the tune lifting their hands up with some even shedding tears as the two belted out the final chorus.

Brooks & Dunn were later awarded the Vocal Duo of the Year for the fifteenth time and first since 2006. The final collaboration and performance of the night was Dierks Bentley covering Tom Petty’s “American Girl, with other American girls, Molly Tuttle, Sierra Hull, and Bronwyn Keith-Hynes. 

From the once in a lifetime collaborations, to the exquisite sets and performances, the CMA Awards never fails to disappoint, and we were honored to be in attendance again in 2024. Country music is thriving right now and we are so proud of everyone involved from the artists, producers, and songwriters, to the costume designers, marketers, stage crew, and beyond. 

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