Yee-haw!
Country music’s biggest night crowned the best of the best in industry, but some were left singin’ the blues.
Cowboy hats were aplenty at the Country Music Association Awards Wednesday, delighting fans after the coronavirus pandemic forced the show to be canceled last year.
Musician Luke Bryan hosted the festivities and 20 singers took the stage at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville in celebration. Bryan played double duty as host and performer.
“The pressure that comes along with that can be overwhelming, but knowing I get to help honor and celebrate so many of my friends, I knew it was something I couldn’t turn down,” the 45-year-old crooner said in a statement ahead of the show.
Along with Bryan, A-list performers for the eclectic evening included Miranda Lambert, Thomas Rhett, Keith Urban, Eric Church, Kane Brown, Jason Aldean and Carrie Underwood.
Here’s a full list of nominees and the winners!
Entertainer of the Year
Eric Church
WINNER: Luke Combs
Miranda Lambert
Chris Stapleton
Carrie Underwood
Female Vocalist of the Year
Gabby Barrett
Miranda Lambert
Ashley McBryde
Maren Morris
WINNER: Carly Pearce
Male Vocalist of the Year
Dierks Bentley
Eric Church
Luke Combs
Thomas Rhett
WINNER: Chris Stapleton
Single of the Year
“Famous Friends,” Chris Young with Kane Brown
“The Good Ones,” Gabby Barrett
“Hell of a View,” Eric Church
“One Night Standards,” Ashley McBryde
WINNER: “Starting Over,” Chris Stapleton
Album of the Year
29, Carly Pearce
Dangerous: The Double Album, Morgan Wallen
Heart, Eric Church
Skeletons, Brothers Osborne
WINNER: Starting Over, Chris Stapleton
Song of the Year
“Forever After All,” Luke Combs
“The Good Ones,” Gabby Barrett
“Hell of a View,” Eric Church
“One Night Standards,” Ashley McBryde
WINNER: “Starting Over,” Chris Stapleton
Vocal Group of the Year
Lady A
Little Big Town
Midland
WINNER: Old Dominion
Zac Brown Band
Vocal Duo of the Year
Brooks & Dunn
WINNER: Brothers Osborne
Dan + Shay
Florida Georgia Line
Maddie & Tae
New Artist of the Year
WINNER: Jimmie Allen
Ingrid Andress
Gabby Barrett
Mickey Guyton
Hardy
Musician of the Year
WINNER: Jenee Fleenor — fiddle
Paul Franklin — steel guitar
Aaron Sterling — drums
Ilya Toshinskiy — banjo
Derek Wells – guitar
Musical Event of the Year
“Buy Dirt,” Jordan Davis and Luke Bryan
“Chasing After You,” Ryan Hurd with Maren Morris
“Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home),” Elle King and Miranda Lambert
“Famous Friends,” Chris Young with Kane Brown
WINNER: “Half of My Hometown,” Kelsea Ballerini (featuring Kenny Chesney)
Music Video of the Year
“Chasing After You,” Ryan Hurd with Maren Morris
“Famous Friends,” Chris Young with Kane Brown
“Gone,” Dierks Bentley
WINNER: “Half of My Hometown,” Kelsea Ballerini (featuring Kenny Chesney)
“Younger Me,” Brothers Osborne