The 2025 CMA Awards lit up Nashville with the kind of sparkle only country music can conjure. The city buzzed with energy as stars poured into Bridgestone Arena, each hoping to etch their name into country music history. The night carried an easy confidence, almost as if everyone sensed something special was about to happen. And in many ways, they were right. The wins felt earned, the performances electric, and the storytelling onstage reminded fans why the CMAs remain such a defining force in the genre.
This year brought fierce competition across the board. Veterans walked shoulder-to-shoulder with new voices, while legends reclaimed their moment and rising stars carved out space that felt both fresh and necessary.
Adding to the night’s significance, the ceremony made history. Lainey Wilson became the first solo female host since Reba McEntire in 1991. Her effortless humor and grounded warmth carried the show, echoing the same spirit that has made her one of the genre’s most beloved performers. And as the night unfolded, it became clear that trophies weren’t the only victories worth celebrating.
Performances from Ella Langley, Megan Moroney, and Luke Combs commanded the crowd’s attention, each offering a distinct emotional flavor. Meanwhile, Vince Gill received the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award, joining icons like Dolly Parton, Kenny Rogers, and Alan Jackson. It was a moment drenched in reverence, the kind only a quiet legend like Gill can inspire.
Below is the full breakdown of winners, categories, and fellow nominees at the 2025 CMA Awards…
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
- Luke Combs
- Cody Johnson
- Chris Stapleton
- Morgan Wallen
- Lainey Wilson – (Winner)
SINGLE OF THE YEAR (Artist(s), Producer(s), 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) – (Winner)
ALBUM OF THE YEAR (Artist, Producer(s), 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) – (Winner)
SONG OF THE YEAR (Songwriters)
- “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) – (Winner)
FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
- Kelsea Ballerini
- Miranda Lambert
- Ella Langley
- Megan Moroney
- Lainey Wilson – (Winner)
MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
- Luke Combs
- Cody Johnson – (Winner)
- Chris Stapleton
- Zach Top
- Morgan Wallen
VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
- Lady A
- Little Big Town
- Old Dominion
- Rascal Flatts
- The Red Clay Strays – (Winner)
VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR
- Brooks & Dunn – (Winner)
- Brothers Osborne
- Dan + Shay
- Maddie & Tae
- The War And Treaty
MUSICAL EVENT OF THE YEAR (Artists, 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)
- “Pour Me A Drink” – Post Malone (feat. Blake Shelton) (Producers: Louis Bell, Charlie Handsome) – (Winner)
- “You Had To Be There” – Megan Moroney (feat. Kenny Chesney) (Producer: Kristian Bush)
MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR
- Jenee Fleenor – Fiddle
- Paul Franklin – Steel Guitar – (Winner)
- Brent Mason – Guitar
- Rob McNelley – Guitar
- Derek Wells – Guitar
MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR (Artist(s), 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)
- “you look like you love me” – Ella Langley & Riley Green (Directors: Ella Langley, John Park, Wales Toney) – (Winner)
NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
- Ella Langley
- Shaboozey
- Zach Top – (Winner)
- Tucker Wetmore
- Stephen Wilson Jr.
CMA Awards 2025: A Night That Honored Tradition While Shaping Tomorrow
As the curtain fell on the 2025 CMA Awards, Nashville once again reminded the world why it remains the beating heart of country music. Held on November 19 at the legendary Bridgestone Arena, the ceremony carried the same spirit that has fueled the CMAs since their debut in 1967.
The show has always been a celebration of storytellers, road warriors, dreamers, and the fans who keep the genre alive. This year stayed true to that legacy. It was a night that blended history with fresh momentum, honoring icons like Vince Gill while spotlighting rising stars ready to push the sound forward.
The 59th edition didn’t just hand out trophies. It captured the emotion, grit, and grace that define country music, proving once again that the CMAs remain more than an award show. They are a living record of a genre forever evolving, forever loved, and forever finding new ways to speak to the heart.
Featured image: Getty Images
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