2025 CMA Awards: Night of triumphs, surprises, and tribute
The 59th Annual Country Music Association (CMA) Awards show was held on November 19, 2025, at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. Hosted by powerhouse Lainey Wilson, the evening was a celebration of country music’s past, present, and future — marked by historic wins, emotional tributes, and a few unexpected turns.
Some of the evening’s highlights:
- Lainey Wilson’s Homecoming: Wilson not only hosted the show but dominated the evening. She secured Entertainer of the Year, Album of the Year for Whirlwind, and Female Vocalist of the Year, making her one of the most awarded artists of the night.
- Lifetime Achievement: Country legend Vince Gill was honored with the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award. His acceptance included heartfelt thanks and wry humor, and he was celebrated with a tribute by Brandi Carlile and Patty Loveless.
- Cross-Genre Collaboration: The ceremony underscored country’s evolving sound. One standout moment: a crossover performance by Luke Combs with rapper BigXthaPlug, signaling the genre’s growing fusion with hip-hop influences.
- On-Air & Streaming: The awards aired live on ABC and were available to stream the next day on Hulu, allowing wider-reaching audiences to join in.
- Notable Absence: While Morgan Wallen was nominated in major categories, he did not attend the show. Presenters came from a wide array of entertainment worlds — country stars and Hollywood alike. They included Billy Ray Cyrus, Elizabeth Hurley, NE-YO, Steve Martin, LeAnn Rimes, Chris O’Donnell, Grace Van Patten, Alan Ritchson, Bert Kreischer, and more.
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Complete List of Winners — 2025 CMA Awards
| Category | Winner(s) |
| Entertainer of the Year | Lainey Wilson |
| Single of the Year | “You Look Like You Love Me” — Ella Langley & Riley Green |
| Album of the Year | Whirlwind — Lainey Wilson |
| Song of the Year | “You Look Like You Love Me” (songwriters: Riley Green, Ella Langley, Aaron Raitiere) |
| Female Vocalist of the Year | Lainey Wilson |
| Male Vocalist of the Year | Cody Johnson |
| Vocal Group of the Year | The Red Clay Strays |
| Vocal Duo of the Year | Brooks & Dunn |
| Musical Event of the Year | “Pour Me a Drink” – Post Malone (feat. Blake Shelton) |
| Musician of the Year | Paul Franklin – Steel Guitar |
| Music Video of the Year | “You Look Like You Love Me” – Ella Langley & Riley Green (Directors: Ella Langley, John Park, Wales Toney) |
| New Artist of the Year | Zach Top |
| Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award | Vince Gill |
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Congrats to all the nominees and winners from Ace News Today!
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Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today
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