CMA Awards 2024 recap: All the biggest wins and epic performances
Brought to you with exclusive insights from ABC News, the official broadcaster of the CMA Awards.
The biggest names in country music were honored at the 2024 CMA AwardsWednesday night.
Morgan Wallen, who had the most nominations going into the evening, took home the coveted entertainer of the year award. He was not in attendance to accept the award.
Chris Stapleton and Lainey Wilson took home best male and female vocalist of the year, respectively. Stapleton also took home song of the year and single of the year for his hit “White Horse.”
Cody Johnson brought home the award for album of the year for “Leather.”
Music video of the year went to Wilson for her “Wildflowers and Wild Horses” video.
Megan Moroney was honored with the new artist of the year award.
The star-studded show was co-hosted by Wilson, Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning.
See a recap of the night’s biggest moments below.
Key moments:
- Nov 20, 2024, 11:00 PM EST | Morgan Wallen wins entertainer of the year
- Nov 20, 2024, 10:50 PM EST | Lainey Wilson wins female vocalist of the year
- Nov 20, 2024, 10:31 PM EST | Chris Stapleton wins male vocalist of the year
- Nov 20, 2024, 10:21 PM EST | George Strait accepts Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award
- Nov 20, 2024, 9:44 PM EST | Cody Johnson’s ‘Leather’ wins album of the year
- Nov 20, 2024, 8:55 PM EST | Megan Moroney wins new artist of the year
Here’s how the night unfolded. All times Eastern.
Nov 20, 2024, 11:00 PM EST
Morgan Wallen wins entertainer of the year
Morgan Wallen took home the CMA Award for entertainer of the year.
Wallen wasn’t in attendance to accept the award, so presenter Jeff Bridges accepted on his behalf.
Other nominees in the category included Luke Combs, Jelly Roll, Chris Stapleton and Lainey Wilson.
Nov 20, 2024, 10:58 PM EST
Dierks Bentley, Molly Tuttle, Sierra Hull and Bronwyn Keith-Hynes perform Tom Petty’s ‘American Girl’
Dierks Bentley, Molly Tuttle, Sierra Hull and Bronwyn Keith-Hynes came together on the CMA Awards stage for an epic performance of Tom Petty’s classic song, “American Girl.”
Nov 20, 2024, 10:51 PM EST
Jelly Roll performs ‘Liar’ with Keith Urban
Jelly Roll took the stage to perform his song “Liar” with Keith Urban on guitar.
The pair performed the song, which is from Jelly Roll’s “Beautifully Broken” album, with a choir and blazing fire in the background.
Nov 20, 2024, 10:50 PM EST
Lainey Wilson wins female vocalist of the year
Lainey Wilson took home the CMA Award for female vocalist of the year.
During her acceptance speech, Wilson thanked her mom and dad, as well as the broader country music community.
“Man, this community has wrapped its arms around me and lifted me up from the get-go,” she said.
“I’ve always been told that if you feel like you got a gift, you’re supposed to share it,” she continued, “and I think that means whether you drive a tractor or pour coffee, make people smile or laugh, whatever that is, I think you’re supposed to share that gift. And I just want to say thank y’all so much for letting me share mine.”
Other nominees in the category included Kelsea Ballerini, Ashley McBryde, Megan Moroney and Kacey Musgraves.
Nov 20, 2024, 10:39 PM EST
Eric Church performs his song ‘Darkest Hour’
Eric Church performed his song “Darkest Hour” at the 2024 CMA Awards.
Church released the song in October and donated all of his publishing royalties from the song in perpetuity to providing relief for those affected by Hurricane Helene.
Nov 20, 2024, 10:31 PM EST
Luke Bryan performs his song ‘Love You, Miss You, Mean It’
CMA Awards co-host Luke Bryan took the stage to perform his song “Love You, Miss You, Mean It.”
The song, which was released in April, is featured on the “American Idol” host’s album “Mind of a Country Boy,” which was released in September.
Nov 20, 2024, 10:31 PM EST
Chris Stapleton wins male vocalist of the year
Chris Stapleton took home the CMA Award for male vocalist of the year on Wednesday. This is his eighth win in the category.
“I love all of y’all so much,” Stapleton said in his acceptance speech, adding that it was an honor to be nominated in the category. He also gave a shoutout to his kids, telling them they could “go to bed now.”
Other nominees in the category included Luke Combs, Jelly Roll, Cody Johnson and Morgan Wallen.
Nov 20, 2024, 10:26 PM EST
Ashley McBryde honors Kris Kristofferson with moving performance
Ashley McBryde paid tribute to the late singer-songwriter Kris Kristofferson with a moving performance of his song “Help Me Make It Through the Night.”
Kristofferson died in September. He was 88.
Nov 20, 2024, 10:21 PM EST
George Strait accepts Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award
George Strait accepted the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award on Wednesday night after a star-studded tribute performance of some of his biggest hits.
“First of all, I want to thank my lord and savior, Jesus Christ,” he began. “And I want to thank the CMAs for adding my name to the incredible artists on this small list of recipients carrying the name of the icon, Willie Nelson.”
“I want to thank all of these great artists who performed some of my songs that I’ve recorded over the years,” he said in reference to Lainey Wilson, Jamey Johnson, Miranda Lambert, Parker McCollum and Chris Stapleton. “It’s amazing to hear y’all do them. I’m so glad I got them before you.”
Strait shouted out his wife, Norma, to whom he said he will have been married for “an amazing 53 years” this December.
He also sent love to his son, his daughter-in-law and his grandchildren.
Nov 20, 2024, 10:17 PM EST
Star-studded group of country artists honor George Strait
Jamey Johnson, Miranda Lambert, Parker McCollum, Chris Stapleton and Lainey Wilson took the CMA Awards stage to pay tribute to country music legend George Strait, who was honored Wednesday night with the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award.
Wilson performed Strait’s “Amarillo by Morning,” Johnson sang “Give It Away,” Johnson, McCollum and Lambert sang “Troubadour,” and Stapleton and Strait performed “Honky Tonk Hall Of Fame.”
“He’s always been authentically Texas and authentically country,” Wilson said of Strait in a brief speech.
Nov 20, 2024, 9:58 PM EST
Bailey Zimmerman performs ‘New to Country’
Bailey Zimmerman took to the stage to perform his 2024 hit “New to Country,” which he released with an action-packed music video this summer.
Nov 20, 2024, 9:58 PM EST
Brooks & Dunn wins vocal duo of the year
Brooks & Dunn took home the CMA Award for vocal duo of the year.
This is the pair’s 15th win in this category.
Other nominees in the category this year included Brothers Osborne, Dan + Shay, Maddie & Tae, and The War and Treaty.
Nov 20, 2024, 9:49 PM EST
Lainey Wilson performs her song ‘4x4xU’
CMA Awards co-host Lainey Wilson hit the stage to perform her song “4x4xU.”
Wilson performed the song by a campfire, at one point sitting in the bed of a pick-up truck as well.
The song is off Wilson’s album “Whirlwind,” which was released in August.
Nov 20, 2024, 9:44 PM EST
Cody Johnson’s ‘Leather’ wins album of the year
Cody Johnson took home the CMA Award for album of the year for “Leather.”
In his speech, Johnson said he didn’t expect to win.
“There’s no way I could have created an album like this without great songwriters, without people that pour their heart and soul out every day on Music Row,” he added.
Other nominees in the category included “Deeper Well” by Kacey Musgraves, “Fathers & Sons” by Luke Combs, “Higher” by Chris Stapleton and “Whitsitt Chapel” by Jelly Roll.
Nov 20, 2024, 9:41 PM EST
Post Malone performs ‘Yours,’ inspired by his daughter
Post Malone took the stage to perform his song “Yours,” off his 2024 album “F-1 Trillion.”
The song is a touching tribute to his daughter and of several hits off his debut country album. Entering the evening, Post Malone was a first-time nominee and nominated for four awards for his collaboration with Morgan Wallen, “I Had Some Help.”
Nov 20, 2024, 9:34 PM EST
Brooks & Dunn team up with Jelly Roll to perform ‘Believe’
Jelly Roll teamed up with Brooks & Dunn to deliver a moving rendition of the song “Believe.”
“Believe” is from Brooks & Dunn’s 2005 album, “Hillbilly Deluxe.”
Nov 20, 2024, 9:28 PM EST
Old Dominion wins vocal group of the year
Old Dominion took home the CMA Award for vocal group of the year.
“It’s a really beautiful moment for us,” Old Dominion member Matthew Ramsey said in an acceptance speech.
“If you are an artist of any type, or a creator, a musician, this is when the world needs you the most, when it’s weird, like it is right now,” he added.
Other nominees in the category included Lady A, Little Big Town, The Red Clay Strays and Zac Brown Band.
Nov 20, 2024, 9:25 PM EST
Kacey Musgraves delivers stripped-down performance of ‘The Architect’
Kacey Musgraves took the stage to perform a stripped-down version of her song “The Architect” with only a guitar and microphone.
The song is off her 2024 album “Deeper Well.”
Nov 20, 2024, 9:22 PM EST
Lainey Wilson wins music video of the year
Lainey Wilson took home the CMA Award for music video of the year for “Wildflowers and Wild Horses.”
The music video was directed by Patrick Tracy.
Other nominees in the category included “Dirt Cheap” by Cody Johnson, “I Had Some Help” by Post Malone (feat. Morgan Wallen), “I’m Not Pretty” by Megan Moroney and “The Painter” by Cody Johnson.
Nov 20, 2024, 9:16 PM EST
Chris Stapleton, Morgane Stapleton perform ‘What Am I Gonna Do’
Chris Stapleton and his wife Morgane Stapleton performed a soulful duet of “What Am I Gonna Do,” from his 2023 album, “Higher.”
Nov 20, 2024, 9:12 PM EST
Cody Johnson and Carrie Underwood team up for ‘I’m Gonna Love You’
Cody Johnson and Carrie Underwood took to the CMA Awards stage to perform their duet “I’m Gonna Love You.”
The song is off the deluxe edition of Johnson’s “Leather” album.
Johnson and Underwood dropped a stunning music video for “I’m Gonna Love You” in September.
Nov 20, 2024, 8:56 PM EST
Kelsea Ballerini and Noah Kahan perform their duet ‘Cowboys Cry Too’
Kelsea Ballerini and Noah Kahan delivered a stunning performance of their emotional ballad “Cowboys Cry Too,” which dropped in June.
The song is the lead single off Ballerini’s album “Patterns,” which was released in October.
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Nov 20, 2024, 8:55 PM EST
Megan Moroney wins new artist of the year
Megan Moroney took home the CMA Award for new artist of the year.
She thanked her fans, her team and several others in her acceptance speech, adding that receiving the honor was “really insane to me.”
Other nominees in the category included, Shaboozey, Nate Smith, Mitchell Tenpenny, Zach Top and Bailey Zimmerman.
Nov 20, 2024, 8:48 PM EST
Luke Combs performs ‘Ain’t No Love In Oklahoma’ from ‘Twisters’
The entertainer of the year nominee delivered an electrifying performance of his hit “Ain’t No Love In Oklahoma,” the lead single off the soundtrack for this summer’s tornado-filled film “Twisters,” starring Glen Powell.
Nov 20, 2024, 8:47 PM EST
Thomas Rhett and Teddy Swims team up for dynamic collab performance
Thomas Rhett and Teddy Swims joined forces onstage to perform “Somethin’ ‘Bout a Woman,” their hit collaboration from Rhett’s 2024 album “About a Woman.”
The pair also performed Swims’ chart-topping song “Lose Control.”
Nov 20, 2024, 8:40 PM EST
Charlie Worsham wins musician of the year
Charlie Worsham took home the CMA Award for musician of the year.
Other nominees in the category included guitarist Tom Bukovac, fiddler Jenee Fleenor, steel guitarist Paul Franklin and guitarist Rob McNelley.
Nov 20, 2024, 8:37 PM EST
Ella Langley and Riley Green perform ‘you look like you love me’
Ella Langley and Riley Green hit the CMA Awards stage and delivered a sweet performance of their song, “you look like you love me.”
The duo won a CMA Award earlier this evening for musical event of the year for their viral song.
Nov 20, 2024, 8:36 PM EST
Chris Stapleton’s ‘White Horse’ wins song of the year
Chris Stapleton and co-writer Dan Wilson took home the CMA Award for song of the year for “White Horse.”
“I really am taken aback,” said Stapleton, who thanked his wife in his acceptance speech.
Other nominees in the category included “Burn It Down” by Parker McCollum, “Dirt Cheap” by Cody Johnson, “I Had Some Help” by Post Malone (feat. Morgan Wallen) and “The Painter” by Cody Johnson.
Nov 20, 2024, 8:29 PM EST
Toby Keith honored during 2024 CMA Awards
Late country singer Toby Keith was honored during the 2024 CMA Awards.
“We want to take a moment to toast the great Toby Keith,” host Luke Bryan said onstage alongside co-hosts Lainey Wilson and Peyton Manning. “A great artist, a great American and a great country music icon. Toby, you will be missed, buddy.”
The hosts and audience members held up red Solo cups in honor of Keith’s hit song “Red Solo Cup.”
Keith died in February at the age of 62 following a yearslong battle with stomach cancer.
Nov 20, 2024, 8:28 PM EST
Shaboozey performs ‘A Bar Song (Tipsy),’ ‘Highway’
Shaboozey took to the stage to perform “Highway” off his album “Where I’ve Been, Isn’t Where I’m Going,” which was released in May.
He also performed his mega-hit “A Bar Song (Tipsy),” which has ruled the charts since it dropped in April.
Nov 20, 2024, 8:23 PM EST
Megan Moroney performs ‘Am I Okay?’
Megan Moroney took the stage to perform a live rendition of “Am I Okay?” the title track to her 2024 album, which was released in August.
The singer, who is nominated for several awards tonight, wore a sparkly minidress with cowboy boots during her performance.
Nov 20, 2024, 8:15 PM EST
Chris Stapleton’s ‘White Horse’ wins single of the year
Chris Stapleton took home the CMA Award for single of the year for “White Horse.”
Other nominees in the category included “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” by Shaboozey, “Dirt Cheap” by Cody Johnson, “I Had Some Help” by Post Malone (feat. Morgan Wallen) and “Watermelon Moonshine” by Lainey Wilson.
Stapleton said he was “very humbled” to win the award in a brief acceptance speech.
Nov 20, 2024, 8:05 PM EST
Post Malone and Chris Stapleton team up for ‘California Sober’ to open the 2024 CMA Awards
Post Malone and Chris Stapleton opened the 2024 CMA Awards with a performance of their song “California Sober.”
The song is off Malone’s debut country album, “F-1 Trillion,” which was released in August.
Nov 20, 2024, 7:36 PM EST
Simone Biles channels Old Hollywood glam on the red carpet
Simone Biles arrived on the 2024 CMA Awards red carpet in a silver gown and a chic short hairstyle.
In an interview with ABC’s “On the Red Carpet,” Biles shared how excited she was to be at the CMA Awards and said it was her second time attending.
See more red carpet looks here