It finally feels like 2025 over at the CMA Awards, as the next generation of country music stars won big across major categories including Ella Langley, Cody Johnson, and the Red Clay Strays. Women had topped the nominations list with Ella, Lainey Wilson, and Megan Moroney appearing in six catergories each before the ceremony kicked off, and it was Ella who scooped three awards early.
Megan sadly went home empty-handed but Lainey won three of the big four awards ncluding Entertainer of the Year, joining Taylor Swift and Barbara Mandell to become the third woman in history to win Entertainer Of The Year twice; Taylor won the award in 2009 and 2011, and 1980s country legend Barbara won it in 1980 & 1981.
Strait's surprise
© Getty ImagesThe biggest surprise of the night was the appearance of George Strait, who appeared on stage to honor Vince Gill with the CMA Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award, and left the crowd in shock as they stood to their feet to give him a standing ovation.
"As a reminder, in case you've been living under a rock – not that there's anything wrong with that – but his guitar playing is amazing, his songwriting is amazing, his singing is amazing... he can sing higher than anyone I know," began George, speaking of Vince.
"He is in the Country Music Hal of Fame and he is an immense talent. Oh yeah, and he plays with the Eagles. I could have just said that."
Lainey's bold statement
© Getty ImagesAs Lainey won Female Vocalist of the Year, she gave an important speech that called on women to find the women in their life that are there through the good and the bad, and called out the internet trolls.
"For the folks sitting at home in your momma's basement, eating your Cheetos and trying to pit women against each other, you'll need to find something better to do," she laughed.
Hear, hear.
Ella's big night
Newcomer Ella Langley is having quite the year. The gritty singer-songwriter, known for her roots-infused music, topped the nominations with six and scooped three awards early on for her smash hit duet "You Look Like You Love Me " with Riley Green.
© Getty ImagesShe also performed her gorgeous new single "Choosin' Texas".
Red Clay Strays scupper Old Dominion's streak
Old Dominion was hoping to extend their record for the most consecutive wins in the Vocal Group Of The Year category (a win on November 19 would be their eighth consecutive win), but in a welcome twist, the award went to the Red Clay Strays.
© Getty ImagesBrandon Coleman, the frontman to the Americana group, gave their thanks before handing the mic to drummer John Hall, who paid tribute to his late brother Jacob, who died by suicide in 2020.
"He should be up her with us but he is not, God bless him, and this is for Jacob," said John.
Alan Ritchson is Cowboy of the Night
One of Lainey's tour traditions is to welcome a young girl to the stage and have her repeat her "Cowgirl of the Night" mantra, which celebrates their confidence through positive affirmations.
Although Lainey had picked a young girl from the crowd earlier during the CMAs, it was the turn of Reacher star Alan later in the evening: "I am cute... I'm fearless, I am Cowboy of the Night!"
Kenny Chesney's tribute
Kenny Chesney performed for the cheering crowds shortly after he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, bringing out hits including "American Kids" and "When the Sun Goes Down".
He closed out the high-energy performance with a tribute to the late songwriter Brett James, who cowrote "When the Sun Goes Down, and who died in September.
"Thank you so much Brett James, we love you," called out Kenny as pictures of Brett appeared on te stage.
Lainey's big open number
Lainey opened the show by thanking the organization for asking her to host for a third time, before she launched into a five-minute medley of her favorite country songs ever, including "Hillbilly Deluxe" by Brooks & Dunn, "Gunpowder and Lead" from Miranda Lambert, and Gretchen Wilson's "Redneck Woman".
Zach Top and his beer
Zach Top has won the Best New Artist category at the 2025 Country Music Association Awards, and he accepted his award with a beer in hand, joking: "I couldn't remember if I was supposed to put my beer down first or not."
© Getty ImagesSeeing double
After Lainey's opening monologue, she welcomed presenter Leanne Morgan to the stage, who appeared in a near-identical blinged-out white suit and cowboy hat that Lainey was sporting.
© Billboard via Getty Images"It’s like I’m looking in the mirror," joked Lainey as Leanne ask3ed: "Is it too much?"
2025 CMA Awards winners:
Entertainer of the Year
Luke Combs
Cody Johnson
Chris Stapleton
Morgan Wallen
Lainey Wilson - 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
Album of the Year
Am I Okay? – Megan Moroney
Cold Beer & Country Music – Zach Top
F-1 Trillion – Post Malone
I'm the Problem – Morgan Wallen
Whirlwind – Lainey Wilson - WINNER
Song of the Year
"4x4xU" – Lainey Wilson
"Am I Okay?" – Megan Moroney
"I Never Lie" – Zach Top
"Texas" – Blake Shelton
"You Look Like You Love Me" – Ella Langley and Riley Green - WINNER
New Artist of the Year
Ella Langley
Shaboozey
Zach Top - WINNER
Tucker Wetmore
Stephen Wilson Jr.
Musician of the Year
Jenee Fleenor – Fiddle
Paul Franklin – Steel Guitar - WINNER
Brent Mason – Guitar
Rob McNelley – Guitar
Derek Wells – Guitar
Vocal Duo of the Year
Brooks & Dunn - WINNER
Brothers Osborne
Dan + Shay
Maddie & Tae
The War and Treaty
Music Video of the Year
"Am I Okay?" – Megan Moroney
"I'm Gonna Love You" – Cody Johnson with Carrie Underwood
"Somewhere Over Laredo" – Lainey Wilson
"Think I'm in Love With You" – Chris Stapleton
"You Look Like You Love Me" – Ella Langley and Riley Green - WINNER
Musical Event of the Year
"Don't Mind If I Do" – Riley Green featuring Ella Langley
"Hard Fought Hallelujah" – Brandon Lake with Jelly Roll
"I'm Gonna Love You" – Cody Johnson with Carrie Underwood
"Pour Me a Drink" – Post Malone featuring Blake Shelton - WINNER
"You Had to Be There" – Megan Moroney featuring Kenny Chesney
Single of the Year
"4x4xU" – Lainey Wilson
"Ain't No Love in Oklahoma" – Luke Combs
"Am I Okay?" – Megan Moroney
"I Never Lie" – Zach Top
"You Look Like You Love Me" – Ella Langley and Riley Green - WINNER
