The 57th Annual Country Music Association Awards (CMAs) wrap up on 8 November 2023, with singer-songwriter Lainey Wilson stealing the show after winning 5 awards out of 9 nominations.
Upon receiving the most prestigious Entertainer of the Year, teary-eyed Wilson shares how “This is all I’ve ever wanted to do, it’s the only thing I know how to do” in her acceptance speech on the grand stage of Bridgestone Arena. After having played more than 180 shows this year, she says, “It finally feels like country music is starting to love me back. I love it with my whole heart.”
Wilson also won Female Vocalist of the Year, Album of the Year for ‘Bell Bottom Country,’ along with Musical Event of the Year and Music Video of the Year for her collaboration in Hardy’s “Wait in the Truck”.
Luke Combs’ cover of Tracy Chapman’s iconic song “Fast Car” wins Single of the Year and Song of the Year, while Chris Stapleton wins Male Vocalist of the Year for the seventh time. Jelly Roll, in his acceptance speech, expresses how “There is something poetic about a 39-year-old man winning New Artist of the Year.”
Both Brothers Osborne and Old Dominion won Vocal Duo of the Year and Group of the Year awards, respectively, for the 6th time. Artists Post Malone, Morgan Wallen, and HARDY sway the stage with a Joe Diffie Country Classics Medley, and an all-star tribute is paid to the late Jimmy Buffett.
Snippets of the ceremony are posted on the ABC YouTube Channel, and the entire show is available for streaming on Hulu from Thursday, 9 November.
History of the CMAs
The Country Music Association Awards are accolades presented to country music artists and broadcasters for their achievements and contributions to the industry. Broadcasted live by ABC, the ceremony brings together the best of country music for one night every year to present breathtaking performances and exciting award wins.
The CMA awards were first presented in 1967, and Nashville sound innovator Eddy Arnold became the inaugural Entertainer of the Year that year. Since then, the title has been awarded to several legendary artists like Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, and Taylor Swift.
The event consists of awards from 13 different categories, such as the Album of the Year, the Song of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, Female Vocalist of the Year, and Musician of the Year, along with several industry honors, such as the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award and Radio awards such as the National Personality of the Year.
2023’s 57th CMA Awards were held on November 8 at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee, and the ceremony was hosted by American country singer Luke Bryan and former football quarterback Peyton Manning.
The Complete List of Winners
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR: Lainey Wilson
SINGLE OF THE YEAR: “Fast Car”. Artist: Luke Combs. Producers: Luke Combs, Chip Matthews, Jonathan Singleton. Mix Engineer: Chip Matthews
ALBUM OF THE YEAR: ‘Bell Bottom Country’. Artist: Lainey Wilson. Producer: Jay Joyce. Mix Engineers: Jason Hall, Jay Joyce
SONG OF THE YEAR: “Fast Car”. Songwriter: Tracy Chapman
FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR: Lainey Wilson
MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR: Chris Stapleton
VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR: Old Dominion
VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR: Brothers Osborne
MUSICAL EVENT OF THE YEAR: “Wait in the Truck.” Artist: Hardy (feat. Lainey Wilson). Producers: Hardy, Joey Moi, Jordan Schmidt, Derek Wells
MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR: Jenee Fleenor
MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR: “Wait in the Truck.” Artist: Hardy (feat. Lainey Wilson). Director: Justin Clough
NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR: Jelly Roll
