CMA Awards 2024/ Chris Stapleton CMA wins/ Morgan Wallen Entertainer of the Year/ George Strait tribute/ Post Malone country music/ NASHVILLE/ Tenn./ Newslooks/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Chris Stapleton emerged as the big winner at the 2024 CMA Awards, taking home four trophies, including Song and Single of the Year for “White Horse.” Morgan Wallen, despite being absent and shut out for most of the night, secured the prestigious Entertainer of the Year award. The evening also honored George Strait with the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award, celebrated collaborations, and saw Lainey Wilson winning two awards.
2024 CMA Awards Highlights: Quick Looks
- Top Honors: Chris Stapleton wins four CMA Awards; Morgan Wallen crowned Entertainer of the Year.
- George Strait Tribute: Strait receives Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award, honored by all-star performances.
- Big Moments: Post Malone performs with Stapleton and solos on “Yours.”
- Surprises: Cody Johnson wins Album of the Year for “Leather,” beating out Stapleton and Jelly Roll.
- Emerging Stars: Megan Moroney wins Best New Artist.
Chris Stapleton Dominates CMA Awards, George Strait Wins Lifetime Award
Chris Stapleton dominated the 2024 Country Music Association Awards on Wednesday night, winning four major honors, including Song and Single of the Year for “White Horse.” The Bridgestone Arena event showcased Stapleton’s consistent excellence, his record-breaking eighth Male Vocalist of the Year win, and his unforgettable performances with Post Malone and in a George Strait tribute.
Morgan Wallen Secures Entertainer of the Year
Despite being absent and missing out on other nominations, Morgan Wallen clinched the night’s top honor, Entertainer of the Year. Presenter Jeff Bridges mistakenly announced him as “Morgan Waylon,” adding an awkward moment to Wallen’s sole victory.
George Strait Honored as Country Royalty
The 72-year-old George Strait received the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award. Chris Stapleton, Jamey Johnson, Miranda Lambert, Parker McCollum, and Clint Black honored the King of Country with renditions of his classics, including “Amarillo by Morning” and “Troubadour.”
Handing Strait the award, Stapleton called him “true country music royalty,” to which Strait humbly responded, “I’m glad I got ’em first.”
Key Performances and Wins
- Chris Stapleton and Post Malone: The show opened with a duet of “California Sober,” highlighting Malone’s foray into country music.
- Lainey Wilson: The former Entertainer of the Year hosted alongside Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning, winning Female Vocalist of the Year and Music Video of the Year for “Wildflowers and Wild Horses.”
- Cody Johnson’s Surprise: Johnson expressed shock at winning Album of the Year for “Leather,” saying, “I thought Chris Stapleton or Jelly Roll was going to win.”
- Megan Moroney: The rising star won Best New Artist after performing her hit song, thanking her faith for guiding her journey.
Celebrating Country’s Collaborative Spirit
The night celebrated the evolving nature of country music through standout collaborations:
- Brooks & Dunn and Jelly Roll: A heartfelt gospel-style performance of “Believe.”
- Shaboozey: The breakout star performed “A Bar Song (Tipsy),” though he lost Best New Artist to Moroney.
Streaming and Industry Impact
The CMA Awards, available for streaming on Hulu starting Thursday, showcased a mix of veteran legends and emerging stars, affirming the genre’s wide-reaching influence. As voted on by members of the Country Music Association, the awards reflect the industry’s blend of tradition and innovation.
