Nashville.com Visitors Guide To Nashville, TN
“The 57th Annual CMA Awards” took center stage from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena this evening, highlighting Country Music’s global appeal while paying homage to the genre’s legends and celebrating its brightest new voices. Returning hosts Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning once again showcased their undeniable chemistry, keeping the audience on their toes and delivering some of the night’s funniest moments and best one-liners.
Kicking off the night, Jelly Roll took the CMA Awards stage for the first time with iconic Country Music Hall of Fame member Wynonna Judd, performing his hit single “Need A Favor” and bringing the crowd to their feet. Newly inducted Country Music Hall of Fame member Tanya Tucker was joined by Little Big Town to perform the Country classic “Delta Dawn,” a song that has stood the test of time since first being performed by a teenage Tucker in 1972. And some of Country Music’s most beloved acts—including Alan Jackson, Kenny Chesney, Zac Brown Band and Coral Reefer Band member Mac McAnally—united to pay tribute to their good friend, the recently passed legendary songwriter and CMA Award winner Jimmy Buffett, performing a medley of Buffett’s hits “A Pirate Looks at Forty” and “Margaritaville.”
Adding to the list of star-studded collaborations, HARDY and Morgan Wallen welcomed pop star Post Malone to the CMA Awards stage for the first time to perform two of Country star Joe Diffie’s hits, “John Deere Green” and “Pickup Man.” Wallen also took the CMA Awards stage to perform “Man Made a Bar” featuring surprise guest Eric Church. Carly Pearce and Chris Stapleton showcased their stunning and powerful harmonies performing “We Don’t Fight Anymore.” Old Dominion and Megan Moroney performed a gut-wrenching rendition of their song “Can’t Break Up Now.” And just as he opened the show, Jelly Roll returned to close the show alongside first-time performer and multi-genre powerhouse K. Michelle, singing The Judds’ “Love Can Build A Bridge.”
The night’s top winner, Wilson took the stage to perform “Wildflowers and Wild Horses” against a stunning wild meadow surrounded by flames. And Bryan had the arena crowd on their feet as he celebrated his 30 career No. 1 hits with a medley of “Huntin’, Fishin’ and Lovin’ Every Day,” “One Margarita,” “That’s My Kind Of Night,” “Play It Again” and “Country Girl (Shake It For Me).”
Additional artists taking the CMA Awards stage tonight, for solo performances, included Kelsea Ballerini, Luke Combs, Dan + Shay, Jordan Davis, Cody Johnson, Ashley McBryde, Stapleton, and The War And Treaty.
First-time winner tonight, Jelly Roll took home New Artist of the Year, causing the audience to erupt with applause following his inspirational acceptance speech. “There is something poetic about a 39-year-old man winning New Artist of the Year. I don’t know where you’re at in your life, or what you’re going through, but I want to tell you to keep going, baby.” Tracy Chapman won in the Songwriter category for penning “Fast Car,” covered by Combs. Though not in attendance, Chapman shared thank you remarks, noting, “It’s truly an honor for my song to be newly recognized after 35 years of its debut.” Stapleton’s Male Vocalist of the Year trophy marks his 16th win overall, tying him for third in all time wins. Brothers Osborne’s win for Vocal Duo marks their sixth win in the category, making the siblings the second-most all-time winning Duo. Old Dominion won Vocal Group for a sixth consecutive year, tying for most consecutive all-time wins in the category. Fiddle player Jenee Fleenor took home her fifth straight win for Musician, now tying Johnny Gimble as the fourth-most all-time winner in the category.
Here are the winners:
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
– Luke Combs
– Chris Stapleton
– Carrie Underwood
– Morgan Wallen
– Lainey Wilson – WINNER
SINGLE OF THE YEAR
Award goes to Artist(s), Producer(s) and Mix Engineer(s)
– “Fast Car” – Luke Combs – WINNER
Producers: Luke Combs, Chip Matthews, Jonathan Singleton
Mix Engineer: Chip Matthews
– “Heart Like A Truck” – Lainey Wilson
Producer: Jay Joyce
Mix Engineers: Jason Hall, Jay Joyce
– “Need A Favor” – Jelly Roll
Producer: Austin Nivarel
Mix Engineer: Jeff Braun
– “Next Thing You Know” – Jordan Davis
Producer: Paul DiGiovanni
Mix Engineer: Jim Cooley
– “Wait In The Truck” – Hardy (feat. Lainey Wilson)
Producers: Hardy, Joey Moi, Jordan Schmidt, Derek Wells
Mix Engineer: Joey Moi
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Award goes to Artist, Producer(s) and Mix Engineer(s)
– Ashley McBryde Presents: Lindeville – Ashley McBryde
Producers: John Osborne, John Peets
Mix Engineers: Gena Johnson, John Osborne
– Bell Bottom Country – Lainey Wilson – WINNER
Producer: Jay Joyce
Mix Engineers: Jason Hall, Jay Joyce
– Gettin’ Old – Luke Combs
Producers: Luke Combs, Chip Matthews, Jonathan Singleton
Mix Engineers: Michael H. Brauer, Jim Cooley, Chip Matthews
– One Thing At A Time – Morgan Wallen
Producers: Jacob Durrett, Charlie Handsome, Joey Moi, Cameron Montgomery
Mix Engineers: Josh Ditty, Joey Moi, Eivind Nordland
– Rolling Up the Welcome Mat – Kelsea Ballerini
Producers: Kelsea Ballerini, Alysa Vanderheym
Mix Engineers: Dan Grech-Marguerat, Alysa Vanderheym
SONG OF THE YEAR
Award goes to Songwriter(s)
– “Fast Car” – WINNER
Songwriter: Tracy Chapman
– “Heart Like A Truck”
Songwriters: Trannie Anderson, Dallas Wilson, Lainey Wilson
– “Next Thing You Know”
Songwriters: Jordan Davis, Greylan James, Chase McGill, Josh Osborne
– “Tennessee Orange”
Songwriters: David Fanning, Paul Jenkins, Megan Moroney, Ben Williams
– “Wait In The Truck”
Songwriters: Renee Blair, Michael Hardy, Hunter Phelps, Jordan Schmidt
FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
– Kelsea Ballerini
– Miranda Lambert
– Ashley McBryde
– Carly Pearce
– Lainey Wilson – WINNER
MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
– Luke Combs
– Jelly Roll
– Cody Johnson
– Chris Stapleton – WINNER
– Morgan Wallen
VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
– Lady A
– Little Big Town
– Midland
– Old Dominion – WINNER
– Zac Brown Band
VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR
– Brooks & Dunn
– Brothers Osborne – WINNER
– Dan + Shay
– Maddie & Tae
– The War And Treaty
MUSICAL EVENT OF THE YEAR
Award goes to Artists and Producer(s)
– “Save Me” – Jelly Roll (with Lainey Wilson)
Producers: Zach Crowell, David Ray Stevens
– “She Had Me At Heads Carolina (Remix)” – Cole Swindell & Jo Dee Messina
Producer: Zach Crowell
– “Thank God” – Kane Brown (with Katelyn Brown)
Producer: Dann Huff
– “Wait In The Truck” – Hardy (feat. Lainey Wilson) – WINNER
Producers: Hardy, Joey Moi, Jordan Schmidt, Derek Wells
– “We Don’t Fight Anymore” – Carly Pearce (featuring Chris Stapleton)
Producers: Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne, Carly Pearce
MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR
– Jenee Fleenor – WINNER
– Paul Franklin
– Rob McNelley
– Derek Wells
– Charlie Worsham
MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Award goes to Artist(s) and Director(s)
– “Light On In The Kitchen” – Ashley McBryde
Director: Reid Long
– “Memory Lane” – Old Dominion
Directors: Mason Allen, Nicki Fletcher
– “Need A Favor” – Jelly Roll
Director: Patrick Tohill
– “Next Thing You Know” – Jordan Davis
Director: Running Bear
– “Wait In The Truck” – Hardy (feat. Lainey Wilson) – WINNER
Director: Justin Clough
NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
– Zach Bryan
– Jelly Roll – WINNER
– Parker McCollum
– Megan Moroney
– Hailey Whitters
