The 59th Annual CMA Awards Winners – Report

WINNERS ANNOUNCED AT “THE 59TH ANNUAL CMA AWARDS”

Country Music’s Biggest Night™ Showcases Unforgettable Performances, Powerful Collaborations and Tributes, and a Celebration of Excellence Across the Genre 

Lainey Wilson Takes Home Top Honor of CMA Entertainer of the Year,

While Zach Top Wins CMA New Artist of the Year;

Riley Green, Ella Langley and Lainey Wilson Tie with Three Wins Each

At a glance

Winners of the 59th Annual Country Music Association Awards 

Entertainer of the Year: Lainey Wilson

Album of the Year: WHIRLWIND – Lainey Wilson; Producer: Jay Joyce; Mix Engineers: Jason Hall, Jay Joyce 

Song of the Year: “you look like you love me”; Songwriters: Riley Green, Ella Langley, Aaron Raitiere

Single of the Year: “you look like you love me” – Ella Langley & Riley Green

Male Vocalist of the Year: Cody Johnson

Female Vocalist of the Year: Lainey Wilson 

New Artist of the Year: Megan Moroney

Vocal Group of the Year: The Red Clay Strays

Vocal Duo of the Year: Brooks & Dunn

Music Video of the Year: “you look like you love me” – Ella Langley & Riley Green; Directors: Ella Langley, John Park, Wales Toney

Musical Event of the Year: Pour Me A Drink” – Post Malone (feat. Blake Shelton) ; Producers: Louis Bell, Charlie Handsome

Musician of the Year: Paul Franklin (Steel Guitar)

TV RATINGS

59th Annual CMA Awards' ABC-TV Ratings

Tube For Won: The 59th Annual CMA Awards won Wednesday night's (11/19) ratings race for ABC, drawing 6.04 million viewers Live + Same Day – down from last year's 6.08m, according to thetvratingsguide.com. The show posted a 0.65 rating in the 18-49 demo, down from 2024's 0.81.

Highlights from the 59th Annual Country Music Awards will broadcast on BBC4 + BBC iPlayer (28 November 2025) 1 hour, 28 minutes https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002ms9g

Watch CMA Awards Performances on YouTube

  ****   USE the Playlist play control 2nd left from top of the screen to see the playlisted..tracks and select one to play from the drop down menu  ***  👇

PRESENTERS

Hosted by Lainey Wilson, the live broadcast aired from Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on Wednesday, Nov. 19 (8:00–11:00 PM/ET) on ABC, with next-day viewing available on Hulu.

This year’s CMA Awards presenters and special guests include Country group Lady A; Grammy-winning banjoist Alison Brown; actress currently starring in “9-1-1: Nashville,” Jessica Capshaw; Grammy-winning singer, songwriter, actor, and worldwide entertainment icon Billy Ray Cyrus; Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Lauren Daigle; Country artist Jordan Davis; actress, model, and philanthropist Elizabeth Hurley; Country artist Cody Johnson; comedian, actor, and podcaster Bert Kreischer; five-time Grammy winner and multi-Platinum award-winning singer/songwriter Brandon Lake; Country artist Ella Langley; Grammy-winning banjoist, actor, comedian, and author Steve Martin; comedian and actress Leanne Morgan; three-time Grammy winning hitmaker NE-YO; Golden Globe-nominated actor Chris O’Donnell; Country artist Kimberly Perry; multi-Platinum, two-time Grammy winning singer, songwriter and star of “9-1-1: Nashville,” LeAnn Rimes; actor and producer Alan Ritchson; Emmy® Award-winning anchor and host from ABC’s “Good Morning America,” Lara Spencer; star of the hit Paramount+ series “Landman,” Academy Award-winning actor, director, and musician Billy Bob Thornton; critically acclaimed actor and producer starring in Hulu’s “Tell Me Lies” and “The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox,” Grace Van Patten; Country artist Gretchen Wilson; and Country artist Bailey Zimmerman.

PERFORMERS

Country superstars Keith Urban and Little Big Town were also added as performers, joining an already stacked lineup for this year’s show. Previously announced performers include Kelsea Ballerini, BigXthaPlug, Brandi Carlile, Kenny Chesney, Luke Combs, Riley Green, Miranda Lambert, Ella Langley, Patty Loveless, Megan Moroney, Old Dominion, The Red Clay Strays, Shaboozey, Chris Stapleton, Zach Top, Tucker Wetmore, Lainey Wilson and Stephen Wilson Jr.

NOMINATIONS

Going into “The 59th Annual CMA Awards Ella Langley, Megan Moroney, and Lainey Wilson top the list with six nominations each, while other top nominees include Zach Top with five nominations, and Riley Green and Cody Johnson with four nominations each. 

PERFORMANCES

Lainey Wilson earned the night’s top honor, CMA Entertainer of the Year, while Zach Top took home his first CMA Award for New Artist of the Year. Riley Green, Ella Langley and Lainey Wilson also emerged as the night’s leading winners, each taking home three awards. Additionally, Brooks & Dunn now hold the record for the most CMA Award wins of all time, with 20 total.

The show opened with an unforgettable choreographed musical monologue from Lainey Wilson, who brought audiences to their feet with a high-energy medley honouring Country favourites past and present. Lainey Wilson surprised several artists in the crowd with tributes to their hits — including Chris Stapleton, Brooks & Dunn, Langley, Gretchen Wilson, Lady A, Miranda Lambert and Shaboozey — before joining Little Big Town and Keith Urban for special duets.

The night brought a mix of full-scale, high-energy productions and stripped-down, heartfelt moments, with solo performances from Kelsea Ballerini, Luke Combs, Riley Green, Langley, Megan Moroney, Old Dominion, The Red Clay Strays, Stapleton, Top, Tucker Wetmore, Lainey Wilson and Stephen Wilson Jr. Collaborations delivered the kind of memorable, unexpected moments only seen on the CMA Awards stage, including BigXthaPlug with Combs, Shaboozey and Stephen Wilson Jr., and Lambert with Stapleton.

Kenny Chesney performed a two-song medley of his hits “American Kids” and “When the Sun Goes Down” in celebration of his 2025 Country Music Hall of Fame induction, following a brief recognition of fellow inductees Tony Brown and June Carter Cash.

A standout moment of the evening came with an emotional tribute to Country icon Vince Gill, who hosted the CMA Awards for a record-tying 12 years and is this year’s CMA Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award recipient. Brandi Carlile and Patty Loveless delivered stirring performances that brought the audience to their feet as the award’s 2024 recipient, George Strait, stepped onstage in a surprise appearance to personally present Gill with the honor.

Throughout the night, presenters and special guests spanning artists, actors, comedians, and media personalities announced winners across 12 categories, each determined by the 7,000-plus voting members of the Country Music Association. Representing every corner of the Country Music industry—from artists, songwriters and producers to touring professionals and industry executives—CMA’s membership upholds the Nashville-based trade association’s long-standing mission to celebrate excellence across the genre.

The Nominations and Winners for "The 59th Annual CMA Awards"

“THE 59TH ANNUAL CMA AWARDS” – FINAL NOMINEES (by ballot category order):

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR (Category 1)

• ·         Luke Combs
• ·         Cody Johnson
• ·         Chris Stapleton
• ·         Morgan Wallen
• ·         Lainey Wilson ** Winner **

SINGLE OF THE YEAR (Category 2)  

Award goes to Artist(s), Producer(s) and Mix Engineer(s)

• ·         “4x4xU” – Lainey Wilson; Producer: Jay Joyce; Mix Engineers: Jason Hall, Jay Joyce
• ·         “Ain’t No Love In Oklahoma” – Luke Combs; Producers: Luke Combs, Chip Matthews, Jonathan Singleton; Mix Engineer: Chip Matthews
• ·         “Am I Okay?” – Megan Moroney; Producer: Kristian Bush; Mix Engineer: Justin Niebank
• ·         “I Never Lie” – Zach Top; Producer: Carson Chamberlain; Mix Engineer: Matt Rovey
• ·         “you look like you love me” – Ella Langley & Riley Green; Producer: Will Bundy;  Mix Engineer: Jim Cooley ** Winner ** 

ALBUM OF THE YEAR (Category 3) 

Award goes to Artist, Producer(s) and Mix Engineer(s)

• ·         Am I Okay? – Megan Moroney; Producer: Kristian Bush; Mix Engineer: Justin Niebank
• ·         Cold Beer & Country Music – Zach Top; Producer: Carson Chamberlain; Mix Engineer: Matt Rovey
• ·         F-1 Trillion – Post Malone; Producers: Louis Bell, Charlie Handsome, Hoskins; Mix Engineer: Ryan Gore
• ·         I’m The Problem – Morgan Wallen; Producers: Jacob Durrett, Charlie Handsome, Joey Moi; Mix Engineers: Charlie Handsome, Joey Moi
• ·         Whirlwind – Lainey Wilson; Producer: Jay Joyce; Mix Engineers: Jason Hall, Jay Joyce ** Winner **

SONG OF THE YEAR (Category 4) 

Award goes to Songwriter(s)

• ·         “4x4xU”; Songwriters: Jon Decious, Aaron Raitiere, Lainey Wilson
• ·         “Am I Okay?”; Songwriters: Jessie Jo Dillon, Luke Laird, Megan Moroney
• ·         “I Never Lie”; Songwriters: Carson Chamberlain, Tim Nichols, Zach Top
• ·         “Texas”; Songwriters: Johnny Clawson, Josh Dorr, Lalo Guzman, Kyle Sturrock
• ·         “you look like you love me”; Songwriters: Riley Green, Ella Langley, Aaron Raitiere  ** Winner ** 

FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR (Category 5)

• ·         Kelsea Ballerini
• ·         Miranda Lambert
• ·         Ella Langley
• ·         Megan Moroney
• ·         Lainey Wilson ** Winner **

MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR (Category 6)

• ·         Luke Combs
• ·         Cody Johnson ** Winner **
• ·         Chris Stapleton
• ·         Zach Top
• ·         Morgan Wallen

VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR (Category 7)

• ·         Lady A
• ·         Little Big Town
• ·         Old Dominion
• ·         Rascal Flatts
• ·         The Red Clay Strays ** Winner **

VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR (Category 8)

• ·         Brooks & Dunn ** Winner **
• ·         Brothers Osborne
• ·         Dan + Shay
• ·         Maddie & Tae
• ·         The War And Treaty

MUSICAL EVENT OF THE YEAR (Category 9) 

Award goes to Artists and Producer(s)  

• ·         “Don’t Mind If I Do” – Riley Green (featuring Ella Langley); Producers: Scott Borchetta, Jimmy Harnen, Dann Huff
• ·         “Hard Fought Hallelujah” – Brandon Lake with Jelly Roll; Producer: Micah Nichols
• ·         “I’m Gonna Love You” – Cody Johnson (with Carrie Underwood);  Producer: Trent Willmon
• ·         “Pour Me A Drink” – Post Malone (feat. Blake Shelton); Producers: Louis Bell, Charlie Handsome ** Winner **
• ·         “You Had To Be There” – Megan Moroney (feat. Kenny Chesney); Producer: Kristian Bush

MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR (Category 10)

• ·         Jenee Fleenor – Fiddle
• ·         Paul Franklin – Steel Guitar ** Winner **
• ·         Brent Mason – Guitar
• ·         Rob McNelley – Guitar
• ·         Derek Wells – Guitar

MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR (Category 11)

Award goes to Artist(s) and Director(s)

• ·         “Am I Okay?” – Megan Moroney; Directors: Alexandra Gavillet, Megan Moroney
• ·         “I’m Gonna Love You” – Cody Johnson (with Carrie Underwood); Director: Dustin Haney
• ·         “Somewhere Over Laredo” – Lainey Wilson; Director: TK McKamy
• ·         “Think I’m In Love With You” – Chris Stapleton; Director: Running Bear
• ·         “you look like you love me” – Ella Langley & Riley Green ; Directors: Ella Langley, John Park, Wales Toney ** Winner **

NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR (Category 12)

• ·         Ella Langley
• ·         Shaboozey
• ·         Zach Top ** Winner **
• ·         Tucker Wetmore
• ·         Stephen Wilson Jr. 

RED CARPET

CMA Awards 2025: See the best red carpet looks ABC NEWS

CMA red carpet live: Watch Shaboozey, Megan Moroney and other stars arrive on the red carpet

Saving Country Music November 19, 2025: The 2025 CMA Awards LIVE Blog (+Winners)

Nashville, TN - Oct 07, 2025

THE COUNTRY MUSIC ASSOCIATION REVEALS 2025 BROADCAST AWARD WINNERS

CMA New Artist of the Year Nominee Tucker Wetmore Surprises Stations and Broadcast Personalities to Reveal News

As the Country Music Association continues its year-round mission of celebrating excellence across the industry, the Nashville-based trade organization announced the recipients of the 2025 CMA Broadcast Awards, one of Country radio’s highest honours. CMA New Artist of the Year nominee Tucker Wetmore personally surprised radio stations and broadcast personalities nationwide with one-on-one calls to share the exciting news.

See below for the full list of 2025 CMA Broadcast Awards winners.

2025 CMA BROADCAST AWARDS – FINALISTS FOR BROADCAST PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR (by market size): 

  

Weekly National

·         “Country Countdown USA with Lon Helton” (Lon Helton) – LH Productions

Daily National

·         “The Rob and Holly Show” (Rob Stone and Holly Hutton) – Audacy

Major Market·         “Chris Carr & Company” (Chris Carr, Sam Sansevere, and “Dubs” Michael Wilczynski) – KEEY, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn.

Large Market

·         “The Q Morning Crew w/ Mike & Amanda” (Mike Wheless and Amanda Daughtry) – WQDR, Raleigh-Durham, N.C.

 Medium Market

·         “Mo & StyckMan” (Melissa “Mo” Wagner and Greg “StyckMan” Owens) – WUSY, Chattanooga, Tenn.

Small Market

·         “Ben & Arnie” (Ben Butler and Arnie Andrews) – WCOW, La Crosse, Wis.

2025 CMA BROADCAST AWARDS – FINALISTS FOR RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR (by market size):

Major Market

·         KKBQ – Houston, Texas

Large Market

·         WUBE – Cincinnati, Ohio

Medium Market

·         WIVK – Knoxville, Tenn.

Small Market

·         WXBQ – Johnson City-Kingsport-Bristol, Tenn.-Va.

About the CMA Awards

First held in 1967, the CMA Awards is the longest-running, annual music awards program on network television. Each year, the show honors outstanding achievement in Country Music—celebrating the artists, songwriters, musicians, and industry professionals whose work has shaped the genre. Winners and nominees are determined by CMA’s Professional voting membership, reflecting the voices of their peers across the industry. The CMA Awards airs live on ABC, with next-day streaming available on Hulu, and is part of CMA’s television portfolio alongside “CMA Fest” and “CMA Country Christmas.”

All balloting is tabulated by the professional services organization, Deloitte.

As used in this document, “Deloitte” means Deloitte & Touche LLP, a subsidiary of Deloitte LLP.

For more information about the CMA Awards, visit CMAawards.com.