CMA Awards 2024 recap: All the biggest wins and epic performances

Morgan Wallen won the coveted entertainer of the year award.

Last Updated: November 20, 2024, 11:18 PM EST

The biggest names in country music were honored at the 2024 CMA Awards Wednesday night.

Morgan Wallen, who had the most nominations going into the evening, took home the coveted entertainer of the year award. He was not in attendance to accept the award.

Chris Stapleton and Lainey Wilson took home best male and female vocalist of the year, respectively. Stapleton also took home song of the year and single of the year for his hit "White Horse."

Cody Johnson brought home the award for album of the year for "Leather."

Music video of the year went to Wilson for her "Wildflowers and Wild Horses" video.

Megan Moroney was honored with the new artist of the year award.

The star-studded show was co-hosted by Wilson, Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning.

See a recap of the night's biggest moments below.

Key moments:

Here's how the night unfolded. All times Eastern.
Nov 20, 2024, 11:00 PM EST

Morgan Wallen wins entertainer of the year

Morgan Wallen took home the CMA Award for entertainer of the year.

Morgan Wallen performs on night one of his One Night at a Time tour, Sept. 20, 2024, in Knoxville, Tennessee.
John Shearer/Getty Images

Wallen wasn't in attendance to accept the award, so presenter Jeff Bridges accepted on his behalf.

(L-R) Luke Bryan, Lainey Wilson, Jeff Bridges and Peyton Manning speak onstage during The 58th Annual CMA Awards, Nov. 20, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn.
Theo Wargo/Getty Images

Other nominees in the category included Luke Combs, Jelly Roll, Chris Stapleton and Lainey Wilson.

Nov 20, 2024, 10:58 PM EST

Dierks Bentley, Molly Tuttle, Sierra Hull and Bronwyn Keith-Hynes perform Tom Petty's 'American Girl'

Dierks Bentley, Molly Tuttle, Sierra Hull and Bronwyn Keith-Hynes came together on the CMA Awards stage for an epic performance of Tom Petty's classic song, "American Girl."

Molly Tuttle, Dierks Bentley and Bronwyn Keith-Hynes perform at the 58th Annual CMA Awards, in Nashville, Nov. 20, 2024.
Theo Wargo/Getty Images

Nov 20, 2024, 10:51 PM EST

Jelly Roll performs 'Liar' with Keith Urban

Jelly Roll took the stage to perform his song "Liar" with Keith Urban on guitar.

The pair performed the song, which is from Jelly Roll's "Beautifully Broken" album, with a choir and blazing fire in the background.

Keith Urban and Jelly Roll perform onstage at the 58th Annual CMA Awards, in Nashville, Nov. 20, 2024.
Theo Wargo/Getty Images

Nov 20, 2024, 10:50 PM EST

Lainey Wilson wins female vocalist of the year

Lainey Wilson took home the CMA Award for female vocalist of the year.

During her acceptance speech, Wilson thanked her mom and dad, as well as the broader country music community.

"Man, this community has wrapped its arms around me and lifted me up from the get-go," she said.

Lainey Wilson accepts the Female Vocalist of the Year Award onstage during The 58th Annual CMA Awards, Nov. 20, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn.
Theo Wargo/Getty Images

"I've always been told that if you feel like you got a gift, you're supposed to share it," she continued, "and I think that means whether you drive a tractor or pour coffee, make people smile or laugh, whatever that is, I think you're supposed to share that gift. And I just want to say thank y'all so much for letting me share mine."

Other nominees in the category included Kelsea Ballerini, Ashley McBryde, Megan Moroney and Kacey Musgraves.

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