CMA Awards 2015: 5 of the Top Moments

— -- The CMA Awards is always one of the most exciting nights in Nashville, and tonight's show was no different.

From a performance by Chris Stapleton and Justin Timberlake that had fans going crazy to memorable speeches from the likes of Luke Bryan and Little Big Town, it was a night that country fans are sure to talk about for the rest of the week.

Didn't catch the ABC broadcast?

Here are five of the night's biggest moments.

1. Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley's musical monologue: As is their tradition, Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley sang a song to kick off the show. This year, they focused on what a "cray cray" year 2015 has been, calling attention to politics and celeb splits. "On a completely unrelated topic," said Paisley after a discussion of Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy's break-up, "Howdy Blake!" Also included in the monologue: an appearance from William Shatner in a Storm Trooper costume and an attempt by Paisley to take a "naked selfie" as an homage to Miley Cyrus.

2. Chris Stapleton's star-making night: Viewers who may not have been familiar with the name Chris Stapleton before the CMA Awards certainly are now. The "Tennessee Whiskey" singer performed a duet with Justin Timberlake and picked up all three awards for which he was nominated. However, it was his emotional acceptance speech for Male Vocalist of the Year that packed the most punch. "Two years ago I lost my dad and I made this record thinking a lot about the music that he would've liked," he said, before thanking his mother, siblings and wife. "He would've liked to see this." After paying tribute to the "six people who came to watch me in the basement of a bar somewhere," he joked about playing bigger venues going forward. "This is an unbelievable thing," he said. "I'm not gonna take it lightly."

3. The night's big performances: Some of the biggest stars in country music today performed (Blake Shelton, Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert) but two of the acts were true show-stoppers. The much-anticipated duet between Chris Stapleton and Justin Timberlake didn't disappoint (they sang Stapleton's "Tennessee Whiskey" and Timberlake's "Drink You Away") and Brooks & Dunn and Reba McEntire's rendition of "Play Something Country" and "Why Haven't I Heard From You?" brought down the house.

4. Genuine, heartfelt acceptance speeches: Stapleton wasn't the only person to tug at the heartstrings on Wednesday night. When Miranda Lambert, who recently went through a divorce, won Female Vocalist of the Year, she said simply, "I needed a bright spot this year," and three-time winner Little Big Town got emotional while thanking country radio for having the "guts" to play their song "Girl Crush."

5. Luke Bryan's second Entertainer of the Year in a row: After being awarded the night's biggest award, Entertainer of the Year, for the second year in a row, Bryan thanked his loved ones and gave a shout-out to Chris Stapleton before announcing to cheers, "I ain't wrapping!"