CMA Awards 2024 recap: All the biggest wins and epic performances
Morgan Wallen won the coveted entertainer of the year award.
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:
Luke Bryan performs his song 'Love You, Miss You, Mean It'
CMA Awards co-host Luke Bryan took the stage to perform his song "Love You, Miss You, Mean It."
The song, which was released in April, is featured on the "American Idol" host's album "Mind of a Country Boy," which was released in September.
Chris Stapleton wins male vocalist of the year
Chris Stapleton took home the CMA Award for male vocalist of the year on Wednesday. This is his eighth win in the category.
"I love all of y'all so much," Stapleton said in his acceptance speech, adding that it was an honor to be nominated in the category. He also gave a shoutout to his kids, telling them they could "go to bed now."
Other nominees in the category included Luke Combs, Jelly Roll, Cody Johnson and Morgan Wallen.
Ashley McBryde honors Kris Kristofferson with moving performance
Ashley McBryde paid tribute to the late singer-songwriter Kris Kristofferson with a moving performance of his song "Help Me Make It Through the Night."
Kristofferson died in September. He was 88.
George Strait accepts Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award
George Strait accepted the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award on Wednesday night after a star-studded tribute performance of some of his biggest hits.
"First of all, I want to thank my lord and savior, Jesus Christ," he began. "And I want to thank the CMAs for adding my name to the incredible artists on this small list of recipients carrying the name of the icon, Willie Nelson."
"I want to thank all of these great artists who performed some of my songs that I've recorded over the years," he said in reference to Lainey Wilson, Jamey Johnson, Miranda Lambert, Parker McCollum and Chris Stapleton. "It's amazing to hear y'all do them. I'm so glad I got them before you."
Strait shouted out his wife, Norma, to whom he said he will have been married for "an amazing 53 years" this December.
He also sent love to his son, his daughter-in-law and his grandchildren.