CMA Awards 2023 recap: All the biggest wins and epic performances

Lainey Wilson took home the top honor of entertainer of the year.

Many of the biggest names in country music were honored at the 57th Annual Country Music Association Awards Wednesday night.

Lainey Wilson took home three of the top awards of the night, including the coveted entertainer of the year award, as well as female vocalist of the year and album of the year. She won two awards prior to the show, thanks to her collaboration with Hardy on his song "Wait in the Truck," bringing her total number of wins this year to five.

Elsewhere at the 2023 CMA Awards, Chris Stapleton won the award for male vocalist of the year, while Old Dominion and Brothers Osborne won vocal group of the year and vocal duo of the year, respectively.

There were also plenty of notable performances during the packed show, including a moving tribute performance for the late music legend Jimmy Buffett.

Check out a recap of how the night unfolded below.


0

Who is hosting tonight's show?

Country superstar Luke Bryan and two-time Super Bowl champ Peyton Manning are back to host the 2023 CMA Awards.

This is the duo's second year hosting together after helming the 2022 awards show. Bryan also hosted the 2021 awards show.


Jelly Roll gives inspiring speech accepting new artist of the year

Jelly Roll took home the CMA Award for new artist of the year during Wednesday's ceremony.

The singer gave his wife Bunnie XO a shoutout, saying, "You changed my life, baby."

"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," he continued. "I want to tell you success is on the other side of it. I want to tell you it's going to be OK. I want to tell you that the windshield is bigger than the rearview mirror for a reason."

He added, "What's in front of you is so much more important than what's behind you."

Other nominees in the category included Zach Bryan, Parker McCollum, Megan Moroney and Hailey Whitters.