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.
Key moments:
Lainey Wilson performs "Wildflowers and Wild Horses"
Lainey Wilson took the stage to perform her hit song "Wildflowers and Wild Horses" from her album "Bell Bottom Country."
Wilson has already taken home two CMA Awards this year for musical event of the year and music video of the year. She went into the 2023 CMA Awards as the most-nominated artist, with nine nominations.
Old Dominion wins vocal group of the year
Old Dominion won the CMA Award for vocal group of the year, marking the sixth year in a row they've won in the category.
Other nominees in the category included Lady A, Little Big Town, Midland and Zac Brown Band.
Chris Stapleton performs "White Horse"
"Tennessee Whiskey" singer Chris Stapleton performed his song "White Horse" from his upcoming album, "Higher," which will be released Nov. 10. Stapleton is nominated for three CMA Awards including entertainer of the year.
Luke Combs performs "Where the Wild Things Are"
Luke Combs took to the stage Wednesday to perform "Where the Wild Things Are" from his album "Gettin' Old."
Combs was up for four nominations heading into tonight, including entertainer of the year and album of the year. Earlier in the evening, he won the CMA Award for single of the year for "Fast Car."
Lainey Wilson wins entertainer of the year
Lainey Wilson took home the CMA Award for entertainer of the year, the ceremony's top honor, at the end of Wednesday night's show.
"This is all I've ever wanted to do. It's the only thing I know how to do," she said. "It finally feels like country music is starting to love me back. I love it with my whole heart."
Wilson called her experience in the industry so far a "wild" ride, adding, "Thank y'all for letting me be me."
Other nominees in the category included Luke Combs, Chris Stapleton, Carrie Underwood and Morgan Wallen.