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

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

ByHayley FitzPatrick, Carson Blackwelder, and Angeline Jane Bernabe via GMA logo
Last Updated: November 8, 2023, 5:12 PM EST

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:

Here's how the awards show unfolded. All times Eastern.
Nov 08, 2023, 5:12 PM EST

Who is performing?

Jelly Roll will be opening the show while Kenny Chesney, Mac McAnally, Alan Jackson and Zac Brown Band will take part in a tribute performance for the late Jimmy Buffett.

In addition to co-hosting, Bryan will take to the stage to perform a medley of his No. 1 hits.

There will also be collaborations between Old Dominion and Megan Moroney, Carly Pearce and Chris Stapleton, Tanya Tucker and Little Big Town, and more.

Others slated to perform during the award show include Kelsea Ballerini, Dan + Shay, Jordan Davis, Cody Johnson, The War and Treaty, and Lainey Wilson, to name a few.

Nov 08, 2023, 4:08 PM EST

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.

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