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, 5:36 PM EST

Who is up for the most nominations tonight?

Lainey Wilson reigns supreme as the artist with the most nods at this year's CMA Awards, with nine nominations including entertainer of the year, single of the year and album of the year.

Following close behind is Jelly Roll with five nominations, as well as Luke Combs and HARDY with four nods apiece. Jordan Davis, Ashley McBryde, Chris Stapleton and Morgan Wallen all have three nominations each.

See the full list of nominees here.

Nov 08, 2023, 5:30 PM EST

What happened at the 2022 CMA Awards?

Luke Combs won big at last year's CMA Awards, taking home the trophies for entertainer of the year and album of the year for "Growin' Up."

Chris Stapleton was named male vocalist of the year, Lainey Wilson was named female vocalist of the year, and Old Dominion and Brothers Osborne took home vocal group of the year and vocal duo of the year, respectively.

Wilson was also named new artist of the year while Alan Jackson was honored with the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award.

Read all about the ceremony here.

Nov 08, 2023, 5:12 PM EST

Who is presenting?

Pop star Paula Abdul, "Wicked" actress Cynthia Erivo and "Golden Bachelor" star Gerry Turner are a few of the presenters for this year's awards show.

Others include country stars such as Sara Evans, Lady A, Martina McBride, Darius Rucker, Keith Urban and more.

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.

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