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, 8:24 PM EST

Luke Combs wins single of the year

Luke Combs, along with Chip Matthews and Jonathan Singleton, won the CMA Award for single of the year for his cover of "Fast Car.”

"First and foremost, I wanna thank Tracy Chapman for writing one of the best songs of all time," Combs said while accepting the award. "I just recorded it because I love the song so much. It's just meant so much to me in my entire life."

Luke Combs accepts the award for Single of the Year for "Fast Car" at the 57th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville, Tenn., on Nov., 8, 2023.
Seth Herald/Reuters

Other nominees in the category included Lainey Wilson for "Heart Like a Truck," Jelly Roll for "Need a Favor," Jordan Davis for "Next Thing You Know" and HARDY for "Wait in the Truck" featuring Wilson.

Nov 08, 2023, 8:20 PM EST

Jelly Roll opens the show with Wynonna Judd

Singer Jelly Roll kicked off the CMA Awards with a performance of his hit song. "Need a Favor," alongside country music legend Wynonna Judd.

Jelly Roll and Wynonna perform onstage during the 57th Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena on Nov. 08, 2023 in Nashville, Tenn.
Terry Wyatt/Getty Images

Jelly Roll is nominated for five awards tonight.

Nov 08, 2023, 8:07 PM EST

Nicole Kidman, Mickey Guyton and more step out on red carpet

Some of country music's biggest stars walked the CMA Awards red carpet before the show.

Kelsea Ballerini stepped out in a pink, one-shoulder gown with her boyfriend, actor Chase Stokes, by her side. Mickey Guyton stepped out in a yellow minidress, and Nicole Kidman walked the red carpet with her husband Keith Urban, both of them in black ensembles.

Megan Moroney attends the 57th Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena on Nov. 08, 2023 in Nashville, Tenn.
Jason Kempin/Getty Images

Red was the color of the night, with several artists, including Ashley McBryde and Megan Moroney, opting for red gowns. Michael Trotter Jr. of the duo The War and Treaty also wore a unique red blazer with music details.

Nov 08, 2023, 6:12 PM EST

Who is up for entertainer of the year?

There are five artists nominated for entertainer of the year, the highest honor at the CMA Awards.

This year's crop of nominees includes Luke Combs, Chris Stapleton, Carrie Underwood, Morgan Wallen and Lainey Wilson.

Combs has won the award for the past two years.

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