CMA Awards 2024 recap: All the biggest wins and epic performances

George Strait accepted the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award on Wednesday night after a star-studded tribute performance of some of his biggest hits.

"First of all, I want to thank my lord and savior, Jesus Christ," he began. "And I want to thank the CMAs for adding my name to the incredible artists on this small list of recipients carrying the name of the icon, Willie Nelson."

"I want to thank all of these great artists who performed some of my songs that I've recorded over the years," he said in reference to Lainey Wilson, Jamey Johnson, Miranda Lambert, Parker McCollum and Chris Stapleton. "It's amazing to hear y'all do them. I'm so glad I got them before you."

Strait shouted out his wife, Norma, to whom he said he will have been married for "an amazing 53 years" this December.

He also sent love to his son, his daughter-in-law and his grandchildren.

Jamey Johnson, Miranda Lambert, Parker McCollum, Chris Stapleton and Lainey Wilson took the CMA Awards stage to pay tribute to country music legend George Strait, who was honored Wednesday night with the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award.

Wilson performed Strait's "Amarillo by Morning," Johnson sang "Give It Away," Johnson, McCollum and Lambert sang "Troubadour," and Stapleton and Strait performed "Honky Tonk Hall Of Fame."

"He's always been authentically Texas and authentically country," Wilson said of Strait in a brief speech.

Bailey Zimmerman took to the stage to perform his 2024 hit "New to Country," which he released with an action-packed music video this summer.

Brooks & Dunn took home the CMA Award for vocal duo of the year.

This is the pair's 15th win in this category.

Other nominees in the category this year included Brothers Osborne, Dan + Shay, Maddie & Tae, and The War and Treaty.