The 59th Annual CMA Awards just happened on Wednesday, November 19th, 2025. While it is deemed “Country Music’s Biggest Night,” it also seems to be its most controversial night sometimes as well. Let’s talk about the winners and some of the best moments throughout the night…
Recapping the CMA Award Winners
Entertainer of the Year – Lainey Wilson
The CMA Entertainer of the Year is one award that nearly every country artist strives to win. Some believe it is the pinnacle of your career, and others (Morgan Wallen) don’t care anything about winning any of these awards. Lainey had a phenomenal year on the road with her Whirlwind World Tour and the release of her deluxe album in August 2025. As always, there was controversy about the winner of this award. Many believed that Wallen should have won this year due to his album release and his I’m The Problem Tour.
Female Vocalist of the Year – Lainey Wilson
On Wednesday night, Wilson took home her fourth consecutive win of Female Vocalist of the Year. Over the last four years, there has not been a female to rival the popularity of Wilson. Ella Langley was also a strong nominee for this category and could rival Wilson next year for the award at the 60th Annual CMA Awards.
Male Vocalist of the Year – Cody Johnson
Cody Johnson’s win of Male Vocalist of the Year was easily one of the most well-deserved wins of the night. After four straight years of Chris Stapleton winning this award (rightfully so), it was nice to see another well-deserving male artist take home this award. Johnson easily has one of the best voices in the genre and will continue to build on his success leading into his next album release.
Album of the Year – Whirlwind by Lainey Wilson
While many were up-in-arms about the result from the Entertainer of the Year, it seemed that this was the category everyone had the most anger about. While Whirlwind had many highlights, everyone is talking about I’m the Problem. Wallen’s album, I’m the Problem, moved 493,000 album-equivalent units in its first week, while Whirlwind saw 48,000 equivalent first-week units.
New Artist of the Year – Zach Top
The New Artist of the Year category at the CMA Awards has become our favorite category to pay attention to, due to nominees such as Zach Top, Ella Langley, Shaboozey, Tucker Wetmore, and Stephen Wilson, Jr. This category seemed to be a toss-up between Top and Langley for this award. Since Langley won three CMA Awards for “You Look Like You Love Me,” it was nice to see Top get a much-deserved win during the night.
Song of the Year & Single of the Year – “You Look Like You Love Me” by Ella Langley and Riley Green
There was not one song that captured the hearts of country music fans over 2024 and much of 2025 quite like “You Look Like You Love Me.” While there were other great nominees in both categories, like “I Never Lie” by Zach Top and “Ain’t No Love in Oklahoma” by Luke Combs, this was undoubtedly the correct pick for both categories.
Group of the Year – Red Clay Strays
After the dominance of the last seven years by Old Dominion, the Red Clay Strays showed that there is a new superstar group in town. After their success with “Wondering Why” and other hard-hitting hits over the last two years, it was nice to see them win this category in their second year nominated.
Duo of the Year – Brooks & Dunn
The most successful duo in country music continues to dominate this award with their sixteenth win in the category. It would have been nice to see The War & Treaty take home this award or to see an independent artist like Muscadine Bloodline get nominated.
Other Highlights from the Night
- Lainey Wilson’s Opening Medley – Wilson paid tribute to many country music classics in her opening monologue.
- Zach Top’s Acceptance Speech – Top brought his Coors beer to accompany him on stage during his speech.
- Stephen Wilson Jr.’s Performance – Wilson Jr. brought all of Bridgestone Arena to their feet with his cover of Ben E. King’s “Stand by Me.”
- Vince Gill – Gill receiving the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award.
- Kenny Chesney – Chesney sang some of his biggest hits to celebrate being inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame and to celebrate the life of his friend and country music songwriter, Brett James.
Next year, the CMA Awards will celebrate its 60th anniversary, so one can only imagine what the association has up their sleeve for that show.
