Chris Stapleton dominated the 2024 Country Music Association (CMA) Awards on Wednesday night.
The star-studded prizegiving, hosted by Luke Bryan, Peyton Manning, and Lainey Wilson, was held at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee.
Stapleton and Post Malone opened the show with an energetic performance of their recent collaboration, titled California Sober, with the Starting Over singer going on to pick up the award for Single of the Year for White Horse.
Stapleton also won Song of the Year for White Horse and Male Vocalist of the Year, meaning he is now tied with Brooks & Dunn for the most-awarded CMA Award winners of all time, each with a total of 19 wins.
However, during his acceptance speech for Song of the Year, Stapleton admitted he had forgotten to thank his wife Morgane Stapleton during his first time at the podium.
“I really am taken aback. Thank you so much for this. I owe my wife an apology,” he told the crowd. “That last award also belonged to her. It just happened so fast… all my music, I really owe a lot to her, so I thank her for her support.”
Going into the spectacle, Morgan Wallen led the nominations with seven nods and ultimately won Entertainer of the Year.
However, the Last Night star wasn’t in attendance at the event, leading presenter Jeff Bridges to accept the award on his behalf.
“Morgan couldn’t make it tonight, so I’m going to accept this award on his behalf,” the actor stated. “Alright, let’s hear it for Morgan!”
Elsewhere, newcomer Megan Moroney was crowned New Artist of the Year, Cody Johnson won Album of the Year for Leather, and Whirlwind hitmaker Wilson was selected as Female Vocalist of the Year.
Amid the show, George Strait was honoured with the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award, with the likes of Wilson, Stapleton, Jamey Johnson, Miranda Lambert, and Parker McCollum joining forces to perform some of his biggest hits.
“I want to thank the CMAs for adding my name to the incredible artists on the small list of recipients carrying the name of the icon Willie Nelson,” he declared of the accolade. “I want to thank all these great artists who performed some of my songs that I’ve recorded over the years. It’s amazing to hear y’all do them. I’m so glad I got ’em before you.”
The full list of winners is as follows:
Entertainer of the Year: Morgan Wallen
Single of the Year: White Horse – Chris Stapleton
Album of the Year: Leather – Cody Johnson
Song of the Year: White Horse – Chris Stapleton and Dan Wilson
Female Vocalist of the Year: Lainey Wilson
Male Vocalist of the Year: Chris Stapleton
Vocal Group of the Year: Old Dominion
Vocal Duo of the Year: Brooks & Dunn
Musical Event of the Year: You Look Like You Love Me – Ella Langley (feat. Riley Green)
Musician of the Year: Charlie Worsham – Guitar
Music Video of the Year: Wildflowers and Wild Horses – Lainey Wilson
New Artist of the Year: Megan Moroney
