12 Unforgettable Moments from the 59th Annual CMA Awards
A recap of the best moments from “Country Music’s Biggest Night.”
Kenny Chesney, Kelsea Ballerini, George Strait; Photos by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for CMA,
The 59th Annual CMA Awards delivered a night full of unforgettable performances, historic wins, and show-stopping surprises. Hosted by Lainey Wilson, the star-studded evening featured incredible performances from Keith Urban, Little Big Town, Luke Combs, Ella Langley, Megan Moroney, Zach Top, and many more, including exciting collaborations with Luke Combs & BigXthaPlug, Shaboozey & Stephen Wilson Jr., and Chris Stapleton & Miranda Lambert.
Fans at home witnessed history in the making as Lainey Wilson claimed Entertainer of the Year, Zach Top earned his first CMA Award for New Artist of the Year, and Riley Green, Ella Langley, and Lainey Wilson emerged as the night’s top winners with three trophies each. Brooks & Dunn set a new record with 20 total CMA wins, and Cody Johnson took home his first Male Vocalist of the Year trophy.
But the magic of the night wasn’t just in the awards, it was in the unforgettable moments that had the crowd buzzing. From surprise appearances to intimate performances, here are the best moments from the 59th Annual CMA Awards:
Lainey Wilson’s Solo Hosting Debut
Wilson absolutely crushed her CMA Awards solo hosting debut. She’s a natural on screen, commanding viewers’ attention while effortlessly bringing the laughs. Wilson also made history as only the third woman ever to host the CMA Awards solo, following country icons Dolly Parton and Reba McEntire. It’s safe to say she’s well on her way to joining the ranks of her heroes as a country icon.
George Strait’s Surprise Appearance
Fans were thrilled to see George Strait make a surprise appearance on stage to present Vince Gill with the 2025 CMA Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award. In a way, Strait was passing the torch, having received the same honor in 2024.
Chris Stapleton and Miranda Lambert’s Collaborative Performance
Country superstars Chris Stapleton and Miranda Lambert brought throwback vibes from their “A Song To Sing” music video, delivering a standout performance of the chart-climbing hit. When these two powerhouse voices come together, magic happens.
Kenny Chesney’s Two-Song Celebration
Kenny Chesney celebrated his Country Music Hall of Fame induction with a two-song performance honoring his legacy. He brought energy to the stage and had fans singing along throughout.
Lainey Wilson’s Cowgirl of the Night
One of the cutest moments of the night: Lainey Wilson continued her tradition of naming a little girl in the audience the “Cowgirl of the Night.” CMA viewers got to witness this heartwarming moment firsthand.
Kelsea Ballerini’s Dramatic “I Sit In Parks”
The debut performance of Kelsea Ballerini’s “I Sit In Parks” did not disappoint. Her vocals were flawless, and the stage imagery brought the music video to life. At the end of the performance, a sudden rain added a dramatic touch to the moment.
Ella Langley and Riley Green’s Awards Wins
Ella Langley and Riley Green were two of the night’s biggest winners, each taking home three trophies for their fan-favorite collaboration, “You Look Like You Love Me.”
Cody Johnson’s First CMA Male Vocalist of the Year Win
Cody Johnson earned his first CMA Male Vocalist of the Year trophy, giving a heartfelt nod to
Chris Stapleton in his acceptance speech.
“When I was a little kid, I taped a microphone on the side of my bunk bed. I would sing everything from Boys II Men to Merle Haggard and I’d try to imitate everybody in between. To get this award and be in a vocalist category with Chris Stapleton, who is one of the greatest vocalists of all time in any genre, thank you Chris for paving the way,” he shared.
Stephen Wilson Jr.’s CMA Awards Performance Debut
Stephen Wilson Jr. captivated the audience with his performance of “Stand By Me.” With just a guitar in hand, he delivered a mesmerizing performance that stood out as one of the night’s best.
Vince Gill’s Acceptance Speech
Vince Gill brought his signature charm while accepting the 2025 CMA Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award.
“This is amazing… And I’m pretty confident I’m the only one that’s ever won this award that’s never smoked any weed,” Gill joked.
He later thanked his “CMA family” for trusting him to host the show 12 times:
“It might’ve been the dumbest thing they ever did, trusting my ass with their show… And every year, all I tried to do was make us all look good.”
Luke Combs’ Show Open and Show Close
Luke Combs brought the fire to the CMA Awards stage, opening the night with a powerhouse performance of “Back in the Saddle” and closing it alongside BigXthaPlug on “Pray Hard.” A perfect way to both kick off and wrap up the show.
Tucker Wetmore Makes a Big Impression at the CMA Awards
Making his CMA Awards performance debut, Tucker Wetmore took the stage with his first No. 1 hit, “Wind Up Missin’ You.” The performance was a perfect showcase of his talent and highlighted his newfound confidence.
Hosted by Lainey Wilson, the 59th Annual CMA Awards aired live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 19 (8:00–11:00 PM ET) on ABC. The show will be available for next-day streaming on Hulu.
Lauren Jo Black is a longtime country music journalist, editor, host, and media personality whose work has helped shape the conversation around country music for nearly two decades. As the current Editor-in-Chief of Country Now, she has become one of the genre’s most respected voices, interviewing hundreds of country music’s biggest stars, including Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire, Shania Twain, Randy Travis, Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, and countless others. Over the course of her career, Black’s written work and interviews have reached billions of country music fans worldwide. A 2009 graduate of the University of Central Florida, Black began her career by founding Country Music Is Love, one of country music’s earliest independent digital publications, which she later sold to a major record label in 2015 before it was rebranded as Sounds Like Nashville. She then served as the publication’s Editor-in-Chief for more than two years. Her work has also appeared in Forbes, and she previously served as the Country Music Expert for Answers.com. Widely recognized for her expertise, Black has appeared as a featured guest on The Bobby Bones Show, BobbyCast, and Scripps News Morning Rush, providing insight on country music’s biggest moments. She has also hosted Country Now Live, a concert series featuring performances from artists including Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Riley Green, Jordan Davis, Dustin Lynch, Gabby Barrett, Brett Young, Jon Pardi, Kip Moore, Chris Young, and more. The series has welcomed thousands of fans in person while reaching millions more online. In addition, she hosted Connect With Country Now, a weekly interview series featuring conversations with rising country stars. Throughout her career, Black has earned a reputation for discovering and championing artists long before they become household names. She has covered Luke Bryan since the early days of his career, beginning when he was writing songs for other artists, including Billy Currington’s No. 1 hit “Good Directions,” before stepping into the spotlight with his debut single, “All My Friends Say” and eventually becoming one of biggest names in music. She also gave Megan Moroney her first opportunity to walk a major red carpet as Country Now’s official guest correspondent at the 2022 CMA Awards. An interview she conducted in 2018 for Forbes.com with Luke Combs that inspired his multi-week No. 1 hit, “Doin’ This.” She has also hosted stages at CMA Fest, moderated an industry panel at Country Radio Seminar, and helped lead important conversations about the evolving landscape of country music media. Beyond journalism, Black has also used her platform to support charitable causes and highlight organizations making an impact. Through Country Now Live, she has helped raise awareness and support for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, while also advocating for animal rescue through Country Now’s Pupdate series, spotlighting organizations including MuttNation Foundation, Wags & Walks, and Proverbs 12:10 Animal Rescue. Black has been recognized as one of Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. She is a longtime member of both the Country Music Association (CMA) and the Academy of Country Music (ACM). After nearly 20 years covering country music, Lauren Jo Black has spent her career telling the stories behind the artists, songs, and moments that have shaped the genre. Her first-ever book, Country Music Forever: An A-to-Z Celebration of Icons, Songs and Stories, brings that same passion and firsthand knowledge to the page, celebrating not only the legendary artists and timeless songs that have become the soundtrack to generations of fans, but also the places, traditions, and cultural moments that have made country music one of the most beloved genres around the world.
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