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, a University of Central Florida graduate, has immersed herself in the world of country music for over 15 years. In 2008, she co-founded CountryMusicIsLove, eventually selling it to a major record label in 2015. Following the rebranding of the website to Sounds Like Nashville, Black served as Editor-in-Chief for two and a half years. Currently, she assumes the role of Editor-in-Chief at Country Now and oversees Country Now’s content and digital footprint. Her extensive experience also encompasses her previous role as a Country Music Expert Writer for Answers.com and her work being featured on Forbes.com. She’s been spotlighted among Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. Black also spent time in front of the camera as host of Country Now Live, which brought live music directly to fans in 2021 when the majority of concerts were halted due to the pandemic. During this time, she hosted 24 weeks of live concerts via Country Now Live on Twitch with special guests such as Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Jordan Davis, Brett Young, and Jon Pardi. Over the course of her career, she has had the privilege of conducting interviews with some of the industry’s most prominent stars, including Reba McEntire, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson, and many others. Lauren Jo Black is a longtime member of the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music.
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