Morgan Wallen clinched the title of CMA New Artist of the Year during The 54th Annual CMA Awards.
The honor comes on the brink of what’s been an incredible year for Wallen’s career.
“Well, I did not expect to get this,” he admitted. “I would like to thank the good Lord first of all.”
He went on to thank his mom for always pushing him to sing and his father for providing for their family. He also showed his gratitude for Nashville for “accepting him into the family.”
Other artists nominated in the New Artist of the Year category included Jimmie Allen, Ingrid Andress, Gabby Barrett and Carly Pearce.
The 54th Annual CMA Awards also featured performances from Chris Stapleton, Rascal Flatts, Morgan Wallen, Miranda Lambert, Maren Morris, Luke Combs, Darius Rucker, Eric Church, Jon Pardi, Keith Urban, Jimmie Allen, Ingrid Andress, Little Big Town, Rascal Flatts, Old Dominion and Kelsea Ballerini.
Additionally, the show included star-studded collaborations by Dan + Shay with Justin Bieber, Reba McEntire featuring Darius Rucker, Gabby Barrett and Charlie Puth, Carly Pearce with Charles Kelley as well as Thomas Rhett together with McEntire and Chris Tomlin. The show opener featured an all-star performance from Jason Aldean, Dierks Bentley, Brothers Osborne and Ashley McBryde paying tribute to the late Charlie Daniels.
Hosted by Reba McEntire and Darius Rucker, “Country Music’s Biggest Night” aired on Wednesday, November 11 (live 8:00-11:00 PM ET) on ABC.
