WATCH: Lainey Wilson Takes Center Stage at CMA Awards With Star-Studded Medley
Wilson performed multiple times throughout the night and took home three wins.
Lainey Wilson; Photo by Josh Brasted/CMA
Lainey Wilson left her mark on the 59th Annual CMA Awards. Not only did she hold down her solo hosting duties like a pro, but she also delivered some of the night’s biggest moments on stage.
She started out the night by delivering an explosive, star-studded medley that paid tribute to the legends, trailblazers, and friends who’ve shaped the country music genre. The performance opened with “White Horse” (Chris Stapleton) with Charlie Worsham, fired up “Hillbilly Deluxe” by Brooks & Dunn and continued with “you look like you love me” (Ella Langley & Riley Green), “Redneck Woman” (Gretchen Wilson), “Need You Now” (Lady A), and “Gunpowder and Lead” (Miranda Lambert).
From there, she kept the energy high with Gretchen Wilson’s “Redneck Woman,” delivered the emotion of Lady A’s “Need You Now,” and brought the fire on Miranda Lambert’s “Gunpowder & Lead.” She also tipped her hat to the chart-topping hit, “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” by Shaboozey, lent her vocals to “Girl Crush” by Little Big Town, and concluded with “Where the Blacktop Ends” featuring an appearance from Keith Urban.
Throughout the performance, Wilson made her way around the venue, interacting with fellow artists and making it a full-participation celebration of country music. Later in the night, she brought her signature sass with a performance of “Ring Finger.”
The evening concluded on a high note as Lainey Wilson earned Entertainer of the Year, presented by Keith Urban. This win made her the third woman in CMA history to win Entertainer of the Year twice, having previously claimed the honor in 2024. She joins Taylor Swift and Barbara Mandrell in this elite group, cementing her as a trailblazer for women in the genre.
Wilson also took home Female Vocalist of the Year and Album of the Year for her Whirlwind project, capping off a historic CMA Awards.
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 also featured performances by Keith Urban, Little Big Town, Lainey Wilson, Luke Combs, Ella Langley, Megan Moroney, Zach Top, Tucker Wetmore, Stephen Wilson Jr., Kelsea Ballerini, Brandi Carlile, Kenny Chesney, Riley Green, Patty Loveless, Old Dominion, The Red Clay Strays, and Chris Stapleton.
Additionally, Luke Combs & BigXthaPlug, Shaboozey & Stephen Wilson Jr., and Chris Stapleton & Miranda Lambert brought exciting collaborative performances to the CMA Awards stage.
Lady A, Alison Brown, Jessica Capshaw, Billy Ray Cyrus, Lauren Daigle, Jordan Davis, Elizabeth Hurley, Cody Johnson, Bert Kreischer, Brandon Lake, Ella Langley, Steve Martin, Leanne Morgan, NE-YO, Chris O’Donnell, Kimberly Perry, LeAnn Rimes, Alan Ritchson, Lara Spencer, Billy Bob Thornton, Grace Van Patten, Gretchen Wilson, and Bailey Zimmerman all appeared during the show.
The 59th Annual CMA Awards will be available for next-day streaming on Hulu.
Madeleine O’Connell graduated from North Central College with a bachelors degree in Journalism and Broadcast Communications before deciding to pursue her studies further at DePaul University. There, she earned her masters degree in Digital Communication & Media Arts. O’Connell served as a freelance writer for over two years while also interning with the Academy of Country Music, SiriusXM and Circle Media and assisting with Amazon Music’s Country Heat Weekly podcast. In addition to Country Now, she has been published in American Songwriter, Music Mayhem, and Holler.Country. Madeleine O’Connell is a member of the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music.
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