Lainey Wilson had a whirlwind of a night at the 59th annual CMA Awards, held at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday.

The acclaimed singer-songwriter took home three of the evening’s most prestigious awards: Entertainer of the Year, Album of the Year for her record “Whirlwind,” and Female Vocalist of the Year.

Upon receiving the Album of the Year award, Wilson exclaimed, “Mama, daddy, check it out! I truly didn’t see this coming. We just wrapped up our Whirlwind world tour, and it was absolutely incredible.”

“I have the best fans in the world,” she added, “They showed up every night, singing every word from this album.”

Reflecting on the creation of her award-winning album, Wilson shared that she wrote it during a period of constant change, yet remained grounded in her core values.

“I think back to being that little 11-year-old girl who would come home from school, grab my guitar, and pour my heart into it,” Wilson recounted. “That was my way of navigating the world and expressing myself.”

‘And that’s what I did the last two years when I felt like my life was changing, but I felt the same.’

Lainey Wilson collected her first award of the night in Album of the Year for Whirlwind during Wednesday night’s 59th annual CMA Awards stemming from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena 

Wilson was later crowned Female Vocalist of the Year, telling the audience, ‘It’s a good night, it’s a good night.’

She added, ‘Thank you Jesus, thank you so much. My gosh. I was not prepared for this at all, but I will say I’m so proud to be in this category with these women.’

She added, ‘Miranda [Lambert], you have poured into me, sat around a fire with me and told me what to do, what not to do.’

After she won Entertainer of the Year, Wilson explained how the results of the evening had wildly exceeded her expectations.

‘Y’all, I’m going to be honest with y’all, I was just so tickled to be here hosting this thing tonight.

‘I just came into here just wanting to celebrate country music, the love of my life and the love of so many of y’all’s lives,’ she said. ‘Again, thank you Jesus, mama and daddy and duck, we get married next year, come on, now.

Wilson added, ‘I could not do this without my village – it takes a village.’

Ella Langley & Riley Green were the first winners announced for Single of the Year for the track, you look like you love me.

Wilson won Album of the Year for her first honors of the evening 

Wilson was later crowned Female Vocalist of the Year, telling the audience, ‘It’s a good night, it’s a good night’

After she won Entertainer of the Year, Wilson explained how the results of the evening had wildly exceeded her expectations 

‘I wasn’t expecting to get up here so early tonight,’ Langley, 26, said in her acceptance speech. ‘I feel like this is a song that just keeps on giving because the fans keep on listening to it.

‘And this song wouldn’t be here without people like will Bundy and Jim Cooley working on the record, Riley doing the second verse, and man, I don’t know, I thought I had something prepared, but I get up here and I get a little confused and excited at the same time!’

Langley wrapped up in saying, ‘Wow, thank you so much for this. This means the world to all of us.’

Green said he was ‘just so glad to be a part of this song’ and praised his collaborator for ‘how she handles herself and making country music really country.’

He added, ‘Proud of you, glad to be part of this song, thank you all for making it a hit.’

The tandem was back onstage after they collected the honors for Song of the Year, which they won with songwriter Aaron Raitiere.

‘With this one, we really just wrote it because we loved it,’ Langley said. ‘I got to thank Aaron for being the songwriter that he is tonight.

‘These songs change our lives. I don’t think people really know how true that is. They change our life. They changed my life, my family’s life. I’m so grateful to be up here tonight.’

Ella Langley & Riley Green were the first winners announced during Wednesday night’s 59th annual CMA Awards stemming from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena for Single of the Year for the track, you look like you love me 

Langley said in her acceptance speech: ‘I feel like this is a song that just keeps on giving because the fans keep on listening to it.’ The singer pictured backstage 

Brooks & Dunn was named Vocal Duo of the Year, marking their 16th win in the category.

Ronnie Dunn said in accepting the honors: ‘I’m emotional, every night of sold-out shows is surreal to us … we’ll take this and try to make you proud, okay? Thank you.’

Kix Brooks added, ‘I heard earlier tonight y’all ever get sick of this? Hell no, man, this is too good! Thank you very much.’

Zach Top was named New Artist of the Year.

He said in his acceptance speech: ‘I’m so thankful to be included in a category with a bunch of other great artists that have had phenomenal years.

Top said he was ‘thankful to be here,’ adding, ‘This is my first CMA win ever, so it’s a big deal to me.’

The Red Clay Strays won the honors for Vocal Group of the Year, which marked their first time achieving the feat.

Lead singer Brandon Coleman said in accepting the honors, ‘Thank you, Jesus, that’s awesome. ‘Never, ever would have dreamed of winning anything like this. That’s pretty incredible. 

Said the singer, ‘I get up here and I get a little confused and excited at the same time!’

Brooks & Dunn was named Vocal Duo of the Year, marking their 16th win in the category 

Ella Langley and Riley Green were back onstage after they collected the honors for Song of the Year, which they won with songwriter Aaron Raitiere 

‘We didn’t seen know how to set up music equipment when we started doing this.

Coleman continued: ‘Thanks to our families, wives, girlfriends, crews that help us tour as much as we do – can’t do it without you all. I’ve already thanked Jesus, we’re good; thank you Jesus again.

Coleman advised fans, ‘Always believe you can do it – work hard and trust God.’

The band’s John Hall referenced his late brother Jacob, who tragically ‘took his own life in 2020.

Hall said of his late sibling: ‘He should be up here with us, but he’s not – God bless him – this is for Jacob.’

Cody Johnson was announced as Male Vocalist of the Year, again referencing his fondness for legendary pro wrestler Ric Flair in his acceptance speech, but not forgetting any other essential thanks to give this time.

‘So the last time I accepted an award, I did the Ric Flair woo,’ the new father-of-three said, ‘and I got back home and my wife said you didn’t even thank Jesus!

‘So thank you Lord, thank you so much for the guidance you’ve given me. Without his hand and his grace on my life I wouldn’t be here tonight.’ 

Zach Top was named New Artist of the Year at Wednesday’s event 

The Red Clay Strays won the honors for Vocal Group of the Year, which marked their first time achieving the feat. Singer Brandon Coleman referenced his faith in accepting the honors

The band’s John Hall referenced his late brother Jacob, who tragically ‘took his own life in 2020’

Leading nominees for the award show – all nominated for six honors apiece – included Langley, Megan Moroney and Wilson – who was also hosting the proceedings.

‘Welcome to the CMA Awards,’ Wilson said upon her entrance. ‘I grew up in the village of Baskin in Louisiana, population 175.

‘Ever since I was a little girl, country music has been a huge part of my world. It was more than a genre, it was a way of life.

Wilson said that ‘growing up in Baskin, there were two things my family made dang that we never missed, and that was bull riding and the CMA awards – and if we had to miss one, it wasn’t gonna be this.’

She added that ‘to have been asked to host this legendary country music event for y’all is making little Lainey – who was bright eyed and bushy tailed sitting way too close to the TV – really, really proud.’

Wilson was nominated for CMA entertainer of the year against an impressive field consisting of Luke Combs, Cody Johnson, Chris Stapleton and 2024 victor Morgan Wallen.

Vince Gill was slated to be given the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award during the show from Music City.

The 59th annual CMA Awards will be available to stream on Hulu Thursday.

The winners are determined from votes culled from members of Country Music Association.

2025 CMA Awards Nominees

Entertainer of the Year

Luke Combs 

Cody Johnson 

Chris Stapleton 

Morgan Wallen

Lainey Wilson

 

Album of the Year

Am I Okay? – Megan Moroney 

PRODUCER(S): Kristian Bush

MIX ENGINEER(S): Justin Niebank

Sony Music Nashville / Columbia Records

 

Cold Beer & Country Music – Zach Top

PRODUCER(S): Carson Chamberlain

MIX ENGINEER(S): Matt Rovey

Leo33

 

F-1 Trillion – Post Malone

PRODUCER(S): Louis Bell, Charlie Handsome, Hoskins

MIX ENGINEER(S): Ryan Gore

Mercury Records / Big Loud Records

 

I’m The Problem – Morgan Wallen

PRODUCER(S): Jacob Durrett, Charlie Handsome, Joey Moi, Joe Reeves

MIX ENGINEER(S): Charlie Handsome, Joey Moi

Big Loud Records / Mercury Records

 

Whirlwind – Lainey Wilson (WINNER)

PRODUCER(S): Jay Joyce

MIX ENGINEER(S): Jason Hall, Jay Joyce

Broken Bow Records

Luke Combs is up for three nominations at this year’s CMAs

 

Female Vocalist of the Year

Kelsea Ballerini

Miranda Lambert

Ella Langley 

Megan Moroney 

Lainey Wilson

 

Male Vocalist of the Year

Luke Combs

Cody Johnson (WINNER) 

Chris Stapleton 

Zach Top

Morgan Wallen 

 

Vocal Group of the Year 

Lady A

Little Big Town

Old Dominion 

Rascal Flatts

The Red Clay Strays (WINNER)

Vocal Duo of the Year 

Brooks & Dunn (WINNER)

Brothers Osborne

Dan + Shay 

Maddie & Tae

The War And Treaty 

 

New Artist of the Year 

Ella Langley

Shaboozey 

Zach Top (WINNER)

Tucker Wetmore 

Stephen Wilson Jr. 

Single of the Year

“4x4xU” – Lainey Wilson,

PRODUCER(S): Jay Joyce

MIX ENGINEER(S): Jason Hall, Jay Joyce

Broken Bow Records

 

“Ain’t No Love In Oklahoma” – Luke Combs

PRODUCER(S): Luke Combs, Chip Matthews, Jonathan Singleton

MIX ENGINEER(S): Chip Matthews

Atlantic Records / Seven Ridges Records

 

“Am I Okay?” 

Megan Moroney 

PRODUCER(S): Kristian Bush

MIX ENGINEER(S): Justin Niebank

Sony Music Nashville / Columbia Records

“I Never Lie” – Zach Top

PRODUCER(S): Carson Chamberlain

MIX ENGINEER(S): Matt Rovey

Leo33

 

“you look like you love me” – Ella Langley & Riley Green (WINNER)

PRODUCER(S): Will Bundy

MIX ENGINEER(S): Jim Cooley

SAWGOD Records / Columbia

 

Song of the Year 

“4x4xU”  – Jon Decious, Aaron Raitiere, Lainey Wilson 

 “Am I Okay?”  – Jessie Jo Dillon, Luke Laird, Megan Moroney

“I Never Lie” – Carson Chamberlain, Tim Nichols, Zach Top

“Texas” – Johnny Clawson, Josh Dorr, Lalo Guzman, Kyle Sturrock

“you look like you love me” –  Riley Green, Ella Langley, Aaron Raitiere (WINNER)

 

Musical Event of the Year 

“Pour Me A Drink” –  Post Malone (feat. Blake Shelton) (WINNER)

PRODUCER(S): Louis Bell, Charlie Handsome

Mercury Records / Big Loud Records

 

“Don’t Mind If I Do” – Riley Green (featuring Ella Langley) 

PRODUCER(S): Scott Borchetta, Jimmy Harnen, Dann Huff

Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment

 

“Hard Fought Hallelujah” – Brandon Lake with Jelly Roll

PRODUCER(S): Micah Nichols

Provident Label Group  

 

“I’m Gonna Love You” – Cody Johnson (with Carrie Underwood)

PRODUCER(S): Trent Willmon

CoJo Music / Warner Music Nashville

 

“You Had To Be There” – Megan Moroney (feat. Kenny Chesney)

PRODUCER(S): Kristian Bush

Sony Music Nashville / Columbia Records

 

Music Video of the Year 

“you look like you love me” – Ella Langley & Riley Green (WINNER)

DIRECTOR(S): Ella Langley, John Park, Wales Toney

 

“Am I Okay?” – Megan Moroney

 DIRECTOR(S): Alexandra Gavillet, Megan Moroney

 

“I’m Gonna Love You”  – Cody Johnson (with Carrie Underwood)

DIRECTOR(S): Dustin Haney

 

“Somewhere Over Laredo” –  Lainey Wilson

DIRECTOR(S): TK McKamy

 

“Think I’m In Love With You” – Chris Stapleton

DIRECTOR(S): Running Bear

 

Musician of the Year 

Jenee Fleenor – Fiddle

Paul Franklin – Steel Guitar (WINNER)

Brent Mason – Guitar

Rob McNelley – Guitar

Derek Wells -Guitar