Winners Announced for ‘The 57th Annual CMA Awards’

“The 57th Annual CMA Awards” took center stage from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena this evening, highlighting Country Music’s global appeal while paying homage to the genre’s legends and celebrating its brightest new voices. Returning hosts Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning once again showcased their undeniable chemistry, keeping the audience on their toes and delivering some of the night’s funniest moments and best one-liners. Throughout the evening, Country’s hottest stars brought one-of-a-kind collaborations and show-stopping solo performances.

Kicking off the night, Jelly Roll took the CMA Awards stage for the first time with iconic Country Music Hall of Fame member Wynonna Judd, performing his hit single “Need A Favor” and bringing the crowd to their feet. Newly inducted Country Music Hall of Fame member Tanya Tucker was joined by Little Big Town to perform the Country classic “Delta Dawn,” a song that has stood the test of time since first being performed by a teenage Tucker in 1972. And some of Country Music’s most beloved acts — including Alan Jackson, Kenny Chesney, Zac Brown Band and Coral Reefer Band member Mac McAnally—united to pay tribute to their good friend, the recently passed legendary songwriter and CMA Award winner Jimmy Buffett, performing a medley of Buffett’s hits “A Pirate Looks at Forty” and “Margaritaville.”

Adding to the list of star-studded collaborations, HARDY and Morgan Wallen welcomed pop star Post Malone to the CMA Awards stage for the first time to perform two of Country star Joe Diffie’s hits, “John Deere Green” and “Pickup Man.” Wallen also took the CMA Awards stage to perform “Man Made a Bar,” featuring surprise guest Eric Church. Carly Pearce and Chris Stapleton showcased their stunning and powerful harmonies performing “We Don’t Fight Anymore.” Old Dominion and Megan Moroney performed a gut-wrenching rendition of their song “Can’t Break Up Now.” And just as he opened the show, Jelly Roll returned to close the show alongside first-time performer and multigenre powerhouse K. Michelle, singing The Judds’ “Love Can Build A Bridge.”

The night’s top winner, Wilson, took the stage to perform “Wildflowers and Wild Horses” against a stunning wild meadow surrounded by flames. And Bryan had the arena crowd on their feet as he celebrated his 30 career No. 1 hits with a medley of “Huntin’, Fishin’ and Lovin’ Every Day,” “One Margarita,” “That’s My Kind Of Night,” “Play It Again” and “Country Girl (Shake It For Me).”

Additional artists taking the CMA Awards stage tonight for solo performances included Kelsea Ballerini, Luke Combs, Dan + Shay, Jordan Davis, Cody Johnson, Ashley McBryde, Stapleton, and The War And Treaty.

First-time winner tonight, Jelly Roll took home New Artist of the Year, causing the audience to erupt with applause following his inspirational acceptance speech. “There is something poetic about a 39-year-old man winning New Artist of the Year. I don’t know where you’re at in your life or what you’re going through, but I want to tell you to keep going, baby.” Tracy Chapman won in the Songwriter category for penning “Fast Car,” covered by Combs. Though not in attendance, Chapman shared thank you remarks, noting, “It’s truly an honor for my song to be newly recognized after 35 years of its debut.” Stapleton’s Male Vocalist of the Year trophy marks his 16th win overall, tying him for third in all-time wins. Brothers Osborne’s win for Vocal Duo marks their sixth win in the category, making the siblings the second-most all-time winning Duo. Old Dominion won Vocal Group for a sixth consecutive year, tying for most consecutive all-time wins in the category. Fiddle player Jenee Fleenor took home her fifth straight win for Musician, now tying Johnny Gimble as the fourth-most all-time winner in the category.

Watch the evening’s biggest performances now on YouTube. Starting later tonight, catch the full show on Hulu. Media can access video footage, photos and additional assets from “The 57th Annual CMA Awards” at CMApress.com.

“The 57th Annual CMA Awards” is a production of the Country Music Association. Robert Deaton is the executive producer, Alan Carter is the director, and Jon Macks is the head writer.

See below for the complete list of winners from “The 57th Annual CMA Awards.”

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR  

• Lainey Wilson

SINGLE OF THE YEAR
Award goes to the artist, producers and mix engineer

• “Fast Car” – Luke Combs
• Producers: Luke Combs, Chip Matthews, Jonathan Singleton
• Mix Engineer: Chip Matthews

ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Award goes to the artist, producer and mix engineers

• Bell Bottom Country – Lainey Wilson
• Producer: Jay Joyce
• Mix Engineers: Jason Hall, Jay Joyce

SONG OF THE YEAR
Award goes to the songwriter

• “Fast Car”
• Songwriter: Tracy Chapman

FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR

• Lainey Wilson

MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR

• Chris Stapleton

VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR

• Old Dominion

VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR

• Brothers Osborne

MUSICAL EVENT OF THE YEAR
Award goes to the artists and producers

• “wait in the truck” – HARDY (feat. Lainey Wilson)
• Producers: HARDY, Joey Moi, Jordan Schmidt, Derek Wells

MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR

• Jenee Fleenor – Fiddle

MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Award goes to the artists and director

• “wait in the truck” – HARDY (feat. Lainey Wilson)
• Director: Justin Clough

NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR

• Jelly Roll

About the CMA Awards
The first “CMA Awards Banquet and Show” was held in 1967. The following year, the CMA Awards was broadcast for the first time – making it the longest-running annual music awards program on network television. The CMA Awards have aired on ABC since 2006. ABC is the network home of the CMA Awards and CMA’s other two television properties, “CMA Fest” and “CMA Country Christmas.”

All balloting is tabulated by the professional services organization Deloitte.

As used in this document, “Deloitte” means Deloitte & Touche LLP, a subsidiary of Deloitte LLP. Please see Deloitte.com/us/about for a detailed description of Deloitte’s legal structure. Certain services may not be available to attest clients under the rules and regulations of public accounting.

For more information about the CMA Awards, visit CMAawards.com. To access CMA Awards media tools, visit CMApress.com.

Press Contacts:
Catharine McNelly, CMA
Vice President, Communications
cmcnelly@cmaworld.com

Julie Anne Jacobs, CMA
Communications Project Manager
jjacobs@cmaworld.com

Sarah Castellvi
sarah.castellvi@disney.com