The Shocking 2024 CMA Awards Recap: Morgan Wallen's First EOTY Win, Chris Stapleton's Triple Crown, And The Post Malone Moment That Rocked Nashville
The 58th Annual CMA Awards, held on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, delivered one of the most unpredictable and talked-about nights in recent country music history. The ceremony, hosted by the dynamic trio of Luke Bryan, Peyton Manning, and Lainey Wilson, served as a powerful capstone to a year defined by explosive new talent and the continued reign of genre heavyweights. This comprehensive recap breaks down every major winner, the electrifying performances, and the key moments that cemented the 2024 CMAs as a landmark event.
The biggest story of the night unfolded as Morgan Wallen, the leading nominee with seven nods, secured his first-ever Entertainer of the Year trophy, a monumental win that officially crowned him the genre's biggest star. Meanwhile, Chris Stapleton and Lainey Wilson continued their respective winning streaks, while breakout stars like Megan Moroney and Cody Johnson proved that the future of country music is in incredibly capable hands. The broadcast, which aired live on ABC, was a celebration of both traditional roots and the genre's evolving sound.
The 2024 CMA Awards Winners: A Complete List of the Night's Biggest Triumphs
The 58th Annual Country Music Association Awards saw a mix of familiar faces and first-time winners take home the coveted trophies. The results reflect a year where traditional country sounds, spearheaded by artists like Chris Stapleton and Cody Johnson, found massive commercial and critical success alongside the streaming dominance of Morgan Wallen. Below is the complete list of winners in the major categories, highlighting the artists and projects that defined the 2024 country music landscape.
- Entertainer of the Year: Morgan Wallen
- Female Vocalist of the Year: Lainey Wilson
- Male Vocalist of the Year: Chris Stapleton
- Single of the Year: "White Horse" — Chris Stapleton (Producers: Chris Stapleton, Dave Cobb)
- Song of the Year: "White Horse" — Chris Stapleton (Songwriters: Chris Stapleton, Tyler Coombes)
- Album of the Year: Leather — Cody Johnson (Producer: Trent Willmon)
- New Artist of the Year: Megan Moroney
- Vocal Group of the Year: Old Dominion
- Vocal Duo of the Year: Brooks & Dunn
- Musical Event of the Year: "You Look Like You Love Me" — Ella Langley (feat. Riley Green)
- Music Video of the Year: "You Look Like You Love Me" — Ella Langley (feat. Riley Green) (Director: Dustin Haney)
- Musician of the Year: Paul Franklin (Steel Guitar)
The Entertainer of the Year Shock: Morgan Wallen's Absence and Significance
The most anticipated award of the evening, Entertainer of the Year (EOTY), went to Morgan Wallen, marking his first win in the prestigious category. Wallen, who led all nominees with seven nods, was not in attendance at the Bridgestone Arena. In a surprising and unprecedented moment, Hollywood actor Jeff Bridges, who was presenting the award, accepted the trophy on Wallen's behalf, delivering a brief acceptance message to the stunned crowd.
Wallen's victory is highly significant. It officially recognizes his unparalleled commercial success and cultural impact over the past year, which included a massive stadium tour and record-breaking streaming numbers for his tracks like "Last Night" and "Thinkin’ Bout Me." The win solidifies his position as the most commercially dominant artist in the genre, finally translating fan and sales success into the CMA's highest honor. His absence, however, created a polarizing moment, underscoring the ongoing conversation about the balance between commercial power and industry presence at the awards show.
The competition for EOTY was fierce, with Wallen beating out fellow nominees Luke Combs, Jelly Roll, and the multi-award-winning Chris Stapleton. This win ends a period of anticipation and debate, firmly establishing Wallen as the reigning Entertainer of the Year, a title many felt was long overdue given his monumental popularity.
Chris Stapleton and Lainey Wilson: Dominance and Historic Streaks
While Morgan Wallen took the biggest prize, the night belonged to Chris Stapleton, who secured a stunning triple-crown win, and Lainey Wilson, who continued her historic run.
Chris Stapleton’s ‘White Horse’ Sweep
Chris Stapleton was the night's most decorated winner, taking home three major awards: Male Vocalist of the Year, Single of the Year, and Song of the Year. All three wins were centered around his powerful blues-rock track, "White Horse." Winning both Single and Song of the Year for the same track is a rare feat, emphasizing the song's widespread appeal and critical acclaim. Stapleton’s win for Male Vocalist of the Year further cements his status as one of the most consistently respected and awarded male artists in country music today.
Lainey Wilson’s Female Vocalist Hat-Trick
Co-host Lainey Wilson proved her star power extends beyond the hosting duties by winning Female Vocalist of the Year for the third consecutive time. This "hat-trick" victory places her in an elite group of female artists who have dominated the category. Wilson’s continued success is a testament to her unique blend of traditional country storytelling and modern, bold persona, making her a powerhouse both on the charts and on the awards stage. Her role as a co-host alongside Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning was praised for its energy and humor, adding to her incredible night.
Breakout Moments and Surprising Wins: Cody Johnson, Megan Moroney, and Post Malone
Beyond the major categories, the 2024 CMA Awards showcased the depth of talent emerging in the genre and delivered some truly unforgettable, cross-genre moments.
Cody Johnson's Album of the Year Upset
One of the night's biggest surprises was Cody Johnson’s win for Album of the Year for his project, Leather. Johnson's album, a blend of traditional country and Texas grit, beat out highly anticipated and critically acclaimed works, including Kacey Musgraves’ Deeper Well, Luke Combs’ Fathers & Sons, and Chris Stapleton’s Higher. Johnson’s emotional acceptance speech highlighted his commitment to authentic, cowboy-rooted music, marking a significant victory for the more traditional wing of the genre.
Megan Moroney's New Artist Crown
Megan Moroney was crowned New Artist of the Year, a well-deserved win following the massive success of her single "Tennessee Orange" and her debut album, Lucky. Moroney’s victory signals her transition from a viral sensation to a certified country music star, beating out other strong contenders and showcasing the power of female artists in the contemporary landscape.
The Post Malone and Chris Stapleton Collaboration
The ceremony kicked off with one of the most buzzed-about performances: the live debut of "California Sober" by Post Malone and Chris Stapleton. The unexpected collaboration between the hip-hop/pop superstar and the country veteran blended genres seamlessly, setting an electric tone for the rest of the show. Post Malone, who has been openly embracing country music, later returned to the stage to deliver a moving solo performance of his song "Yours." This collaboration was widely hailed as a highlight of the night, demonstrating country music's increasing openness to cross-genre partnerships and its expanding mainstream reach.
The 2024 CMA Awards proved to be a night of generational shifts and star-making moments. From Morgan Wallen's long-awaited EOTY win to the powerful performances by Stapleton, Wilson, and Malone, the show provided a clear picture of a genre that is simultaneously honoring its legends—like George Strait, who received the CMA Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award—while embracing its new, diverse, and commercially dominant future. The conversation around these wins, snubs, and surprising collaborations will undoubtedly continue to shape the country music narrative well into the next year.
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