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The 2025 CMA Awards: 7 Shocking Wins And The Full List Of Country Music’s New Royalty

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The 2025 CMA Awards ceremony, held on Wednesday, November 19th at Nashville's Bridgestone Arena, delivered a night of stunning victories and emotional moments, solidifying a new era in country music. The 59th Annual Country Music Association Awards proved to be a pivotal event, with a host who also swept the night's biggest honors, surprising wins in major categories, and a heartfelt tribute to a living legend. This year’s show was a clear signal that the genre is evolving, celebrating both established superstars and a new wave of traditional-leaning talent, offering fans a fresh look at the artists who will define the next decade of country music. The buzz surrounding the 2025 CMA Awards was immense, with the Entertainer of the Year category being the most hotly contested. Ultimately, the night belonged to an artist who not only hosted the show but also walked away with multiple trophies, marking a historic achievement. Below is the comprehensive list of every winner from the 2025 CMA Awards, highlighting the biggest surprises and the genre's most celebrated figures.

The Reigning Class: Full List of 2025 CMA Award Winners

The 59th Annual CMA Awards recognized excellence across 12 categories, with several artists dominating the winner's circle. The full list of recipients below showcases the depth of talent currently defining the country music landscape.

  • ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR: Lainey Wilson
  • FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR: Lainey Wilson
  • MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR: Cody Johnson
  • VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR: The Red Clay Strays
  • VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR: Brothers Osborne
  • NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR: Zach Top
  • ALBUM OF THE YEAR: Whirlwind – Lainey Wilson (Producer: Jay Joyce; Mix Engineer: F. Reid Shippen)
  • SINGLE OF THE YEAR: "you look like you love me" – Ella Langley & Riley Green (Producer: Will Bundy; Mix Engineer: Jim Cooley)
  • SONG OF THE YEAR (Award to Songwriter): "Ain’t No Love in Oklahoma" (Songwriters: Luke Combs, Jonathan Singleton, Randy Montana)
  • MUSICAL EVENT OF THE YEAR: "Love You Anyway" – Luke Combs (feat. Kelsea Ballerini)
  • MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR (Award to Artist & Director): "Am I Okay?" – Megan Moroney (Director: Dustin Haney)
  • MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR: Jenee Fleenor (Fiddle)

Special Recognition: CMA Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award

In a deeply moving segment, the CMA Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to legendary singer-songwriter Vince Gill. This prestigious honor recognizes an artist who has achieved the highest degree of recognition in country music and whose body of work has made a monumental impact on the genre. Gill's decades-long career, filled with timeless hits and a commitment to mentorship, made him a truly deserving recipient.

Lainey Wilson’s Historic Night: The New Queen of Country

The biggest story of the 2025 CMA Awards was undoubtedly Lainey Wilson. Not only did she co-host the event, but she also secured the night's most coveted prize: Entertainer of the Year. This win cements her status as a genre powerhouse, following a year of massive touring success and critical acclaim for her music. She also took home Female Vocalist of the Year and Album of the Year for her chart-topping record, Whirlwind.

Her acceptance speech for Entertainer of the Year was a heartfelt moment, reflecting on her journey from a small-town girl to the top of country music. Wilson’s ability to blend traditional country sounds with a modern flair has resonated deeply with fans, making her a formidable force against nominees like Luke Combs and Cody Johnson. Winning the top award while also serving as host is a rare feat, placing her in an elite group of country music stars.

Unexpected Victories and Rising Stars: New Faces in the Winner’s Circle

While the major vocal awards went to established names, the 2025 ceremony highlighted several rising stars and delivered a few notable upsets, demonstrating the vibrant and competitive nature of the genre. These wins are crucial for understanding the future direction of country music.

The Rise of Zach Top: New Artist of the Year

One of the most exciting moments was the announcement of Zach Top as the New Artist of the Year. Top, known for his commitment to a classic, 90s-era country sound, beat out strong contenders like Ella Langley, Shaboozey, and Tucker Wetmore. His victory is a significant nod from the CMA voters toward artists who are embracing a more traditional acoustic and lyrical style, suggesting a growing appetite for throwback country music.

Single of the Year Surprise: Ella Langley & Riley Green

The Single of the Year award, which recognizes the track's overall quality and commercial success, went to Ella Langley & Riley Green for their duet, "you look like you love me." This win was a pleasant surprise, as they overcame major hits from superstars like Lainey Wilson’s "4x4xU" and Luke Combs’ "Ain't No Love in Oklahoma." The song’s success is a testament to the power of a genuine, emotionally resonant collaboration and stellar production work.

The Red Clay Strays' Breakthrough

In the Vocal Group of the Year category, The Red Clay Strays earned their first major CMA award. Their unique blend of Southern rock, blues, and country has garnered a massive following, and this win acknowledges their growing influence and powerful live performances. Their victory signals the CMA's appreciation for groups that push the boundaries of the country sound.

Key Entities and LSI Keywords Shaping the 2025 Narrative

The 2025 CMA Awards were rich with important entities and moments that will shape the country music conversation for the next year. The focus on both Entertainer of the Year Lainey Wilson and Male Vocalist of the Year Cody Johnson underscores the current landscape's duality: a celebration of powerful female voices and a continued appreciation for traditional male country singers. The introduction of new talent like Zach Top and the recognition of Ella Langley & Riley Green are key indicators of future trends.

Other important entities and LSI (Latent Semantic Indexing) keywords that emerged from the event include: 59th Annual CMA Awards, Bridgestone Arena Nashville, CMA Awards 2025 highlights, Luke Combs (for his songwriting and musical event win), Megan Moroney (Music Video winner), and Jenee Fleenor (Musician of the Year). The ceremony's overall theme was a harmonious blend of honoring the legends, like Vince Gill with the CMA Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award, while enthusiastically welcoming the next generation of country superstars.

The 2025 CMA Awards: 7 Shocking Wins and the Full List of Country Music’s New Royalty
cma award winners
cma award winners

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