Chris Stapleton wins 4 CMA Awards but Morgan Wallen named entertainer of the year
Chris Stapleton barely left the stage as he accepted four Country Music Association Awards on Wednesday night, while the absent Morgan Wallen was shut out the entire night until winning The biggest award of the night – Entertainer of the Year.
Stapleton, whose awards include Song of the Year and Single of the Year, also took the stage at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., for three performances during the ABC telecast. This included an opening duet with Post Malone.
“I’m very honored and very grateful for it,” said Stapleton, a typically low-key country traditionalist, as he accepted his eighth Male Vocalist of the Year award.
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For much of the night, leading nominee Warren (with seven nominations) appeared to be ruled out until host Jeff Bridges, while announcing Entertainer of the Year, incorrectly translated his name as ” Morgan Waylon”.
Warren’s four nominations came for his hit song “I Had Some Help,” which he collaborated with Malone on, although neither that song nor first-time nominee Malone won.
But rapper Malone, who released his first country album earlier this year, was all smiles at the CMAs throughout the night. He performed his song “California Sober” with Stapleton, wearing full denim attire, including a bolo tie as big as a belt buckle. He then took the stage to sing an emotional solo of “Yours,” dedicated to his young daughter.
Stapleton later performed his own version of “What Am I Gonna Do” with his wife, Morgan, and performed it again as part of an all-star tribute to George Strait, who Received the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award.
Last year’s Entertainer of the Year, Lainey Wilson, hosted the show alongside Luke Bryan and NFL superstar Peyton Manning, and won two for “Wildflowers and Broncos.” CMA Awards – Female Vocalist of the Year and Best Music Video.
For a while, it looked like Stapleton would sweep the competition, but he lost Album of the Year to the surprising Cody Johnson, who took home the trophy for “Leather.”
“I think Chris Stapleton or Jelly Roll is going to win,” Johnson said.
Old Dominion won Vocal Group of the Year for a record seventh consecutive time, surpassing Little Big Town’s six titles.
Stapleton-Malone’s opening set and much of the night was a celebration of the era of country crossover and collaboration.
The TV show, which airs on Hulu on Thursday, features performances from artist groups like Brooks & Dunn, who represent the 1990s and 2000s, and Jelly Roll, who represent country’s current moment. They performed Brooks & Dunn’s 2005 song “Believe” in an emotional gospel style.
Brooks & Dunn followed suit, winning Vocal Duo of the Year for the 15th time and first time since 2006.
Shaboozey’s solo performance brought the crowd to its feet as he opened with a more sober single, “Highway,” before launching into this year’s hit single, “A Bar Song (Tipsy).”
But he lost the Best New Artist award to Megan Moroney, who won just minutes into her performance.
“Thank you Jesus for putting this dream in my heart,” Moroney, a 27-year-old girl from Georgia, said through tears as she accepted the award.
Wilson paid tribute to Strait by singing part of his most memorable hit, “Morning Amarillo.”
They were followed by Jamie Johnson, Miranda Lambert, Parker McCollum, Stapleton and Straits contemporary Clint Black, who performed Straits hits including “Troubadour” and “Honky Tonk Hall of Fame”
Stapleton handed the 72-year-old Strait the award previously held by Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash, Charlie Pride and Nelson himself, calling Strait “true country music royalty, the King of Country.” king”.
Strait smiled and thanked everyone for the powerful rendition of his song.
“I’m glad I got them first,” he said.
The CMA Awards are nominated and voted on by Country Music Association members, which include music executives, artists, publicists, songwriters and other industry professionals.
