The 59th Annual CMA Awards: Every Winner, Performer, And Must-See Moment From Country Music's Biggest Night
The 59th Annual CMA Awards, country music’s most prestigious event, took place on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. This star-studded ceremony, which aired live on ABC, celebrated the best and brightest in the genre, featuring electrifying performances and major wins that cemented the current landscape of country music. The latest event has set the stage for a new generation of superstars while honoring established legends.
The night was a massive victory lap for several artists, most notably Lainey Wilson, who not only took on hosting duties for the second time but also walked away with the night's top honor. The show provided a perfect blend of traditional country sounds and the genre's emerging, diverse voices, ensuring the Country Music Association Awards remain a must-watch event for fans globally.
The Essential Details: Date, Time, Location, and Host of the 59th CMA Awards
For those who missed the live broadcast or are looking to catch up on the biggest night in country music, here is the essential information about the most recent CMA Awards ceremony, which celebrated the 59th year of the prestigious awards.
- Event: The 59th Annual Country Music Association Awards
- When Were the CMA Awards? Wednesday, November 19, 2025.
- Location: Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, Tennessee.
- Broadcast Time: 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) / 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time (PT).
- Network: Live on ABC.
- Streaming: Available to stream the following day on Hulu.
- Host: Lainey Wilson, who served as host for the second time.
Lainey Wilson Dominates: The Complete List of Major CMA Winners
The 59th Annual CMA Awards were a historic night for several artists, with Lainey Wilson leading the pack and solidifying her status as a true powerhouse in the industry. Her multiple wins underscored a year of phenomenal success and critical acclaim. Here is a look at the key winners from the ceremony, covering the most prestigious categories.
- Entertainer of the Year: Lainey Wilson
- Female Vocalist of the Year: Lainey Wilson
- Male Vocalist of the Year: Cody Johnson
- New Artist of the Year: Zach Top
- Album of the Year: (Winner not explicitly named in snippets, but was a major category)
- Vocal Group of the Year: (Winner not explicitly named in snippets, but was a major category)
- Vocal Duo of the Year: Brooks & Dunn
- Single of the Year: (Winner not explicitly named in snippets, but was a major category)
- Musician of the Year: (Winner not explicitly named in snippets, but was a major category)
Lainey Wilson's win for Entertainer of the Year was a defining moment, earning her the night's top honor over fellow nominees like Luke Combs and Cody Johnson. Meanwhile, Zach Top's victory for New Artist of the Year marked his first CMA Award, signaling a bright future for the traditional country singer.
Unforgettable Performances and Tributes at the Country Music Association Awards
Beyond the awards themselves, the CMA Awards are a world-class showcase of live country music, bringing together legends and contemporary chart-toppers for unique collaborations and powerful solo sets. The 59th ceremony was no exception, featuring a diverse lineup that spanned the entire genre.
The night saw performances from a massive list of A-list talent, including:
- Kelsea Ballerini
- Luke Combs
- Kenny Chesney
- Miranda Lambert
- Chris Stapleton
- Keith Urban
- Little Big Town
- Old Dominion
Newer artists who took the stage and made a significant impact included Ella Langley, Megan Moroney, and Zach Top, demonstrating the vitality of the genre. A standout moment was the inclusion of emerging acts like BigXthaPlug, Shaboozey, and Tucker Wetmore, who brought a fresh, genre-blending energy to the Bridgestone Arena stage.
Honoring Country Music Legends
A particularly moving part of the evening was the tribute to country music legend Vince Gill, who received a Lifetime Achievement Award. This segment featured powerful performances by Brandi Carlile and Patty Loveless, celebrating Gill's enduring impact on the Country Music Association and the genre as a whole. These tributes are a crucial part of the CMA Awards, connecting the history of country music with its present and future.
Topical Authority: Why the CMA Awards Still Matter
The Country Music Association Awards, often referred to simply as the CMAs, hold immense topical authority in the music world. Unlike other industry awards, the CMAs are voted on by the nearly 6,000 industry professional members of the Country Music Association, including performers, songwriters, producers, and radio personnel. This peer-voted system lends significant weight to the winners, making an Entertainer of the Year trophy one of the most coveted honors an artist can receive.
The show's consistent timing—always held in November and broadcast live from Nashville, the heart of country music—makes it a reliable fixture in the annual music calendar. The event serves as the official capstone of the country music year, often propelling winners like Lainey Wilson to new levels of global recognition and commercial success. The attention generated by the CMAs drives album sales, tour attendance, and radio play, making the "when are the CMA Awards" question a vital one for both the industry and dedicated fans.
The 59th Annual CMA Awards successfully navigated the evolving landscape of country music, balancing traditional artists with new, diverse voices. The massive wins for Lainey Wilson and the spotlight on acts like The Red Clay Strays and Riley Green prove that the CMA is committed to recognizing excellence across the entire spectrum of the genre, ensuring its relevance for years to come. The next ceremony, the 60th Annual CMA Awards, is already highly anticipated, promising another night of unforgettable moments and major career milestones.
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