The cma awards 2025 took center stage on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, bringing together the biggest names in country music for an unforgettable night. The live broadcast on ABC (8 p.m. ET) delivered gripping performances, emotional acceptance speeches and several historic wins.
Lainey Wilson’s landmark evening
Host and head-liner Lainey Wilson dominated the night, securing three of the top honors: Entertainer of the Year, Album of the Year for Whirlwind, and Female Vocalist of the Year. Her win for Entertainer makes her only the third woman ever to claim the honor twice. Meanwhile, her four-time Female Vocalist streak points to real staying power.
In her acceptance speech for Entertainer, Wilson took a moment to highlight female solidarity within country music and addressed critics directly, setting a tone of empowerment and reflection.
Breakthrough for Ella Langley & Riley Green
The duet Ella Langley and Riley Green emerged as one of the night’s biggest surprises. Their song “You Look Like You Love Me” swept three major categories: Single of the Year, Song of the Year (for writers Langley, Green, Aaron Raitiere), and Music Video of the Year. The clean sweep showed how a fresh collaboration can dominate even amid veteran heavyweights.
Major category winners at a glance
Here’s a breakdown of the key winners from the ceremony:
| Category | Winner | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Entertainer of the Year | Lainey Wilson | Her second win in the category |
| Album of the Year | Whirlwind – Lainey Wilson | Adds to her album trophy haul |
| Female Vocalist of the Year | Lainey Wilson | Fourth time winning |
| Male Vocalist of the Year | Cody Johnson | First win in this major category |
| Single of the Year | “You Look Like You Love Me” – Langley & Green | Collaboration-led victory |
| Song of the Year | “You Look Like You Love Me” (Langley/Green/Raitiere) | Honors songwriting team |
| Music Video of the Year | “You Look Like You Love Me” – Langley & Green | Visual concept resonated |
| Vocal Duo of the Year | Brooks & Dunn | Historic 20th CMA win total |
| Vocal Group of the Year | The Red Clay Strays | Ending old guard dominance |
| New Artist of the Year | Zach Top | Breakout talent recognized this year |
| Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award | Vince Gill | Celebrating decades of impact |
Historic and milestone moments
- Brooks & Dunn extended their record by bringing their total CMA wins to 20, making them the most-awarded act in the show’s history.
- Lainey Wilson’s second Entertainer win places her alongside Barbara Mandrell and Taylor Swift as only the third woman to reach that feat.
- The Red Clay Strays’ victory in Vocal Group marks a generational shift in the group category, interrupting long-standing dominance by older acts.
- Vince Gill’s Lifetime Achievement honor underscored his decades-long legacy as performer, songwriter and mentor in country music.
Stunning performance highlights
The ceremony featured a stacked lineup of performances that fostered both nostalgia and forward motion.
- Luke Combs kicked off the night with a high-energy rendition of “Back in the Saddle”.
- Wilson opened with a show-stopping medley of her hits and brought out surprise guest Keith Urban for “Where the Blacktop Ends”.
- Langley & Green performed their award-winning track live, delivering one of the night’s emotional high points.
- Cody Johnson and Zach Top took different creative routes — Johnson with a commanding live band sound, Top with a stripped-down six-string spotlight.
- Other standout sets came from Chris Stapleton, Kelsea Ballerini (who used a swing and rainfall staging) and the breakout Red Clay Strays amid the crowd.
Style, fashion and red-carpet moments
The red carpet at Bridgestone was a visual feast. Country stars showcased bold ensembles that blended classic country chic with modern runway flair. Names like Mickey Guyton, Megan Moroney and Wilson herself caught eyes in custom gowns, sequins and cowboy-boot silhouettes. Smiles, designer statements and backstage photography buzzed across social channels.
What it all means for country music in 2025
This year’s ceremony reflected several broader trends:
- Veteran artists continue to anchor the format, but younger voices are staking ground more visibly.
- Collaborations (especially cross-genre or duet formats) dominated top categories, showing how country is embracing broader influences while retaining its roots.
- The recognition of artists like Langley, Green and Top signals that the CMA voting pool is actively broadening its lens to emerging talent.
- The dual role of entertainer-as-host (Wilson) highlighted how artists are not just performers but curators of the live special-event experience.
Key numbers and talking points
- Night of the event: November 19, 2025.
- Location: Nashville, Tennessee, Bridgestone Arena.
- Host: Lainey Wilson (also top winner).
- Broadcast: Live on ABC, streaming available the following day on Hulu.
- Eligibility period: July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025.
- Major multiple‐winners: Lainey Wilson (3 major awards), Ella Langley & Riley Green (3 each).
Looking ahead
Winners from the cma awards 2025 now stand poised for the next phase — returning to touring, releasing follow-up projects and leveraging momentum into year-end charts and spring festivals. For the U.S. country music audience, the evening validated that country’s traditions are evolving and that new voices are very much part of the trajectory.
The cma awards 2025 delivered more than trophies – it offered a snapshot of country music’s present and a preview of its future.
What moment stood out most to you? Drop your thoughts below and stay tuned for more country music coverage.