2024 CMA Awards: Performers, Winners, and Show Highlights
Your Complete Guide to the 2024 Country Music Association Awards
Written by Amanda Tempel
Morgan Wallen led the nominations for the 58th annual CMA Awards with seven nods including the night’s top prize, Entertainer of the Year. Cody Johnson and Chris Stapleton followed with five nominations each. “The 58th Annual CMA Awards,” broadcasted live from Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on Wednesday, November 20, 2024 at 8:00 PM EST on ABC and the next day on Hulu. Peyton Manning, Luke Bryan, and Lainey Wilson hosted the show. Find the complete list of 2024 CMA Award performers, winners and show highlights below.
2024 CMA Award Winners
Entertainer of the Year - Morgan Wallen
Female Vocalist: Lainey Wilson
Male Vocalist: Chris Stapleton
Vocal Group: Old Dominion
Vocal Duo: Brooks & Dunn
New Artist: Megan Moroney
Album of the Year: Leather - Cody Johnson | Producer: Trent Willmon | Mix Engineer: Jack Clarke
Award goes to Artist, Producer(s) and Mix Engineer(s).
Fathers & Sons – Luke Combs
Producers: Luke Combs, Chip Matthews, Jonathan Singleton
Mix Engineer: Chip Matthews
Whitsitt Chapel – Jelly Roll
Producers: Andrew Baylis, Brock Berryhill, Zach Crowell, Jesse Frasure, David Garcia, Kevin “Thrasher” Gruft, Austin Nivarel, David Ray Stevens
Mix Engineers: Jeff Braun, Jim Cooley
Deeper Well – Kacey Musgraves
Producers: Ian Fitchuk, Kacey Musgraves, Daniel Tashian
Mix Engineers: Shawn Everett, Konrad Snyder
Higher – Chris Stapleton
Producers: Dave Cobb, Chris Stapleton, Morgane Stapleton
Mix Engineer: Vance Powell
Musician of the Year: Charlie Worsham
Song of the Year: “White Horse” | Songwriters: Chris Stapleton, Dan Wilson
Award is presented to the songwriter.
“Burn It Down”
Songwriters: Hillary Lindsey, Parker McCollum, Lori McKenna, Liz Rose
“Dirt Cheap”
Songwriter: Josh Phillips
“I Had Some Help”
Songwriters: Louis Bell, Ashley Gorley, Charlie Handsome, Hoskins, Austin Post, Ernest Keith Smith, Morgan Wallen, Chandler Paul Walters
“The Painter”
Songwriters: Benjy Davis, Kat Higgins, Ryan Larkins
Single of the Year: “White Horse” – Chris Stapleton |Producers: Dave Cobb, Chris Stapleton, Morgane Stapleton |Mix Engineer: Vance Powell
Award goes to Artist, Producer, and Mix Engineer.
“A Bar Song (Tipsy)” – Shaboozey
Producers: Sean Cook, Nevin Sastry
Mix Engineer: Raul Lopez
“Dirt Cheap” – Cody Johnson
Producer: Trent Willmon
Mix Engineer: Jack Clarke
“I Had Some Help” – Post Malone (Feat. Morgan Wallen)
Producers: Louis Bell, Charlie Handsome, Hoskins
Mix Engineer: Ryan Gore
“Watermelon Moonshine” – Lainey Wilson
Producer: Jay Joyce
Mix Engineers: Jason Hall, Jay Joyce
Musical Event of the Year: “You Look Like You Love Me” – Ella Langley & Riley Green | Producer: Will Bundy
Award goes to Artists and Producer.
“Cowboys Cry Too” – Kelsea Ballerini (with Noah Kahan)
Producers: Kelsea Ballerini, Alysa Vanderheym
“I Had Some Help” – Post Malone (Feat. Morgan Wallen)
Producers: Louis Bell, Charlie Handsome, Hoskins
“I Remember Everything” – Zach Bryan (ft. Kacey Musgraves)
Producer: Zach Bryan
“Man Made A Bar” – Morgan Wallen (feat. Eric Church)
Producer: Joey Moi
Music Video of the Year: “Wildflowers and Wild Horses” – Lainey Wilson | Director: Patrick Tracy
Award goes to Artist(s) and Director.
“Dirt Cheap” – Cody Johnson
Director: Dustin Haney
“I Had Some Help” – Post Malone (Feat. Morgan Wallen)
Director: Chris Villa
“I’m Not Pretty” – Megan Moroney
Directors: Jeff Johnson, Megan Moroney
“The Painter” – Cody Johnson
Director: Dustin Haney
2024 CMA Award Performances
Chris Stapleton & Post Malone - “California Sober”
Megan Moroney - “Am I Okay?”
Shaboozey - “Highway"/ “A Bar Song (Tipsy")”
Ella Langley & Riley Green - “You Look Like You Love Me”
Thomas Rhett & Teddy Swims - “Somethin’ ‘Bout A Woman”/ “Lose Control”
Luke Combs - “Ain’t No Love In Oklahoma”
Kelsea Ballerini & Noah Kahn - “Cowboys Cry Too”
Cody Johnson & Carrie Underwood - “I’m Gonna Love You”
Chris Stapleton - “What Am I Gonna Do”
Kasey Musgraves - “The Architect”
Brooks & Dunn with Jelly Roll - “Believe”
Post Malone - “Yours”
Lainey Wilson - “4x4xU”
Bailey Zimmerman - “New To Country”
Salute To George Strait:
Lainey Wilson - “Amarillo By Morning”
Jamey Johnson - “Give It Away”
Miranda Lambert & Parker McCollum - “Troubador”
George Strait & Chris Stapleton - “Honky Tonk Hall of Fame”
Ashley McBryde - “Help Me Make It Through The Night” (A Tribute To Kris Kristofferson)
Luke Bryan - “Love You, Miss You, Mean It”
Eric Church - “Darkest Hour”
Jelly Roll & Keith Urban - “Liar”
Dierks Bentley with Molly Tuttle, Sierra Hull, and Bronwyn Keith-Hynes - “American Girl”
2024 CMA Awards Recap
CMA Awards night was full of collaborations and surprises. And a lot of people looking up Trent Willmon online, probably.
Highlights for me included Ashley McBryde’s moving rendition of “Help Me Make It Through the Night,” honoring Kris Kristofferson. I’m convinced that next year will really be the year Ashley claims the Female Vocalist victory.
The night’s biggest winner, Morgan Wallen, was a no-show. At this point, it’s difficult to deny his level of success and the legions of new fans he’s brought into the genre.
The music industry continues to evolve, largely thanks to streaming platforms, and the effect is evident in country music
Zach Top, whose style channels the ‘90s hat act era, was a nominee for New Artist of the Year. He’s had viral Tik Tok success with his song “I Never Lie,” catapulting his streaming numbers. Ella Langley and Riley Green’s massive hit (and winner of Musical Event of the Year) “You Look Like You Love Me” also found initial success thanks to social media.
The Red Clay Strays have emerged as new power players when it comes to streaming and touring – they earned their first nomination for Vocal Group of the Year. Meanwhile, Kacey Musgraves, who had three nominations—including Female Vocalist and Album of the Year—hasn’t scored a radio hit from Deeper Well. Yet, she continues headlining arenas, with streaming numbers that make her one of the genre’s leading artists.
As a radio professional, I appreciated how the CMA Awards showcased how platforms beyond terrestrial radio are now influencing mainstream country music. This year’s nominations and performances felt more widespread than ever. And its radio’s loss if they don’t play the latest trending song from Zach Bryan, Kacey Musgraves, or the many others who are driving country’s streaming numbers.
In previous years, several categories have been relegated to pre-telecast ceremonies, often to an almost empty arena because stars are on the red carpet and audience members haven’t taken their seats. In a smart move, two of those categories, Musician of the Year, and Music Video of the Year were presented during commercial breaks.
The Red Clay Strays have emerged as new power players when it comes to streaming and touring – they earned their first nomination for Vocal Group of the Year. Meanwhile, Kacey Musgraves, who had three nominations—including Female Vocalist and Album of the Year—hasn’t scored a radio hit from Deeper Well. Yet, she continues headlining arenas, with streaming numbers that make her one of the genre’s leading artists.
As a radio professional, I appreciated how the CMA Awards showcased how platforms beyond terrestrial radio are now influencing mainstream country music. This year’s nominations and performances felt more widespread than ever. And its radio’s loss if they don’t play the latest trending song from Zach Bryan, Kacey Musgraves, or the many others who are driving country’s streaming numbers.
In previous years, several categories have been relegated to pre-telecast ceremonies, often to an almost empty arena because stars are on the red carpet and audience members haven’t taken their seats. In a smart move, two of those categories, Musician of the Year, and Music Video of the Year were presented during commercial breaks.
Across The Country With Amanda
Listen to Across The Country With Amanda, a weekly syndicated radio program featuring the legends you love, and the best in today’s country! Hear exclusive interviews and get the latest country music news. Find a station near you here.
Listen to the Podcast
If you love Julie Roberts and traditional country music, this podcast is for you! I dive deep into her latest album, Ain't In No Hurry, produced by Shooter Jennings and Erin Enderlin, and break down why it's one of the best country albums in years.