2025 CMA Awards: Performers, Winners, and Show Highlights
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Written by Amanda Tempel
Everything You Need To Know About the 2025 CMA Awards:
Ella Langley, Megan Moroney, and Lainey Wilson led the nominations with a total of six each. The 59th Annual CMA Awards aired live on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, on ABC at 8:00/7:00 Central. The special is now streaming on Hulu.
Who Is Performing at the 2025 CMA Awards?
Kelsea Ballerini, Brandi Carlisle, Kenny Chesney, Luke Combs, Riley Green, Ella Langley, Little Big Town, Patty Loveless, Miranda Lambert, Megan Moroney, Old Dominion, The Red Clay Strays, Chris Stapleton, Zach Top, Keith Urban, Lainey Wilson, and Stephen Wilson Jr. will perform at the 2025 CMA Awards.
Additionally, BigXthaPlug will join Luke Combs for a special performance, Chris Stapleton and Miranda Lambert will perform, and Shaboozey will take the stage with Stephen Wilson Jr.
A special performance in honor Vince Gill, this year’s Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement winner, will also take place.
Who Is Presenting at the 2025 CMA Awards?
Lady A, Alison Brown and Steve Martin, Jessica Capshaw, Billy Ray Cyrus, Lauren Daigle, Jordan Davis, Elizabeth Hurley, Cody Johnson, Bert Kreischer, Brandon Lake, Ella Langley, Leanne Morgan, NE-YO, Chris O’Donnell, Kimberly Perry, LeAnn Rimes, Alan Ritchson, Lara Spencer, Billy Bob Thornton, Grace Van Patten, Gretchen Wilson, and Bailey Zimmerman will all appear as presenters or special guests during the CMA Awards.
Nine-time winner Lainey Wilson returns as the host of this year’s CMA Awards. She becomes only the third solo female to host the show - Dolly Parton was the first in 1988, followed by Reba McEntire in 1991.
Lainey says, “I grew up watching the CMA Awards like it was the Super Bowl, so to be hosting for a second year is a true honor. I’m humbled that CMA has trusted me with this role, and I can’t wait to love on this genre that has given me so much.”
CMA Awards Hosts Through the Years
2024 - Luke Bryan, Peyton Manning, Lainey Wilson
2022 - 2023 - Luke Bryan & Peyton Manning
2021 - Luke Bryan
2020 - Reba McEntire & Darius Rucker
2019 - Carrie Underwood, Reba McEntire, Dolly Parton
2008 - 2018 - Brad Paisley & Carrie Underwood
2007 - No Host - Various Presenters
2004 - 2006 - Brooks & Dunn
1994 - 2003 - Vince Gill
1993 - Clint Black & Vince Gill
1992 - Vince Gill & Reba McEntire
1991 - Reba McEntire
1990 - Reba McEntire & Randy Travis
1989 - Anne Murray & Kenny Rogers
1988 - Dolly Parton
1979, 1987 - Kenny Rogers
1986 - Kris Kristofferson & Willie Nelson
1985 - Kris Kristofferson & Anne Murray
1984 - Kenny Rogers
1983 - Willie Nelson & Anne Murray
1980-1982 - Mac Davis & Barbara Mandrell
1973-1974, 1977-1978 - Johnny Cash
1976 - Roy Clark & Johnny Cash
1975 - Glen Campbell & Charley Pride
1972 - Glen Campbell
1970-1971 - Tennessee Ernie Ford
1968-1969 - Dale Evans & Roy Rogers
1967 - Sonny James & Bobbie Gentry
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 - Brooks & Dunn
New Artist of the Year - Zach Top
Album of the Year - Whirlwind - Lainey Wilson
Award goes to Artist, Producer(s) and Mix Engineer(s)
Winner:
Whirlwind – Lainey Wilson
Producer: Jay Joyce
Mix Engineers: Jason Hall, Jay Joyce
Nominees:
Am I Okay? – Megan Moroney
Producer: Kristian Bush
Mix Engineer: Justin Niebank
Cold Beer & Country Music – Zach Top
Producer: Carson Chamberlain
Mix Engineer: Matt Rovey
F-1 Trillion – Post Malone
Producers: Louis Bell, Charlie Handsome, Hoskins
Mix Engineer: Ryan Gore
I’m The Problem – Morgan Wallen
Producers: Jacob Durrett, Charlie Handsome, Joey Moi
Mix Engineers: Charlie Handsome, Joey Moi
Single of the Year: “You Look Like You Love Me” | Ella Langley & Riley Green
Award goes to Artist(s), Producer(s) and Mix Engineer(s)
Winner:
“you look like you love me” – Ella Langley & Riley Green
Producer: Will Bundy
Mix Engineer: Jim Cooley
Nominees:
“4x4xU” – Lainey Wilson
Producer: Jay Joyce
Mix Engineers: Jason Hall, Jay Joyce
“Ain’t No Love In Oklahoma” – Luke Combs
Producers: Luke Combs, Chip Matthews, Jonathan Singleton
Mix Engineer: Chip Matthews
“Am I Okay?” – Megan Moroney
Producer: Kristian Bush
Mix Engineer: Justin Niebank
“I Never Lie” – Zach Top
Producer: Carson Chamberlain
Mix Engineer: Matt Rovey
Song of the Year: “You Look Like You Love Me”
Award goes to Songwriter(s)
Winner:
“you look like you love me”
Songwriters: Riley Green, Ella Langley, Aaron Raitiere
“4x4xU”
Songwriters: Jon Decious, Aaron Raitiere, Lainey Wilson
“Am I Okay?”
Songwriters: Jessie Jo Dillon, Luke Laird, Megan Moroney
“I Never Lie”
Songwriters: Carson Chamberlain, Tim Nichols, Zach Top
“Texas”
Songwriters: Johnny Clawson, Josh Dorr, Lalo Guzman, Kyle Sturrock
Musical Event of the Year: “Pour Me A Drink”
Award goes to Artists and Producer(s)
Winner:
“Pour Me A Drink” – Post Malone (feat. Blake Shelton)
Producers: Louis Bell, Charlie Handsome
Nominees:
“Don’t Mind If I Do” – Riley Green (featuring Ella Langley)
Producers: Scott Borchetta, Jimmy Harnen, Dann Huff
“Hard Fought Hallelujah” – Brandon Lake with Jelly Roll
Producer: Micah Nichols
“I’m Gonna Love You” – Cody Johnson (with Carrie Underwood)
Producer: Trent Willmon
“You Had To Be There” – Megan Moroney (feat. Kenny Chesney)
Producer: Kristian Bush
Music Video of the Year
Award goes to Artist(s) and Director(s)
Winner:
“you look like you love me” – Ella Langley & Riley Green
Directors: Ella Langley, John Park, Wales Toney
Nominees:
“Am I Okay?” – Megan Moroney
Directors: Alexandra Gavillet, Megan Moroney
“I’m Gonna Love You” – Cody Johnson (with Carrie Underwood)
Director: Dustin Haney
“Somewhere Over Laredo” – Lainey Wilson
Director: TK McKamy
“Think I’m In Love With You” – Chris Stapleton
Director: Running Bear
Limited tickets for the awards are on sale now through Ticketmaster. The show takes place at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.
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More Country Music News
Look back at every winner and nominee of Album of the Year at the CMA Awards.