CMA Awards recap: Morgan Wallen, who missed the ceremony, wins entertainer of the year (2024)

Jeff Bridges appears to mispronounce Morgan Wallen's name while presenting at the CMA Awards

Morgan Wallen beat out Luke Combs, Jelly Roll, Chris Stapleton and Lainey Wilson in the entertainer of the year category.

Jeff Bridges presented the category and announced the singer's name at the end of the 2024 CMA Awards. Wallen, who was the most-nominated artist of the night, was not in attendance.

“Morgan couldn’t make it tonight,” Bridges said. “So I’m going to accept this award on his behalf.”

See the full list of winners, here.

Simone Biles loves seeing incredibly talented women at the top of their game, so it's no surprise that the gold medalist presented the female vocalist of the year award during the 2024 CMA Awards.

The nominees included Kelsea Ballerini, Ashley McBryde, Megan Moroney, Kacey Musgraves and Lainey Wilson.

Wilson, who also co-hosted the ceremony, took home the CMA Award. This was her third win in the category.

Hugging Biles and accepting the award, Wilson thanked her parents "who are here somewhere" and the community who has lifted her up.

“I’ve always been told, ‘If you have a gift, you’re supposed to share it,’” she said. “Whatever that is, I think you’re supposed to share that gift.”

Single of the year. Song of the year. And now, male vocalist of the year. Chris Stapleton continued his streak at the 2024 CMAs with a third win.

"I'm out of things to say. I love all of y'all so much. Thank you CMAs for giving this award and for all of y'all for voting for me," he while accepting the award for male vocalist of the year.

The camera panned to his wife, Morgane Stapleton, beaming in the audience.

"I love my wife. Thank you baby. I couldn't do this without you and I probably wouldn't be here without you. All my kids at home — thank you. I love you guys. If you're watching, you can go to bed now," he said, drawing laughter.

"I'm really honored for this. Thank you so much," he concluded.

A slew of stars took the stage at the 2024 CMA Awards to honor this year’s CMA Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, George Strait.

Co-host of the night Lainey Wilson kicked off the tribute by singing “Amarillo by Morning.”

“I’m so grateful and so honored to be on stage tonight to pay tribute to our king of country, the great George Strait,” Wilson said. “Throughout his incredible career, he has always been authentically Texas and authentically country.”

She added that he’s been an inspiration to her and the rest of the artists. “We love you.”

Jamey Johnson followed by singing “Give It Away.”

Miranda Lambert and Parker McCollum sang “Troubadour.”

Chris Stapleton wrapped the tribute with Strait, himself, singing “Honky Tonk Hall of Fame.”

Stapleton presented Strait, the "king of country," with the award.

"Thank you so much,” Strait told Stapleton. A visibly emotional Strait started his speech by thanking Jesus, the Country Music Association, his record label, his band and his fans.

“Last but not least, my family, who are all here tonight,” he said. The camera panned to his wife, Norma Strait, and their kids and grandkids. He celebrated their 53 years of marriage. “It’s been an amazing 53 years.”

When Cody Johnson won the award for album of the year, his producer Trent Willmon joined him onstage.

During his portion of the acceptance speech, Willmon appeared to make a joke about Johnson "kicking Shaboozey for a lot of years."

Shaboozey is the name of an artist and country music newcomer who was up for two CMAs that evening, though he did not win either single of the year or best new artist.

TODAY.com has reached out to Willmon and Shaboozey for comment.

Online, viewers had a swift reaction to the comment.

"HOLD ON 'kicking Shaboozey' ???" one wrote, with someone commenting, "Didn't need to be said."

Some wondered about Willmon's intentions.

"I was so confused by that and I’m truly hoping I heard him wrong," one X user wrote.

“Oh I need the clarifying articles ASAP cause what the actual????” another said.

People guessed he meant "kicking butt," but substituted Shaboozey's name. "Poor choice of words," one concluded.

Jelly Roll joined the group Brooks & Dunn for a performance of their song "Believe."

The song had people in the audience raising their hands and crying. At-home audiences shared their own emotional reactions to the performance.

"Brooks & Dunn doing 'Believe' with @jellyroll615 is the performance I didn’t know I needed this year," one X user wrote.

"Okay this @BrooksAndDunn @JellyRoll615 performance has moved me to tears," another said. The same user also wrote, "Okay @JellyRoll615 and everyone in the audience got me emotional af on that one."

Old Dominion!

Band members Matthew Ramsey, Trevor Rosen, Whit Sellers, Geoff Sprung, and Brad Tursi took the stage to accept their seventh win in the category.

"If you are an artist of any type or a creator or musician, this is when the world needs you the best — when it's weird, like it is right now," Ramsey said during his speech.

Cody Johnson said he was "sworn to secrecy" on the red carpet about his performance — and there was a reason why.

Johnson kicked off his performance by singing "I’m Gonna Love You" before Carrie Underwood joined him on stage. The former "American Idol" winner was a vision in a white lace gown with a brown vest and silver and turquoise jewelry.

The performance was reminiscent of their music video for the song, released in October.

Megan Moroney is a CMA Award winner.

The 27-year-old country singer took home the new artist of the year award and became emotional as she accepted the honor. The win came just after she performed “Am I Okay?”

"I'm going to try and get through this without crying," she said with the award in hand. "Thank you Jesus for putting this dream in my heart and thank you for the gift of songwriting."

She also thanked her fans for showing up for her and caring about her songs. "It's really insane to me," she continued, also thanking her "incredible team."

"I'm freaking out," she concluded.

Moroney was up against Shaboozey, Nate Smith, Mitchell Tenpenny, Zach Top and Bailey Zimmerman.

Noah Kahan and Kelsea Ballerini took the stage for a rendition of "Cowboys Cry Too," the lead single off Ballerini's 2024 album "Patterns."

They wore complementing white outfits. Ballerini's was a daring white dress with cut-outs; Kahan had a white jacket over an all-denim look.

Kahan is known for his confessional folk-pop music but, like many other artists lately, is crossing over into country.

The two also performed at the ACM Awards earlier this year.

Fans were moved by the performance.

"kelsea and noah’s performance was otherworldly. it brought you in and didn’t let you go. What a beautiful, vulnerable performance. my heart is still shook," one X user wrote.

"What a duet," another wrote.

Chris Stapleton's "White Horse" won the award for song of the year after winning single of the year.

"I owe my wife an apology — that last award belonged to her too and she didn't come up here. It all happened so quick. I love you honey, backstage, wherever you are getting ready," Stapleton said in his acceptance speech for song of the year.

Chris Stapleton’s wife, Morgane Stapleton, a singer-songwriter herself, is credited as a producer for the song. She did not take the stage for either the song or single of the year wins.

"All of my music, I owe a lot to her. I want to thank her for always supporting me."

CMA Awards co-hosts Luke Bryan, Lainey Wilson and Peyton Manning took a moment to pay tribute to the late Toby Keith.

The trio, along with many in the audience, raised a red solo cup in the country superstar’s honor, a reference to his song "Red Solo Cup."

“We wanted to take a moment to toast the great Toby Keith,” Bryan said. “A great artist, a great American and a great country music icon. You will be missed, buddy.”

Wilson added, “‘Red Solo Cup,’ ‘I Love This Bar.’ Toby has some great bar songs.”

Keith died on Feb. 5, 2024, after living with stomach cancer for more than two years.

Shaboozey performed two of his songs — “Highway” and his hit “A Bar Song (Tipsy)."

In the audience, Keith Urban was one of many who enjoyed the performance. He mouthed along to "Tipsy" — and it didn't go unnoticed.

"you know you made it when keith urban is singing your song," one X user wrote.

"We love that Keith Urban knows the words to A Bar Song," another said.

Others wish more people than Urban were singing. "No one but Keith Urban singing along to Shaboozey made me angry," one user wrote.

Shaboozey is up for new artist of the year. He lost in the single of the year category to Chris Stapleton.

Megan Moroney sang "Am I Okay?", the breakout hit from her July 2024 album of the same name. Like the music video that dropped three weeks ago, the set was blue-themed.

The first CMA award of the telecast, single of the year, went to "White Horse" by Chris Stapleton. This is his third win for single of the year.

While presenting, Billy Bob Thornton said, "Let's see if I can open this rascal," then said, "Wowee" before reading the winner's name.

Stapleton called the win "amazing" considering the competition. "I'm very humbled," he said.

The tune later won song of the year.

For their opening monologue, Luke Bryan, Lainey Wilson and Peyton Manning took the stage wearing matching suits, each with differing degrees of sparkle. Wilson had the most, plus a cowboy hat.

Bryan gave his advice to first-time host Wilson. "When you're in a rut, shake that butt," he said.

Manning offered his own: "I told Lainey just to smile, have fun and not listen to a single word Luke Bryan says.

They celebrated the night's 31 first-time nominees and pointed out George Strait, who is the recipient of the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award.

Bryan joked that after winning entertainer of the year, which Wilson did last year, it was "all downhill."

"Which is how I ended up here with you two," Wilson joked. She's up for the award again this year.

Post Malone and Chris Stapleton kicked off the 2024 CMA Awards by belting out their hit “California Sober.”

The musicians, in coordinated cowboy hats, both played the guitar as they rocked on and entertained the crowd.

The duo Dan + Shay, comprised of DanSmyers andShayMooney, took the red carpet with their wives, Abby Smyers and Hannah Mooney. Hannah Mooney is currently pregnant with the couple's fourth child.

Count on Kacey Musgraves to arrive in a fabulous ensemble.

The “Cardinal” singer stepped onto the CMA Awards red carpet in a bejeweled denim dress with feathered sleeves.

Musgraves is nominated in three categories: album of the year for “Deeper Well,” female vocalist of the year and musical event of the year.

Simone Biles may be a gold medalist but she opted for a silver look for the 2024 CMA Awards.

The gymnast, who shined during this year's Olympics in Paris, is presenting during the show.

During the On the Red Carpet pre-show, she revealed she is presenting the female vocalist of the year category.

Biles also shared that she is a big country music fan and this is her second time at the awards show. As for her life post-Olympics, she said, "I try to rest as much as possible,” adding that it’s fun to be out and about at new places.

Kelsea Ballerini, who is up for female vocalist of the year, made quite the style statement while attending the CMA Awards with boyfriend Chase Stokes.

The singer wowed in a silver sequined gown, while the "Outer Banks" star opted for a black suit and white shirt.

Ballerini is also up for musical event of the year for “Cowboys Cry Too” with Noah Kahan. The two will perform their song later in the telecast.

Shaboozey wore black Crocs bedazzled with Swarovski crystals to the red carpet. He paired the shoes with a mint green suit embroidered with his name.

He's up for new artist of the year and single of the year.

Luke Combs will be performing "Ain't No Love in Oklahoma" from the "Twisters 2" soundtrack at the CMAs.

Combs is up for entertainer of the year, album of the year and male vocalist of the year.

Combs and his wife Nicole Hocking share two sons.

Thomas Rhett and Teddy Swims' partnership is front and center at the CMAs.

Rhett was featured on Teddy Swims' "Broke." They then co-wrote Rhett's 2023 tune "Angels (Don’t Always Have Wings." Most recently, the two collaborated on a remix of Rhett's "Somethin’ ‘Bout A Woman," which came out Nov. 15. They'll be performing the tune at the CMAs.

"He lives so free. He has so much fun. The energy he brings to the stage is going to be unmatched," Rhett said of Swims.

"Loosen it up," Swims said, seemingly of his philosophy to performing.

During the On the Red Carpet livestream, Billy Bob Thornton gave a creative answer to a standard question. When asked who he planned to speak to during the show's commercial breaks, he said, "Probably my own soul."

Thornton is among the evening's presenters. He's currently starring in the Paramount+ series "Landman."

Chris Stapleton, up for five awards at the 2024 CMA Awards, arrived to the awards show looking every bit the part of a country music star. Stapleton wore a cowboy hat accessorized with what appears to be a turquoise stone.

His wife, fellow musician Morgane Stapleton, joined him on the red carpet.

Jeff Bridges is presenting at the 2024 CMA Awards. At the red carpet, he confirmed he's a country music fan.

George Straitis being recognized as the 2024 CMA Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award recipient during the Wednesday ceremony.

The country superstar will accept the honor after a star-studded performance by several artists who have been longtime fans. Those taking the stage include Miranda Lambert, Jamey Johnson, Parker McCollum, Chris Stapleton and Lainey Wilson.

Strait's career spans over 40 years, with 60 No. 1 singles and multi-platinum-selling albums.

The Texas native is being "praised for his innate ability to collide comfortable and worn with fresh and exciting every time he steps on stage or into the studio," according to the Country Music Association.

Previous recipients of the CMA Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award include Willie Nelson (2012), Kenny Rogers (2013), Johnny Cash (2015), Dolly Parton (2016), Kris Kristofferson (2019), Charley Pride (2020), Loretta Lynn (2021) and Alan Jackson (2022).

Dasha looked part mermaid, part country star at the CMA Awards red carpet. The country music newcomer's song "Austin" is a viral hit.

Keith Urban is relaxing before hitting the CMA Awards stage.

“On a bus, backstage at the CMAs. Just ran through the song with Jelly Roll,” the country crooner said. “Love him. It’s gonna be a very hot performance.”

Adding, “You’ll see what I mean, tonight. Very hot.”

Urban said that he was just waiting to play and eat some food before the show started.

The duo will be performing Jelly Roll's hit song “Liar.”

Megan Moroney has entered the 2024 CMA Awards building.

The 27-year-old country star arrived at the awards show red carpet in a royal blue strapless gown that featured a billowing and full mermaid tail.

It's a special night for Moroney, who is nominated for three CMA Awards: music video of the year for "I'm Not Pretty," new artists of the year and female vocalist of the year.

Ahead of the night, she showed off her matching blue nails that included a blue heart and french tips.

"hehe," she wrote on the Instagram story pic.

Cody Johnson is up for five awards tonight, including two nominations for song of the year. He arrived to the red carpet with his wife, Brandi Johnson.

During the On the Red Carpet livestream, he said he was "sworn to secrecy" about the song he was performing that evening.

Some of the biggest names in country will perform at the 2024 CMA Awards. Ahead of the show, the Country Music Association released a list of the singers and the songs they're performing.

Jamey Johnson, Miranda Lambert, Parker McCollum and Lainey Wilson will participate in the tribute to Strait.

Cody Johnson said on the red carpet that he had to keep his song choice "top secret."

• Kelsea Ballerini and Noah Kahan — “Cowboys Cry Too”
• Dierks Bentley, Molly Tuttle, Sierra Hull and Bronwyn Keith-Hynes — “American Girl”
• Brooks & Dunn and Jelly Roll — “Believe”
• Luke Bryan — “Love You, Miss You, Mean It”
• Eric Church — "Darkest Hour"
• Luke Combs — “Ain’t No Love in Oklahoma”
• Cody Johnson — TBD
• Jelly Roll and Keith Urban — “Liar”
• Ella Langley and Riley Green — “you look like you love me.”
• Post Malone — “Yours”
• Post Malone and Chris Stapleton — “California Sober”
• Ashley McBryde — tribute to Kris Kristofferson’s legacy
• Megan Moroney — “Am I Okay?”
• Kacey Musgraves — “The Architect”
• Thomas Rhett and Teddy Swims — “Somethin’ ‘Bout A Woman” and “Lose Control.”
• Shaboozey — “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” and “Highway”
• Chris Stapleton — “What Am I Gonna Do”
• Lainey Wilson — “4x4xU”
• Bailey Zimmerman — “New to Country”

The first CMA award of the evening was announced on the red carpet. The award for musical event of the year went to Ella Langley and Riley Green for "You Look Like You Love Me."

The song took off as a trending audio on social media.

Miranda Lambert and Parker McCollum shared video of themselves backstage, preparing for a special performance. In the clip, the duo harmonize to George Strait's "Troubadour."

"Honoring the king tonight.#CMAawards," the video's caption reads.

Strait is being honored with the 2024 CMA Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award. The country star will be celebrated with a star-studded tribute.

Lambert showed off just how much of a fan she is of the Texas native by wearing a Strait concert T-shirt.

The CMA Awards will be a memorable night with can't-miss performances.

A number of artists will take the stage, but first, Post Malone and Chris Stapleton will open the awards ceremony with their song “California Sober.” Both artists will also have solo performances later in the night.

Additional performers include Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, Sierra Hull, Bronwyn Keith-Hynes, Ashley McBryde, Shaboozey, Teddy Swims, Thomas Rhett, Molly Tuttle andLainey Wilson.

Kelsea Ballerini, Brooks & Dunn, Eric Church, Luke Combs, Riley Green, Jelly Roll, Cody Johnson, Ella Langley, Noah Kahan, Megan Moroney, Kacey Musgraves, andBailey Zimmermanwill also take the stage.

Olympian Simone Biles is presenting at the 2024 CMAs. Ahead of the Nashville ceremony, it appeared she went shopping for cowboy boots. She posted a photo to her Instagram story of a wall of multicolored leather boots.

"I got the cutest pair of boots," she wrote, paired with a cowboy emoji.

"Hey, you big stinker."

That's how Post Malone greeted Cody Johnson backstage at the CMA Awards, according to a reel shared on Johnson and the CMA Awards' official Instagram page. The two then shared a big hug.

The video was posted the day before the ceremony, possibly at rehearsals.

Malone is opening the show with a performance with Chris Stapleton. Johnson is also performing.

Jelly Roll is in the building! He took his followers behind-the-scenes at the CMA Awards.

He tagged other people sharing Dressing Room #8 — a star-studded list, coming down to Cody Johnson, Eric Church, Jamey Johnson, Keith Urban and Post Malone.

Earlier today, Urban posted on his Instagram story that he would be performing with Jelly Roll.

Leading the night with the most nominations is Morgan Wallen with seven nods, including entertainer of the year.

Chris Stapleton and Cody Johnson are tied with five nominations, while Post Malone and co-host of the night Lainey Wilson have four each. Other artists who are up for a CMA award include Jelly Roll, Kelsea Ballerini, Kasey Musgraves and Shaboozey, who is up for new artist of the year.

See a couple major categories below.

Entertainer the year

• Luke Combs
• Jelly Roll
• Chris Stapleton
• Morgan Wallen
• Lainey Wilson

Single of the year

• “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” — Shaboozey
• “Dirt Cheap” — Cody Johnson
• “I Had Some Help” — Post Malone (feat. Morgan Wallen)
• “Watermelon Moonshine” — Lainey Wilson
• “White Horse” — Chris Stapleton

Album of the year

• “Deeper Well”— Kacey Musgraves
• “Fathers & Sons”— Luke Combs
• “Higher”— Chris Stapleton
• “Leather”— Cody Johnson
• “Whitsitt Chapel”— Jelly Roll

New artist of the year

• Megan Moroney
• Shaboozey
• Nate Smith
• Mitchell Tenpenny
• Zach Top
• Bailey Zimmerman

Luke Bryan,Peyton ManningandLainey Wilson co-host this year’s CMA Awards.

Bryan and Manning hosted together for the first time in 2023. Wilson, who is nominated for entertainer of the year, female vocalist of the year, single of the year and music video of the year, joins them as co-host.

She won entertainer of the year at the CMA Awards in 2023.

Hours before the ceremony, Bryan posted a playful video on Instagram with Wilson and Manning.

The day of the ceremony, Manning posted a photo of the three co-hosts together to his Instagram story.

Musicians, actors, athletes and more will make special appearances at the 2024 CMA Awards.

Olympian Simone Biles will be on hand as a presenter, along with Clint Black, Jeff Bridges, Mark Collie, Jordan Davis, Freddie Freeman, Don Johnson and Jackson Laux.

Little Big Town, Dustin Lynch, Katharine McPhee, The Oak Ridge Boys and Taylor Frankie Paul, as well as Carly Pearce, Caleb Pressley, Nate Smith, Daniel Sunjata, Mitchell Tenpenny and Billy Bob Thornton will also present at the 58th annual CMA Awards.

The biggest night in country music is here! Below, find out information about how to watch the ceremony and red carpet pre-show.

How to watch the CMA Awards

The awards show will air on ABC starting at 8 p.m. ET. Cable subscribers can also log into ABC.com for streaming. The ceremony will be available to watch the next day on Hulu.

How to watch the red carpet pre-show

Red carpet arrivals begin at 6 p.m. ET and will be streaming atOnTheRedCarpet.com,CMAAwards.com and YouTube.com/OnTheRedCarpet.