Highlights from the 2025 CMA Awards: Lainey Wilson Hosts, Luke Combs Opens, and Vince Gill Honored
The 2025 CMA Awards have arrived with Luke Combs opening the show with a performance of “Back in the Saddle.” Lainey Wilson is hosting the event, showcasing a white and gold bell-bottom outfit with a cowboy hat and a CMA Awards belt buckle. She engaged with country music stars in the audience, including Miranda Lambert, Ella Langley, and Shaboozey, before Keith Urban joined her on stage.
The 59th annual CMA Awards are taking place on November 19, 2025, at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. Billy Ray Cyrus and Elizabeth Hurley presented the single of the year award to Ella Langley and Riley Green for “You Look Like You Love Me.” Megan Moroney delivered a vibrant performance of “6 Months Later,” followed by Chris Stapleton performing “Bad As I Want to Be.”
Lainey Wilson is hosting the CMA Awards solo for the first time this year, following her previous co-hosting with Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning. She is one of three women to host the CMA Awards alone, joining Dolly Parton and Reba McEntire in making history. Zach Top won the CMA for best new artist of the year, accidentally bringing a can of beer on stage with him.
Wilson and Billy Bob Thorton presented the musician of the year award, with Thorton joking about his early bedtime after starring in Carter Faith’s “Bar Star” music video. Dustin Lynch praised Wilson as the best host for the award show, highlighting her natural, fun, and confident demeanor. Brantley Gilbert and his wife enjoyed a date night on the CMA red carpet, relishing the opportunity to have some time together without their kids.
LeAnn Rimes reflected on her return to the CMAs as a “full circle moment” after attending the awards show as a teenager in the late 1990s. The CMA Awards will honor country music artists with performances from Megan Moroney, Kelsea Ballerini, Ella Langley, Chris Stapleton, Kenny Chesney, and Miranda Lambert. Vince Gill will receive the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing his career and influence in country music.
In conclusion, the 2025 CMA Awards are a celebration of country music talent, with Lainey Wilson hosting the event and notable performances from industry stars. The awards show pays tribute to the legacy of artists like Vince Gill and showcases the vibrant and diverse talent within the country music community.