Country music’s brightest gathered at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena for the 57th annual CMA Awards on Wednesday, Nov. 8, to celebrate the genre in a star-studded ceremony. The show was once again hosted by Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning.
The ceremony kicked off with a raucous performance by Jelly Roll of his hit “Need a Favor.” The country star was joined by icon Wynonna Judd, who was a surprise performer. The two duetted on a stage set up to resemble a church, with a choir providing backup vocals, as the stars in the crowd — including Post Malone, Nicole Kidman, Keith Urban and Kelsea Ballerini — enjoyed the powerful set.
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In one of the awards presented earlier in the show, Tracy Chapman won song of the year for “Fast Car.” Luke Combs had delivered a chart-topping cover of her track, which also won Combs single of the year; his take reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. Her song of the year victory became Chapman’s first Country Music Association trophy; she is credited as the sole writer of the song.
Among the night’s performers were Morgan Wallen, Bryan, HARDY, Post Malone, Ballerini and more. Presenters included Paula Abdul, Lady A, Cynthia Erivo, Martina McBride, Darius Rucker and others.
Lainey Wilson was the top nominee with nine nods. Jelly Roll followed with five nods, Combs and HARDY with four, and Jordan Davis, Ashley McBryde, Joey Moi, Jordan Schmidt, Chris Stapleton, Morgan Wallen and Derek Wells with three.
The show aired live on ABC.
Jelly Roll
Jelly Roll accepts the New Artist of the Year Award onstage at The 57th Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on Nov. 8, 2023.
Eric Church & Morgan Wallen
Eric Church and Morgan Wallen perform onstage at The 57th Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on Nov. 8, 2023.
Kelsea Ballerini
Kelsea Ballerini performs onstage at The 57th Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on Nov. 8, 2023.
Luke Bryan
Luke Bryan performed onstage at The 57th Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on Nov. 8, 2023.
Luke Combs
Luke Combs performs onstage at The 57th Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on Nov. 8, 2023.
Ashley McBryde
Ashley McBryde performed onstage at The 57th Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on Nov. 8, 2023.
Brothers Osborne
John Osborne and T.J. Osborne of Brothers Osborne accept the Vocal Duo of the Year award onstage at The 57th Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on Nov. 8, 2023.
Lainey Wilson
Lainey Wilson performs onstage at The 57th Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee on Nov. 8, 2023. Christopher Polk
Chris Stapleton
Chris Stapleton performs onstage at The 57th Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on Nov.r 8, 2023.
The War and Treaty
Michael Trotter Jr. and Tanya Blount of The War and Treaty perform onstage at The 57th Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on Nov. 8, 2023.
Cody Johnson
Cody Johnson performed onstage at The 57th Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on Nov. 8, 2023.
Bill Anderson & Sara Evans
Bill Anderson and Sara Evans spoke onstage during the 57th Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena on Nov. 8, 2023 in Nashville.
Luke Combs
Luke Combs accepted his award for single of the year for “Fast Car” at the 57th Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on Nov. 8, 2023.
Hailey Whitters & Kevin Cahoon
Hailey Whitters and Kevin Cahoon spoke onstage at The 57th Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on Nov. 8, 2023.
Jelly Roll & Wynonna
Jelly Roll and Wynonna performed “Need a Favor” during the 57th Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena on Nov. 8, 2023, in Nashville.
Luke Bryan & Peyton Manning
Hosts Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning spoke onstage during the 57th Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena on Nov. 8, 2023, in Nashville.
Cynthia Erivo
Cynthia Erivo speaks onstage at The 57th Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on Nov. 8, 2023.
Dan + Shay
Dan + Shay performs onstage at The 57th Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on Nov. 8, 2023.
Chris Young & Brenda Gregory
Chris Young and Brenda Gregory speak onstage at The 57th Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee on November 8, 2023.
Chris Stapleton & Carly Pearce
Chris Stapleton and Carly Pearce perform onstage at The 57th Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee on Nov. 8, 2023.
Matthew Ramsey & Megan Moroney
Matthew Ramsey and Megan Moroney perform onstage at The 57th Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee on Nov. 8, 2023.
Lainey Wilson
Lainey Wilson accepts Album of the Year award onstage from Paula Abdul and Darius Rucker at The 57th Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on Nov. 8, 2023.
Kenny Chesney & Mac McAnally
Kenny Chesney and Mac McAnally perform onstage at The 57th Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee on Nov. 8, 2023.
Alan Jackson & Zac Brown
Alan Jackson and Zac Brown perform onstage during the 57th Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena on Nov. 8, 2023 in Nashville.
Lainey Wilson
Lainey Wilson accepts the Entertainer of the Year award from Keith Urban onstage at The 57th Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on Nov. 8, 2023.
Jordan Davis
Jordan Davis performs onstage at The 57th Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee on Nov. 8, 2023.
HARDY, Post Malone & Morgan Wallen
HARDY, Post Malone and Morgan Wallen perform onstage at The 57th Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on Nov. 8, 2023.
Chris Stapleton & Carly Pearce
Chris Stapleton and Carly Pearce perform onstage at The 57th Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on Nov. 8, 2023.
