CMA Awards 2025 Highlights: Kelsea Ballerini Swings in the Rain, Steve Martin Shows Off His Banjo Skills and More

PEOPLE Has the Complete 2025 CMA Awards Winners List

10 hr 20 min ago

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The 2025 CMA Awards ended with Lainey Wilson winning Entertainer of the Year!

The stars are now making their way out of Bridgestone Arena and likely to a few afterparties.

Wilson was one of the night’s top winners, alongside Ella Langley and Riley Green. 

Check out the complete list of 2025 CMA Awards winners here.

Cody Johnson Remembers to Thank Jesus After a Reminder from His Wife

10 hr 58 min ago

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Cody Johnson won the CMA Award for Male Vocalist of the Year!

The “Dirt Cheap” artist joked at the top of his speech that his wife Brandi reminded him to thank someone special following his last time on an awards show stage.

“The last time I accepted an award, I did the, the Ric Flair, ‘Woo,’ and I got back home and my wife said, ‘You didn’t even think Jesus,’ so thank you, Lord,” said Johnson.

“Thank you so much for the guidance you’ve given me. Without his hand and his grace on my life, I wouldn’t be here tonight,” continued the star, who also thanked Brandi and their three children.

Steve Martin Shows Off His Impressive Banjo Skills

11 hr 35 min ago

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Never forget Steve Martin is an incredible banjo player.

The comedy icon hit the stage to present Album of the Year to Lainey Wilson for Whirlwind — but not before showing off his own skills on the banjo alongside Alison Brown.

“That was a tune from [our] new album, Safe, Sensible and Sane, and it’s available at your local record stores,” said Martin.

“That was a shameless plug,” replied Brown.

“Actually, no, it wasn’t,” continued the Only Murders in the Building star, “because I am filled with shame.”

Kenny Chesney Celebrates His Career on the 2025 CMA Awards Stage

12 hr 4 min ago

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Fresh off the release of his Heart Life Music memoir, Kenny Chesney took the 2025 CMA Awards audience back with a medley of a couple of his hits.

The country icon sported a cowboy hat and a smile as he sang “American Kids” and “When the Sun Goes Down” with a full band.

At different points throughout the performance, the camera panned to Megan Moroney and Luke Combs — both of whom sang every word from the audience.

Before leaving the stage, Chesney paid tribute to “When the Sun Goes Down” cowriter Brett James, who died in September.

Kelsea Ballerini Swings in the Rain on the CMA Awards Stage

12 hr 26 min ago

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Kelsea Ballerini’s new single “I Sit in Parks” came to life on the CMA Awards stage.

The country superstar performed the emotional lead single off her latest EP, Mount Pleasant, while sitting on a park swing in a gorgeous red gown.

“I sit in parks, it breaks my heart ’cause I see / Just how far I am from the things that I want,” sang Ballerini — before rain poured down on her toward the end of the song.

Megan Moroney Transforms the Stage into a Pink Slumber Party

12 hr 45 min ago

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For Megan Moroney’s energetic performance of “6 Months Later,” she turned the Bridgestone Arena stage into a pink slumber party.

Surrounded by pink carpet and dancers in pink pajamas, Moroney opened the performance in a pink robe before taking it off to reveal a sparkly minidress and white cowboy boots.

“You’re a little too late to the party, heartbreaker / What doesn’t kill you calls you six months later,” she sang on the lead single off her upcoming album, Cloud 9, out in February.

Leanne Morgan Wears the Same Outfit as Lainey Wilson: ‘Is It Too Much?’

13 hr 1 min ago

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After Lainey Wilson’s opening monologue, she introduced presenter Leanne Morgan — who sported a nearly-identical blinged-out white suit and cowboy hat as the host.

“It is good to see you,” said Wilson. “It’s like I’m looking in the mirror.”

“Is it too much?” replied Morgan, who also quipped that her pants are “so tight the back of my knees are wet.”

The comedian then joked that Riley Green could help her get out of the pants.

Lainey Wilson Kicks Off the Show by Singing to the Stars

13 hr 14 min ago

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Lainey Wilson is the hostess with the most-ess.

The country superstar kicked off the main show with a monologue about the significance of hosting the CMA Awards after a lifetime of watching the ceremony. Then, she performed a medley of hit songs — to the singers themselves in the audience.

While walking through the crowd, Wilson sang “Redneck Woman” to Gretchen Wilson, “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” to Shaboozey, “Gunpowder & Lead” to Miranda Lambert and more.

Shaboozey Gets Candid About the Best Part of Performing Live

13 hr 20 min ago

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Shaboozey is so much more than “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” these days.

After scoring his first No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 last year, Shaboozey is happy to see fans dive into more of his catalog. 

“I finally have another song that people are get up out their seats, you know? At first, everyone wants to hear, ‘A Bar Song (Tipsy),’ and everyone jumps up,” he tells PEOPLE on the red carpet. 

“But now when they hear ‘Good News’ and ‘Amen’ and ‘Blink Twice,’ I can see a clear reaction from the crowd and people clearly loving and getting to know my music and me more,” continues Shaboozey.

Bailey Zimmerman Says 2024 Success Feels Like a ‘Fever Dream’

13 hr 27 min ago

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The past year was a big one for Bailey Zimmerman, who’s notched hits with “Backup Plan,” “Lost” and more.

“It’s honestly felt like a fever dream all year,” he tells PEOPLE on the red carpet. “The album [Different Night Same Rodeo] was just something so special to me because it was almost done in 2024, and then I axed it because it just wasn’t feeling good.”

Zimmerman, 25, continues, “I started fresh on this new album, and I’m so, so happy that I did because I’m so proud of what it is and seeing all the love on the album when I didn’t know if people were gonna like it.”

Russell Dickerson Explains His Viral ‘Happen to Me’ TikTok Dance

13 hr 35 min ago

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If Russell Dickerson’s viral “Happen to Me” dance has been all over your TikTok feed, you’re not alone.

The 38-year-old country star’s hit song has already reached No. 28 on the Billboard Hot 100, thanks in part to the viral choreography — which surprised him.

“I am a father of two. I’m married and I don’t have time for that,” Dickerson tells PEOPLE. “The whole thing was basically me making fun of [the pressure to] have to have a dance [on TikTok].”

“It works when you don’t take yourself too seriously. That’s what I take away,” he adds, noting that he’s “absolutely honored” to go viral on the platform. “I can’t believe it. We made it, Mom!”

Lauren Alaina and Ella Langley Are Proud to See Women Lead the Nominations

13 hr 36 min ago

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This year’s CMA Awards nominations were led by women, and the ladies of country are proud!

In interviews with ABC on the red carpet, both Lauren Alaina and Ella Langley (one of the top three nominees) celebrated the women featured in tonight’s categories.

“We needed this! It’s time,” said Alaina. “The women are taking over.”

Langley (who already won an award tonight) agreed in another interview, noting that seeing women top the nominations “feels like it should — really good.”

“Let’s keep it going,” added the “You Look Like You Love Me” singer.

Brian Kelley Reveals He ‘Cried Twice’ Reading Kenny Chesney’s New Memoir

13 hr 36 min ago

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Brian Kelley walked the red carpet with his wife Brittney, and the Florida Georgia Line alum opened up to PEOPLE about getting emotional reading Kenny Chesney’s new memoir, Heart Life Music.

“I just actually finished his book last week,” said Brian, 40. “I cried twice.”

The “Spend Some Time There” artist continued, “I don’t want to ruin it for people, but the two dog stories got me. I was reading it before Brittney woke up.”

“I was like, ‘The book was amazing — except for these two dog parts.’ You know, we’re dog lovers,” added Brian. “But it was incredible. It was great to read a little more into his life.”

Cody Johnson Says He’s ‘Building a Trophy Room’ for All His Awards

14 hr 3 min ago

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Cody “CoJo” Johnson needs a place for his many, many awards.

The “I’m Gonna Love You” artist, 38, earned four nominations at the 2025 CMA Awards — after winning three times at the show in the past.

“I am in the process of building a trophy room at my ranch where I can have all the things Cody Johnson because I don’t want any of that hanging in my house,” he tells PEOPLE on the red carpet. “I don’t want my house to look like a Cody Johnson shrine.”

Johnson continues, “I want pictures of my kids and my wife in there, and so I’m building a trophy room — but at this point I might have to add on.”

Ella Langley, Megan Moroney and Lainey Wilson Lead Nominations, and Post Malone Scores His First Win

14 hr 18 min ago

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The Country Music Association announced the full list of nominees in September, and Ella Langley, Megan Moroney and Lainey Wilson led the pack with six nods each.

Zach Top followed with five nods, while Riley Green and Cody Johnson each scored four. Morgan Wallen, Chris Stapleton, Luke Combs, Charlie Handsome, Carson Chamberlain and Kristian Bush each landed three nominations.

The first winners were announced earlier today, with Langley and Green winning Music Video of the Year with “You Look Like You Love Me.” Post Malone also won his first-ever CMA Award for Musical Event of the Year with “Pour Me a Drink” featuring Blake Shelton.