Lainey Wilson Dominates CMA Awards With 5 Wins Including Entertainer Of The Year

Lainey Wilson took home five trophies including entertainer of the year Wednesday night (Nov. 8) at the Country Music Association Awards at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena.

The 31-year-old Louisiana-born singer was the undisputed star of the night, as she also was named female vocalist of the year, won album of the year for Bell Bottom Country and gave a fiery rendition of her song “Wildflowers and Wild Horses” that looked like it came from a classic Hollywood Western.

“This is all I’ve ever wanted to do, it’s the only thing I know how to do,” Wilson said through tears as she accepted entertainer of the year. “It finally feels like country music is starting to love me back.”

Wilson came into the night the top nominee with nine nods, and had won one award before the ABC telecast even started as she and HARDY were named winners in the musical event of the year category, for “Wait in the Truck.”

It was also another major Nashville night for rapper-turned-singer Jelly Roll, who earlier this year topped the CMT Music Awards.

He opened the show with a performance of his hit “Need a Favor,” along with surprise guest Wynonna Judd and backed by a gospel choir before being awarded best new artist.

“There is something poetic about a 39-year-old man winning new artist of the year,” he said from the stage. “What’s in front of you is so much more important than what’s behind you.”

Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning hosted the ceremony, which featured a musical tribute to the late singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett that included Kenny Chesney, Zac Brown Band, Alan Jackson and Mac McAnally, a longtime member of Buffett’s band.

The group made a beach party of a medley of Buffett’s hits, surrounded by giant neon parrots, beginning with “A Pirate Looks at Forty” and ending with “Margaritaville” as Chesney shouted “Thank you Jimmy!” to Buffett, always beloved among country artists.

Several performances during the awards show stood out. Tanya Tucker was joined by Little Big Town for a rousing performance of her career-making hit, “Delta Dawn; The War And Treaty brought down the house with their hit “That’s The Way Love Is Made,” and the show ended on an emotional high with Jelly Roll, bookending the show with opening and closing slots, joining K. Michelle for The Judds’ “Love Can Build A Bridge.”

In the meantime, there was more hardware to be handed out.

Luke Combs, winner of entertainer of the year the previous two years, took home single of the year Wednesday night for his cover of “Fast Car” by Tracy Chapman, who became the unlikely winner of song of the year for a tune she wrote in 1988.

“I want to thank Tracy Chapman for writing one of the greatest songs of all time,” the 33-year-old North Carolina singer said as he accepted the award. “It’s the first favorite song I ever had.”

Chapman, who won two Grammys for “Fast Car” in 1989, was not at the ceremony, but said in a statement that it’s “truly an honor for my song to be recognized 35 years after its debut.”

In what is becoming a series of CMA traditions, Chris Stapleton won male vocalist of the year for the seventh time, Old Dominion won vocal group of the year for the sixth time, and Brothers Osborne won duo of the year for their sixth time.

“We’re shocked, honestly, every year this happens,” T.J. Osborne said.

FULL LIST OF CMA AWARDS 2023 WINNERS

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR

Lainey Wilson

SINGLE OF THE YEAR 

Award goes to Artist, Producers and Mix Engineer 

“Fast Car” – Luke Combs  

Producers: Luke Combs, Chip Matthews, Jonathan Singleton  

Mix Engineer: Chip Matthews 

ALBUM OF THE YEAR 

Award goes to Artist, Producer and Mix Engineers   

Bell Bottom Country – Lainey Wilson  

Producer: Jay Joyce 

Mix Engineers: Jason Hall, Jay Joyce

SONG OF THE YEAR 

Award goes to Songwriter 

“Fast Car” 

Songwriter: Tracy Chapman 

FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR 

Lainey Wilson

MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR 

Chris Stapleton 

VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR 

Old Dominion 

VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR 

Brothers Osborne 

MUSICAL EVENT OF THE YEAR 

Award goes to Artists and Producers    

“wait in the truck” – HARDY (feat. Lainey Wilson)  

Producers: HARDY, Joey Moi, Jordan Schmidt, Derek Wells 

MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR 

Jenee Fleenor – Fiddle  

MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR  

Award goes to Artists and Director    

“wait in the truck” – HARDY (feat. Lainey Wilson)  

Director: Justin Clough 

NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR  

Jelly Roll