Chris Stapleton took home four Country Music Association Awards and hardly left the stage on Wednesday night, while an absent Morgan Wallen took the night’s biggest prize, entertainer of the year.
Stapleton’s wins included song of the year and single of the year for White Horse at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn.
Stapleton lost out on album of the year to a surprised Cody Johnson, who took the trophy for Leather.
“I thought Chris Stapleton or Jelly Roll was going to win,” Johnson said.
Stapleton also handed the 72-year-old George Strait the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award previously won by Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash, Charley Pride and Nelson himself, calling Strait “true country music royalty, the king of country.”
Lainey Wilson, who hosted the show along with Luke Bryan and NFL great Peyton Manning, won two CMAs — female vocalist of the year and best music video for Wildflowers and Wild Horses.
Wilson also opened the all-star tribute to Strait by singing part of his best-remembered hit, Amarillo by Morning.
She was followed by Jamey Johnson, Miranda Lambert, Parker McCollum, Stapleton and Strait contemporary Clint Black, who performed pieces of Strait hits including Troubadour and Honky Tonk Hall of Fame.
Brooks & Dunn won vocal duo of the year for the 15th time — but the first time since 2006.
‘Morgan Waylon’
The show celebrated the genre in a time of crossover and collaboration in country, featuring performances such as Brooks & Dunn teamed with Jelly Roll, representing country’s current moment. They gave an emotional gospel-style performance of Brooks & Dunn’s 2005 song Believe, with Jelly Roll also performing Liar with Keith Urban.
Shaboozey brought the crowd to its feet with a solo performance that began with a bit of his more sober single Highway before launching into one of the year’s defining hits, A Bar Song (Tipsy).
But he lost out on best new artist to Megan Moroney.
Old Dominion won vocal group of the year for a record seventh-straight time, surpassing the six won by Little Big Town.
Wallen had been up for seven awards, including four for his hit collaboration with Post Malone, I Had Some Help. Presenter Jeff Bridges gave a botched rendering of his name as “Morgan Waylon” when he announced entertainer of the year.
The CMA Awards are nominated and voted on by members of the Country Music Association, which includes music executives, artists, publicists, songwriters and other industry professionals.