The CMA Awards 2025 weren’t just another award show; they were a turning point. Lainey Wilson made history, newcomers broke through the wall, and a few unexpected names walked home with the trophy.
So instead of giving you a quick recap, let’s go category by category and unpack every nominee and every winner, the way a real fan experiences the night.
Let’s break it down, because the 2025 winners list says a lot about where country music is heading.
Lainey Wilson Runs the Night
Here’s the thing: when an artist dominates categories the way Lainey did, it usually means they’ve hit that rare moment where the audience, industry, and critics all agree, this is her era.
She grabbed:
- Entertainer of the Year
- Female Vocalist of the Year
- Album of the Year for Whirlwind
That’s a clean sweep that tells you she’s not just having a good year, she’s shaping the genre.
Entertainer of the Year
This category is basically the heavyweight fight of country music. Every name here could headline an arena without blinking.
Nominees
- Lainey Wilson
- Luke Combs
- Cody Johnson
- Chris Stapleton
- Morgan Wallen
Winner: Lainey Wilson.
Not much suspense here, Lainey has been on a different level all year. This just locked it in.
Album of the Year
A messy, competitive category where every album brought something different to the table.
Nominees
- Am I Okay? – Megan Moroney
Producer: Kristian Bush | Mix Engineer: Justin Niebank - Cold Beer & Country Music – Zach Top
Producer: Carson Chamberlain | Mix Engineer: Matt Rovey - F-1 Trillion – Post Malone
Producers: Louis Bell, Charlie Handsome, Hoskins | Mix Engineer: Ryan Gore - I’m The Problem – Morgan Wallen
Producers: Jacob Durrett, Charlie Handsome, Joey Moi, Joe Reeves | Mix Engineers: Charlie Handsome, Joey Moi - Whirlwind – Lainey Wilson
Producer: Jay Joyce | Mix Engineers: Jason Hall, Jay Joyce
Winner: Whirlwind – Lainey Wilson
Lainey didn’t just win, she swept the room. This album felt like a statement, and the voters got it.
Female Vocalist of the Year
One of the strongest lineups in years.
Nominees
- Lainey Wilson
- Kelsea Ballerini
- Miranda Lambert
- Ella Langley
- Megan Moroney
Winner: Lainey Wilson
Another one for her shelf. At this point, it’s getting unfair.
Male Vocalist of the Year
A mix of legends, chart kings, and one rising star.
Nominees
- Luke Combs
- Cody Johnson
- Chris Stapleton
- Zach Top
- Morgan Wallen
Winner: Cody Johnson
CoJo beating Combs, Wallen, and Stapleton? That’s a power move.
Vocal Group of the Year
A rare shake-up in a category usually ruled by the same names.
Nominees
- The Red Clay Strays
- Lady A
- Little Big Town
- Old Dominion
- Rascal Flatts
Winner: The Red Clay Strays
This was the surprise everyone loved.
Vocal Duo of the Year
A mix of legends and modern chart favorites.
Nominees
- Brooks & Dunn
- Brothers Osborne
- Dan + Shay
- Maddie & Tae
- The War and Treaty
Winner: Brooks & Dunn
They’re still not ready to pass the crown.
New Artist of the Year
One of the toughest categories because every name here is heating up fast.
Nominees
- Zach Top
- Ella Langley
- Shaboozey
- Tucker Wetmore
- Stephen Wilson Jr.
Winner: Zach Top
He was practically destined for this one.
Single of the Year
This category measures impact, radio, streaming, and replay value.
Nominees
- 4x4xU – Lainey Wilson
- Ain’t No Love in Oklahoma – Luke Combs
- Am I Okay? – Megan Moroney
- I Never Lie – Zach Top
- You look like you love me – Ella Langley & Riley Green
Winner: You look like you love me – Ella Langley & Riley Green
A perfect storm of vocals, emotion, and production. Well deserved.
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Song of the Year
This one honors writing, not just singing.
Nominees
- 4x4xU – Jon Decious, Aaron Raitiere, Lainey Wilson
- Am I Okay? – Jessie Jo Dillon, Luke Laird, Megan Moroney
- I Never Lie – Carson Chamberlain, Tim Nichols, Zach Top
- Texas – Johnny Clawson, Josh Dorr, Lalo Guzman, Kyle Sturrock
- You look like you love me – Riley Green, Ella Langley, Aaron Raitiere
Winner: You look like you love me
A clean sweep for this track.
Musical Event of the Year
Collabs that defined the year.
Nominees
- Don’t Mind If I Do – Riley Green feat. Ella Langley
- Hard Fought Hallelujah – Brandon Lake with Jelly Roll
- I’m Gonna Love You – Cody Johnson with Carrie Underwood
- Pour Me A Drink – Post Malone feat. Blake Shelton
- You Had To Be There – Megan Moroney feat. Kenny Chesney
Winner: Pour Me A Drink – Post Malone feat. Blake Shelton
Posty is officially a country guy now.
Music Video of the Year
The visuals that defined 2025 country music.
Nominees
- Am I Okay? – Megan Moroney
- I’m Gonna Love You – Cody Johnson with Carrie Underwood
- Somewhere Over Laredo – Lainey Wilson
- Think I’m in Love With You – Chris Stapleton
- You look like you love me – Ella Langley & Riley Green
Winner: You look like you love me
Ella and Riley walked into the CMAs with one song and walked out with half the show.
Musician of the Year
The people behind the sound.
Nominees
- Paul Franklin – Steel Guitar
- Jenee Fleenor – Fiddle
- Brent Mason – Guitar
- Rob McNelley – Guitar
- Derek Wells – Guitar
Winner: Paul Franklin – Steel Guitar
A legend winning again. No arguments here.
A Night That Actually Meant Something
Some award shows feel predictable.
This one didn’t.
From Lainey making history to Ella Langley rising like a rocket, the 2025 CMAs served a mix of legacy moments, fresh energy, and a few surprises that’ll keep fans talking for weeks.
If this night proved anything, it’s that country music isn’t stuck in the past. It’s expanding—sonically, visually, and culturally. And honestly? It’s fun to watch.