1 of 6 | Post Malone and Chris Stapleton open the 2024 CMA Awards with a performance of their song “California Sober” in Nashville on Wednesday. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Singer-songwriter Chris Stapleton had a strong opening Wednesday at the 58th annual CMA Awards, performing a duet with Post Malone before picking up the first two awards of the night.
Chris Stapleton said he was “honored” to receive the Single of the Year and Song of the Year awards for his song “White Horse.” Advertisement
During his acceptance speech for the former, he acknowledged there were “so many great and very, very popular songs in this category.” That included his duet partner, Malone, who was nominated for his song “I Had Some Help,” featuring Morgan Wallen.
In his acceptance for the Song of the Year award, Chris Stapleton also offered thanks to his wife, Morgane Stapleton, who later sang “What Am I Gonna Do?” with him.
Megan Moroney, who performed her hit “Am I Okay?” early in the show, won the award for Best New Artist.
“Thank you, Jesus, for putting this dream on my heart, and thank you for the gift of songwriting,” she said, accepting the award.
Chris Stapleton — who had five nominations this year — and Malone — who had four — opened the show with a performance of “California Sober.” Malone later sang his song “Yours” solo, Shaboozey performed his viral hit, “A Bar Song” and Kacey Musgraves slowed things down with a pared back rendition of “The Architect.” Advertisement
Cody Johnson won album of the year for his release Leather. He said he didn’t expect the win, telling his wife in the audience, “Jelly Roll’s got that!”
The five-time nominee got in on the duet action, singing “I’m Gonna Love You” with Carrie Underwood, while Kelsea Ballerini and Noah Khan sang “Cowboys Cry Too.” Country legends Brooks & Dunn teamed up with Jelly Roll for the religious “Believe.”
Before the show even started, singers Ella Langley and Riley Green were early winners of an award announced from the red carpet. The two won Musical Event of the Year for their performance of “you look like you love me.” They also performed the song on the Bridgestone Arena stage Wednesday, followed by Teddy Swims and Thomas Rhett singing “Something’ ‘Bout a Woman.”
Old Dominion took home the award for Vocal Group of the Year for the seventh year in a row. Only the Statler Brothers have won the category more times — nine.
Performing before some blazing oil derricks on stage, Luke Combs gave a whirlwind performance of “Ain’t No Love in Oklahoma” from the Twisters soundtrack.
Singers Luke Bryan and Lainey Wilson, and NFL legend Peyton Manning hosted the event at Bridgestone Arena. Wilson later took to the stage as a performer to sing her song “4x4xU.” Advertisement
Other performers set to grace the stage were Bryan, Wilson and Jelly Roll. Wallen leads the nominees with seven nods, followed by Johnson and Stapleton.
CMA Awards: Lainey Wilson, Luke Combs walk the red carpet
Host Lainey Wilson arrives on the red carpet for the 58th annual CMA Awards in Nashville on November 20, 2024. Wilson is nominated for Entertainer of the Year alongside Luke Combs, Chris Stapleton, Morgan Wallen and Jelly Roll. Wilson is also nominated for Female Vocalist of the Year, Single of the Year for “Watermelon Moonshine” and Music Video of the Year for “Wildflowers and Wild Horses.” Photo by John Angelillo | License Photo
