Chris Stapleton Sweeps the CMA Awards

Photo by Becky Fluke
Photo by Becky Fluke

Last night’s CMA Awards ceremony at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena truly was one for the books. Nashville songwriter and American Songwriter September/October cover star Chris Stapleton walked away with three huge wins, a surprising turn of events that delighted fans and fellow artists alike. After winning New Artist of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year and Album of the Year for the Dave Cobb-produced Traveller, Stapleton earned praise from fellow nominees like Luke Bryan, who took a moment out of his Entertainer of the Year acceptance speech to say, “Watching Chris Stapleton have this night is so uplifting.” Stapleton also wowed the crowd with a duet with Justin Timberlake, performing “Tennessee Whiskey” followed by Timberlake’s “Drink You Away.”

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Other big winners included Little Big Town, who took home three wins, and Miranda Lambert, who went home with Female Vocalist of the Year. Performers included Lambert, Sam Hunt, Thomas Rhett and Little Big Town, among others.

Full winners list:

Entertainer of the Year: Luke Bryan

Male Vocalist of the Year: Chris Stapleton

Female Vocalist of the Year: Miranda Lambert

Song of the Year: “Girl Crush”

Single of the Year: Little Big Town, “Girl Crush”

Album of the Year: Chris Stapleton, Traveller

New artist of the Year: Chris Stapleton

Vocal group of the Year: Little Big Town

Vocal duo of the Year: Florida Georgia Line

Music video of the Year: Maddie & Tae, “Girl In a Country Song”

Musical event of the Year: Keith Urban featuring Eric Church, “Raise ‘Em Up”

Musician of the Year: Mac McAnally