On Wednesday, Lainey Wilson will take the stage to host the 2025 CMA Awards. It will be the first time a female solo hosted in three decades. At the same time, she received several nominations, including the coveted Entertainer of the Year award. Alongside her in the category are Chris Stapleton, Cody Johnson, Morgan Wallen, and Luke Combs. Before country music’s biggest night, Combs discussed the Entertainer of the Year award and who he believed would win.
Although Combs could have said his own name, he thought there were a few better singers who deserved it. For Wilson, 2025 marked a big year for the singer. After releasing Whirlwind in 2024, she hit the road in 2025 for the Whirlwind tour. That same album also brought her a nomination for Album of the Year.
Videos by American Songwriter
So when Combs needed to pick a person, it made sense he said, “ I mean, I think Lainey’s chances are high.”
Luke Combs Cheers For The Wildcard
While Combs was right about Wilson’s chances being really high, he added, “But CoJo [Cody Johnson] would be kinda sick, too, you know what I mean? He’s great. I love him, too.” For Johnson, a win would easily be a highlight of his career. Not only would he be Entertainer of the Year, but it is also the first time he has been nominated for the award.
Moving on to another country music singer, Jon Pardi didn’t let his emotions cloud his judgment. Looking at it “scientifically”, he insisted, “If you’re looking at stats, I mean, I’m just saying, there’s only one person that does more than Morgan, and it’s Taylor Swift. Our girl Lainey, though, she’s everywhere, too, when it comes to entertaining people. So I would say Lainey or Morgan.”
Much like Wilson, Wallen found himself having a successful year thanks to his newest album, I’m The Problem. Once released, the album quickly climbed the charts, reaching No. 1 in the UK and the US. Like any singer, Wallen promoted the album with the I’m The Problem tour, which was also a massive success for the country singer.
With the category full of country music stars, don’t miss the 2025 CMA Awards, airing live at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT on ABC and available to stream the following day on Hulu.
(Photo by Scott Dudelson/Getty Images for Stagecoach)
Most Viewed
-
UNSPECIFIED – SEPTEMBER 01: Photo of Raspberries (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images) -
Huty23631 0001 -
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – OCTOBER 30: Alan Jackson performs at the Coal Miner's Daughter: A Celebration Of The Life & Music Of Loretta Lynn at the Grand Ole Opry on October 30, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images) -
LAS VEGAS – APRIL 06: ***EXCLUSIVE*** Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn of Brooks & Dunn perform "The Cowboy Rides Away' onstage during the 44th annual Academy Of Country Music Awards' Artist of the Decade held at the MGM Grand on April 6, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Kevin Winter/ACM2009/Getty Images for ACM) -
American singer, songwriter and pianist, Ray Charles (1930 – 2004) performing at the Olympia in Paris, France on May 18, 1962. (Photo by REPORTERS ASSOCIES/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images) -
UNITED STATES – DECEMBER 04: Photo of Emmylou Harris, December 4, 1979, California, North Hollywood, Palomino Club, Emmylou Harris. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images) -
AUSTIN, TEXAS – Lloyd Maines performs onstage during "Austin City Limits Celebrates 50 Years: A Special Anniversary Taping" of the long-running music series "Austin City Limits" at ACL Live on November 21, 2024 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Rick Kern/Getty Images)
