George Strait won his first CMA Awards trophy for Entertainer of the Year in over two decades, but the majority of the awards that went out last night at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena went to country’s biggest new stars.
Strait had previously won Entertainer of the Year in 1989 and 1990, notes Billboard. He also performed a George Jones tribute with Alan Jackson, singing “He Stopped Loving Her Today” together. That song won both CMA Single and Song of the Year in 1980.
There were two surprises, with Jessi Alexander, Connie Harrington, and Jimmy Yeary winning Song of the Year for their chart-topping hit “I Drive Your Truck.” The Voice judge Blake Shelton won Album of the Year for Based on a True Story.
Kacey Musgrave took home New Artist of the Year. “I can’t even put it into words,” she said, shaking as she held her award, reports The Washington Post. Musgraves and Taylor Swift had the most nominations, but that was Musgraves’ only win.
Swift won three awards, including the Pinnacle Award. Swift, Tim McGraw and Keith Urban won Music Event of the Year for “Highway Don’t Care.” The song’s video also won Video of the Year.
Florida Georgia Line won for Single of the Year (“Cruise”) and Vocal Duo of the Year. Shelton won for Male Vocalist of the Year, while Miranda Lambert won Female Vocalist. Vocal Group went to Little Big Town and guitarist Mac McAnally won Musician of the Year.
The ceremony aired on ABC and was hosted by Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley.
image: ABC