After co-hosting in 2024 with Louisiana native Peyton Manning and Luke Bryan, Wilson steered the show solo this time. Seconds into her welcoming monolgue, Wilson, 33, gave a shout-out to her hometown.

In addition to Wilson and Urban, performances for the first half of this year's show included Zach Top, who performed his hit song "Guitar"; Megan Moroney, who performed her song "6 Months Later"; and Stapleton, who performed his song "Bad As I Used To Be" from the film, "F1."

The CMAs, hosted by Lainey Wilson, was the target of complaints from social media users who alleged bias in the results.

Billy Ray Cyrus and Elizabeth Hurley appeared together at the 2025 CMA Awards. The couple presented the single of the year award.

Zach Top was the Washington man of the hour at the CMA Awards. But he was hardly the only home-state hero to rock the stage.

Top Stories from Nov. MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG) — The Red Clay Strays, “born and bred in the red dirt clay of South Alabama,” have come a long way from the barrooms of Mobile, earning their first CMA Award,

Vince Gill added a new accolade to his roster during the 2025 CMA Awards. The singer, 68, received the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award during the Wednesday, November 19, ceremony at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville,