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Lainey Wilson celebrated a milestone achievement at the 59th annual CMA Awards, held at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, by taking home her first award of the evening: Album of the Year for “Whirlwind.”
This victory marked the second time Wilson has claimed this prestigious honor, underscoring her growing influence in the music industry.
Upon receiving the award, Wilson joyfully addressed her parents, exclaiming, “Mama, daddy, check it out!” She expressed genuine surprise at the win, sharing, “I was absolutely not expecting this.” Reflecting on her recent experiences, she added, “We just wrapped up our Whirlwind world tour, and it was absolutely insane.”
Wilson took a moment to acknowledge her devoted fans, saying, “I have the best fans in the world – they showed up every night singing every word off this record.”
The album “Whirlwind” was written during a period of significant change in Wilson’s life. Despite the constant shifts, she remained steadfast in her core beliefs, a testament to her resilience and dedication to her craft.
‘I remember being that little 11-year-old girl who would come home from school, pick up my guitar and pour my heart and soul into that guitar,’ Wilson said. ‘That’s how I navigated and communicated.
‘And that’s what I did the last two years when I felt like my life was changing, but I felt the same.’
Lainey Wilson collected her first award of the night in Album of the Year for Whirlwind during Wednesday night’s 59th annual CMA Awards stemming from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena
Said Wilson: ‘I have the best fans in the world – they showed up every night singing every word off this record’
Ella Langley & Riley Green were the first winners announced for Single of the Year for the track, you look like you love me.
‘I wasn’t expecting to get up here so early tonight,’ Langley, 26, said in her acceptance speech. ‘I feel like this is a song that just keeps on giving because the fans keep on listening to it.
‘And this song wouldn’t be here without people like will Bundy and Jim Cooley working on the record, Riley doing the second verse, and man, I don’t know, I thought I had something prepared, but I get up here and I get a little confused and excited at the same time!’
Langley wrapped up in saying, ‘Wow, thank you so much for this. This means the world to all of us.’
Green, 37, said he was ‘just so glad to be a part of this song’ and praised his collaborator for ‘how she handles herself and making country music really country.’
He added, ‘Proud of you, glad to be part of this song, thank you all for making it a hit.’
Ella Langley & Riley Green were the first winners announced during Wednesday night’s 59th annual CMA Awards stemming from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena for Single of the Year for the track, you look like you love me
Langley said in her acceptance speech: ‘I feel like this is a song that just keeps on giving because the fans keep on listening to it.’ The singer pictured backstage
The tandem was back onstage after they collected the honors for Song of the Year, which they won with songwriter Aaron Raitiere.
‘With this one, we really just wrote it because we loved it,’ Langley said. ‘I got to thank Aaron for being the songwriter that he is tonight.
‘These songs change our lives. I don’t think people really know how true that is. They change our life. They changed my life, my family’s life. I’m so grateful to be up here tonight.’
Brooks & Dunn was named Vocal Duo of the Year, marking their 16th win in the category.
Ronnie Dunn said in accepting the honors: ‘I’m emotional, every night of sold-out shows is surreal to us … we’ll take this and try to make you proud, okay? Thank you.’
Kix Brooks added, ‘I heard earlier tonight y’all ever get sick of this? Hell no, man, this is too good! Thank you very much.’
Zach Top was named New Artist of the Year.
He said in his acceptance speech: ‘I’m so thankful to be included in a category with a bunch of other great artists that have had phenomenal years.
Said the singer, ‘I get up here and I get a little confused and excited at the same time!’
Brooks & Dunn was named Vocal Duo of the Year, marking their 16th win in the category
Top said he was ‘thankful to be here,’ adding, ‘This is my first CMA win ever, so it’s a big deal to me.’
The Red Clay Strays won the honors for Vocal Group of the Year, which marked their first time achieving the feat.
Lead singer Brandon Coleman said in accepting the honors, ‘Thank you, Jesus, that’s awesome. ‘Never, ever would have dreamed of winning anything like this. That’s pretty incredible. We didn’t seen know how to set up music equipment when we started doing this.
Zach Top was named New Artist of the Year at Wednesday’s event
Ella Langley and Riley Green were back onstage after they collected the honors for Song of the Year, which they won with songwriter Aaron Raitiere
Coleman continued: ‘Thanks to our families, wives, girlfriends, crews that help us tour as much as we do – can’t do it without you all. I’ve already thanked Jesus, we’re good; thank you Jesus again.
Coleman advised fans, ‘Always believe you can do it – work hard and trust God.’
The band’s John Hall referenced his late brother Jacob, who tragically ‘took his own life in 2020.
Hall said of his late sibling: ‘He should be up here with us, but he’s not – God bless him – this is for Jacob.’
Leading nominees for the award show – all nominated for six honors apiece – included Langley, Megan Moroney and Wilson – who was also hosting the proceedings.
‘Welcome to the CMA Awards,’ Wilson said upon her entrance. ‘I grew up in the village of Baskin in Louisiana, population 175.
‘Ever since I was a little girl, country music has been a huge part of my world. It was more than a genre, it was a way of life.
Wilson said that ‘growing up in Baskin, there were two things my family made dang that we never missed, and that was bull riding and the CMA awards – and if we had to miss one, it wasn’t gonna be this.’
Lainey Wilson collected her first award of the night in Album of the Year for Whirlwind
The Red Clay Strays won the honors for Vocal Group of the Year, which marked their first time achieving the feat. Singer Brandon Coleman referenced his faith in accepting the honors
The band’s John Hall referenced his late brother Jacob, who tragically ‘took his own life in 2020’
She added that ‘to have been asked to host this legendary country music event for y’all is making little Lainey – who was bright eyed and bushy tailed sitting way too close to the TV – really, really proud.’
Wilson was nominated for CMA entertainer of the year against an impressive field consisting of Luke Combs, Cody Johnson, Chris Stapleton and 2024 victor Morgan Wallen.
Vince Gill was slated to be given the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award during the show from Music City.
The 59th annual CMA Awards will be available to stream on Hulu Thursday.
The winners are determined from votes culled from members of Country Music Association.
2025 CMA Awards Nominees
Entertainer of the Year
Luke Combs
Cody Johnson
Chris Stapleton
Morgan Wallen
Lainey Wilson
Album of the Year
Am I Okay? – Megan Moroney
PRODUCER(S): Kristian Bush
MIX ENGINEER(S): Justin Niebank
Sony Music Nashville / Columbia Records
Cold Beer & Country Music – Zach Top
PRODUCER(S): Carson Chamberlain
MIX ENGINEER(S): Matt Rovey
Leo33
F-1 Trillion – Post Malone
PRODUCER(S): Louis Bell, Charlie Handsome, Hoskins
MIX ENGINEER(S): Ryan Gore
Mercury Records / Big Loud Records
I’m The Problem – Morgan Wallen
PRODUCER(S): Jacob Durrett, Charlie Handsome, Joey Moi, Joe Reeves
MIX ENGINEER(S): Charlie Handsome, Joey Moi
Big Loud Records / Mercury Records
Whirlwind – Lainey Wilson (WINNER)
PRODUCER(S): Jay Joyce
MIX ENGINEER(S): Jason Hall, Jay Joyce
Broken Bow Records
Luke Combs is up for three nominations at this year’s CMAs
Female Vocalist of the Year
Kelsea Ballerini
Miranda Lambert
Ella Langley
Megan Moroney
Lainey Wilson
Male Vocalist of the Year
Luke Combs
Cody Johnson
Chris Stapleton
Zach Top
Morgan Wallen
Vocal Group of the Year
Lady A
Little Big Town
Old Dominion
Rascal Flatts
The Red Clay Strays (WINNER)
Vocal Duo of the Year
Brooks & Dunn (WINNER)
Brothers Osborne
Dan + Shay
Maddie & Tae
The War And Treaty
New Artist of the Year
Ella Langley
Shaboozey
Zach Top (WINNER)
Tucker Wetmore
Stephen Wilson Jr.
Single of the Year
“4x4xU” – Lainey Wilson,
PRODUCER(S): Jay Joyce
MIX ENGINEER(S): Jason Hall, Jay Joyce
Broken Bow Records
“Ain’t No Love In Oklahoma” – Luke Combs
PRODUCER(S): Luke Combs, Chip Matthews, Jonathan Singleton
MIX ENGINEER(S): Chip Matthews
Atlantic Records / Seven Ridges Records
“Am I Okay?”
Megan Moroney
PRODUCER(S): Kristian Bush
MIX ENGINEER(S): Justin Niebank
Sony Music Nashville / Columbia Records
“I Never Lie” – Zach Top
PRODUCER(S): Carson Chamberlain
MIX ENGINEER(S): Matt Rovey
Leo33
“you look like you love me” – Ella Langley & Riley Green (WINNER)
PRODUCER(S): Will Bundy
MIX ENGINEER(S): Jim Cooley
SAWGOD Records / Columbia
Song of the Year
“4x4xU” – Jon Decious, Aaron Raitiere, Lainey Wilson
“Am I Okay?” – Jessie Jo Dillon, Luke Laird, Megan Moroney
“I Never Lie” – Carson Chamberlain, Tim Nichols, Zach Top
“Texas” – Johnny Clawson, Josh Dorr, Lalo Guzman, Kyle Sturrock
“you look like you love me” – Riley Green, Ella Langley, Aaron Raitiere (WINNER)
Musical Event of the Year
“Pour Me A Drink” – Post Malone (feat. Blake Shelton) (WINNER)
PRODUCER(S): Louis Bell, Charlie Handsome
Mercury Records / Big Loud Records
“Don’t Mind If I Do” – Riley Green (featuring Ella Langley)
PRODUCER(S): Scott Borchetta, Jimmy Harnen, Dann Huff
Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment
“Hard Fought Hallelujah” – Brandon Lake with Jelly Roll
PRODUCER(S): Micah Nichols
Provident Label Group
“I’m Gonna Love You” – Cody Johnson (with Carrie Underwood)
PRODUCER(S): Trent Willmon
CoJo Music / Warner Music Nashville
“You Had To Be There” – Megan Moroney (feat. Kenny Chesney)
PRODUCER(S): Kristian Bush
Sony Music Nashville / Columbia Records
Music Video of the Year
“you look like you love me” – Ella Langley & Riley Green (WINNER)
DIRECTOR(S): Ella Langley, John Park, Wales Toney
“Am I Okay?” – Megan Moroney
DIRECTOR(S): Alexandra Gavillet, Megan Moroney
“I’m Gonna Love You” – Cody Johnson (with Carrie Underwood)
DIRECTOR(S): Dustin Haney
“Somewhere Over Laredo” – Lainey Wilson
DIRECTOR(S): TK McKamy
“Think I’m In Love With You” – Chris Stapleton
DIRECTOR(S): Running Bear
Musician of the Year
Jenee Fleenor – Fiddle
Paul Franklin – Steel Guitar (WINNER)
Brent Mason – Guitar
Rob McNelley – Guitar
Derek Wells -Guitar