CMA Awards 2015 Recap: Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert & Chris Stapleton Are The Big Winners

The 49th annual Country Music Association Awards were held in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday night, celebrating the best artists in country music.

CMA Awards 2015 Recap

The CMAs biggest award – Entertainer of the Year – went to Luke Bryan for the second year in a row. However, it was relative unknown Chris Stapleton who arguably had the biggest night. Stapleton not only took home the New Artist of the Year trophy, but also the Album of the Year and Male Vocalist of the Year awards.

“This is unbelievable. I don’t know what to say. I don’t know what to think,” said Stapleton, who’s previously been best known for writing material for the likes of Kenny Chesney and George Strait. “Thank you so much for the love.”

During the ceremony, Stapleton, a Kentucky native, also got the chance to perform onstage with Justin Timberlake. Together, the two sang “Tennessee Whiskey” and “Drink You Away.”

While Stapleton’s awards haul was something of a surprise, no one batted an eye when Miranda Lambert won for Female Vocalist of the Year for the sixth year running. Incidentally, Lambert’s ex-husband Blake Shelton who is now dating Gwen Stefani, lost the Male Vocalist award for the first time in five years.

Little Big Town, as expected, won Song of the Year for “Girl Crush.” They were also named Vocal Group of the Year. Maddie & Tae’s “Girl in a Country Song” won Music Video of the Year. The Musical Event of the Year award went to Keith Urban and Eric Church for “Raise ‘Em Up,” and Florida Georgia Line was once again the Vocal Duo of the Year.