We’re only a week away from the 59th Annual CMA Awards, and while I can’t say I get excited about these hollow award shows anymore, I do enjoy looking back at some of the biggest moments in the history of country music.
The 59th CMA Awards are scheduled for Wednesday, November 19, 2025, at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville and will be broadcast live on ABC. Lainey Wilson will host the ceremony. The show will be available to stream on Hulu the next day.
These days, the CMA Awards always seem a little… bland? A little vanilla? And to be fair, just about every single award show, I don’t care how big or how small of a production, is always a little corny. It’s just kind of the nature of the beast, but there’s something about the CMA Awards that is just watered down, overly scripted, and just… bland. I wish they would work to make some really memorable moments, but every year, for the most part. It falls pretty short. They seem way more concerned with pop stars and Hollywood actors making appearances, as well as crossover collaborations (we’re getting BigXthaPlug joining Luke Combs this year), rather than shining a light on the real stars of the genre.
I won’t even get into the lack of actual country music these days….
But, over the years, they’ve definitely had their fair share of controversial moments.
Whether it was Charlie Rich lighting the winner envelope on fire as he declared John Denver the Entertainer of the Year in 1975 or Alan Jackson’s protest performances, there’s been quite a few fireworks moments. But one of the most talked about, maybe for a good reason and maybe not, came in 2006.
I was a junior in high school and Carrie Underwood was in the midst of a breakout year ahead of the 40th Annual CMA Awards. She won American Idol in 2005, back when it actually meant something… she was on top of the world. She garnered the first CMA Awards nominations of her career, and she did more than just get nominated for Female Vocalist of the Year, she went and won that thing.
Nominated alongside Gretchen Wilson, Martina McBride, Sara Evans, and Faith Hill, one of the nominees was visibly upset that a young Carrie took home the win. But was it all just a joke? It’s hard to say…
Faith Hill was backstage when the nominees got read, and as Carrie was announced as the winner, Faith screamed “WHAT!?” and threw her hands up. It almost seemed like she was expecting to win, or maybe she even told ahead of time that she won, but regardless, folks called her out for the seemingly angry reaction and it was front page news the next morning. Of course, Carrie being a young star who probably looked up to Faith as a little girl, it’s hard to see why people were mad. It’s a bad look…
Faith and her team quickly released a statement to clarify that there was no ill-intent, and that she was just trying to be funny, and honestly to me, that makes sense. She looked directly into the camera when she screamed “WHAT!” and I don’t necessarily think that you would make a point to broadcast your reaction like that if it was completely sincere. It was a joke… and it absolutely came off as a joke to me, but at the time, country music fans didn’t think so.
And even to this day, some country music fans aren’t so sure…
According to a press release, she said:
“The idea that I would act disrespectful towards a fellow musician is unimaginable to me. For this to become a focus of attention, given the talent gathered, is utterly ridiculous. Carrie is a talented and deserving female vocalist of the year.”
Her longtime manager, Gary Borman, also released a statement:
“I’ve worked with Faith for many years now, and the idea that she would ever insult or undermine another artist, let alone another human being’s success, is absolutely preposterous. Those who know her know that she’s incapable of such actions. She was being playful while the nominations were being read and playful after.”
Watch for yourself below… what do you think?
2025 CMA Awards Nominees
Entertainer of the Year
Morgan Wallen
Luke Combs
Lainey Wilson
Cody Johnson
Chris Stapleton
Album of the Year
Am I Okay? – Megan Moroney
Producer: Kristian Bush
Mix Engineer: Justin Niebank
Cold Beer & Country Music – Zach Top
Producer: Carson Chamberlain
Mix Engineer: Matt Rovey
F-1 Trillon – Post Malone
Producers: Louis Bell, Charlie Handsome, Hoskins
Mix Engineer: Ryan Gore
I’m The Problem – Morgan Wallen
Producers: Jacob Durrett, Charlie Handsome, Joey Moi
Mix Engineers: Charlie Handsome, Joey Moi
Whirlwind – Lainey Wilson
Producer: Jay Joyce
Mix Engineers: Jason Hall, Jay Joyce
Male Vocalist of the Year
Chris Stapleton
Morgan Wallen
Luke Combs
Cody Johnson
Zach Top
Female Vocalist of the Year
Lainey Wilson
Ella Langley
Megan Moroney
Kelsea Ballerini
Miranda Lambert
Vocal Group of the Year
Old Dominion
The Red Clay Strays
Little Big Town
Lady A
Rascal Flatts
Vocal Duo of the Year
Brooks & Dunn
Dan + Shay
Brothers Osborne
The War and Treaty
Maddie & Tae
Single of the Year
“4X4XU” – Lainey Wilson
Producer: Jay Joyce
Mix Engineers: Jason Hall, Jay Joyce
“Ain’t No Love In Oklahoma” – Luke Combs
Producers: Luke Combs, Chip Matthews, Jonathan Singleton
Mix Engineer: Chip Matthews
“Am I Okay?” – Megan Moroney
Producer: Kristian Bush
Mix Engineer: Justin Niebank
“I Never Lie” – Zach Top
Producer: Carson Chamberlain
Mix Engineer: Mat Rovey
“You Look Like You Love Me” – Ella Langley ft. Riley Green
Producer: Will Bundy
Mix Engineer: Jim Cooley
Song of the Year
“4X4XU” – Lainey Wilson
Songwriters: Jon Decious, Aaron Raitiere, Lainey Wilson
“Am I Okay? – Megan Moroney
Songwriters: Jessie Jo Dillon, Luke Laird, Megan Moroney
“I Never Lie” – Zach Top
Songwriters: Carson Chamberlain, Tim Nichols, Zach Top
“Texas” – Blake Shelton
Songwriters: Johnny Clawson, Josh Dorr, Lalo Guzman, Kyle Sturrock
“You Look Like You Love Me” – Ella Langley ft. Riley Green
Songwriters: Riley Green, Ella Langley, Aaron Raitiere
New Artist of the Year
Zach Top
Ella Langley
Stephen Wilson Jr.
Tucker Wetmore
Shaboozey
Musician of the Year
Jenee Fleenor (Fiddle)
Paul Franklin (Steel Guitar)
Brett Mason (Guitar)
Rob McNelley (Guitar)
Derek Wells (Guitar)
Music Video of the Year
“Am I Okay?” – Megan Moroney
Directors: Alexander Gavillet, Megan Moroney
“I’m Gonna Love You” – Cody Johnson & Carrie Underwood
Director: Dustin Haney
“Somewhere Over Laredo” – Lainey Wilson
Director: TK McKamy
“Think I’m In Love With You” – Chris Stapleton
Director: Running Bear
“You Look Like You Love Me” – Ella Langley & Riley Green
Directors: Ella Langley, John Park, Wales Toney
Musical Event of the Year
“Don’t Mind If I Do” – Riley Green ft. Ella Langley
Producers: Scott Borchetta, Jimmy Harnen, Dann Huff
“Hard Fought Hallelujah” – Brandon Lake w/ Jelly Roll
Producer: Micha Nichols
“I’m Gonna Love You” – Cody Johnson w/ Carrie Underwood
Producer: Trent Willmon
“Pour Me A Drink” – Post Malone ft. Blake Shelton
Producers: Louis Bell, Charlie Handsome
“You Had to Be There” – Megan Moroney ft. Kenny Chesney
Producer: Kristian Bush
