Darius Rucker and Reba McEntire shared hosting duties, and kept the show—which was held at Music City Center in Nashville, Tennessee—moving. As for who else took the stage: Eric Church won the award for Entertainer of the Year, and Maren Morris made off with both Song of the Year and Single of the Year for her tune “Bones.” Newcomer Morgan Wallen was also recognized as the New Artist of the Year. Country music legend Charlie Pride, meanwhile, received the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to the genre.
Viewers were treated to live performances from Miranda Lambert (who garnered seven nominations this year and finished with one win) and Thomas Rhett, the latter of whom shared the stage with McEntire. Justin Bieber and Keith Urban beamed in with remote performances.
While the event was star-studded, social distancing and protective masks appeared to be missing from the evening. There was even a live audience, unlike other award shows that have happened amid the coronavirus pandemic. Other country music award ceremonies, ACM Awards and CMT Music Awards, had virtual performances and acceptance speeches. (It should be noted, however, that a rep for the CMAs told TVLine that precautions were taken, including, but not limited to, testing for everyone who entered the venue and eight-feet distancing between tables.)
Rascal Flatts, Lady A (the artist formerly known as Lady Antebellum), Florida Georgia Line, Lee Brice and Tyler Hubbard all dropped out of the ceremony ahead of time due to coronavirus-related concerns.
Check below for the full list of winners from the 2020 CMA Awards. (Winners appear in bold.)
Entertainer of the Year
Eric Church (Winner)
Luke Combs
Miranda Lambert
Carrie Underwood
Keith Urban
Single of the Year
“10,000 Hours” — Dan + Shay (with Justin Bieber)
“Beer Never Broke My Heart” — Luke Combs
“Bluebird” — Miranda Lambert
“The Bones” — Maren Morris (Winner)
“I Hope” — Gabby Barrett
Album of the Year
Heartache Medication — Jon Pardi
Never Will — Ashley McBryde
Old Dominion — Old Dominion
What You See Is What You Get — Luke Combs (Winner)
Wildcard — Miranda Lambert
Song of the Year
“Bluebird” — Luke Dick, Natalie Hemby, Miranda Lambert
“The Bones” — Maren Morris, Jimmy Robbins, Laura Veltz (Winner)
“Even Though I’m Leaving” — Luke Combs, Wyatt B. Durrette III, Ray Fulcher
“I Hope You’re Happy Now” — Luke Combs, Randy Montana, Carly Pearce, Jonathan Singleton
“More Hearts Than Mine” — Ingrid Andress, Sam Ellis, Derrick Southerland
Female Vocalist of the Year
Miranda Lambert
Ashley McBryde
Maren Morris (Winner)
Kacey Musgraves
Carrie Underwood
Male Vocalist of the Year
Eric Church
Luke Combs (Winner)
Thomas Rhett
Chris Stapleton
Keith Urban
Vocal Group of the Year
Lady A
Little Big Town
Midland
Old Dominion (Winner)
Rascal Flatts
Vocal Duo of the Year
Brooks & Dunn
Brothers Osborne
Dan + Shay (Winner)
Florida Georgia Line
Maddie & Tae
Musical Event of the Year
“10,000 Hours” — Dan + Shay (with Justin Bieber)
“Be A Light” — Thomas Rhett featuring Reba McEntire, Hillary Scott, Chris Tomlin, Keith Urban
“The Bones” — Maren Morris with Hozier
“Fooled Around And Fell In Love” — Miranda Lambert (feat. Maren Morris, Elle King, Ashley McBryde, Tenille Townes & Caylee Hammack)
“I Hope You’re Happy Now” — Carly Pearce and Lee Brice (Winner)
Music Video of the Year
“10,000 Hours” — Dan + Shay (with Justin Bieber)
“Bluebird” — Miranda Lambert (Winner)
“Homemade” — Jake Owen
“I Hope You’re Happy Now” — Carly Pearce and Lee Brice
“Second One To Know” — Chris Stapleton
Musician of the Year
Jenee Fleenor — Fiddle (Winner)
Paul Franklin — Steel Guitar
Rob McNelley — Guitar
Ilya Toshinskiy —Guitar
Derek Wells — Guitar
New Artist of the Year
Jimmie Allen
Ingrid Andress
Gabby Barrett
Carly Pearce
Morgan Wallen (Winner)
