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Carrie Underwood sent fans into a frenzy with her surprise appearance at the 2024 CMA Awards

The country music superstar took the stage with Cody Johnson for a powerful rendition of I’m Gonna Love You. 

Dressed in a chic western-inspired ensemble, featuring a leather vest and a white fringe and lace dress, the American Idol winner dazzled the audience at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee

For the first time in her career, Carrie was not nominated for a CMA Award, leading many to believe she would skip the event, especially since she wasn't listed as a scheduled performer.

However, in front of a star-studded crowd, including Kacey Musgraves, Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson, and more, Carrie and Cody’s electrifying performance quickly became the highlight of the night. 

'Cody Johnson and Carrie Underwood just made me remember why I used to love the CMAs growing up,' wrote one enamored fan.

Carrie Underwood sent fans into a frenzy with her surprise appearance at the 2024 CMA Awards

Carrie Underwood sent fans into a frenzy with her surprise appearance at the 2024 CMA Awards

The country music superstar took the stage with Cody Johnson for a powerful rendition of I’m Gonna Love You.

The country music superstar took the stage with Cody Johnson for a powerful rendition of I’m Gonna Love You.

Another chimed in, 'codyjohnson performance with Carrie Underwood is the best of the night so far. So pure. #CMAs' 

The 2024 CMA Awards kicked off with a bang as Chris Stapleton delivered a show-stopping performance alongside a surprise guest.

Dressed in his signature black pants, shirt, and jacket, topped with his iconic cowboy hat, the country legend commanded attention from the start. 

He was joined by Post Malone, making his CMA debut after the release of his first country album, F-1 Trillion, in August.

The rapper-turned-country star matched Stapleton’s look in a black suit and cream-colored cowboy hat, bringing an unexpected yet seamless energy to the stage.

Together, they performed California Sober, a track from Post Malone’s debut country album.

In contrast to Carrie Underwood’s widely applauded duet, Post’s performance struggled to make the same impact with the audience. 

'I love Post Malone but this is awful #cmas #CMAawards #postmalone,' one critic tweeted.

For the first time in her career, Carrie was not nominated for a CMA Award, leading many to believe she would skip the event, especially since she wasn't listed as a scheduled performer

For the first time in her career, Carrie was not nominated for a CMA Award, leading many to believe she would skip the event, especially since she wasn't listed as a scheduled performer

'Cody Johnson and Carrie Underwood just made me remember why I used to love the CMAs growing up,' wrote one enamored fan

'Cody Johnson and Carrie Underwood just made me remember why I used to love the CMAs growing up,' wrote one enamored fan

Chris Stapleton was joined by Post Malone, making his CMA debut after the release of his first country album, F-1 Trillion, in August

Chris Stapleton was joined by Post Malone, making his CMA debut after the release of his first country album, F-1 Trillion, in August

In contrast to Carrie Underwood’s widely applauded duet, Post’s performance struggled to make the same impact with the audience

In contrast to Carrie Underwood’s widely applauded duet, Post’s performance struggled to make the same impact with the audience

Not even a wardrobe change could save Post from the relentless criticism of social media trolls

Not even a wardrobe change could save Post from the relentless criticism of social media trolls 

'I love Post Malone but this is awful #cmas #CMAawards #postmalone,' one critic tweeted

'I love Post Malone but this is awful #cmas #CMAawards #postmalone,' one critic tweeted

CMA AWARDS 2024 WINNERS: AT A GLANCE

Entertainer Of The Year: Morgan Wallen

Female Vocalist Of The Year: Lainey Wilson

Male Vocalist Of The Year: Chris Stapleton

Lainey Wilson took home the coveted Female Vocalist Of The Year

Lainey Wilson took home the coveted Female Vocalist Of The Year

 

Album Of The Year: Cody Johnson - Leather

Vocal Group Of The Year: Old Dominion

Vocal Duo Of The Year: Brooks & Dunn

New Artist Of The Year: Megan Moroney

Single Of The Year: Chris Stapleton - White Horse

Song Of The Year: Chris Stapleton - White Horse

 

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Another shared, 'I'm just gonna say it: Post Malone is GOD AWFUL!!!! This is TERRIBLE! #CMAs' 

Yet another wrote, I’ve bashed the CMAs for years on this app so I won’t feel the need do it tonight. Post Malone sucks though, wow.

 

Stapleton also performed with George Straight, who was this year’s CMA Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, as the two sang Honky Tonk Hall of Fame.

Lainey Wilson also paid a tribute by singing Amarillo by Morning, with Jamey Johnson following by singing Give It Away.

Miranda Lambert and Parker McCollum sang Troubadour.

Jelly Roll joined Brooks & Dunn for a heartfelt performance of their hit "Believe," and it had the crowd raising their hands and wiping away tears. 

'Brooks & Dunn performing 'Believe' with @jellyroll615 is the moment I didn't know I was missing this year,' one X user shared.

Megan Moroney sang Am I Okay?, the breakout hit from her album of the same name.

Megan Moroney sang Am I Okay?, the breakout hit from her album of the same name.

The 27-year-old country singer took home the new artist of the year award

The 27-year-old country singer took home the new artist of the year award

Kacey Musgraves graced the stage with a striking performance of The Architect

Kacey Musgraves graced the stage with a striking performance of The Architect

She mesmerized the audience with a stripped-down, solo-acoustic version of the emotional ballad from her latest album Deeper Well

She mesmerized the audience with a stripped-down, solo-acoustic version of the emotional ballad from her latest album Deeper Well

Noah Kahan and Kelsea Ballerini hit the stage together for a heartfelt performance of Cowboys Cry Too, the lead single from Ballerini's 2024 album Patterns.

Noah Kahan and Kelsea Ballerini hit the stage together for a heartfelt performance of Cowboys Cry Too, the lead single from Ballerini's 2024 album Patterns.

Cowboys Cry Too is the lead single from Ballerini's 2024 album Patterns

Cowboys Cry Too is the lead single from Ballerini's 2024 album Patterns

Thomas Rhett and Teddy Swims perform at the 58th Annual CMA Awards

Thomas Rhett and Teddy Swims perform at the 58th Annual CMA Awards

Shaboozey performed two of his songs — Highway and his megahit Tipsy (A Bar Song)

Shaboozey performed two of his songs — Highway and his megahit Tipsy (A Bar Song)

Shaboozey was up for two CMAs that evening, though he did not win either single of the year or best new artist

Shaboozey was up for two CMAs that evening, though he did not win either single of the year or best new artist

Miranda Lambert and Parker McCollum sang Troubadour

Miranda Lambert and Parker McCollum sang Troubadour

Miranda was western chic in her dark denim ensemble

Miranda was western chic in her dark denim ensemble

Jelly Roll and Keith Urban had fans wild after their powerful duet performance

Jelly Roll and Keith Urban had fans wild after their powerful duet performance 

Jelly Roll and Keith react after performing at the 58th Annual CMA Awards

Jelly Roll and Keith react after performing at the 58th Annual CMA Awards

'Wow, this @BrooksAndDunn @JellyRoll615 performance has me in tears,' another commented. 

They added, 'Honestly, @JellyRoll615 and the whole crowd just made me so emotional.'

Shaboozey performed two of his songs — Highway and his megahit Tipsy (A Bar Song), while Megan Moroney sang Am I Okay?, the breakout hit from her album of the same name.

Noah Kahan and Kelsea Ballerini hit the stage together for a heartfelt performance of Cowboys Cry Too, the lead single from Ballerini's 2024 album Patterns. 

Kacey Musgraves graced the stage with a striking performance of The Architect. 

She mesmerized the audience with a stripped-down, solo-acoustic version of the emotional ballad from her latest album Deeper Well.

The 58th Annual Country Music Awards made its return with Peyton Manning, Luke Bryan, and newcomer Lainey Wilson sharing hosting duties for the night. 

The event also featured a diverse group of presenters, including Simone Biles, Katharine McPhee, Dustin Lynch, and the 9-year-old viral sensation, Jackson Laux, who helped honor the evening's winners.

2024 CMA Award Winners

Entertainer of the Year

Luke Combs

Jelly Roll

Chris Stapleton

Morgan Wallen (WINNER)

Lainey Wilson

 

Album of the Year

Deeper Well - Kacey Musgraves; Producers: Ian Fitchuk, Kacey Musgraves, Daniel Tashian; Mix engineers: Shawn Everett, Konrad Snyder

Fathers & Sons - Luke Combs; Producers: Luke Combs, Chase Matthews, Jonathan Singleton; Mix engineer: Chip Matthews

Higher - Chris Stapleton; Producers: Dave Cobb, Chris Stapleton, Morgane Stapleton; Mix engineer: Vance Powell

Leather - Cody Johnson; Producer: Trent Willmon; Mix engineer: Jack Clarke (WINNER)

Whitsitt Chapel - Jelly Roll; Producers: Andrew Baylis, Brock Berryhill, Zach Crowell, Jesse Frasure, David Garcia, Kevin "Thrasher" Gruft, Austin Nivarel, David Ray Stevens; Mix engineers: Jeff Braun, Jim Cooley

 

Female Vocalist of the Year

Kelsea Ballerini

Ashley McBryde

Megan Moroney 

Kacey Musgraves 

Lainey Wilson (WINNER) 

 

Male Vocalist of the Year 

Luke Combs 

Jelly Roll 

Cody Johnson 

Chris Stapleton (WINNER)

Morgan Wallen 

 

Vocal Group of the Year 

Lady A 

Little Big Town 

Old Dominion (WINNER)

The Red Clay Strays 

Zac Brown Band 

 

Vocal Duo of the Year

Brooks & Dunn (WINNER)

Brothers Osborne 

Dan + Shay 

Maddie & Tae 

The War And Treaty 

 

New Artist of the Year 

Megan Moroney (WINNER)

Shaboozey 

Nate Smith 

Mitchell Tenpenny 

Zach Top 

Bailey Zimmerman 

 

Single of the Year 

A Bar Song (Tipsy) - Shaboozey; Producers: Sean Cook, Nevin Sastry; Mix engineer: Raul Lopez

Dirt Cheap - Cody Johnson; Producer: Trent Willmon; Mix engineer: Jack Clarke

I Had Some Help - Post Malone (Feat. Morgan Wallen); Producers: Louis Bell, Charlie Handsome, Hoskins; Mix engineer: Ryan Gore

Watermelon Moonshine - Lainey Wilson; Producer: Jay Joyce; Mix engineers: Jason Hall, Jay Joyce

White Horse - Chris Stapleton; Producers: Dave Cobb, Chris Stapleton, Morgane Stapleton; Mix engineer: Vance Powell (WINNER)

 

Song of the Year

Burn It Down - Hillary Lindsey, Parker McCollum, Lori McKenna, Liz Rose

Dirt Cheap - Josh Phillips

I Had Some Help - Louis Bell, Ashley Gorley, Charlie Handsome, Hoskins, Austin Post, Ernest Keith Smith, Morgan Wallen, Chandler Paul Walters

The Painter -  Benjy Davis, Kat Higgins, Ryan Larkins

White Horse - Chris Stapleton, Dan Wilson (WINNER)

 

Musical Event of the Year 

Cowboys Cry Too - Kelsea Ballerini (with Noah Kahan); Producers: Kelsea Ballerini, Alysa Vanderheym

I Had Some Help -  Post Malone (Feat. Morgan Wallen); Producers: Louis Bell, Charlie Handsome, Hoskins

I Remember Everything - Zach Bryan (ft. Kacey Musgraves); Producer: Zach Bryan

Man Made A Bar - Zach Bryan (ft. Kacey Musgraves); Producer: Joey Moi

you look like you love me -  Ella Langley (feat. Riley Green); Producer: Will Bundy (WINNER)

 

Music Video of the Year 

Dirt Cheap -  Cody Johnson, directed by Dustin Haney

I Had Some Help - Post Malone (Feat. Morgan Wallen), directed by Chris Villa

I'm Not Pretty -  Megan Moroney, directed by Jeff Johnson and Megan Moroney

The Painter - Cody Johnson, directed by Dustin Haney

Wildflowers and Wild Horses - Lainey Wilson, directed by Patrick Tracy (WINNER)

  

Musician of the Year 

Tom Bukovac

Jenee Fleenor 

Paul Franklin 

Rob McNelley 

Charlie Worsham (WINNER)