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The 7 Biggest Shockers And Predictions For The CMA Awards 2025

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The Country Music Association (CMA) Awards remain the pinnacle of the genre, a night that consistently delivers both electrifying performances and jaw-dropping results. The most recent ceremony, the 58th Annual CMA Awards, on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, was no exception, crowning new royalty while leaving some of the biggest names in country music conspicuously absent or unrewarded. From Morgan Wallen's surprise Entertainer of the Year win to the massive snubs of superstars like Carrie Underwood and Beyoncé, the Nashville event has set a high-stakes stage for the upcoming 59th Annual CMA Awards in 2025. The annual event, broadcast live from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee, serves as a crucial barometer for the state of country music, blending traditional sounds with the genre's newest pop and rap-influenced hitmakers. As fans look ahead to the next ceremony on November 19, 2025, the lingering questions from 2024's show—who won, who was snubbed, and what performances stole the night—are key to understanding the current landscape and predicting the future of the genre's most prestigious honors.

The 2024 CMA Awards: Winners, Snubs, and Viral Moments

The 58th Annual CMA Awards, co-hosted by reigning Female Vocalist of the Year Lainey Wilson alongside Luke Bryan and NFL legend Peyton Manning, was a night defined by both predictable triumphs and significant surprises. The ceremony highlighted a shift in the genre, moving from established veterans to a new guard of chart-dominating artists.

Major 2024 CMA Awards Winners List

The biggest story of the night was the controversial win for an absent superstar. Morgan Wallen, despite leading the pack with seven nominations and not attending the ceremony, secured the night's biggest prize. * Entertainer of the Year: Morgan Wallen * Female Vocalist of the Year: Lainey Wilson * Male Vocalist of the Year: Chris Stapleton * New Artist of the Year: Megan Moroney * Album of the Year: *Deeper Well* - Kacey Musgraves * Single of the Year: "A Bar Song (Tipsy)" - Shaboozey * Vocal Duo of the Year: Brothers Osborne * Vocal Group of the Year: Old Dominion * Musical Event of the Year: "I Remember Everything" - Zach Bryan ft. Kacey Musgraves * Music Video of the Year: "A Bar Song (Tipsy)" - Shaboozey

The Biggest Snubs and Controversial Absences

The 2024 nominations and subsequent winners list sparked immediate debate among fans and critics, particularly regarding several high-profile omissions. * Carrie Underwood Shutout: A major talking point was the complete lack of nominations for Carrie Underwood, a perennial Entertainer of the Year nominee in previous years. Her absence from the list was seen by many as a significant snub, highlighting the CMA’s focus on newer, streaming-dominant artists. * The Beyoncé Omission: Despite the massive cultural impact of her album *Cowboy Carter*, Beyoncé was completely shut out of the major nominations. This sparked discussions about the traditional boundaries and gatekeeping within the Country Music Association. * Morgan Wallen’s Absence: Wallen’s win for Entertainer of the Year was a huge moment, but his decision not to attend the ceremony—despite his leading nomination count—was a notable controversy.

Unforgettable 2024 CMA Awards Performances

The live show was packed with cross-genre collaborations and emotional tributes that generated significant buzz. * The Country Convert Opener: Pop superstar Post Malone kicked off the show with a performance that cemented his transition into the genre, a move that drew both praise and criticism for the CMA’s evolving definition of "country." * Jelly Roll and Brooks & Dunn: The collaboration between New Artist Megan Moroney and genre veteran Brooks & Dunn was a powerful moment that gave fans "chills," blending the past and present of country music. * Viral Duets: Other standout performances included Thomas Rhett and Teddy Swims, and a highly anticipated reunion between Kelsea Ballerini and Noah Kahan, which was described as an "emotional moment" on stage. * George Strait Tribute: A stirring tribute performance by Brandi Carlile and Patty Loveless honored the legendary George Strait, bringing the audience to its feet.

Historical Controversies That Define the CMA Awards

The CMA Awards have a long history of controversial moments, particularly surrounding the Entertainer of the Year category, which lends context to the current debates over Wallen and Underwood. These moments underscore the ongoing tension between the industry's traditionalists and its progressive, chart-topping stars.

The Charlie Rich Incident (1975)

One of the most infamous moments in CMA history occurred in 1975 when Charlie Rich, while announcing the Entertainer of the Year winner, dramatically burned the card containing John Denver's name. Rich’s gesture was seen as a protest against the perceived "pop" influence on country music, an issue that continues to resurface with artists like Beyoncé and Post Malone today.

The Luke Bryan vs. George Strait Debate (2013)

The 2013 decision to award Luke Bryan Entertainer of the Year over the legendary George Strait, particularly during Strait's farewell tour, caused a major uproar. Many traditional country fans viewed the decision as a sign that the CMA prioritized commercial appeal and youthful energy over artistic legacy and traditional country authenticity.

The Carrie Underwood Snub (2019)

The 2019 ceremony saw a massive fan outcry when Carrie Underwood, who was co-hosting the show and considered a favorite, lost the Entertainer of the Year award. This moment demonstrated the power of the CMA voters to defy popular expectation and reinforced the unpredictable nature of the top prize.

5 Bold Predictions for the 59th Annual CMA Awards 2025

The 59th Annual CMA Awards will take place on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, once again live from the Bridgestone Arena. Based on the current chart trends and the fallout from the 2024 results, here are the most compelling predictions for the next ceremony.

1. Entertainer of the Year Will Be a Dual-Gender Battle

The 2025 race for Entertainer of the Year is shaping up to be a fierce contest between the two biggest names in the genre: Morgan Wallen and Lainey Wilson. Wallen's 2024 win was a shock, but with a new album like *I'm the Problem* potentially in the running, his commercial dominance is undeniable. However, Lainey Wilson, with her critical darling album *Whirlwind* and her rising status as an industry leader and co-host, is a strong favorite to take the biggest award.

2. The Rise of the New Guard Will Continue

Artists who dominated the 2024 New Artist category will move into the major categories. Megan Moroney, the reigning New Artist of the Year, along with Ella Langley and Bailey Zimmerman, are all poised to secure nominations in the Album, Single, and Vocalist categories, signaling a full changing of the guard.

3. Post Malone Will Secure Major Nominations

After his high-profile performance at the 2024 show, Post Malone is expected to be a major contender in 2025. His full-fledged country project, *F-1 Trillion*, is widely predicted to earn nominations for Album of the Year and potentially Single of the Year, further blurring the lines between country and pop.

4. Chris Stapleton Will Remain a Male Vocalist Lock

Despite the influx of new talent, Chris Stapleton's powerhouse vocals and consistent critical acclaim make him a near-certainty for a Male Vocalist of the Year nomination. His consistent excellence and traditional country sound act as a counterbalance to the more pop-centric nominees.

5. The Beyoncé/Pop-Crossover Debate Will Reignite

If the CMA Awards continue to embrace crossover artists, the conversation around Beyoncé's *Cowboy Carter* and her potential future nominations will dominate the pre-show buzz. The association's decision on whether to nominate her or other pop-country artists will be a decisive moment for the genre's identity moving forward.
The 7 Biggest Shockers and Predictions for the CMA Awards 2025
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