All eyes were on Nicole Kidman, Kelsea Ballerini and Lainey Wilson as they arrived to the 57th annual Country Music Association Awards in Nashville, Tennessee on Wednesday evening.
The Oscar winner, 56, who is married to Keith Urban, commanded attention in a plunging black gown, featuring a cut-out V neckline, and huge racy cutout across her toned midriff.
She styled her show-stopping outfit with a silver necklace, which coordinated with the hardware on her dress.
Her spouse, who was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame last month, wore a dark green and black tie-dye shirt and black pants.
Kelsea Ballerini chose a dainty, ultra-feminine slip dress and wore her long blonde hair in vintage style waves.
Going strong: The Oscar winner, 56, who is married to Keith Urban , turned heads with her commanded attention in a plunging black gown, featuring a cut-out V neckline, and huge racy cutout across her toned midriff
Bold: The Big Little Lies star put on an eye-catching display
Her gown, which featured a thigh-high slit, is from Christian Siriano’s spring/summer 2024 collection.
Her glamorous makeup look included a bright red lipstick, which she nearly got on her beau’s face as she sweetly planted a kiss on his cheek.
While accompanying the three-time Grammy nominee, the Outer Banks actor wore a black suit.
Lainey Wilson, who is up for nine nominations, was the picture of timeless glamour in a black strapless jumpsuit with a matching cowboy hat.
As Lauren Bushnell attended with her husband, country superstar, Chris Lane, the Bachelor alum, 33, wowed in an elegant blue gown with dramatic ruffles on the bottom and a sweetheart neckline.
The happy couple look madly in love as they exchanged a passionate in front of photographers and Lane sweetly wrapped his arm around his spouse’s waist.
During an interview on the red carpet, the couple joked to Good Morning America that they were calling this a ‘dat night’ as they ‘don’t get out much’ after becoming parents to their two sons Dutton, born in 2021, and Baker, one.
‘This is fun!’ the reality star exclaimed. ‘This is a rarity in our household, these days. We’re excited.’
Fashion risk taker: Kidman has cemented her status as a fashion icon by topping many best dressed lists over the years
All in the details: She styled her show-stopping outfit with a silver necklace, which coordinated with the hardware on her dress
All in the details: She styled her show-stopping outfit with a silver necklace, which coordinated with the hardware on her dress
Talented duo: Her spouse, who was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame last month, wore a dark green and black tie-dye shirt and black pants.
The Australian-American singer, who has been happily married to Kidman since 2006, is best known for producing 21 number one hits on the country radio and for serving as a judge on American Idol
A legend: The You’ll Think of Me hitmaker is only the second singer in country music history to have nine albums go platinum and multi-platinum
Adoring husband: Urban gazed adoringly as Kidman posed for solo shots
Country darling: Ballerini’s long blonde hair was styled into vintage waves
Radiant: Ballerini rocked a bright red lip and a pair of statement earrings
Plus one: Ballerini brought her boyfriend Chase Stokes as her date
Sweethearts: Ballerini and Stokes started dating in January 2023 following her divorce in November 2022
Cozy: The Peter Pan crooner gave her man a kiss on the cheek
Country queen: Ballerini is nominated in two categories and will be performing
Unique: Wilson wore a black strapless jumpsuit with black satin ruffles on the bottom
Hunky date: Wilson’s plus one was her boyfriend Devlin “Duck” Hodges, who was a former NFL player
Private couple: She and the 27-year-old have been dating for nearly three years, but only confirmed their relationship in May
Carly Pearce, who is nominated for Female Vocalist of the Year, dazzled in a black and silver gown.
Later, during the show, she will also be performing her track We Don’t Fight Anymore with Chris Stapleton for the first time live.
Mickey Guyton was a ray of sunshine in a bright yellow minidress in a cutout across the chest.
As Lindsay Hubbard arrived to country music’s biggest night, hosted by Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning, at the Bridgestone Arena, the 37-year-old Summer House star’s sensational physique was on full display as she posed on the red carpet.
For the special occasion, Hubbard rocked a sheer sparkly silver gown with cutouts on both her sides and a flirty slit, which gave onlookers a glimpse of one of her incredibly toned legs.
The high-neck frock featured a large white bow, right under her left hip, and hugged every curve of her gym-honed body.
Happy couple: Chris Lane attended with his wife Lauren Bushnell, who wore a ruffled blue gown
PDA: The happy couple look madly in love as they exchanged a passionate in front of photographers and Lane sweetly wrapped his arm around his spouse’s waist
Dapper: Lane looked handsome in a black tuxedo, white dress shirt and bow tie for the event
Smiling: Luke Bryan and Caroline Boyer looked every inch the happy couple
Goofy: The country star’s wife stuck out her tongue and hilariously stuck her hand in front of Bryan’s mouth while on the red carpet
Mickey Guyton and Carly Pearce looked fabulous
Big night: Pearce, who is nominated, will also be performing her track We Don’t Fight Anymore with Chris Stapleton
Ride or die: Luke Combs and his wife Nicole Hocking were inseparable at the event as they embraced on the red carpet
Red hot: Moroney, who is nominated for Best New Artist and Best Song for Tennessee Orange, put on a bold and beautiful display in a glamorous red ball gown
Country star: Chris Stapleton looked confident as he arrived with his wife Morgane by his side as he prepared to vie for the three different categories he is nominated for this evening
Looking good! For the special occasion, Hubbard rocked a sheer sparkly silver gown with cutouts on both her sides and a flirty slit, which gave onlookers a glimpse of one of her incredibly toned legs
Glamorous: All eyes were on Lindsay Hubbard and Jenna Davis as they arrived to the 57th annual Country Music Association Awards in Nashville, Tennessee on Wednesday evening
Wow: Caillat’s gown featured a long white train, which was attached to the back of her figure-hugging look
‘It’s so big, I don’t even know what to do!’ she admitted while making the trek down the red carpet
Her accessories included two diamond bracelets and light pink heels.
Colbie Caillat beamed while showing off her plunging black floor-length dress, adorned with silver embellishments, that featured a dramatic white train.
‘It’s so big, I don’t even know what to do!’ she admitted while making the trek down the red carpet.
Meanwhile, Jenna Davis, 19, looked beautiful in a strapless black tulle dress and a matching pair of criss-cross pumps.
Hardy, Post Malone and Morgan Wallen posed for a group shot
Cool guy: Wallen wore a red jacket and black pants
Fitter than ever: The singer showcased his major weight loss in his suit after trimming down from cutting soda out of his diet
Malone and Wallen pictured together
Silly: Post Malone shot a peace sign at the cameras
Fitter than ever: The singer showcased his major weight loss in his suit after trimming down from cutting soda out of his diet
Affectionate display: HARDY, who has four nominations, packed on the PDA with his wife Caleigh Ryan
Too much: The couple kissed and poked tongues
Exciting: Jelly Roll is up for an impressive five nominations, while Combs; pictured with his wife Bunnie Xo
Bunnie Xo wowed as she supported her husband
The musical band, Old Dominion, Matthew Ramsey, Trevor Rosen, Whit Sellers, Geoff Sprung, and Brad Tursi, attended
Country music’s biggest night: Dustin Lynch looked handsome as he arrived to the red carpet in a burnt orange jacket, black cowboy hat and coordinating trousers
Lovers: Parker McCollum and Hallie Ray Light McCollum shared a passionate smooch
Cowgirl: Reyna Roberts embraced her inner cowgirl in a cowboy hat, white corset and fishnet stockings
Handsome: Midland pictured above
Mom-to–be: Caroline Jones put her baby bump on full display in her gorgeous gown
The musical group, Lady A, composed of Hillary Scott, Charles Kelley, and Dave Haywood posed for photos together
All dressed up: Chase Rice oozed confidence as he posed for photos in a charcoal grey jacket, dark-wash jeans and alligator skin boots
Making a statement: Cynthia Erivo wore a purple patterned dress with a coordinating train
Showstopper: Meanwhile, Davis, 19, looked beautiful in a strapless black tulle dress and a matching pair of criss-cross pumps
Covered in sparkles: Paula Abdul stood out from the crowd in a sleeveless gown with a large gold belt
Shining bright: Abdul radiated glamour in her dazzling look
Turning heads: Abdul, 61, is best known for her role as a judge on American Idol
Stopping traffic: Among the wildest looks of the night included Priscilla Block, who dressed as a road maintenance worker
Stopping traffic: Among the wildest looks of the night included Priscilla Block, who dressed as a road maintenance worker
Stopping traffic: Among the wildest looks of the night included Priscilla Block, who dressed as a road maintenance worker
Others stars hitting the red carpet included Dustin Lynch, who looked handsome as he arrived to the red carpet in a burnt orange jacket, black cowboy hat and coordinating trousers.
While going an interview with GMA, Lynch, 38, revealed that if he could collaborate with anyone it would be SZA, Her or Dominic Fike.
Among the wildest looks of the night included Priscilla Block, who dressed as a road maintenance worker and carried a large orange cone.
Meanwhile, Chase Rice oozed confidence as he posed for photos in a charcoal grey jacket, dark-wash jeans and alligator skin boots.
Maddie Marlow (L) and Tae Dye (R), of Maddie & Tae arrived together
Timeless: Camille Parker, a featured artist on Apple TV’s music competition series My Kind of Country, rocked a skintight black dress with feathers on the bottom
Racy: Madeline Edwards flashed her black underwear under her semi-sheer gown
Matching: Angie K wore a green leather jacket and matching pants
Beauty: Ashley Cooke stunned in a red and white lace tulle gown with a sweetheart neckline
Gorgeous: Trea Swindle, from left, Danica Hart, and Devynn Hart of Chapel Hart all wore red
(L-R) Sacha, Michael B. Whit, Rissi Palmer, Trea Swindle, Danica Hart and Devynn Hart posed for a group picture
Wilson leads the nominations with nine nods, making her the first artist to ever lead nominations in her first two times on the ballot.
The singer, 31, is even vying for the show’s top award, Entertainer of the Year, against Carrie Underwood, Chris Stapleton, Luke Combs and Morgan Wallen.
According to Billboard, she is ‘just the fourth artist in CMA history to land nine or more nominations in a single year.’
Karen Fairchild and Jimi Westbrook were ready for a fun night
Lindsay Ell pictured above in purple
Sparkly: Ell posed with both hands on her hips
Kendra Slaubaugh, left, and Krista Slaubaugh of Tigirlily Gold both looked glamorous
Date night: Hailey Whitters and husband Jake Gear attended together
Classy: Whitters wore a red gown with white gloves
Stephen Schlapman and Kimberly Schlapman were pictured together
Heading inside: Lane and Bushnell looked blissful as they answered questions on the red carpet and told GMA they considered the show a ‘date night’ as they ‘don’t get out much’ anymore with two kids
Nicole and Keith tied the knot at the Cardinal Cerretti Chapel in the grounds of St Patrick’s College in Manly, Sydney
Urban is considered country royalty, and was recently inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame
The outlet also reported that the musician is the first artist in 13 years to land two nominations for single of the year in the same year for her track, Heart Like a Truck, and as a featured singer on HARDY’s ‘wait in the truck.’
Jelly Roll earned an impressive five nominations, while Combs and HARDY follow closely behind with four each.
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Morgan Wallen, Chris Stapleton, Ashley McBryde and Jordan Davis received three nods as well.
Kelsea Ballerini, Wallen, Post Malone, Kenny Chesney, Combs, Dan + Shay, Davis, HARDY, Alan Jackson, Cody Johnson, Mac McAnally, McBryde, The War And Treaty and Zac Brown Band are all set to perform during the ceremony.
Dan + Shay seen above with their respective wives
The pop duo, Dan Smyers and Shay Mooney, are signed to Warner Records Nashville and have released five albums over their careers in country music
Mooney is Hannah Billingsley, a former Miss Arkansas while his bandmate is wed to Abby Smyers (nee Law)
Caroline Munsick and Ian Munsick attended together
S.A.C.H.A. and David Fanning were pictured above
Daira Eamon and Lily Rose smiled as they posed for a photo together
Kaylee Bell matched the red carpet
Luke Combs won Single of the Year for his cover of Tracy Chapman’s Fast Car to lead off the broadcast at the 57th annual CMA Awards at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday.
‘I’m supposed to be talking, I think,’ Combs, 33, said. ‘First and foremost, I want to thank Tracy Chapman for writing one of the best songs of all time.
‘Never, never intended, I just recorded it because I loved the song so much. It’s meant so much to me throughout my entire life – it’s first favorite song I ever had from the time I was 4 years old.’
Fast Car – which Chapman released in April of 1988 and would win two Grammy Awards for the next year – was a back-to-back winner, as it was named Song of the Year.
Presenters Sara Evans and Bill Anderson read a statement from Chapman that said, ‘I’m sorry I couldn’t join you all tonight. It’s truly an honor for my song to be newly-recognized after 35 years of its debut. Wow. Thank you to the CMAs and a special thanks to Luke and all of the fans of Fast Car.’
Dave Haywood, from left, Hillary Scott, and Charles Kelley of Lady A
Scott seen in red
Patrick Anderson and Trannie Anderson
Brittney Marie Cole and Brian Kelley
Brittney Spencer
Audrey Evans and Sara Evans
Hunter Phelps
Brothers Osborne, T.J. Osborne and John Osborne, won the honors for Vocal Duo of the year.
T.J. Osborne, 38, said in their acceptance speech, ‘We’re shocked every year, honestly, when this happens, so I thought with the way the night was going that Lainey Wilson and HARDY were going to win this award. So huge shock to be up here tonight.’
John Osborne, 41, said, ‘First off, I want no say a year ago my lovely wife was pregnant. We have our twins at home now. She’s lost a baby weight. I have not lost it.
‘I was a nerd growing up. I had a grew friends, but I didn’t have a lot of friends, and I spent my whole life learning how to play music and write songs … and you all have made me feel like a cool kid every year, and that means more to me than you can ever imagine.’
Darius Rucker
Darius Rucker pictured hugging Luke Bryan
Cole Swindell and Courtney Little enjoyed a date night
HARDY and Caleigh Ryan got frisky
The One Beer hitmaker shot the rock ‘n’ roll sign at the camera
Lainey Wilson was off to a strong start winning two awards for Wait in the Truck, her collaboration with HARDY: Musical Event of the Year and Music Video of the Year, in a pre-broadcast announcement ahead of the telecast.
The Baskin, Louisiana native who was the leading nominee (for the second consecutive year) with nine nods, as she was also nominated for Entertainer of the Year along with Combs, Carrie Underwood, Chris Stapleton and Morgan Wallen.
The CMA Awards returned Wednesday to honor the top artists in country music, with Lainey Wilson, Jelly Roll, Ashley McBryde and Morgan Wallen among the acts hitting the stage. Stapleton, Dan + Shay and the War and Treaty were among the performers scheduled to take the stage at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena.
The show will stream the next day on Hulu beginning Thursday.
Brothers Osborne seen above
(L-R) Phillip Sweet, Kimberly Schlapman, Karen Fairchild, and Jimi Westbrook of Little Big Town also posed for a snap together
Wynonna Judd skipped the red carpet, but was later seen at the press room
Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning served as hosts the ceremony, which was set to feature a musical tribute to the late singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett.
Wilson is walking in already a winner. Ahead of the telecast, she and HARDY were named as winners in the musical event of the year category, for Wait in the Truck. She’s up for eight other awards.
Rapper-turned-singer Jelly Roll, who earlier this year topped the CMT Music Awards, has five nominations, including best new artist.
Other best new artist nominees are Zach Bryan, Parker McCollum, Megan Moroney and Hailey Whitters.
CMA Awards 2023 WINNERS
Entertainer of the year
Luke Combs
Chris Stapleton
Carrie Underwood
Morgan Wallen
WINNER: Lainey Wilson
Queen: Lainey Wilson was the biggest winner of the night as she earned FIVE including top honor Entertainer Of The Year
Single of the year
WINNER: “Fast Car” – Luke Combs (Producers: Luke Combs, Chip Matthews, Jonathan Singleton, Mix Engineer: Chip Matthews)
“Heart Like A Truck” – Lainey Wilson (Producer: Jay Joyce, Mix Engineers: Jason Hall, Jay Joyce)
“Need A Favor” – Jelly Roll (Producer: Austin Nivarel, Mix Engineer: Jeff Braun)
“Next Thing You Know” – Jordan Davis (Producer: Paul DiGiovanni, Mix Engineer: Jim Cooley)
“wait in the truck” – HARDY (feat. Lainey Wilson) (Producers: HARDY, Joey Moi, Jordan Schmidt, Derek Wells, Mix Engineer: Joey Moi)
Album of the year
“Ashley McBryde Presents: Lindeville” — Ashley McBryde
WINNER: “Bell Bottom Country” — Lainey Wilson
“Gettin’ Old” — Luke Combs
“One Thing At A Time” — Morgan Wallen
“Rolling Up the Welcome Mat” — Kelsea Ballerini
Musical event of the year
“Save Me” — Jelly Roll (with Lainey Wilson) (Producers: Zach Crowell, David Ray Stevens)
“She Had Me At Heads Carolina (Remix)” — Cole Swindell & Jo Dee Messina (Producer: Zach Crowell)
“Thank God” — Kane Brown (with Katelyn Brown) (Producer: Dann Huff)
WINNER: “wait in the truck” — HARDY (feat. Lainey Wilson) (Producers: HARDY, Joey Moi, Jordan Schmidt, Derek Wells)
“We Don’t Fight Anymore” — Carly Pearce (featuring Chris Stapleton) (Producers: Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne, Carly Pearce)
Musician of the year
Jenee Fleenor
Paul Franklin
Rob McNelley
Derek Wells
Charlie Worsham
Vocal duo of the year
Brooks & Dunn
WINNER: Brothers Osborne
Maddie & Tae
Dan + Shay
The War And Treaty
Song of the year
WINNER: “Fast Car” — Songwriter: Tracy Chapman
“Heart Like A Truck” — Songwriters: Trannie Anderson, Dallas Wilson, Lainey Wilson
“Next Thing You Know” — Songwriters: Jordan Davis, Greylan James, Chase McGill, Josh Osborne
“Tennessee Orange” — Songwriters: David Fanning, Paul Jenkins, Megan Moroney, Ben Williams
“wait in the truck” — Songwriters: Renee Blair, Michael Hardy, Hunter Phelps, Jordan Schmidt
Female vocalist of the year
Kelsea Ballerini
Miranda Lambert
Ashley McBryde
Carly Pearce
WINNER: Lainey Wilson
Male vocalist of the year
Luke Combs
Jelly Roll
Cody Johnson
WINNER: Chris Stapleton
Morgan Wallen
Vocal Group of the Year
Lady A
Little Big Town
Midland
WINNER: Old Dominion
Zac Brown Band
New artist of the year
Zach Bryan
WINNER: Jelly Roll
Parker McCollum
Megan Moroney
Hailey Whitters
Inspiration: Jelly Roll was a big winner as he earned New Artist Of The Year and gave an energetic speech
Music video of the year
“Light On In The Kitchen” — Ashley McBryde (Director: Reid Long)
“Memory Lane” — Old Dominion (Directors: Mason Allen, Nicki Fletcher)
“Need A Favor” — Jelly Roll (Director: Patrick Tohill)
“Next Thing You Know” — Jordan Davis (Director: Running Bear)
WINNER: “wait in the truck” — HARDY (feat. Lainey Wilson) (Director: Justin Clough)
