Country music legend Vince Gill was honored with the 2025 CMA Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award at the 59th annual awards show on Wednesday night.
Gill was recognized for his trailblazing career and was celebrated with a special tribute performance from Brandi Carlile during the ceremony, which was held in Nashville at the Bridgestone Arena.
He was also honored by legendary country singer George Strait, who called Gill his friend and praised his many achievements.
When Gill took the stage to accept the award, he said the feeling was "amazing" and cracked a few jokes.
"In the history of this award, I think it's been given to maybe 10 people, nine or 10, something like that, and that list of people is astounding. And I'm pretty confident I'm the only one that's ever won this award that's never smoked any weed," he said.
He went on and thanked his CMA family, saying, "They let me host this show for 12 years -- must be the dumbest thing they ever did, trusting my a-- with their show, but they did. Every year, all I tried to do was make us all look good. Felt like it was my job."
Gill also thanked the Grand Ole Opry, of which he has been a member since 1991, as well as his management and his family, including his five kids and his wife, singer-songwriter Amy Grant.
"More than anything, the woman I'm married to is the kindest soul I've ever known," he added.
Lainey Wilson, who was this year's CMA Awards host for the second year in a row, took home the night's most coveted award, entertainer of the year.
The "4x4xU" singer also won album of the year for "Whirlwind" and female vocalist of the year.
During her opening monologue, she took the stage and sang a medley of songs.
Along with Gill's honor and Wilson's three CMA wins, other big winners of the night included Ella Langley and Riley Green, who won music video of the year and single of the year for "you look like you love me." Zach Top won new artist of the year.
Stars who took the stage included Kenny Chesney, Chris Stapleton, Kelsea Ballerini and Old Dominion.
The Country Music Association previously announced the first category of 2025 CMA Award nominations exclusively on "Good Morning America" back in September.
Check out the list of 2025 CMA nominees below, and click here for the full list of winners and to see how the night unfolded.
Ella Langley
Shaboozey
Zach Top
Tucker Wetmore
Stephen Wilson Jr.
Luke Combs
Cody Johnson
Chris Stapleton
Morgan Wallen
Lainey Wilson
"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: Matt Rovey
"you look like you love me" – Ella Langley & Riley Green; Producer: Will Bundy; Mix Engineer: Jim Cooley
"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 Trillion" – 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
"4x4xU" – Songwriters: Jon Decious, Aaron Raitiere, Lainey Wilson
"Am I Okay?" – Songwriters: Jessie Jo Dillon, Luke Laird, Megan Moroney
"I Never Lie" – Songwriters: Carson Chamberlain, Tim Nichols, Zach Top
"Texas" – Songwriters: Johnny Clawson, Josh Dorr, Lalo Guzman, Kyle Sturrock
"you look like you love me" – Songwriters: Riley Green, Ella Langley, Aaron Raitiere
Kelsea Ballerini
Miranda Lambert
Ella Langley
Megan Moroney
Lainey Wilson
Luke Combs
Cody Johnson
Chris Stapleton
Zach Top
Morgan Wallen
Lady A
Little Big Town
Old Dominion
Rascal Flatts
The Red Clay Strays
Brooks & Dunn
Brothers Osborne
Dan + Shay
Maddie & Tae
The War And Treaty
"Don't Mind If I Do" – Riley Green (featuring Ella Langley); Producers: Scott Borchetta, Jimmy Harnen, Dann Huff
"Hard Fought Hallelujah" – Brandon Lake with Jelly Roll; Producer: Micah Nichols
"I'm Gonna Love You" – Cody Johnson (with Carrie Underwood); Producer: Trent Willmon
"Pour Me A Drink" – Post Malone (feat. Blake Shelton); Producers: Louis Bell, Charlie Handsome
"You Had To Be There" – Megan Moroney (feat. Kenny Chesney); Producer: Kristian Bush
Jenee Fleenor – Fiddle
Paul Franklin – Steel Guitar
Brent Mason – Guitar
Rob McNelley – Guitar
Derek Wells – Guitar
"Am I Okay?" – Megan Moroney; Directors: Alexandra Gavillet, Megan Moroney
"I'm Gonna Love You" – Cody Johnson (with 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
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