Chris Stapleton Walks Into the CMAs a Heavy Favorite — and Walks Out Empty-Handed in a Shocking Turn.LC
Country music’s biggest stars, including Kentucky native Chris Stapleton, gathered Nov. 19 at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena to celebrate country music and honor the year’s best songs and performances during the 59th CMA Awards.
Stapleton fans were treated to two live performances during the show, including a high octane performance of “Bad As I Used To Be” and “A Song To Sing” — a retro duet with Miranda Lambert.
The country music superstar headed into the evening with three nominations, including Entertainer of the Year, a category for which he has been repeatedly nominated and never won, Music Video of the Year for “It Takes A Women,” Stapleton’s heartfelt tribute to his wife and creative partner Morgane Stapleton, and his 11th nomination for Male Vocalist of the Year, a category he had won eight times going into the 59th CMA Awards.
While Stapleton did not bring home any hardware this year, he has plenty in his trophy case. Stapleton has won a total of 19 Country Music Association Awards throughout his career.
Here are the three categories in which Stapleton was nominated, with the winners highlighted. For a complete list of winners, visit cmaawards.com.
2025 CMA Awards Entertainer of the Year
- Luke Combs
- Cody Johnson
- Chris Stapleton
- Morgan Wallen
- Lainey Wilson
More: CMA Awards 2025 — See the full list of winners
2025 CMA Awards Male Vocalist of the Year
- Luke Combs
- Cody Johnson
- Chris Stapleton
- Zach Top
- Morgan Wallen
2025 CMA Awards Music Video of the Year
- “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
More music news: Chris Stapleton drops new music video, featuring actor Josh Brolin, ahead of CMA Awards
How many CMA Awards has Chris Stapleton won?
In total, Stapleton has won 19 CMA Awards including:
- 2015: Album of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, New Artist of the Year
- 2016: Male Vocalist of the Year, Music Video of the Year
- 2017: Album of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year
- 2018: Male Vocalist of the Year, Single of the Year, Song of the Year
- 2021: Male Vocalist of the Year, Album of the Year, Single of the Year, Song of the Year
- 2022: Male Vocalist of the Year
- 2023: Male Vocalist of the Year
- 2024: Male Vocalist of the Year, Single of the Year, Song of the Year
Reach features reporter Kirby Adams at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: What did Chris Stapleton win at the 2025 CMA Awards?
