2023 CMA Awards Announce Highest Honor Of The Night: Entertainer Of The Year

Country Music Association

Five talented artists were in the running for the highest honor of the CMA Awards: Entertainer of the Year. 

The 57th Annual CMA Awards took over Nashvilles Bridgestone Arena Wednesday night (Nov 8) and it was an evening full of memorable performances, exciting wins, and touching tributes. Each year, the Country Music Association hands out an award for Entertainer of the Year – the highest honor of the night. Previous winners include Garth Brooks, George Strait, Blake Shelton, and Alan Jackson. 

This year, five incredible artists were nominated for the category: Carrie Underwood, Chris Stapleton, Lainey Wilson, Luke Combs, and Morgan Wallen. 

What is the Entertainer of the Year award? 

According to the CMA website, the Entertainer of the Year Award is for the artist who displays the “greatest competence in all aspects of the entertainment field.”  Voters are asked to consider “recorded performance, in-person performance, public acceptance, leadership, and overall contribution to Country Music.” 

The CMA Awards are voted on by members of the Country Music Association – meaning award nominees and winners are honored by their peers in the music industry. Members of the CMA are music executives, artists, publicists, songwriters, musicians, touring personnel, and other industry professionals from all around the world.

The winner of the Entertainer of the Year award is… 

Former CMA Entertainer of the Year, Keith Urban, announced the exciting news that the 2023 CMA Award for Entertainer of the Year goes to… LAINEY WILSON!  

This was Lainey Wilson’s fifth award for the night, including Female Vocalist of the Year and Album of the Year. She also had a performance slot during the show and wowed with a fierce performance of “Wildflowers and Wild Horses.” 

Congratulations, Lainey! Watch her acceptance speech below.