Miranda Lambert Sets Another Record at CMA’s

05 Nov, 2015

The divorce of country music superstars Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert might be final, but it was Lambert who came out on top at Wednesday’s Country Music Association Awards, copping a top prize while her ex went home empty-handed.

Lambert, 31, accepting her record sixth consecutive female vocalist of the year award, made only a glancing reference to her very public breakup with Shelton, saying “I appreciate it. I needed a bright spot this year.”

But Shelton, after five straight wins, saw newcomer Chris Stapleton snatch away the male vocalist of the year award.

Earlier at the 49th annual CMAs, Shelton, 39, was a good sport, laughing heartily as hosts Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood mined his summer divorce from Lambert for comic fodder.

While the spotlight at one of country music’s biggest nights was trained on the one-time couple, it was Stapleton who emerged as perhaps the biggest winner, walking away with an unexpected three awards, including album of the year (“Traveller”) and new artist of the year.

In one of three acceptance speeches, an emotional Stapleton paid tribute to his father, who died two years ago.

“I made this record thinking a lot about the music he would have liked,” he said. “He would have liked to have seen this.”

The top award at the three-hour, performance-heavy ceremony broadcast live on ABC television from the Bridgestone Arena went to Luke Bryan, who kicked off his acceptance speech on a religious note, saying “Thank you lord, thank you Jesus, thank you everyone in heaven looking out for me.”

Bryan, who also took home the top prize a year ago, also paid tribute to Stapleton, saying “Watching Chris Stapleton have this night is so uplifting.”

Other big winners included Little Big Town, whose “Girl Crush” was named single of the year and also won the song of the year prize for its three female composers. The group was also named vocal group of the year by the 6,800 professional members of the CMA who choose the winners.

Here is the full list of winners;

Entertainer of the Year
Luke Bryan

New Artist of the Year
Chris Stapleton

Album of the Year
Traveller, Chris Stapleton

Female Vocalist of the Year
Miranda Lambert

Male Vocalist of the Year
Chris Stapleton

Single of the Year
“Girl Crush,” Little Big Town

Music Video of the Year
“Girl in a Country Song,” Maddie & Tae

Song of the Year
“Girl Crush,” Little Big Town

Musical Event of the Year
“Raise ‘Em Up,” Keith Urban & Eric Church

Musician of the Year
Mac McAnally, Guitar

Vocal Duo of the Year
Florida Georgia Line

Vocal Group of the Year
Little Big Town

AP

Image Miranda Lambert Instagram

Mentioned In This Post: