Best and Worst Moments From 2025 CMAs: From Lainey Wilson to Zach Top

Best and Worst Moments From 2025 CMAs: From Lainey Wilson to Zach Top

The best and worst moments from the 2025 CMAs, including Lainey Wilson's performance and Zach Top's acceptance speech

WA stars make a splash at country’s top awards show

Zach Top was the Washington man of the hour at the CMA Awards. But he was hardly the only home-state hero to rock the stage.

Backstage at the 2025 CMAs, Cody Johnson & Vince Gill invoke Willie & Merle, as Zach Top & The Red Clay Strays marvel

Cody Johnson (Disney/Michael Le Brecht) Humility reigned backstage at the 59th CMA Awards.  “I didn’t even think this was possible,” new artist winner Zach Top marveled. “People that sang country music on my radio and on my cassette tapes and won CMA awards were like mythical creatures, it wasn’t a real life thing to me. No one in my world had any connection to anything in this world.” Faith helped keep surprise vocal group winners The Red Clay …

Lainey Wilson, Zach Top and More Win Big at the 59th Annual CMA Awards

Cultural correspondent Ashley Spurgeon Shamban put her boots on the ground at Bridgestone Arena for a report on the 59th annual awards show.

Backstage at the 2025 CMAs, Cody Johnson & Vince Gill invoke Willie & Merle, as Zach Top & The Red Clay Strays marvel

Humility reigned backstage at the 59th CMA Awards. "I didn't even think this was possible," new artist winner Zach Top marveled. "People that sang country music on my radio and on my cassette tapes and won CMA awards were like mythical creatures, it wasn't a real life thing to me. No one in my world had any connection to anything in this world." Faith helped keep surprise vocal group winners The Red Clay Strays on track during the hard times. "J…

Backstage at the 2025 CMAs, Cody Johnson & Vince Gill invoke Willie & Merle, as Zach Top & The Red Clay Strays marvel – 98.9 THE BULL

Humility reigned backstage at the 59th CMA Awards.  “I didn’t even think this was possible,” new artist winner Zach Top marveled. “People that sang country music on my radio and on my cassette tapes and won CMA awards were like mythical creatures, it wasn’t a real life thing to me. No one in my world had any connection to anything in this world.” Faith helped keep surprise vocal group winners The Red Clay Strays on track during the hard times. “…