Miranda Lambert led a star-studded tribute to country music icon George Strait at the 2024 CMA Awards on Wednesday, rallying a powerful lineup of stars to honor the 72-year-old legend. 

Joining her were Chris Stapleton, Lainey Wilson, Jamey Johnson, and Parker McCollum, all paying homage to Strait as he accepted the prestigious Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award.

Wilson kicked off the tribute with a soulful rendition of Amarillo by Morning, followed by Johnson’s gritty performance of Give It Away.

Lambert and McCollum then took the stage for a heartfelt rendition of Troubadour, with Johnson lending his voice to the harmony. 

As the musicians performed, a backdrop of iconic pH๏τos from Strait’s storied career flashed behind them, including a throwback sH๏τ of Straight with Willie Nelson.

Following the heartfelt tributes, Strait took the stage, offering emotional shoutouts to his fans, friends, and family—most notably to his wife of 53 years Norma Strait.

Miranda Lambert led a star-studded tribute to country music icon George Strait at the 2024 CMA Awards on Wednesday, rallying a powerful lineup of stars to honor the 72-year-old legend

Parker McCollum and Lambert stood next to Straight as he accepted the prestigious Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award

‘I want to thank the CMAs for adding my name to the incredible artists on the small list of recipients carrying the name of the icon Willie Nelson,’  Strait began. 

‘I want to thank all these great artists who performed some of my songs that I’ve recorded over the years. It’s amazing to hear y’all do them.

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‘I’m so glad I got ’em before you, ‘ he joked.

‘So great to have you all here. But especially Norma, who’s supported me for just shy of 53 years in December. It’s been an amazing 53 years, too.’

Strait, often referred to as the ‘King of Country,’ has had a career spanning over four decades, with 60 number-one hits to his name—more than any other artist in any genre. 

Debuting in 1981 with his album Strait Country, he quickly became known for his traditional country sound and distinctive voice. 

Strait has won numerous accolades, including a staggering 22 Academy of Country Music Awards and 20 Country Music ᴀssociation Awards, including Entertainer of the Year in 1989 and 1990. 

He was also inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2006.

Lambert and McCollum then took the stage for a heartfelt rendition of Troubadour

As the musicians performed, a backdrop of iconic pH๏τos from Strait’s storied career flashed behind them, including a nostalgic sH๏τ of the young legend with Willie Nelson and Kenny Chesney

Following the heartfelt tributes, Strait took the stage, offering emotional shoutouts to his fans, friends, and family—most notably to his wife of 53 years, Norma Strait; (with Chris Stapleton)

Wilson kicked off the tribute with a soulful rendition of Amarillo by Morning, followed by Johnson’s gritty and blues-infused performance of Give It Away

Debuting in 1981 with his album Strait Country, he quickly became known for his traditional country sound and distinctive voice

Strait, often referred to as the ‘King of Country,’ has had a career spanning over four decades, with 60 number-one hits to his name—more than any other artist in any genre

CMA AWARDS 2024 WINNERS: AT A GLANCE

Entertainer Of The Year: Morgan Wallen

Female Vocalist Of The Year: Lainey Wilson

Male Vocalist Of The Year: Chris Stapleton

Lainey Wilson took home the coveted Female Vocalist Of The Year

 

Album Of The Year: Cody Johnson – Leather

Vocal Group Of The Year: Old Dominion

Vocal Duo Of The Year: Brooks & Dunn

New Artist Of The Year: Megan Moroney

Single Of The Year: Chris Stapleton – White Horse

Song Of The Year: Chris Stapleton – White Horse

 

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With a career that has sold over 100 million albums, Strait’s impact on country music is immeasurable. 

Other standout performances at the CMA Awards came from Kacey Musgraves, Jelly Roll, Keith Urban, and Kelsea Ballerini, each delivering memorable moments on stage.

The 58th Annual Country Music Awards made its return with Peyton Manning, Luke Bryan, and newcomer Lainey Wilson sharing hosting duties for the night. 

The event also featured a diverse group of presenters, including Simone Biles, Katharine McPhee, Dustin Lynch, and the 9-year-old viral sensation, Jackson Laux, who helped honor the evening’s winners.

2024 CMA Award Winners

Entertainer of the Year

Luke Combs

Jelly Roll

Chris Stapleton

Morgan Wallen (WINNER)

Lainey Wilson

 

Album of the Year

Deeper Well – Kacey Musgraves; Producers: Ian Fitchuk, Kacey Musgraves, Daniel Tashian; Mix engineers: Shawn Everett, Konrad Snyder

Fathers & Sons – Luke Combs; Producers: Luke Combs, Chase Matthews, Jonathan Singleton; Mix engineer: Chip Matthews

Higher – Chris Stapleton; Producers: Dave Cobb, Chris Stapleton, Morgane Stapleton; Mix engineer: Vance Powell

Leather – Cody Johnson; Producer: Trent Willmon; Mix engineer: Jack Clarke (WINNER)

Whitsitt Chapel – Jelly Roll; Producers: Andrew Baylis, Brock Berryhill, Zach Crowell, Jesse Frasure, David Garcia, Kevin “Thrasher” Gruft, Austin Nivarel, David Ray Stevens; Mix engineers: Jeff Braun, Jim Cooley

 

Female Vocalist of the Year

Kelsea Ballerini

Ashley McBryde

Megan Moroney 

Kacey Musgraves 

Lainey Wilson (WINNER) 

 

Male Vocalist of the Year 

Luke Combs 

Jelly Roll 

Cody Johnson 

Chris Stapleton (WINNER)

Morgan Wallen 

 

Vocal Group of the Year 

Lady A 

Little Big Town 

Old Dominion (WINNER)

The Red Clay Strays 

Zac Brown Band 

 

Vocal Duo of the Year

Brooks & Dunn (WINNER)

Brothers Osborne 

Dan + Shay 

Maddie & Tae 

The War And Treaty 

 

New Artist of the Year 

Megan Moroney (WINNER)

Shaboozey 

Nate Smith 

Mitchell Tenpenny 

Zach Top 

Bailey Zimmerman 

 

Single of the Year 

A Bar Song (Tipsy) – Shaboozey; Producers: Sean Cook, Nevin Sastry; Mix engineer: Raul Lopez

Dirt Cheap – Cody Johnson; Producer: Trent Willmon; Mix engineer: Jack Clarke

I Had Some Help – Post Malone (Feat. Morgan Wallen); Producers: Louis Bell, Charlie Handsome, Hoskins; Mix engineer: Ryan Gore

Watermelon Moonshine – Lainey Wilson; Producer: Jay Joyce; Mix engineers: Jason Hall, Jay Joyce

White Horse – Chris Stapleton; Producers: Dave Cobb, Chris Stapleton, Morgane Stapleton; Mix engineer: Vance Powell (WINNER)

 

Song of the Year

Burn It Down – Hillary Lindsey, Parker McCollum, Lori McKenna, Liz Rose

Dirt Cheap – Josh Phillips

I Had Some Help – Louis Bell, Ashley Gorley, Charlie Handsome, Hoskins, Austin Post, Ernest Keith Smith, Morgan Wallen, Chandler Paul Walters

The Painter –  Benjy Davis, Kat Higgins, Ryan Larkins

White Horse – Chris Stapleton, Dan Wilson (WINNER)

 

Musical Event of the Year 

Cowboys Cry Too – Kelsea Ballerini (with Noah Kahan); Producers: Kelsea Ballerini, Alysa Vanderheym

I Had Some Help –  Post Malone (Feat. Morgan Wallen); Producers: Louis Bell, Charlie Handsome, Hoskins

I Remember Everything – Zach Bryan (ft. Kacey Musgraves); Producer: Zach Bryan

Man Made A Bar – Zach Bryan (ft. Kacey Musgraves); Producer: Joey Moi

you look like you love me –  Ella Langley (feat. Riley Green); Producer: Will Bundy (WINNER)

 

Music Video of the Year 

Dirt Cheap –  Cody Johnson, directed by Dustin Haney

I Had Some Help – Post Malone (Feat. Morgan Wallen), directed by Chris Villa

I’m Not Pretty –  Megan Moroney, directed by Jeff Johnson and Megan Moroney

The Painter – Cody Johnson, directed by Dustin Haney

Wildflowers and Wild Horses – Lainey Wilson, directed by Patrick Tracy (WINNER)

  

Musician of the Year 

Tom Bukovac

Jenee Fleenor 

Paul Franklin 

Rob McNelley 

Charlie Worsham (WINNER)