Chris Willman Senior Music Writer and Chief Music Critic These weren’t your grandfather’s CMA Awards… or even yours, from, say five years ago.
A new generation has been firmly installed, between the big look for Lainey Wilson, who is only on her second major-label album but was named entertainer of the year, and other winners from Luke Combs to Hardy, who were also unknown a decade ago.
When Chris Stapleton suddenly nearly seems like the “old guard” after only six years of accruing awards, things have changed.
The year’s winners came through the backstage area to discuss what their wins mean and, in some cases, how country is changing.
Read more on variety.com