Each year, the Country Music Association Awards ceremony -- known as the CMA Awards -- is one of the genre's most-anticipated events of the year. It began in 1967 as an un-televised ceremony in Nashville, Tenn., as a way of honoring the biggest achievements in country music for recording artists and broadcasters. Since then, the ceremony has grown to include a live TV aspect and a bevy of live performances in addition to the presentation of trophies. The CMA Awards have also doled out its coveted Entertainer of the Year trophy each year, with iconic acts like George Strait, Merle Haggard, Loretta Lynn and Willie Nelson all becoming recipients of the coveted honor in the show's early years. Garth Brooks holds the record for artist with the most Entertainer trophies, having won the award seven times.
CMA Awards
Luke Combs Crowned 2021 CMA Awards Entertainer of the Year
It's the biggest award of the night.
Jennifer Hudson Makes Her CMA Awards Performance Debut
The actor and singer took the CMAs stage in 2021 for the first time ever.
Thomas Rhett Goes 'Country Again' at the 2021 CMA Awards
Rhett's CMAs performance was a heartfelt trip down memory lane.
Luke Bryan Brings the 2021 CMA Awards 'Up' With His Performance
The 2021 CMAs host played double duty as a performer during the show.
Luke Combs Keeps Promise, Debuts New Song 'Doin' This' at CMAs
Whether playing in some no-name town or onstage at the Opry, Combs would be doing exactly this: Playing music.
Brothers Osborne Deliver Moving 'Younger Me' at 2021 CMA Awards
It was a very special moment.
Mickey Guyton + Friends Deliver Empowering Message at 2021 CMAs
It was one of the highlights of the night.
Carly Pearce Breaks Down as She Accepts Win Female Vocalist Win
Carly Pearce was completely overtaken by emotion.
Dan + Shay Deliver Soaring 'I Should Probably Go to Bed' at 2021
It was a can't-miss performance
Jimmie Allen Shares 'Freedom Was a Highway' at 2021 CMA Awards
The song comes from Allen's 'Bettie James' EP.