When Chris Stapleton won the 2015 CMA Award for Male Vocalist of the Year, the normally stoic, seasoned songwriter was truly moved by the honor.

"You know, about two years ago, I lost my dad," he said. "I made this record thinking a lot about the music that he would've liked. He would've liked to have seen this tonight."

Visibly emotional, Stapleton then thanked his mom, who was in the audience, and acknowledged all of the musicians in attendance for whom he's written songs or with whom he's collaborated.

"I look at all the faces, and all the people that have helped me support my family over the years, the last 15 years, writing songs and playing out there. It's unbelievable," he reflected. "This is an unbelievable thing, and I'm not going to take it lightly."

Stapleton also expressed gratitude toward his wife,  as well as his little sister, brother and cousins in Kentucky. Dryly, he also added, "I gotta thank the six people that came and watched me in the basement of a bar somewhere play a gig. I wouldn't give anything for those gigs. Maybe we'll play some bigger ones now, I don't know."

This win capped off a banner night for Stapleton: He also nabbed New Artist of the Year and Album of the Year, the latter for his 2015 debut release, Traveller.

Other nominees in the category included Dierks BentleyLuke BryanEric Church and Blake Shelton.

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