Chuck Ainlay, from left, Miranda Lambert and Frank Liddell accept the album of the year award for Platinum at the 48th annual CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on Nov. 5, 2014, in Nashville.
Luke Bryan accepts the award for entertainer of the year onstage at the 48th annual CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on Nov. 5, 2014, in Nashville.
Luke Bryan performs onstage at the 48th annual CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on Nov. 5, 2014, in Nashville.Winners at the 48th annual CMA AwardsNASHVILLE – Winners of the 48th annual Country Music Association Awards presented Wednesday night in Nashville:Entertainer of the Year: Luke BryanAlbum of the Year: Miranda Lambert – “Platinum”Song of the Year: Kacey Musgraves, Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally – “Follow Your Arrow”Single of the Year: Miranda Lambert -“Automatic”Male Vocalist of the Year: Blake SheltonFemale Vocalist of the Year: Miranda LambertNew Artist of the Year: Brett EldredgeVocal Group of the Year: Little Big TownVocal Duo of the Year: Florida Georgia LineMusic Video of the Year: Dierks Bentley – “Drunk On A Plane”Musical Event of the Year: Keith Urban featuring Miranda Lambert – “We Were Us”Musician of the Year: Mac McAnally
Phillip Sweet, from left, Kimberly Schlapman, Karen Fairchild and Jimi Westbrook, of the musical group Little Big Town, accept the vocal group of the year award at the 48th annual CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on Nov. 5, 2014, in Nashville.NASHVILLE – Miranda Lambert was the reigning queen of Wednesday’s Country Music Association Awards, but Luke Bryan marked a long-earned breakthrough by winning entertainer of the year.
The win was Bryan’s first CMA, despite his multiple hits, top-selling albums and top-grossing tours.
“Well, first of all, I never met Garth. Hey Garth,” Bryan said, hugging the legend, who presented the top award.
“I hope I can have enough time to say everything that’s on my mind,” an emotional Bryan said, thanking God, his fans, and his teary-eyed wife in the audience at the Bridgestone Arena. “I have some angels in heaven, my brother and sister are making this night possible for me.”