Jamey Johnson, Miranda Lambert, Parker McCollum, Chris Stapleton and Lainey Wilson paid tribute to music legend George Strait on the Bridgestone Arena stage on Wednesday evening (November 20) at the 58th CMA Awards. The all-star group delivered renditions of Strait’s beloved, decades-spanning classics, including “Amarillo By Morning,” “Give It Away,” “Troubadour,” “Honky Tonk Hall of Fame” and more.
Stapleton presented Strait with the 2024 Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award, honoring him as “true country music royalty, the King of Country, George Strait.” Strait took the stage to express his gratitude, including to the Country Music Association, his band and crew, and his family. In particular, Strait spotlighted his wife, Norma Strait, who has remained by his side for nearly 53 years of marriage. Strait said as he accepted the honor on Wednesday evening, “it’s been an amazing 53 years. ...Thank you, everybody.”
The Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award goes to “an iconic artist who has attained the highest degree of recognition in Country Music,” including through their music, philanthropy and more. Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer, previously said in a statement that “there have been few other artists as authentically Texas and authentically Country as George Strait, and Country Music fans all over the world have been better for it. As a three-time CMA Entertainer of the Year and the most nominated artist of all time, he serves as an inspiration and icon to many of the great, new artists we know today. I am thrilled we are awarding him with this deserving honor (on November 20).” Previous recipients of the award include Alan Jackson, Loretta Lynn, Charley Pride, Kris Kristofferson, Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash, Kenny Rogers and Willie Nelson.
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The star-studded lineup of performers at the CMA Awards also includes Chris Stapleton and Post Malone, Kelsea Ballerini with Noah Kahan, Brooks & Dunn with Jelly Roll, Eric Church, Luke Combs, Ella Langley with Riley Green, Cody Johnson, Megan Moroney, Kacey Musgraves, Bailey Zimmerman, Dierks Bentley (featuring Molly Tuttle, Sierra Hull and Bronwyn Keith-Hynes), Luke Bryan, Ashley McBryde, Shaboozey, Thomas Rhett and Teddy Swims, and Lainey Wilson. Presenters include Simone Biles, Clint Black, Jeff Bridges, Mark Collie, Jordan Davis, Freddie Freeman, Don Johnson, Jackson Laux, Little Big Town, Dustin Lynch, Katharine McPhee, The Oak Ridge Boys, Taylor Frankie Paul, Carly Pearce, Caleb Pressley, Nate Smith, Daniel Sunjata, Mitchell Tenpenny and Billy Bob Thornton.
Luke Bryan returned to host the show again with Peyton Manning, and this time, they teamed up with first-time host and 2023 Entertainer of the Year Wilson. Check back with iHeartRadio for a live-updated list of winners throughout the evening, a gallery of the most stunning red carpet looks, coverage of can’t-miss performances and more throughout the evening. The 58th CMA Awards is airing on ABC on Wednesday evening, and will be available next day on Hulu.