Iconic CMA Moments You Need to See Again: Our Top Throwback Picks

By: Sadie Christine

We’re counting down the days until Country Music’s biggest night hits the stage on November 19 at 8/7c on ABC. To get excited for the 2025 CMAs, we’ve been taking a walk down memory lane, looking back on past performances and unforgettable CMA moments that have always stuck with us.

So let’s reminisce, shall we?

It’s no surprise that women in country music are badass. During the 2019 CMAs, a lineup of iconic female artists took the stage to honour the women in country, both past and present, who have paved the way.

The CMAs always have the best performances from the most notable artists of the year, and the 2021 CMAs gave us one of the best Chris Stapleton performances of “Cold.”

Chris is set to hit the stage again this year with a collaboration with Miranda Lambert, and while the song they are performing hasn’t been announced yet, it is safe to guess they will be singing their duet “A Song to Sing.”

Some of this year’s performances will be from our favourite girlies: Kelsea Ballerini, Ella Langley, Megan Moroney, Lainey Wilson, as well as our favourite cowboys: Chris Stapleton, Riley Green, Luke Combs, Zach Top, Stephen Wilson Jr., + so many more exciting performers.

This year will also feature incredible collaborations, including BigXthaPlug featuring Luke Combs and Shaboozey with Stephen Wilson Jr.

Vince Gill will be receiving the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award this year, which makes us think about when Alan Jackson received this honour and the amazing performance that accompanied it!

So many new country artists broke out on the scene this year, and for many of the nominees, this year is the first time they could potentially take home the CMA. For an artist, getting recognized by the Country Music Association is a big deal, so when their name gets called as the winner, the artist’s reactions are always so real and emotional.

Some of our favourite reactions are from Lainey Wilson in 2022 after winning Best New Artist, and from Carly Pearce in 2021, accepting the award for Female Vocalist of the Year. Their reactions are so heartfelt, and you can tell it meant a lot to them!