Keith Urban stunned the audience at the CMA Awards in Nashville on Monday by appearing onstage for a surprise duet with hostess Lainey Wilson.
The evening marked his first TV performance since it emerged in September that Urban had split from Nicole Kidman after 19 years of marriage.
In the wake of the divorce news, past clips have resurfaced of Urban’s cozy onstage antics with guitarist Maggie Baugh, 25, fueling romance rumors about them.
One video showed him pointing to Baugh as he sang: ‘I was born to love you’ in Las Vegas, while another was of him changing his lyric: ‘Baby I’ll be the fighter,’ to: ‘Maggie, I’ll be your guitar player,’ during a show in Chicago.
Now in the slipstream of the collapse of his marriage, Urban hit the stage at the start of the CMA Awards as part of Wilson’s opening medley of hit country songs.
The final number in her intro was Urban’s 1999 single Where the Blacktop Ends – and Urban himself showed up with his guitar to sing it with her.
Keith Urban stunned the audience at the CMA Awards in Nashville on Monday by appearing onstage for a surprise duet with hostess Lainey Wilson
The evening marked his first TV performance since it emerged in September that Urban had split from Nicole Kidman after 19 years of marriage; pictured at the CMA Awards in 2023
Now in the slipstream of the collapse of his marriage, Urban hit the stage at the start of the CMA Awards as part of Wilson’s opening medley of hit country songs
Wilson began by going down into the audience to sing famous country songs with the people who originated them – for example Redneck Woman with Gretchen Wilson, Gunpowder and Lead with Miranda Lambert and A Bar Song (Tipsy) with Shaboozey.
But when she returned to the stage, the crowd received an unexpected treat as Urban materialized there to accompany her for Where the Blacktop Ends.
Prior to Wilson’s monologue, the CMA Awards this year had a cold-open in the form of Luke Combs giving a barnstorming rendition of his new song Back in the Saddle.
Rising bluegrass star Zach Top, who won Best New Artist, delighted the crowd with his song Guitar, a cut off his new album Ain’t In It for My Health.
Megan Moroney was the image of a bubblegum pop diva in a sparkly pink mini-dress speckled with gigantic sequins as she performed her new song 6 Months Later.
She was surrounded by scantily-clad backup dancers wearing matching pink ensembles, prancing across the stage while she sang.
Chris Stapleton then cemented his status as the king of the country music awards shows as he growled through Bad As I Used to Be, his song for Brad Pitt’s film F1.
For her song I Sit in Parks, which is about her insecurities about her biological clock ticking amid her galloping career, Kelsea Ballerini chose an evocative setting.
The final number in her intro was Urban’s 1999 single Where the Blacktop Ends – and Urban himself showed up with his guitar to sing it with her
When she returned to the stage, the crowd received an unexpected treat as Urban materialized there to accompany her for Where the Blacktop Ends
In the wake of the divorce news, past clips have resurfaced of Urban’s cozy onstage antics with guitarist Maggie Baugh, 25, fueling romance rumors about them
Prior to Wilson’s monologue, the CMA Awards this year had a cold-open in the form of Luke Combs giving a barnstorming rendition of his new song Back in the Saddle
Rising bluegrass star Zach Top, who won Best New Artist, delighted the crowd with his song Guitar, a cut off his new album Ain’t In It for My Health
Megan Moroney was the image of a bubblegum pop diva in a sparkly pink mini-dress speckled with gigantic sequins as she performed her new song 6 Months Later
She was surrounded by scantily-clad backup dancers wearing matching pink ensembles, prancing across the stage while she sang
Chris Stapleton then cemented his status as the king of the country music awards shows as he growled through Bad As I Used to Be, his song for Brad Pitt’s film F1
For her song I Sit in Parks, which is about her insecurities about her biological clock ticking amid her galloping career, Kelsea Ballerini chose an evocative setting
She was decked out in a glamorous full-length red frock not unsuited to the red carpet, while sitting on a swing and rocking back and forth like a child
The Red Clay Strays, the band made up of Brandon Coleman (pictured), Andrew Bishop, Drew Nix, John Hall, Zach Rishel, Sevans Henderson, sang their fiery 2025 song People Hatin’
She was decked out in a glamorous full-length red frock not unsuited to the red carpet, while sitting on a swing and rocking back and forth like a child.
The Red Clay Strays, the band made up of Brandon Coleman, Andrew Bishop, Drew Nix, John Hall, Zach Rishel, Sevans Henderson, sang their fiery 2025 song People Hatin’ about the present polarized political landscape.
Switching to a gentler tenor, Stephen Wilson Jr. stood mainly in shadow as he sang his cover of Ben E. King’s 1962 number Stand By Me.
Then to an explosion of cheers and applause from the audience, Kenney Chesney ratcheted the energy level back up with a medley of his hits.
He began with his 2014 number American Kids, which had celebrities in the crowd singing along, then went further back to his 2004 song When the Sun Goes Down.
Old Dominion – made up of Matthew Ramsey, Trevor Rosen, Whit Sellers, Geoff Sprung, and Brad Tursi – also brought a touch of retro appeal to the proceedings by singing Break Up with Him from their 2015 debut album Meat and Candy.
They followed the older song up with a newer release, the sentimental title song of their 2023 song Memory Lane, and then segued into the love song One Man Band from their self-titled album from four years earlier.
Shifting into a party gear, they got the crowd clapping to their raunchy 2017 number Hotel Key and then grew romantic again on the 2016 song Snapback.
Switching to a gentler tenor, Stephen Wilson Jr. stood mainly in shadow as he sang his cover of Ben E. King’s 1962 number Stand By Me
Then to an explosion of cheers and applause from the audience, Kenney Chesney ratcheted the energy level back up with a medley of his hits
Old Dominion – made up of Matthew Ramsey (center), Trevor Rosen, Whit Sellers, Geoff Sprung (left), and Brad Tursi (right) – also brought a touch of retro appeal with a hits medley
Steve Martin meanwhile was only onstage to present Album of the Year with Alison Brown, but in the process they played banjo music from their new album Safe, Sensible and Sane
Stephen Wilson Jr. returned to the stage, this time accompanied by Shaboozey, for a soulful performance of their song Take a Walk from the horror film The Long Walk
Cody Johnson, a friend and collaborator of Lainey Wilson’s, brought her back onstage where she set the room alight with her brassy 2024 number Ring Finger
Steve Martin meanwhile was only onstage to present Album of the Year with Alison Brown, but managed to turn the task into both a musical performance and a nostalgia trip to one of his most beloved recurring comic bits.
Martin, 80, played the banjo in his comedy act as far back as the 1970s, and has since become a well-respected player of the instrument in his own right.
He and Brown released a joint album last month called Safe, Sensible and Sane, and when they hit the stage at Wednesday’s show, they played a tune from the LP and demonstrated their impressive ability to the audience.
Stephen Wilson Jr. returned to the stage, this time accompanied by Shaboozey, for a soulful performance of their song Take a Walk from the horror film The Long Walk.
Cody Johnson, a friend and collaborator of Lainey Wilson’s, brought her back onstage where she set the room alight with her brassy 2o24 number Ring Finger.
Showing off her sensational figure in a skintight silver 1970s look, complete with flared hems and dripping fringe, she barreled through the number with brio.
In a dazzling crossover of country icons, Stapleton came back onstage, this time alongside Miranda Lambert as they sang their warmhearted new duet A Song to Sing.
Then country music heartthrob Riley Green brought his smoldering magnetism to the lineup as he crooned his song Worst Way from his 2024 EP Way Out Here.
In a dazzling crossover of country icons, Stapleton came back onstage, this time alongside Miranda Lambert as they sang their warmhearted new duet A Song to Sing
Then country music heartthrob Riley Green brought his smoldering magnetism to the lineup as he crooned his song Worst Way from his 2024 EP Way Out Here
Langley took the audience by storm with a rendition of her mournful breakup number Choosin’ Texas about a man she knows is on the verge of leaving her
Langley sang her mournful breakup number Choosin’ Texas about a man she knows is on the verge of leaving her – a theme some fans interpreted as being about Green
The next performer was Ella Langley, who was rumored to be dating Green last year in the wake of their duet You Look Like You Love Me, though they both denied it.
Langley took the audience by storm with a rendition of her mournful breakup number Choosin’ Texas about a man she knows is on the verge of leaving her – a theme some fans interpreted as being about Green.
Tucker Wetmore modeled a tight black ensemble with several of his top buttons undone as he sang his wistful 2024 song Wind Up Missin’ You.
That evening’s Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award was bequeathed to Vince Gill, who received a star-studded tribute medley from the assembled luminaries
Brandi Carlile left the audience swaying from side to side as she swept them away with her cover of Gill’s 1990 number When I Call Your Name.
2025 CMA Awards Nominees
Entertainer of the Year
Luke Combs
Cody Johnson
Chris Stapleton
Morgan Wallen
Lainey Wilson
Album of the Year
Am I Okay? – Megan Moroney
PRODUCER(S): Kristian Bush
MIX ENGINEER(S): Justin Niebank
Sony Music Nashville / Columbia Records
Cold Beer & Country Music – Zach Top
PRODUCER(S): Carson Chamberlain
MIX ENGINEER(S): Matt Rovey
Leo33
F-1 Trillion – Post Malone
PRODUCER(S): Louis Bell, Charlie Handsome, Hoskins
MIX ENGINEER(S): Ryan Gore
Mercury Records / Big Loud Records
I’m The Problem – Morgan Wallen
PRODUCER(S): Jacob Durrett, Charlie Handsome, Joey Moi, Joe Reeves
MIX ENGINEER(S): Charlie Handsome, Joey Moi
Big Loud Records / Mercury Records
Whirlwind – Lainey Wilson (WINNER)
PRODUCER(S): Jay Joyce
MIX ENGINEER(S): Jason Hall, Jay Joyce
Broken Bow Records
Luke Combs is up for three nominations at this year’s CMAs
Female Vocalist of the Year
Kelsea Ballerini
Miranda Lambert
Ella Langley
Megan Moroney
Lainey Wilson
Male Vocalist of the Year
Luke Combs
Cody Johnson (WINNER)
Chris Stapleton
Zach Top
Morgan Wallen
Vocal Group of the Year
Lady A
Little Big Town
Old Dominion
Rascal Flatts
The Red Clay Strays (WINNER)
Vocal Duo of the Year
Brooks & Dunn (WINNER)
Brothers Osborne
Dan + Shay
Maddie & Tae
The War And Treaty
New Artist of the Year
Ella Langley
Shaboozey
Zach Top (WINNER)
Tucker Wetmore
Stephen Wilson Jr.
Single of the Year
“4x4xU” – Lainey Wilson,
PRODUCER(S): Jay Joyce
MIX ENGINEER(S): Jason Hall, Jay Joyce
Broken Bow Records
“Ain’t No Love In Oklahoma” – Luke Combs
PRODUCER(S): Luke Combs, Chip Matthews, Jonathan Singleton
MIX ENGINEER(S): Chip Matthews
Atlantic Records / Seven Ridges Records
“Am I Okay?”
Megan Moroney
PRODUCER(S): Kristian Bush
MIX ENGINEER(S): Justin Niebank
Sony Music Nashville / Columbia Records
“I Never Lie” – Zach Top
PRODUCER(S): Carson Chamberlain
MIX ENGINEER(S): Matt Rovey
Leo33
“you look like you love me” – Ella Langley & Riley Green (WINNER)
PRODUCER(S): Will Bundy
MIX ENGINEER(S): Jim Cooley
SAWGOD Records / Columbia
Song of the Year
“4x4xU” – Jon Decious, Aaron Raitiere, Lainey Wilson
“Am I Okay?” – Jessie Jo Dillon, Luke Laird, Megan Moroney
“I Never Lie” – Carson Chamberlain, Tim Nichols, Zach Top
“Texas” – Johnny Clawson, Josh Dorr, Lalo Guzman, Kyle Sturrock
“you look like you love me” – Riley Green, Ella Langley, Aaron Raitiere (WINNER)
Musical Event of the Year
“Pour Me A Drink” – Post Malone (feat. Blake Shelton) (WINNER)
PRODUCER(S): Louis Bell, Charlie Handsome
Mercury Records / Big Loud Records
“Don’t Mind If I Do” – Riley Green (featuring Ella Langley)
PRODUCER(S): Scott Borchetta, Jimmy Harnen, Dann Huff
Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment
“Hard Fought Hallelujah” – Brandon Lake with Jelly Roll
PRODUCER(S): Micah Nichols
Provident Label Group
“I’m Gonna Love You” – Cody Johnson (with Carrie Underwood)
PRODUCER(S): Trent Willmon
CoJo Music / Warner Music Nashville
“You Had To Be There” – Megan Moroney (feat. Kenny Chesney)
PRODUCER(S): Kristian Bush
Sony Music Nashville / Columbia Records
Music Video of the Year
“you look like you love me” – Ella Langley & Riley Green (WINNER)
DIRECTOR(S): Ella Langley, John Park, Wales Toney
“Am I Okay?” – Megan Moroney
DIRECTOR(S): Alexandra Gavillet, Megan Moroney
“I’m Gonna Love You” – Cody Johnson (with Carrie Underwood)
DIRECTOR(S): Dustin Haney
“Somewhere Over Laredo” – Lainey Wilson
DIRECTOR(S): TK McKamy
“Think I’m In Love With You” – Chris Stapleton
DIRECTOR(S): Running Bear
Musician of the Year
Jenee Fleenor – Fiddle
Paul Franklin – Steel Guitar (WINNER)
Brent Mason – Guitar
Rob McNelley – Guitar
Derek Wells -Guitar
