At the 2024 Country Music Association Awards, Morgan Wallen, one of the most popular artists in the genre, made headlines not just for his monumental win but also for his absence. Winning the prestigious title of Entertainer of the Year marked a significant comeback for Wallen after he faced serious backlash three years prior.
Despite securing the award, Wallen was nowhere to be found at the ceremony held at Nashville's Bridgestone Arena. "Morgan couldn’t make it tonight, so I’m going to accept this award on his behalf," said Jeff Bridges, who presented the award, mispronouncing Wallen's name as "Waylon" during the announcement. This incident added to the night's drama, with the audience remaining curious about Wallen's absence from what is often considered country music's biggest night.
Wallen's absence isn't entirely surprising, as it follows his ban from the CM Awards back in 2021 due to controversial behavior, including the use of racial slurs. That year, after footage surfaced of him using the slur, the CMA disqualified Wallen from the show, marking the first time this had happened to any artist. Sarah Trahern, CEO of the Country Music Association, confirmed the decision, stating, "Honoring him as an individual this year is not right, and he will not be allowed on the red carpet, on our stage, or be celebrated in any way.” Years later, the artist, who was nominated for seven CMA awards including Male Vocalist of the Year, returned to the limelight, winning the night's biggest honor.
Wallen's absence was deeply felt, especially since he was the most nominated artist of the evening by far, having won his first CMA award since 2019. This achievement is particularly significant as it came after Wallen's album "One Thing at Time" dominated the charts for over 19 weeks, earning him accolades as one of the highest-charting country albums. The hit single from this album, "Last Night," also became 2023’s most-streamed song across all genres.
While Wallen's personal life has been tumultuous, including his recent legal troubles from an incident involving reckless endangerment charges, his music career continues to thrive. His collaborative single with Post Malone, "I Had Some Help," received nominations but did not win any awards during the ceremony.
The ceremony, hosted this year by Lainey Wilson, Luke Bryan, and NFL star Peyton Manning, saw several artists taking home coveted honors. Chris Stapleton, another major contender at the CM Awards, won four awards, including Male Vocalist of the Year and Song of the Year for his powerful track, "White Horse."
Performances throughout the evening showcased the blend of traditional and modern influences within country music. Highlights included Stapleton's duet with Post Malone, reinforcing the genre's growing acceptance of cross-genre collaborations.
Returning champions from previous years included Old Dominion, who won the Vocal Group of the Year award for the seventh consecutive time, surpassing records previously held by Little Big Town. Megan Moroney was acknowledged as the New Artist of the Year, marking yet another layer of excitement and anticipation for fans of the genre.
Wallen's 2024 CM Awards experience encapsulates the complex and often tumultuous nature of celebrity within the music industry. Although he was unable to celebrate his victory personally, fans and peers alike acknowledged his contributions to the genre, signaling his resilience and popularity.
