Luke Bryan's Sneaky Steal and Other Things You Didn't See on TV at the 2024 CMA Awards

Mar. 15, 2025

Luke Bryan, Lainey Wilson, Peyton Manning at The 58th Annual CMA Awards held at Bridgestone Arena on Nov. 20, 2024 in Nashville.Photo:Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty

Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty

Jeff Bridgeshad just accepted the CMA entertainer of the year award forno-show Morgan Wallen, and at the last moment of the broadcast, viewers could see the actor handing off the hand-blown crystal to Bryan.

What happened next?

Jeff Bridges with Morgan Wallen’s entertainer of the year prize at the CMA Awards on Nov. 20, 2024 in Nashville.Disney/Frank Micelotta

Disney/Frank Micelotta

The much-coveted trophy proved too tempting for country’s merrymaker, himself a two-time winner of the prize, and he tucked it into the crook of his arm like a football and took off toward the stage stairs, seemingly trying to make a run for it.

That lighthearted moment was just one of many sights, sounds and sensations that didn’t make it onto the airwaves — but PEOPLE was in Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena to catch them all.

Here are 10 more:

REGULAR GUYS:

BothLuke CombsandJelly Rollpride themselves in projecting a down-to-earth persona, and both confirmed — off camera — that it’s hardly an act. After Combs had finished performing “Ain’t No Love in Oklahoma,” as the partition dropped down to the stage apron, he turned and thanked his band members, taking the time to shake hands with each. After his performance of “Liar,” Jelly Roll offered a similar gesture to his group of background singers, taking a moment to high-five every single one.

Keith Urban and Jelly Roll perform onstage during The 58th Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena on Nov. 20, 2024 in Nashville.Theo Wargo/Getty

Theo Wargo/Getty

COMMERCIAL-BREAK CONVOS:

While the ads rolled, the celeb section of the arena floor turned into what amounted to a succession of mini-cocktail parties. Jelly Roll and his wife,Bunnie Xo, could be seen chatting it up withCody Johnsonand his wife,Brandi, and Johnson doffed his cowboy hat to give Bunnie a hug.

Country stars are definitely huggers, and many more clutches ensued throughout the evening:Post Maloneearned embraces fromThe War and Treaty’s Michael TrotterandShaboozey. During one break countdown, high-heeledAshley McBrydesped on tippy-toes for a quick hug with longtime pal and show cohostLainey Wilson, then sped back to her seat.Kelsea BalleriniandDashaalso brought it in before engaging in an intimate tête-à-tête.

Jelly Roll and Cody Johnson attend the 58th Annual Country Music Association Awards at Bridgestone Arena on Nov. 20, 2024 in Nashville.John Shearer/Getty

John Shearer/Getty

HOMAGE TO THE KING:

George Strait, Norma Strait, and Post Malone attend the 58th Annual Country Music Association Awards at Bridgestone Arena on Nov. 20, 2024 in Nashville.John Shearer/Getty

TENNESSEE ORANGE:

Manning also proved himself to be aTom Petty(andDierks Bentley) fan, standing near the stage, raising his orange cup and singing along to “American Girl” during Bentley’s bluegrass performance of the Petty classic.

Luke Bryan, Lainey Wilson and Peyton Manning during the CMA Awards on Nov. 20, 2024 in Nashville.Disney/Frank Micelotta

POINTED DIRECTIONS:

If the crowd seemed particularly subdued during Ashley McBryde’s tribute to the lateKris Kristofferson, there was good reason. The entire arena had just received lengthy and insistent warnings from the off-stage announcer: “The next performance is of utmost reverence … Nice and quiet, everyone … Sit down,please.”

Ashley McBryde performs onstage during The 58th Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena on Nov. 20, 2024 in Nashville.Theo Wargo/Getty

UNOFFICIAL RESULTS:

Judging from the volume of applause from the upper decks, fan preferences were for Zach Top for best new artist rather than winnerMegan Moroney, the Red Clay Strays for vocal group of the year (Old Dominion took the trophy), and Morgan Wallen for male artist of the year (Chris Stapletonwon). Wallen overwhelmingly won the audience’s favor, along with the actual trophy, for entertainer of the year.

Zach Top and girlfriend Amelia Taylor at the CMA Awards on Nov. 20, 2024 in Nashville.AFF-USA/Shutterstock

AFF-USA/Shutterstock

MASS EXODUS:

Fellow nominees for duo of the year Michael andTanya Trotter(aka The War and Treaty), Dan + Shay,Maddie Fontof Maddie & Tae, andBrothers Osborneall smiled and clapped on camera when Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn took home the prize they’d already won 14 times before.

Their win was perhaps the most shocking of the evening, and for whatever reason, the Trotters, Smyers, Mooney and Font all made for the exit during the next commercial break. (Font’s partner, Taylor Dye Kerr, chose to stay home after giving birth just three weeks ago.) OnlyTJ and John Osborne, six-time recipients of the award, stuck around for the rest of the show.

Zach Top, Kix Brooks and TJ Osborne attend the 58th Annual Country Music Association Awards at Bridgestone Arena on Nov. 20, 2024 in Nashville.John Shearer/Getty

OFF-CAMERA WINNERS:

During one commercial break,Jordan Davishanded out a trophy to Lainey Wilson and director Patrick Tracy for music video of the year, and during another break, Davis presentedCharlie Worshamwith the musician of the year award. After a brief thanks, Wilson ceded most of her time to Tracy, who in turn praised the artist for being “a very, very, very hard-working woman in this town who gets it done.”

Charlie Worsham at the CMA Awards afterparty on Nov. 20, 2024 in Nashville.Derek White/Getty

Derek White/Getty

WRAPPING IT UP:

Old Dominion at the CMA Awards on Nov. 20, 2024 in Nashville.Disney/Scott Kirkland

Disney/Scott Kirkland

Lainey Wilson was among the most economical winners, offering words of wisdom (“I’ve always been told if you feel like you’ve got a gift, you’re supposed to share it”), as well as thanks for “Momma and Daddy,” boyfriendDevlin ‘Duck’ Hodges, Jesus, and assorted professional associates, and she still had 15 seconds to spare as she accepted female vocalist of the year.

Lainey Wilson at The 58th Annual CMA Awards held at Bridgestone Arena on Nov. 20, 2024 in Nashville.Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty

DEFINITELY NOT CGI:

Fire and other pyrotechnics were employed throughout the show, but none so dramatically as Jelly Roll and Keith Urban’s combustive performance of “Liar.” The plumes of fire that exploded behind the artists could well have been skin-singeing onstage since the heat from the blasts could be felt from as far away as the 15th audience row.

Keith Urban and Jelly Roll perform at The 58th Annual CMA Awards held at Bridgestone Arena on Nov. 20, 2024 in Nashville.Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty

source: people.com