Morgan Wallen Crowned Entertainer of the Year at 2024 CMA Awards

Morgan Wallen has won the most prestigious award of the evening at the 2024 CMA Awards, with the Sneedville megastar crowned the Entertainer of the Year for the first time in his career.

The ‘Thought You Should Know’ hitmaker wasn't in attendance to pick up the coveted accolade, but this nonetheless marked one of the most spine-tingling portions of the ceremony.

Even a mishap from presenter Jeff Bridges - who somehow managed to botch Morgan's last name - couldn't dampen what is a spectacular achievement for the country megastar.

Given Morgan Wallen's exclusion from the CMA winners’ circle in recent years, despite the fact that he has cemented himself as the biggest artist in the genre over the past twelve months or so, fans were largely expecting Morgan to be snubbed during the 2024 event.

Many commentators had argued that he should've taken home the 2023 Entertainer of the Year gong, and with Morgan Wallen losing out in every 2024 category that he was nominated in leading up to the Entertainer of the Year announcement, it was looking as though this was not going to be Morgan's night yet again.

However, Morgan Wallen triumphed, perhaps signalling that the CMA has welcomed him back in from the cold. In hindsight, it feels like his double performance at the 2023 CMA Awards ceremony laid the foundation for his return to winning ways this year.

Although some have expressed surprise at Morgan Wallen's win, when considering the milestones he's surpassed over the last two years, it feels as though CMA voters was left with no choice but to award him the 2024 Entertainer of the Year title.

For instance, as well as topping the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 and earning the Top Billboard Album and Song of 2023, Morgan just completed the highest selling country tour in history.

Morgan Wallen had to overcome stiff competition from last year's Entertainer of the Year, Lainey Wilson, as well as fellow chart-toppers, Chris Stapleton, Luke Combs and Jelly Roll, with the latter being tipped by some as a dark horse for the trophy.

One disappointment for Morgan Wallen's camp was the fact that his blockbuster Post Malone collaboration, ‘I Had Some Help’, didn't succeed in any of its nominated categories. The song has dominated the charts this year, as has Shaboozey's viral hit, ’A Bar Song (Tipsy)’, with neither being recognised at the 2024 CMA Awards.

Regardless, it's undoubtedly a time of celebration for Morgan, who is yet to comment on his 2024 Entertainer of the Year win. Given his track record with the CMA Awards, you have to assume that even he will be pleasantly surprised with this seismic victory.

For more on Morgan Wallen, see below: