The winners have officially been unveiled at the 2016 Country Music Association Awards, or the CMA Awards for short, airing Wednesday.
Did the biggest night in the business live up to its billing?
Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley co-hosted the event for the ninth (!) straight year as the CMA Awards marked its fifth decade.
As always, they were in their element and well received.
Slightly less expected was the Beyonce-Dixie Chicks performance, which is not something we see every year, but which was a big hot.
Meanwhile, Taylor Swift continued her comeback with an appearance, and we suppose there were some awards to hand out as well.
There were some pretty big upsets last night, in fact.
Eric Church and Brothers Osborne, considered substantial underdogs in their respective categories, triumphed with unexpected wins.
Chris Stapleton, rags-to-riches darling of the 2015 CMAs, proved he’s no flash in the pan by snagging Male Vocalist of the Year again.
And for all the talk about the changing landscape of country, perhaps it was fitting that the next 50 years began as a tribute to the last 50.
Numerous all-time greats were honored, none more so than Garth Brooks taking home Entertainer of the Year for the first time since 1998.
The list of winners of Wednesday’s CMA Awards …
Entertainer of the Year: Garth Brooks
Male Vocalist: Chris Stapleton
Female Vocalist: Carrie Underwood
Vocal Group of the Year: Little Big Town
Vocal Duo: Brothers Osborne
New Artist of the Year: Maren Morris
Album of the Year: Mr. Misunderstood, Eric Church
Song of the Year: "Humble and Kind," Lori McKenna
Single of the Year: "Die A Happy Man," Thomas Rhett
Musical Event of the Year: "Different For Girls," Dierks Bentley featuring Elle King
Music Video of the Year: "Fire Away," Chris Stapleton
Pinnacle Award: Kenny Chesney
Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award: Dolly Parton