Brooks wins CMA biggest honor

Wednesday, November 8, 2017 – Garth Brooks won the biggest honor of the night at the at the 51st annual Country Music Association awards with Entertainer of the Year.

Decked out in a black cowboy hat, Brooks appreciated receiving the award from Reba McEntire. "To all of us, Miranda said it best, Little Big Town said it best, we're a family," Brooks said.

Chris Stapleton took home two awards. He won Top Male Vocalist and Album of the Year. In winning the album honor for "From a Room, Vol. 1," Stapleton said, "I'm almost humbled by getting these things" before thanking family, fans and the CMAs. Producer Dave Cobb also received the award.

Miranda Lambert won the Female Vocalist of the Year honor for the seventh time.

Keith Urban won Single of the Year for "Blue Ain't Your Color." Urban gave thanks, including to his wife, Nicole Kidman, who was in China. Dann Huff, who helped produce, said "To work with this guy was a dream come true." Chris Lord-Alge, who was the mix engineer, also shared in the honor.

Taylor Swift won the Song of the Year honor for penning "Better Man," the song made famous by Little Big Town. Swift was not there, but LBT accepted the award in her honor.

Brothers Osborne took home Duo of the Year for the second time. Lead singer T.J. Osborne said that he had been asked in interviews what it meant to win the award previously. "I can tell you, firstly, we made a lot more money," he joked before thanking family and friends. Brothers Osborne took the honor over Florida Georgia Line, among others.

Jon Pardi took the Best New Artist award and seemed genuinely emotional in giving thanks to those who saw him perform while in high school.

The late Glen Campbell, Willie Nelson and Brothers Osborne were early winners.

Campbell and Nelson won the Musical Event of the Year honor for Nelson's classic, "Funny How Time Slips Away."

Brothers Osborne took home the Music Video of the Year for "It Ain't My Fault." The video was directed by Wes Edwards and Ryan Silver.

Mac McAnally won his Musician of the Year. "Wonders never cease," he said in a press release. "My friends in the country music world have seen fit to honor me for the ninth time. I'm as blessed as guitar pickers get. Thanks CMA."