BMI Congratulates its 2025 CMA Winners

Posted in News on November 20, 2025

BMI songwriters earned nods in each major category during last night’s Country Music Association (CMA) Awards, held at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.

The evening’s host, Lainey Wilson, took home her second title of Entertainer of the Year for as well as Album of the Year for Whirlwind. Ella Langley and Riley Green had a standout evening, earning three awards for their hit “you look like you love me,” including Single and Song of the Year. The Red Clay Strays were named Vocal Group of the Year, marking their first win in the category and Zach Top each earned his first award for New Artist of the Year.

During the ceremony, BMI Icon Vince Gill was tributed with the CMA Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award and Brooks & Dunn earned their 20th CMA Award, winning this year in the Vocal Duo of the Year category. Beyond the awards, it was a tremendous evening of music, featuring performances by affiliates BigxthaPlug, Brandi Carlile, Kenny Chesney, Luke Combs, Miranda Lambert, The Red Clay Strays, Tucker Wetmore and more.

Congratulations to all the BMI winners! See the full list below:

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
Lainey Wilson

SINGLE OF THE YEAR
Award goes to Artist(s), Producer(s) and Mix Engineer(s)
“you look like you love me” – Ella Langley & Riley Green

ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Award goes to Artist, Producer(s) and Mix Engineer(s)
Whirlwind – Lainey Wilson
Producer: Jay Joyce
Mix Engineer: Jay Joyce

SONG OF THE YEAR
Award goes to Songwriter(s)
“you look like you love me”
Songwriters: Riley Green, Ella Langley, Aaron Raitiere

FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Lainey Wilson

MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Cody Johnson

VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
The Red Clay Strays

VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR
Brooks & Dunn

MUSICAL EVENT OF THE YEAR
Award goes to Artists and Producer(s)
“Pour Me A Drink” – Post Malone* (feat. Blake Shelton)
Producer: Charlie Handsome

MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Award goes to Artist(s) and Director(s)
“you look like you love me” – Ella Langley & Riley Green
Directors: Ella Langley, John Park, Wales Toney

NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Zach Top

*Not affiliated with BMI.

SOURCENews TAGS Country Nashville CMA Awards Riley Green Cody Johnson Ella Langley Aaron Raitiere The Red Clay Strays Lainey Wilson