httpss://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYZMT8otKdI&list=PLwkeo0gapQsRpaVLoZaJIvCKc44ID6Eov
Stapleton, who has written for Bryan, Kenny Chesney, George Strait and others, was Wednesday night’s big winner with three awards – male vocalist, new artist and album of the year for “Traveller.”
Everyone cheered him on, from Lambert to Bryan, who won entertainer of the year.
“About two years ago, I lost my dad and I made this record thinking about a lot of music he would like. … My mom is tonight. I want to thank my mom,” said Stapleton.
Little Big Town, who also earned applause for their performance of the ballad “Girl Crush,” won vocal group and single of the year for the No. 1 hit.
The writers of “Girl Crush” won song of the year.
“Seventeen years ago this very month we became a band,” an emotional Kimberly Schlapman said onstage, standing next to band members Karen Fairchild, Jimi Westbrook and Phillip Sweet.
They lost music video of the year to Maddie & Tae’s “Girl in a Country Song” and musical event of the year to Church and Urban.
Bryan, who beat Lambert, Church, Garth Brooks and Kenny Chesney for entertainer of the year, kissed his trophy multiple times when he won the night’s final award.