Luke Combs took home the coveted “Entertainer of the Year” award at the 56th annual Country Music Association Awards Wednesday night, co-hosted by Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning on Wednesday night at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena.

Lainey Wilson, Chris Stapleton, and Cody Johnson were also among the big winners of the evening: Wilson was awarded New Artist of the Year and Female Vocalist of the Year, while Stapleton won the CMA for Male Vocalist of the Year.  Combs’ LP ‘Growin’ Up’ was voted Album of the Year, while Johnson earned the award for Single of the Year for his song, “Till You Can’t.” Old Dominion won for Vocal Group of the Year, while the Brothers Osborne were voted Vocal Duo of the Year. 

This year’s ceremony opened with Reba McEntire, Carrie Underwood and Miranda Lambert paying tribute to the late Loretta Lynn, who died on Oct. 4 at the age 90. The artists performed a medley of several of Lynn’s hits, including “You Ain’t Woman Enough (to Take My Man),” “Don’t Come Home a-Drinkin’ (With Lovin’ on Your Mind,)” “You’re Lookin’ at Country” and “Coal Miner’s Daughter.”

Editorial credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com