Luke Bryan has won his second Country Music Association Award for entertainer of the year, besting Garth Brooks, Miranda Lambert, Kenny Chesney and Eric Church.
Bryan, who won the honor last year, kissed the trophy multiple times at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday night.
“Thank you, Lord, thank you, Jesus, thank you, everyone in heaven looking out for me,” Bryan said. “This is the best business in the world with the best people, Kenny, Garth, Eric, everybody I was nominated with.”
Bryan also said he was happy to see Chris Stapleton enjoy a big night with three wins, including male vocalist, new artist and album of the year for “Traveller.”
Stapleton hit the stage with Justin Timberlake, who tapped into his Memphis roots with a show-stopping performance. They strummed their guitars while singing “Tennessee Whiskey,” which Stapleton wrote, and followed that with Timberlake’s tune, “Drink You Away.”
Lambert won her sixth consecutive award for female vocalist of the year. Little Big Town won vocal group and single of the year for “Girl Crush.”
