Lainey Wilson won five awards at the Country Music Association Awards on Wednesday night, including entertainer of the year.
With her win for album of the year for "Bell Bottom Country" and a fiery performance of her song "Wildflowers and Wild Horses" that looked like it was taken straight out of a classic Hollywood Western,
the 31-year-old singer from Louisiana was the clear star of the evening at Nashville's Bridgestone Arena. She was also named female vocalist of the year.
I only know how to do this, and it's all I've ever wanted to do." Wilson accepted the entertainer of the year award while crying. "It finally feels like country music is starting to love me back."
Wilson had nine nominations going into the show, making her the top nominee. She had already won one before the ABC telecast even got underway, when she and HARDY were announced as the winners of the musical event of the year for their song "Wait in the Truck."
Additionally, it was a significant night for singer-turned-rapper Jelly Roll in Nashville, who won the CMT Music Awards earlier this year.
Opening the program with his hit song "Need a Favor," he performed with Wynonna Judd, who was a surprise guest.
They ended the show with a duet of Judd's classic song "Love Can Build A Bridge," which K. Michelle sang with her late mother Naomi.