Chris Stapleton Claims Male Vocalist of the Year at the 2016 CMA Awards
The country music community rejoiced yet again when star Chris Stapleton took home the award for Male Vocalist of the Year at the 2016 CMA Awards, beating out the likes of Eric Church, Tim McGraw, Keith Urban and Dierks Bentley.
Explosive cheers and applause erupted from the audience as Stapleton's name was read from the card, marking his second consecutive win in the category.
"What a wonderful night, I've gotten to be a fan tonight," he said upon accepting the award, saying that many of the legends in the crowd created "music I've grown up on."
"It means so much to get to be a part of country music, these are the best people in the world," he added humbly, praising everyone from artists to fans, while also thanking his wife, mother (who was in the audience) and manager Coran Capshaw.
"I'm telling you it takes a village."
Actress and self-described "country girl" Sharon Stone came out to present the second-to-last award of the night, comparing past winners to the icons on Mt. Rushmore, including Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings and Charley Pride, saying that the ceremony "puts the spotlight on five of today's leading artists" and calling the nominees "impressive."
Stapleton's 2015 critically-acclaimed album Traveller topped the Billboard 200, Top Country Albums and US Folk Albums charts and produced the Top 10 single "Nobody to Blame," which earned him a nomination for Single of the Year at this year's award show. He also took home Music Video of the Year on Wednesday for "Fire Away."
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