Miranda Lambert makes history at 2014 CMAs
Published 10:03 am Thursday, November 6, 2014
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Miranda Lambert has reached new heights as a female country performer: The fiery singer is the most decorated female artist in the history of the Country Music Association Awards.
Lambert’s four wins Wednesday night give the 30-year-old a total of 11 CMA trophies throughout her career, putting her ahead of any other female act. Lambert’s fifth consecutive win for female vocalist of the year Wednesday beat a record set by herself, Reba McEntire and Martina McBride.
Lambert also took home album of the year for “Platinum,” single of the year for “Automatic” and music event of the year for “We Were Us” with Keith Urban.
“It’s really unbelievable,” she said backstage. “I felt like this whole night was about really celebrating music.”
Lambert lost the night’s top award to Luke Bryan, giving the 38-year-old his first CMA. The win for entertainer of the year marked a shift in the genre, which has shunned the party-boy singer who is the leader the contemporary pack of bro-country performers, which includes acts like Florida Georgia Line.
“I have longed and sought after to get one of these in my hands … To get the respect of the CMA board … is a ginormous deal,” a happy Bryan said backstage. “I am really humbled. I think about the hard work it took to get here. I am so blessed this is from the CMAs and I will never take it for granted.”
Bryan beat out George Strait, Blake Shelton and Urban for entertainer of the year, and his successful year included the top-selling album “Crash My Party,” a string of hit songs and a top-grossing tour.
Bryan also was named last year’s entertainer of the year at the Academy of Country Music Awards. He was snubbed when the Grammy Awards revealed their nominees last year, but his CMA win could help him earn some love from the Recording Academy when they announce their nominations next month.