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“This is all I’ve ever wanted to do, it’s the only thing I know how to do,� Wilson said through tears as she accepted entertainer of the year. “It finally feels like country music is starting to love me back.�

Wilson came into the night the top nominee with nine nods, and had won one award before the ABC telecast even started as she and HARDY were named as winners in the musical event of the year category, for “Wait in the Truck.�

It was also another major Nashville night for rapper-turned-singer Jelly Roll, who earlier this year .

He opened the show with a performance of his hit “Need a Favor,� along with surprise guest Wynonna Judd, then closed it in a duet with K. Michelle on “Love Can Build A Bridge,� Judd's classic song with

In between, Jelly Roll won best new artist.

“There is something poetic about a 39-year-old man winning new artist of the year,� he said from the stage. “What’s in front of you is so much more important than what’s behind you.�

Luke Combs, winner of entertainer of the year the previous two years, took home single of the year Wednesday night for by Tracy Chapman, who became the unlikely winner of song of the year for a tune she wrote in 1988.

“I want to thank Tracy Chapman for writing one of the greatest songs of all time,� the 33-year-old North Carolina singer said as he accepted the award. “It’s the first favorite song I ever had.�

Chapman, who won two Grammys for “Fast Car" in 1989, was not at the ceremony, but said in a statement that it's “truly an honor for my song to be recognized 35 years after its debut.�

Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning hosted the ceremony, which featured a musical tribute to the that included Kenny Chesney, the Zac Brown Band, Alan Jackson and Mac McAnally, a longtime member of Buffett's band.

The group made a beach party of a medley of Buffett's hits, beginning with “A Pirate Looks at Forty� and ending with “Margaritaville" as Chesney shouted “Thank you Jimmy!� to Buffett, always beloved among country artists.

In what is becoming a series of CMA traditions, Chris Stapleton won male vocalist of the year for the seventh time, Old Dominion won vocal group of the year for the sixth time, and Brothers Osborne won duo of the year for their sixth time.

“We're shocked, honestly, every year this happens,� T.J. Osborne said.