Chris Stapleton was the name of the night at the Academy of Country Music Awards as he picked up six wins.
Among them included several strong categories including a first-time win for Male Vocalist of the Year as well as both Song and Album of the Year.
Stapleton said the road forward is to just keep putting out good music.
"We are gunna keeping playing shows and making music, and keep it that simple," Stapleton said.
One person that is a big part of that process is his wife Morgan, who also performs with him.
"If I'm looking that way, I'm just looking for strength and enjoying music with her on stage," Stapleton said. "It's an amazing thing that we get to do that."
Jason Aldean found a win for Entertainer of the Year, one of the top awards of the night, after being previously nominated four times.
"We've been nominated for it a few times now," Aldean said. "We all have our windows for these things."
Aldean said to him the Entertainer of the Year is a touring award and that he has invested heavily in his live show.
"This was really important to me," Aldean said. "I just want once. If I get it once you don't even have to nominate me again."
Miranda Lambert took home her record-setting seventh consecutive win for Female Vocalist of the Year. She also won an early award for Smokin’ And Drinkin’ with Little Big Town.
Several newer artists picked up first-time ACM wins. Thomas Rhett won Single of the Year for “Die A Happy Man” and had a goal-worthy moment with his wife Lauren as he walked up to accept the award.
From the bottom of my heart ... thanks y'all. We did it! #ACMs #dieahappyman pic.twitter.com/20qyvIxkKL
— Thomas Rhett (@ThomasRhett) April 4, 2016
So can Rhett officially die a happy man? He says yes but that he may need to "win a couple dollars at blackjack" in order to build that mansion in Georgia.
Rhett got to experience the winners walk for the first time Sunday night.
"I've always wondered what it actually feels like when do walk up there and accept awards," Rhett said. "When they called my name me and Lauren just looked at each other we were like, 'I can not believe that just happed', we had no idea that was going to happen."
The smash hit was inspired by his wife Lauren. Rhett says he took her to Hawaii to connect for two weeks leading up to the award show.
This is a developing story. More details and reaction from artists will be added throughout the night.
Complete list of winners:
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
Jason Aldean
MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Chris Stapleton
FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Miranda Lambert
VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR *(Off Camera Award)
Florida Georgia Line
VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
Little Big Town
NEW MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR *(Off Camera Award)
Chris Stapleton
NEW FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR *(Off Camera Award)
Kelsea Ballerini
NEW VOCAL DUO OR GROUP OF THE YEAR *(Off Camera Award)
Old Dominion
ALBUM OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]
Traveller – Chris Stapleton
Producers: Dave Cobb, Chris Stapleton
Record Label: Mercury Records
SINGLE RECORD OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]
Die A Happy Man – Thomas Rhett
Producers: Dann Huff, Jesse Frasure
Record Label: The Valory Music Co.
SONG OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Songwriter(s)/Publisher(s)/Artist(s)]
Nobody To Blame – Chris Stapleton
Songwriters: Chris Stapleton, Barry Bales, Ronnie Bowman
Publishers: House of Sea Gayle Music (ASCAP), WB Music Corp (ASCAP), Quackhead Music (BMI), RayLynn Publishing (BMI)
VIDEO OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Producer(s)/Director(s)/Artist(s)] *(Off Camera Award)
Mr. Misunderstood – Eric Church
Directors: Reid Long, John Peets
Producer: Megan Smith
VOCAL EVENT OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]*(Off Camera Award)
Smokin’ And Drinkin’ – Miranda Lambert Featuring Little Big Town
Producers: Frank Liddell, Chuck Ainlay, Glenn Worf
Record Label: RCA Nashville
