Country music singer Morgan Wallen was nominated for seven Country Music Association Awards for 2024, and even won the night's biggest prize of "Entertainer of the Year." But Wallen — the most nominated singer of the night — wasn't in attendance.

Chris Stapleton took home four Country Music Association Awards and hardly left the stage on Wednesday night, while an absent Morgan Wallen won the night's biggest prize, entertainer of the year.

Morgan Wallen went into the 58th annual CMA Awards as the leading contender, with seven nominations. He won only one of those, but it was the prize he most would have wanted: entertainer of the year.