Nothing says “country chaos” quite like Ernest casually torching the room with the most honest quote of CMA week.
When Taste of Country asked Ernest who he thought should win Entertainer of the Year at the 2025 CMA Awards, the expectation was predictable. He and Morgan Wallen are practically musical blood brothers, with hits like “Flower Shops” cementing their bond. So when Ernest dropped Lainey Wilson’s name instead, it hit like a beer can off the tailgate.
“She runs a damn-tight ship and a great show,” Ernest said. “She’s a badass powerhouse. I know she’s already won it and you can see why every night.”
He was not wrong. Lainey did win in 2023 and now again in 2025, and it’s hard to argue when she keeps tearing the roof off arenas and stealing the spotlight at award shows. Still, Ernest backing Lainey over his best friend was the kind of plot twist the CMAs don’t usually deliver. But what came next was pure outlaw brilliance.
When asked what Morgan Wallen would think of Ernest’s answer, he didn’t flinch. “He don’t give a f–k,” he said with a shrug. “Since when is Morgan giving a s–t? Who’s making more money doing this than Morgan Wallen? He don’t give a f–k about this award. I wouldn’t either if I was Morgan Wallen.”
Cue the mic drop. Cue the beer cracking open.
Let’s not pretend Ernest was lying. Wallen was a no-show at the 2025 CMA Awards for the second year running, despite being nominated for Entertainer of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, and Album of the Year. Fans even shouted his name before the Entertainer award was announced, but Morgan was nowhere near Broadway.
Just a few weeks ago, he joked about his feelings toward award shows during a surprise appearance at the Ryman with Ella Langley, saying, “It takes a lot more than an awards show to get me out on Broadway these days.” That’s about as close to a middle finger as Nashville’s going to get from a guy still topping charts and packing stadiums.
And truthfully, Ernest’s quote makes perfect sense when you stack it up against Morgan’s year. He dropped his fourth album, “I’m the Problem,” and it took over the Billboard 200 for 12 weeks. His crossover with Tate McRae, “What I Want,” hit number one on the Hot 100. He sold out stadiums and shook up country radio without needing a single acceptance speech.
Wallen’s critics love to say he’s too controversial, too bro-country, too much of a wildcard. But he’s not chasing awards. He’s chasing the music. The lifestyle. The legacy. Ernest just pulled back the curtain and let everyone see it plain and simple.
As for Ernest, he is rolling into a new album cycle of his own. “Blessed” is headed to country radio, and “Would If I Could” was already a breakout single. And he showed up to that interview wearing a necklace made by his son Ryman, which might be the most dad-flex thing to happen during CMA week.
While some folks are busy keeping up appearances, Ernest is out here speaking truth and sipping beer. And Morgan? He is off somewhere cashing checks and skipping speeches, like only the real ones do.
