It was Chris Stapleton’s night at the Country Music Association Awards on Wednesday.

Country traditionalist Stapleton, who has dominated many of the genre’s awards shows in recent years, won both single and song of the year for “White Horse,” scoring somewhat of a shocker in both categories over “I Had Some’ by Post Malone and Morgan Wallen. Help,” which led to Malone getting four nominations and helping Wallen get seven on the show.

Stapleton joined Malone to open the ceremony from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena with a performance of Malone’s “California Sober,” and later sang his own “What Am I Gonna Do” with his wife Morgane.

He won three CMAs, two of which were named single of the year as both producer and artist on “White Horse.” But he lost album of the year to Cody Johnson, who won with “Leather.”

“I thought Chris Stapleton or Jelly Roll would win,” Johnson said.

Stapleton and Malone’s opening duet kicked off a night of celebration celebrating a time of crossover and collaboration in the country.

The ABC broadcast, available on Hulu for streaming on Thursday, featured all-night performances from artist combos including Brooks & Dunn, who represented the 1990s and 2000s, and Jelly Roll, who represented the country’s current moment. They gave an emotional, gospel-style performance of Brooks & Dunn’s 2005 song “Believe.”

Brooks & Dunn followed it up by winning Vocal Duo of the Year for the 15th time and first since 2006.

Old Dominion won vocal group of the year for the seventh consecutive year, surpassing Little Big Town’s six.

Shaboozey brought the crowd to their feet with a solo performance that began with a snippet of his more pared-back single “Highway” before segueing into one of the year’s defining hits, “A Bar Song (Tipsy).”

But he lost to Megan Moroney for best new artist, who won minutes after her own performance.

“Thank you Jesus for putting this dream on my heart,” Moroney, a 27-year-old from Georgia, said through misty eyes as she accepted the award.

Wallen’s nominations include the night’s top prize, entertainer of the year, with his competition including Luke Combs, Jelly Roll, Chris Stapleton and last year’s winner. Laine Wilson. Like Malone, Wilson won four awards and co-hosts the show with Luke Bryan and NFL great Peyton Manning.

She won the music video of the year ‘Wildflowers and Wild Horses’.

The CMA Awards are nominated and voted on by members of the Country Music Association, including music executives, recording artists, publicists, songwriters and other industry professionals.

The evening will also feature a multi-artist tribute to George Strait, with him receiving the association’s Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award.

Bryan referred to Strait as “The King of Country Music” during the show’s opening.