On May 16, the Academy of Country Music held their annual Awards presentation with iconic Country Music star Reba McEntire hosting the event for the 17th time!
Included in the performances was a Jason Aldean tribute to Toby Keith who died earlier this year as a result of cancer. Kane Brown, Jelly Roll, Miranda Lambert, Thomas Rhett, Post Malone, Parker McCollum, Cody Johnson, Reba McEntire, Laney Wilson and Chris Stapleton also gave performances during the awards ceremonies.
In a pre-ACM Awards event, Megan Moroney won as the new Female Artist of the Year and Nate Smith won the Male Artist of the Year Award. Tigirlily Gold won the award for New Duo or Group.
Luke Combs leads the list of nominees with eight, partially due to his recording of the Tracy Chapman hit “Fast Car”. Morgan Wallen, Megan Moroney, Cody Johnson, Chris Stapleton, Laney Wilson, Jordan Davis, and Jelly Roll also garnered multiple award nominations.
Academy of Country Music Award winners:
Entertainer of the Year: Lainey Wilson
Female Artist of the Year: Lainey Wilson
Male Artist of the Year: Chris Stapleton
Duo of the Year: Dan + Shay
Group of the Year: Old Dominion
Album of the Year: “Higher” by Chris Stapleton
Single of the Year: Fast Car” by Luke Combs
Song of the Year: “Next Thing You Know” by Jordan Davis
Music Event of the Year: “Save Me” – Jelly Roll and Lainey Wilson
Visual Media of the Year: “Burn it Down” by Parker McCullum
Songwriter of the Year: JessieJo Dillon
Artist-Songwriter of the Year: Chris Stapleton