The Academy of Country Music celebrates 60 years of awards and music with a gala event filled with music…oh, and some awards live from Texas.
The show kicks off the a 12 minute medley of Country music over the years. Reba opens the show with Clint Black, Wynona, LeAnne Rhimes, Little Big Town, and Dan + Shay.
After clips of previous winners, 16 time ACM Award winner Reba McEntire hosts the awards ceremonies for the 18th time. Reba said that she got her first nomination 45 years ago.
New artist Ella Langley has eight nominations tonight…the most of the awards.
Reba reminisces about previous years and reminds the nominees to enjoy the moment and have fun.
Lionel Richie present the first award of the night is for Song of the Year to “Dirt Cheap” sung by Cody Johnson and written by Josh Phillips. Johnson noted that he came to Nashville to write songs. Johnson brought the songwriter on stage to speak.
Eric Church performs “Hands of Time”.
Miranda Lambert, the most awarded artist in ACM history performs “I Was Gonna Run”.
Ella Langley takes the stage to perform the Miranda Lamber song “Kerosene” with Lambert. She noted that the song came out 20 years ago.
New Artist nominee Zach Top performs.
The Oak Ridge Boys present the award for Group of the Year to Old Dominion. They noted that Old Dominion would not be here if not for Rascal Flats. Old Dominion has won Group of the Year more than any other group – eight years in a row!
Blake Shelton perform his 30th hit “Texas”.
Reigning Entertainer of the Year Lainey Wilson performs “Whirlwind”.
Clint Black presents the award for the Male Artist of the Year to Chris Stapleton. Stapleton noted that the guys in the category were all deserving.
Reba sang “Me and Bobby McGee” A Cappella; a song written by Kris Kristofferson before naming the artists country music lost over the past year.
The award for Duo of the Year went to Brooks and Dunn.
Kelsea Ballarini performs.
Twenty time ACM Award winner Chris Stapleton performs with his wife Morgan.
The award for Female New Artist of the Year goes to Ella Langley. Langley give a performance.
Host Reba McEntire presents the award for Single of the Year to Ella Langley and Riley Green for “You Look Like You Love Me”.
Twenty-one time ACM Award winner, Alan Jackson wins the Lifetime Achievement Award; which is now being named for him. Jacson takes the stage to perform “Remember When”. Jackson noted he came to Nashville with a sack of songs…and a dream. He noted that there have been so many people that he can’t thank them all.
Martina McBryde, Gretchen Wilson, Sara Evans, Crystal Gale, and Wynona Judd present the award for Female Artist of the Year to Lainey Wilson. Wilson said that she couldn’t believe she was standing up there with all of the people who influenced her; adding that she couldn’t have made it without her fellow nominees.
For the first time Jelly Roll and Shaboozey take the stage together for a performance.
Keith Urban is this year’s Triple Crown winner. Urban has won the New Male Artist, Male Artist of the Year, and Entertainer of the Year awards. Megan Maroney, Brothers Osborne, and Chris Stapleton pay tribute to Urban with a few of Urban’s own songs. The Brothers Osborne call Urban up on stage to join them…and the house is a rockin’!
Urban noted that he has a massive team behind him that he could not possibly name but noted no one is a one man band.
Jessie Jo Dillon is the Songwriter of the Year winner.
Little Big Town present the award for Album of the Year to Lainey Wilson for “Whirlwind”. Wilson noted that there is a little bit of everything in the album; adding that her life has been a whirlwind the past few years.
Cody Johnson takes the stage for a performance.
Brooks and Dunn perform “Red Dirt Road”.
The award for Musical Event of the Year goes to Ella Langley and Riley Green for “You Look Like You Love Me”. Langley said that she was flabbergasted; admitting that she didn’t really know what the word meant.
Reba, Miranda Lambert, and Lainey Wilson take the stage for the first time together for the world premiere performance of “Trailblazer”.
Blake Shelton presents the award for Entertainer of the Year to Lainey Wilson. Shelton noted that the real win was getting to entertain the people.
Closing out the night is a performance by Rascal Flats and the Backstreet Boys.