The Academy of Country Music Awards is celebrating 61 years of music with a return to Las Vegas and the MGM Grand Garden Arena after a three year stop in Texas.
This year Shania Twain makes her debut as the host for the awards gala for a star studded evening of music and awards presentations.
Included in the list of performers are Avery Anna, Blake Shelton, Carter Faith, Cody Johnson, Dan + Shay, Ella Langley, Jordan Davis, Kane Brown, Lainey Wilson, The Red Clay Strays, Riley Green, Thomas Rhett, Tucker Wetmore, and Zach Top.
And just like the Grammy Awards, the ACM’s have some musical collaborations and surprises lined up for the evening.
The Academy of Country Music has already passed out a few of the awards…
New Female Artist of the Year: Avery Anna
New Male Artist of the Year: Tucker Wetmore
Visual Media of the Year: Stephen Wilson Jr for “Cuckoo”
Artist Songwriter of the Year: Ella Langley
Songwriter of the Year: Jessie Jo Dillon
Reigning Entertainer of the Year winner Lainey Wilson gets the night of music started off with a performance because she “Can’t Sit Still”.
Host Shania Twain said that she is so excited to be hosting the biggest concert of the year. Shania noted that it was 30 years ago that she won her first ACM Award. She noted that she started singing in bars at age eight but didn’t have her first hit until she was 30.
Miranda Lambert, the most decorated ACM artist, takes the stage for a performance.
Thomas Rhett and Jordan Davis pair up for a performance.
The first award of the night is for Song of the Year. Michael Bublé presented the award to Ella Langley, Luke Dick, Miranda Lambert, and Joybeth Taylor for “Choosin’ Texas”.
ACM New Artist of the Year Avery Anna gives a performance.
Prime Football stars Whit and Fitz present the award for Group of the Year to The Red Clay Strays. The band called themselves rednecks from Mobile, Alabama that never thought they would get this far.
Riley Green gives a performance. He walks out among the audience at the end of the runway.
Zach Top performs.
NASCAR drivers Carl Edwards and Corey LaJoie presented the award for Duo of the Year to Brooks and Dunn!
The ACM’s sent a Happy Birthday message to Willie Nelson.
Shaboozey presents the award for Single of the Year to Ella Langley for “Choosin’ Texas”.
Little Big Town takes the stage for a performance.
Group of the Year winners The Red Clay Strays perform.
Shania Twain called up Sia to help introduce her son the New Male Artist of the Year – Ticker Wetmore – for a performance.
War and Treaty present the award for Music Event of the Year to Ella Langley and Riley Green for “Don’t Mind if I Do”.
The ACM Awards also honours the radio stations and personalities that play the music being awarded.
LeAnn Womack and Parker McCullum join up for a performance.
At the wedding for her best friend, Megan Maroney sends a video message in support of St. Jude’s hospital.
Ashley McBride presents the award for Male Artist of the Year to Cody Johnson. He thanked the fans and his wife in his acceptance speech.
Shania announced that Songwriter of the Year Jessie Jo Dillon has won the award for the third year in a row.
Kacey Musgraves takes the stage for a performance.
ACM Award winner Ella Langley takes the stage for a performance.
Carter Faith gives a performance.
TJ Osborne of The Brothers Osborne presented the award for Female Artist of the Year to Ella Langley. She has won four of the seven awards she was nominated for. She stood at the microphone just shaking her head as the crowd cheered. She finally said thank you to her fellow nominees, family, and the ACM’s, and the women.
Male Artist of the Year winner Cody Johnson takes the stage for a performance.
Kane Brown takes the stage for a performance of his song “Woman” and is among the audience as he sings on his way to the stage.
Keith Urban presents the award for Album of the Year to Parker McCullum for his self-titled album. Parker said that they cut the album in seven days.
Dan + Shay perform their song “(If You Need Somebody) Say So” – song promoting getting help for mental health issues.
Host Shania Twain presented the final award of the night for “Entertainer of the Year” to Cody Johnson. He noted all he ever wanted to do was sing in front of crowds; adding that he gets to use his music for good. He dedicated his award to Luke Combs.
Blake Shelton closes out the night of music with a performance “The Gambler” – a song made popular by Kenny Rogers and written by Don Schlitz (who recently died).