The Academy of Country Music revealed the winners of the new artist categories for the 54th Academy of Country Music Awards, Country Music’s Party of the Year. Luke Combs, LANCO and Ashley McBrydehave been named New Male Artist of the Year, New Vocal Group of the Year and New Female Artist of the Year, respectively. The winners each received a surprise phone call from 14-time ACM Award winner, two-time ACM Entertainer of the Year and current ACM Award nominee Carrie Underwood, who won the 2005 New Female Vocalist category at the 2006 ACM Awards.
These awards mark the first-ever ACM Award wins for Combs, LANCOandMcBryde. All three artists are also nominated in the Male Artist of the Year, Group of the Year and Female Artist of the Year categories, respectively.
Carrie Underwood and each of the new artist winners Luke Combs, LANCO andAshley McBrydewill all perform on the show, joining previously announced ACM Awards performers including Dierks Bentley, Brooks & Dunn, Brothers Osborne, Kane Brown, Brandi Carlile, Eric Church, Kelly Clarkson, Dan + Shay, Florida Georgia Line, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Reba McEntire, Maren Morris, Thomas Rhett, Chris Stapleton and George Strait along with ACM Dick Clark Artist of the Decade Award honoree Jason Aldean.
Additional acts and presenters will be announced in the coming week. The awards telecast, hosted by Reba McEntire, will air LIVE from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, April 7, 2019 at 8:00 PM ET / delayed PT on the CBS Television Network.
Tickets for the ceremony are available for purchase now at www.axs.com. For more information on the ACM Awards and all ACM events including ACM Party for a Cause®, visit ACMcountry.com. You can also like Academy of Country Music on Facebook or follow on Twitter and Instagram for more immediate updates.
About the Academy of Country Music Awards
The 54th Academy of Country Music Awards™ is dedicated to honoring and showcasing the biggest names and emerging talent in the country music industry. The show is produced for television by dick clark productions and will broadcast LIVE from MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, April 7, 2019 at 8:00 PM ET/delayed PT on the CBS Television Network. R.A. Clark, Reba McEntire, Barry Adelman and Mark Bracco are executive producers. Pete Fisher is executive producer for the Academy of Country Music.
Dierks Bentley at the 52nd Annual CMA Awards 52nd Annual CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on Nov. 14, 2018. (Photo courtesy of ABC/Image Group LA)
Kelly Clarkson at the iHeartRadio Music Festival at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on September 22, 2018. (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images for iHeartMedia)
Florida Georgia Line at Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve With Ryan Seacrest 2018″ (Photo by Kelsey McNeal/ABC)
The following is a press release from the Academy of Country Music:
The Academy of Country Music® announced today thatDierks Bentley, Brooks & Dunn, Brandi Carlile, Eric Church, Kelly Clarkson, Luke Combs, Dan + Shay, Florida Georgia Line and Ashley McBryde have been added to the powerful lineup of performers for the 54th Academy of Country Music Awards, Country Music’s Party of the Year®. The awards telecast, hosted by Reba McEntire, will air LIVE from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, April 7, 2019 at 8:00 PM ET / delayed PT on the CBS Television Network.
Previously announced ACM Awards performers include Brothers Osborne, Kane Brown, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Reba McEntire, Maren Morris, Thomas Rhett, Chris Stapleton and George Strait along with ACM Dick Clark Artist of the Decade Award honoree Jason Aldean. Additional acts and presenters will be announced in the coming weeks.
Tickets for the ceremony are available for purchase now at www.axs.com. For more information on the ACM Awards and all ACM events including ACM Party for a Cause®, visit ACMcountry.com. Ultimate ACM Awards® VIP Experience and the Ultimate ACM Awards VIP Travel Packages are available from CID Entertainment. You can also like Academy of Country Music on Facebook or follow on Twitter and Instagram for more immediate updates.
About the Academy of Country Music Awards
The 54th Academy of Country Music Awards™ is dedicated to honoring and showcasing the biggest names and emerging talent in the country music industry. The show is produced for television by dick clark productions and will broadcast LIVE from MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, April 7, 2019 at 8:00 PM ET/delayed PT on the CBS Television Network. R.A. Clark, Reba McEntire, Barry Adelman and Mark Bracco are executive producers. Pete Fisher is executive producer for the Academy of Country Music.
Reba McEntire attends the 11th Annual ACM Honors at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville on August 23, 2017. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for ACM)
Miranda Lambert in Cosmopolitan’s August 2017 issue (Photo by Ben Watts)
Brothers Osborne, Kane Brown, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Reba McEntire, Maren Morris, Thomas Rhett, Chris Stapleton and George Strait are in the first group of artists announced to perform at the 54th Academy of Country Music Awards, which will take place April 7 at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. CBS will have the U.S. telecast of the show, which will be hosted by McEntire. As previously announced, Jason Aldean, who will also perform on the show, will receive the ACM Awards’ first Artist of the Decade prize. Stapleton and Dan + Shay are the show’s leading nominees, with six nods each.
Tickets for the ceremony are available for purchase now at www.axs.com. Ultimate ACM Awards® VIP Experience and the Ultimate ACM Awards VIP Travel Packages are available from CID Entertainment. The Academy of Country Music’s social media can be found on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Meanwhile, the radio winners of the 2019 ACM Awards were announced on February 28:
*=winner
NATIONAL ON-AIR PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR (tie within category increased nominees)
• Cody Alan – CMT After MidNite with Cody Alan
• Kix Brooks – American Country Countdown
• Darren Wilhite and Tim Wall – Wilhite & Wall
• Lon Helton – Country Countdown USA with Lon Helton*
• Tracy Lawrence – Honky Tonkin’ with Tracy Lawrence
• Lorianne Crook and Charlie Chase – The Crook & Chase Countdown
ON-AIR PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR – MAJOR MARKET
• Chuck, Rachael & Grunwald in the Morning – WYCD-FM (Detroit, MI)
• Katie Neal – WNSH-FM (New York, NY)
• The Rob + Holly Show – WYCD-FM (Detroit, MI)
• Tanner in the Morning – Rob Tanner, Catherine Lane, Chris Allen, Captain Jim, and Mimi – WSOC-FM (Charlotte, NC)*
• Tracy Dixon, Guy David & Patrick Knight – KYGO-FM (Denver, CO)
ON-AIR PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR – LARGE MARKET
• Jim, Deb & Kevin – WFMS-FM (Indianapolis, IN)*
• Lexi And Banks – KUBL-FM (Salt Lake City, UT)
• Q Morning Crew with Mike and Janie – WQDR-FM (Raleigh, NC)
• Ridder, Scott and Shannen – WMIL-FM (Milwaukee, WI)
• Tige & Daniel – Tige Rogers, Daniel Baker, Mari Mueller – WSIX-FM (Nashville, TN)
ON-AIR PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR – MEDIUM MARKET
• Kenn McCloud – KUZZ-AM/FM (Bakersfield, CA)
• Brent Michaels – KUZZ-AM/FM (Bakersfield, CA)
• Mo & StykMan Show – WUSY-FM (Chattanooga, TN)*
• Roger, Julie and DJ Thee Trucker in the Morning – WPCV-FM (Lakeland, FL)
• Tom & Becky – WBBS-FM (Syracuse, NY)
ON-AIR PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR – SMALL MARKET
• Adam & Jen in the Morning – KIOK-FM (Richland, WA)
• Brent Lane and Candy Cullerton – WYCT-FM (Pensacola, FL)*
• The Q Crew with Jason and Ashley on Q100.3 – KRWQ-FM (Medford, OR)
• The Roger & Corliss Morning Show – KORA-FM (Bryan, TX)
• Scotty & Catryna in the Morning – KCLR-FM (Columbia, MO)
RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR – MAJOR MARKET
• KKBQ-FM – Houston, TX • KNIX-FM – Phoenix, AZ*
• KPLX-FM – Dallas, TX
• KSCS-FM – Dallas, TX
• WYCD-FM – Detroit, MI
RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR – LARGE MARKET
• KAJA-FM – San Antonio, TX • KUBL-FM – Salt Lake City, UT*
• WLHK-FM – Indianapolis, IN
• WMIL-FM – Milwaukee, WI
• WWKA-FM – Orlando, FL
RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR – MEDIUM MARKET
• KATM-FM – Stockton, CA
• KUZZ-AM/FM – Bakersfield, CA
• KXKT-FM – Omaha, NE
• WHKO-FM – Dayton, OH • WIVK-FM – Knoxville, TN*
RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR – SMALL MARKET • KHAY-FM – Ventura, CA*
• KKNU-FM – Eugene, OR
• KORA-FM – Bryan, TX
• WGSQ-FM – Cookeville, TN
• WYCT-FM – Pensacola, FL
Jason Aldean at the 2018 iHeartRadio Music Festival at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on September 21, 2018. (Photo by Rich Fury/Getty Images for iHeartMedia)
CBS and the Academy of Country Music® announced today that three-time “Entertainer of the Year” winner and current nominee Jason Aldean will receive the ACM Dick Clark Artist of the Decade Award and perform at the 54th Academy of Country Music Awards, Country Music’s Party of the Year®, honoring country music’s superstars and hottest emerging talent. As previously announced, iconic entertainer and 16-time ACM Award® winner Reba McEntire returns to host live from MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Sunday, April 7 (8:00-11:00 PM, live ET/delayed PT) on the CBS Television Network.
This award will be presented to Jason Aldean, the 13-time ACM Award® winner, for being an outstanding country music artist or duo/group who has dominated country music over the decade, through success at radio, digital media, sales and streaming, distinguishing events, touring, television appearances and artistic merit. He joins only five other honorees who have received the ACM Artist of the Decade Award, which include Marty Robbins in 1969, Loretta Lynn in 1979, Alabama in 1988, Garth Brooks in 1998 and George Strait in 2008. This Award was renamed the ACM Dick Clark Artist of the Decade Award after Clark passed away in 2018, in recognition of his many years as the ACM Awards producer and early host.
“This is probably one of the coolest awards I’ve ever been given,” said Aldean. “My heroes are on this list, something I can’t really even wrap my head around being part of. But, man, I’m proud to be getting it – it’s for everyone who stuck with us and supported us through the years.”
“On behalf of our Special Awards Committee, our Board of Directors and Academy staff, we extend our congratulations to Jason and his entire team on this landmark career achievement,” said Pete Fisher, CEO of the Academy of Country Music. “We look forward to celebrating Jason’s remarkable career at our 54th annual awards in Las Vegas.”
With his wide-open, sure-footed approach, Jason Aldean has defined the genre’s 21st century as RIAA’s top digital male country artist of all time. Aldean has had more than 4 billion digital streams, 18 million albums and 39 million singles. Every one of his album releases has been certified by the RIAA, and he is only the second country act in history to score four consecutive #1 albums on the all-genre Billboard 200 chart. As “he sells out stadiums and continues to bring his singles to the top of the radio charts” (Forbes), Aldean has garnered 22 #1 chart toppers, most recently including back-to-back hits from his record-breaking album Rearview Town, including “Girl Like You,” along with the multi-week chart toppers “You Make it Easy” and “Drowns The Whiskey.” The “musically muscular, big-tent entertainer” (The Atlantic) has sold more than 10 million headlining tickets and is one of the first of few acts in the genre to sell out multiple stadiums, such as UGA’s Sanford Stadium, Fenway Park, Wrigley Field, AT&T Stadium and Gillette Stadium. Additionally, the past ACM Triple Crown winner has raised more than $6 million for charities across the country, specifically Susan G. Komen and his hometown of Macon, Ga. Children’s Hospital. The “natural born entertainer who consistently delivers his best” (CMT) will continue the momentum during his 2019 Ride All Night Tour, launching May 3 with back-to-back nights in Uncasville, Connecticut. For more information and for a full list of upcoming tour dates, visit www.jasonaldean.com.
Additional acts and presenters will be announced in the coming weeks. Tickets for the ceremony are available for purchase now at www.axs.com. For more information on the ACM Awards and all ACM events including ACM Party for a Cause, visit ACMcountry.com. Ultimate ACM Awards® VIP Experience and the Ultimate ACM Awards VIP Travel Packages are available from CID Entertainment. You can also like Academy of Country Music on Facebook or follow on Twitter and Instagram for more immediate updates.
About the Academy of Country Music Awards
The 54th Academy of Country Music Awards is dedicated to honoring and showcasing the biggest names and emerging talent in the country music industry. The show is produced for television by Dick Clark Productions and will broadcast live from MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, April 7, at 8:00 PM, ET/delayed PT on the CBS Television Network. R.A. Clark, Reba McEntire, Barry Adelman and Mark Bracco are executive producers. Pete Fisher is executive producer for the Academy of Country Music.
With six nominations each, Chris Stapleton, Dan + Shay and musician/producer Ian Fitchuk are the top nominees for the 54th annual Academy of Country Music (ACM) Awards, which will be presented at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on April 7, 2019. CBS will have the U.S. telecast of the show, which will be hosted by Reba McEntire.
Chris Stapleton’s nominations include Entertainer of the Year, where he is up against Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Kenny Chesney and Keith Urban. Several people, including ACM Awards host McEntire, have publicly slammed the ACM for once again not having any female nominees for Entertainer of the Year. Stapleton’s other ACM Award nominations are as an artist and producer for his album “From a Room: Volume 2” in the Album of the Year category; as an artist and songwriter for “Broken Halos” in the Song of the Year category; and for Male Artist of the Year.
Dan + Shay’s nominations are for Duo of the Year; Album of the Year (for their self-titled album); and Music Event of the Year (for “Keeping Score,” featuring Kelly Clarkson. In addition, Dan + Shay’s “Tequila” is up for Single of the Year, Song of the Year and Video of the Year.
Kacey Musgraves is the leading female nominee, with five nods, including Female Artist of the Year. She is also nominated as an artist and producer for “Golden Hour” in the category for Album of the Year, and as an artist and songwriter for “Space Cowboy” in the category of Song of the Year.
Fitchuk’s six nominations are in behind-the-scenes categories, such as a producer for Musgraves’ “Golden Hour” in the Album of the Year category. Fitchuk is also up for Bass Player of the Year, Drummer of the Year, Piano/Keyboards Player of the Year, Specialty Instrument(s) Player of the Year and Producer of the Year.
Other artists who received several nominations are Florida Georgia Line, Bebe Rexha and Dierks Bentley, who have four nods each.
Here is the complete list of nominations for the 2019 ACM Awards:
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
• Jason Aldean
• Luke Bryan
• Kenny Chesney
• Chris Stapleton
• Keith Urban
MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
• Dierks Bentley
• Luke Combs
• Thomas Rhett
• Chris Stapleton
• Keith Urban
FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
• Miranda Lambert
• Ashley McBryde
• Maren Morris
• Kacey Musgraves
• Carrie Underwood
DUO OF THE YEAR
• Brothers Osborne
• Dan + Shay
• Florida Georgia Line
• LOCASH
• Maddie & Tae
GROUP OF THE YEAR
• Lady Antebellum
• LANCO
• Little Big Town
• Midland
• Old Dominion
NEW FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
• Danielle Bradbery
• Lindsay Ell
• Ashley McBryde
• Carly Pearce
NEW MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
• Jimmie Allen
• Luke Combs
• Jordan Davis
• Michael Ray
• Mitchell Tenpenny
NEW DUO OR GROUP OF THE YEAR
• High Valley
• LANCO
• Runaway June
SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR (Off-Camera Award)
• Ross Copperman
• Ashley Gorley
• Shane McAnally
• Chase McGill
• Josh Osborne
ALBUM OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]
“Dan + Shay” – Dan + Shay
Producers: Scott Hendricks / Dan Smyers / Matt Dragstrem
Record Label: Warner Music Nashville
“Desperate Man” – Eric Church
Producers: Jay Joyce / Arturo Buenahora Jr.
Record Label: EMI Records Nashville
“From a Room: Volume 2” – Chris Stapleton
Producers: Dave Cobb / Chris Stapleton
Record Label: Mercury Nashville
“Golden Hour” – Kacey Musgraves
Producers: Ian Fitchuk / Daniel Tashian / Kacey Musgraves
Record Label: MCA Nashville
“The Mountain” – Dierks Bentley
Producers: Ross Copperman / Jon Randall Stewart / Arturo Buenahora Jr.
Record Label: Capitol Records Nashville
SINGLE OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]
“Down to the Honky Tonk” – Jake Owen
Producer: Joey Moi
Record Label: Big Loud Records
“Heaven” – Kane Brown
Producer: Dann Huff / Polow Da Don
Record Label: RCA Nashville
“Meant to Be” – Bebe Rexha featuring Florida Georgia Line
Producer: Wilshire for Rock The Soul Ent
Record Label: Warner Bros. Records
“Most People Are Good” – Luke Bryan
Producers: Jeff Stevens / Jody Stevens
Record Label: Capitol Records Nashville
“Tequila” – Dan + Shay
Producers: Scott Hendricks / Dan Smyers
Record Label: Warner Music Nashville
SONG OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Songwriter(s)/Publisher(s)/Artist(s)]
“Break Up in the End” – Cole Swindell
Writers: Jessie Jo Dillon / Chase McGill / Jon Nite
Publishers: EMI April Music Inc. / Nite Writer Music (ASCAP) / Songs of Universal, Inc. / Plum Nelly (BMI) / Big Music Machine (BMI)/ Big Ass Pile Of Dimes Music (BMI)
“Broken Halos” – Chris Stapleton
Writers: Mike Henderson, Chris Stapleton
Publishers: WB Music Corp./House of Sea Gayle Music, admin. by ClearBox Rights/Spirit Catalog Holdings, S.a.r.l. admin. by Spirit Two Nashville (ASCAP); Straight Six Music (BMI)
“Meant to Be” – Bebe Rexha featuring Florida Georgia Line
Writers: David Garcia, Tyler Hubbard, Joshua Miller, Bebe Rexha
Publishers: BMG Platinum Songs/Kiss Me If You Can Music (BMI) (all rights administered by BMG Rights Management (US) LLC) Big Loud Mountain (BMI) and T Hubb Publishing (BMI). All Rights Administered by Round Hill Works. Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. on behalf of itself and Songs of the Corn and Jack 10 Publishing. Universal Music – Brentwood Benson Publishing (ASCAP) D Soul Music (ASCAP) (adm. at CapitolCMGPublishing.com)
“Space Cowboy” – Kacey Musgraves
Writers: Luke Laird, Shane McAnally, Kacey Musgraves
Publishers: Smack Hits/Smack Songs, admin bvy Kobalt Music Group ltd. (GMR); Universal Music Works/We Are Creative NBaSmack Hits/Smack Songs, LLC, admin. by Kobalt Music Group Ltd. (GMR); Universal Music Works/We Are Creative Nation/Jake and Mack Music, admin. by Universal Music Works; Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp./351 Music (BMI).
“Tequila” – Dan + Shay
Writers: Nicolle Galyon / Jordan Reynolds / Dan Smyers
Publishers: Beats and Banjos (ASCAP), WB Music Corp. (ASCAP), A Girl Named Charlie (BMI) / Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. (BMI) / Buckeye26 (ASCAP) / Jreynmusic (ASCAP)
“Yours” – Russell Dickerson
Writers: Casey Brown / Russell Dickerson / Parker Welling
Publishers: BMG Platinum Songs/Kailey’s Dream / So Essential Tunes / Not Just Another Song Publishing / Hillbilly Science and Research Publishing/Trailerlily Music
VIDEO OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Producer(s)/Director(s)/Artist(s)]
Producers: Ross Copperman / Jon Randall Stewart / Arturo Buenahora Jr.
Record Label: Capitol Records Nashville
“Drowns the Whiskey” – Jason Aldean featuring Miranda Lambert
Producer: Michael Knox
Record Labels: Macon Music, LLC; Broken Bow Records; BBR Music Group; BMG
“Everything’s Gonna Be Alright” – David Lee Murphy featuring Kenny Chesney
Producers: Buddy Cannon / Kenny Chesney / David Lee Murphy
Record Label: Reviver Records
“Keeping Score” – Dan + Shay featuring Kelly Clarkson
Producers: Scott Hendricks / Dan Smyers
Record Label: Warner Music Nashville
“Meant to Be” – Bebe Rexha featuring Florida Georgia Line
Producer: Wilshire for Rock The Soul Ent
Record Label: Warner Bros. Records
INDUSTRY AWARDS
CASINO OF THE YEAR – SMALL CAPACITY
• Choctaw Casino & Resort – Durant, OK
• Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort – Cherokee, NC
• The Joint: Tulsa – Tulsa, OK
• Peppermill Reno – Reno, NV
• Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort – Mt. Pleasant, MI
CASINO OF THE YEAR – LARGE CAPACITY
• Casino Rama – Orillia, ON
• Grand Casino Hinckley – Hinckley, MN
• Mohegan Sun Arena – Uncasville, CT
• Sandia Casino Amphitheater – Albuquerque, NM
• WinStar Global Event Center – Thackerville, OK
FESTIVAL OF THE YEAR
• Boots & Hearts – Oro-Medonte, ON
• Faster Horses – Brooklyn, MI
• Stagecoach – Indio, CA
• Tortuga Music Festival – Ft. Lauderdale, FL
• Windy City Smokeout – Chicago, IL
NIGHTCLUB OF THE YEAR
• Dusty Armadillo – Rootstown, OH
• Grizzly Rose – Denver, CO
• Joe’s on Weed St – Chicago, IL
• Joe’s Live – Rosemont, IL
• Stoney’s Rockin’ Country – Las Vegas, NV
VENUE OF THE YEAR – SMALL CAPACITY
• House of Blues – Anaheim, CA
• House of Blues – Boston, MA
• Floore’s – Helotes, TX
• Ryman Auditorium – Nashville, TN
• Surf Ballroom – Clear Lake, IA
VENUE OF THE YEAR – MEDIUM CAPACITY
• Red Rocks Amphitheatre – Morrison, CO
• Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion – Gilford, NH
• Ascend Amphitheater – Nashville, TN
• The Wharf Amphitheater – Orange Beach, AL
• The Anthem – Washington, DC
VENUE OF THE YEAR – LARGE CAPACITY
• Bridgestone Arena – Nashville, TN
• BOK Center – Tulsa, OK
• Budweiser Stage – Toronto, ON
• PNC Bank Arts Center – Holmdel, NJ
• Ruoff Home Mortgage Music Center – Noblesville, IN
DON ROMEO TALENT BUYER OF THE YEAR
• Todd Boltin – Variety Attractions
• Billy Brill – Billy Alan Productions
• Gil Cunningham – Neste Live!
• Kell Houston – Houston Productions
• Nicole More – Wilson Events, Inc.
PROMOTER OF THE YEAR
• Brent Fedrizzi – AEG Presents
• Stacy Vee – Goldenvoice
• Ed Warm – Joe’s Bar
• Adam Weiser – AEG Presents
• Jason Wright – Live Nation
STUDIO RECORDING AWARDS
BASS PLAYER OF THE YEAR
• Mike Brignardello
• JT Cure
• Ian Fitchuk
• Tony Lucido
• Glenn Worf
DRUMMER OF THE YEAR
• Matt Chamberlain
• Ian Fitchuk
• Evan Hutchings
• Aaron Sterling
• Nir Z
GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR
• Tom Bukovac
• Jedd Hughes
• Danny Rader
• Adam Shoenfeld
• Ilya Toshinskiy
• Derek Wells
PIANO/KEYBOARDS PLAYER OF THE YEAR
• Dave Cohen
• David Dorn
• Ian Fitchuk
• Tony Harrell
• Charlie Judge
• Gordon Mote
SPECIALTY INSTRUMENT(S) PLAYER OF THE YEAR
• Ian Fitchuk
• Jenee Fleenor
• Carl Miner
• Mickey Raphael
• Ilya Toshinskiy
STEEL GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR
• Dan Dugmore
• Steve Hinson
• Mike Johnson
• Russ Pahl
• Justin Schipper
AUDIO ENGINEER OF THE YEAR
• Craig Alvin
• Ryan Gore
• Jeff Juliano
• Vance Powell
• F Reid Shippen
PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
• Buddy Cannon
• Ian Fitchuk
• Dann Huff
• Jay Joyce
• Michael Knox
ACM RADIO AWARDS: The following previously announced radio awards will be presented during the annual Radio Winners Reception which will be held on April 6 in Las Vegas.
NATIONAL ON-AIR PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR (tie within category increased nominees)
• Cody Alan – CMT After MidNite with Cody Alan
• Kix Brooks – American Country Countdown
• Darren Wilhite and Tim Wall – Wilhite & Wall
• Lon Helton – Country Countdown USA with Lon Helton
• Tracy Lawrence – Honky Tonkin’ with Tracy Lawrence
• Lorianne Crook and Charlie Chase – The Crook & Chase Countdown
ON-AIR PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR – MAJOR MARKET
• Chuck, Rachael & Grunwald in the Morning – WYCD-FM (Detroit, MI)
• Katie Neal – WNSH-FM (New York, NY)
• The Rob + Holly Show – WYCD-FM (Detroit, MI)
• Tanner in the Morning – Rob Tanner, Catherine Lane, Chris Allen, Captain Jim, and Mimi – WSOC-FM (Charlotte, NC)
• Tracy Dixon, Guy David & Patrick Knight – KYGO-FM (Denver, CO)
ON-AIR PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR – LARGE MARKET
• Jim, Deb & Kevin – WFMS-FM (Indianapolis, IN)
• Lexi And Banks – KUBL-FM (Salt Lake City, UT)
• Q Morning Crew with Mike and Janie – WQDR-FM (Raleigh, NC)
• Ridder, Scott and Shannen – WMIL-FM (Milwaukee, WI)
• Tige & Daniel – Tige Rogers, Daniel Baker, Mari Mueller – WSIX-FM (Nashville, TN)
ON-AIR PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR – MEDIUM MARKET
• Kenn McCloud – KUZZ-AM/FM (Bakersfield, CA)
• Brent Michaels – KUZZ-AM/FM (Bakersfield, CA)
• Mo & StykMan Show – WUSY-FM (Chattanooga, TN)
• Roger, Julie and DJ Thee Trucker in the Morning – WPCV-FM (Lakeland, FL)
• Tom & Becky – WBBS-FM (Syracuse, NY)
ON-AIR PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR – SMALL MARKET
• Adam & Jen in the Morning – KIOK-FM (Richland, WA)
• Brent Lane and Candy Cullerton – WYCT-FM (Pensacola, FL)
• The Q Crew with Jason and Ashley on Q100.3 – KRWQ-FM (Medford, OR)
• The Roger & Corliss Morning Show – KORA-FM (Bryan, TX)
• Scotty & Catryna in the Morning – KCLR-FM (Columbia, MO)
RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR – MAJOR MARKET
• KKBQ-FM – Houston, TX
• KNIX-FM – Phoenix, AZ
• KPLX-FM – Dallas, TX
• KSCS-FM – Dallas, TX
• WYCD-FM – Detroit, MI
RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR – LARGE MARKET
• KAJA-FM – San Antonio, TX
• KUBL-FM – Salt Lake City, UT
• WLHK-FM – Indianapolis, IN
• WMIL-FM – Milwaukee, WI
• WWKA-FM – Orlando, FL
RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR – MEDIUM MARKET
• KATM-FM – Stockton, CA
• KUZZ-AM/FM – Bakersfield, CA
• KXKT-FM – Omaha, NE
• WHKO-FM – Dayton, OH
• WIVK-FM – Knoxville, TN
RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR – SMALL MARKET
• KHAY-FM – Ventura, CA
• KKNU-FM – Eugene, OR
• KORA-FM – Bryan, TX
• WGSQ-FM – Cookeville, TN
• WYCT-FM – Pensacola, FL
Chris Stapleton at the 11th Annual ACM Honors at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville on August 23, 2017 (Photo by Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for ACM)
Chris Stapleton, Jason Aldean and Miranda Lambert were among the top winners at the 53rd Academy of Country Music Awards, which were presented at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on April 15, 2018. Reba McEntire hosted the show, which was telecast in the U.S. on CBS and available for streaming on CBS All Access.
Stapleton went into the ceremony with the most nominations (eight) and ended up winning two: Male Vocalist of the Year, Album of the Year (for “From a Room: Volume 1.” Stapleton could not attend the ceremony since his wife had given birth to twin sons that day.
Aldean was named Entertainer of the Year for the third year in a row. At the beginning of the ceremony, he joined Luke Bryan, Maren Morris, Thomas Rhett and Lambert to acknowledge victims of violence (specifically, those at the 2017 Route 91 Harvest Festival) and the healing power of music.
Lambert took the prize for Best Female Vocalist for the ninth year in the row. She holds the record for the most ACM wins for Female Vocalist of the Year. Lambert’s “Tin Man” also won the prize for Song of the Year.
Brothers Osbourne also won two ACM Awards: Vocal Duo of the Year and Video of the Year (for “It Ain’t My Fault”).
Performers included Lauren Alaina, Aldean, Kelsea Ballerini, Dierks Bentley, Kane Brown, Luke Bryan, Kenny Chesney, Kelly Clarkson, Florida Georgia Line, Alan Jackson, Lady Antebellum, Lambert, Little Big Town, McEntire, Midland, Maren Morris, Jon Pardi, Bebe Rexha, Thomas Rhett, Blake Shelton, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban and Brett Young. Presenters included David Boreanaz, Drew Brees, AJ Buckley, Cam, Sam Elliot, Eve, Ashton Kutcher, Dustin Lynch, Nancy O’Dell, Rebecca Romijn, Max Thieriot and Lindsey Vonn.
Allen Shapiro, Mike Mahan, R.A. Clark, Barry Adelman and Mark Bracco were executive producers of the 2018 ACM Awards. Pete Fisher was the show’s executive producer for the Academy of Country Music.
A complete list of winners can be found at the official ACM website. Here is a partial list of the nominees and winners of the 2018 ACM Awards:
*=winner
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
Jason Aldean*
Garth Brooks
Luke Bryan
Chris Stapleton
Keith Urban
FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Kelsea Ballerini
Miranda Lambert*
Reba McEntire
Maren Morris
Carrie Underwood
MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Jason Aldean
Thomas Rhett
Chris Stapleton*
Keith Urban
Chris Young
VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR
Brothers Osborne*
Dan + Shay
Florida Georgia Line
LOCASH
Tim McGraw & Faith Hill
VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
Lady Antebellum
LANCO
Little Big Town
Midland
Old Dominion*
NEW FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Lauren Alaina*
Danielle Bradbery
Carly Pearce
RaeLynn
NEW MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Kane Brown
Luke Combs
Devin Dawson
Russell Dickerson
Brett Young*
NEW VOCAL DUO OR GROUP OF THE YEAR
High Valley
LANCO
LOCASH
Midland*
Runaway June
ALBUM OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company-Label(s)]
Breaker – Little Big Town Producer: Jay Joyce Record Label: Capitol Records Nashville
California Sunrise – Jon Pardi Producers: Bart Butler, Jon Pardi Record Label: Capitol Records Nashville
From A Room: Vol. 1 – Chris Stapleton Producers: Dave Cobb, Chris Stapleton Record Label: Mercury Records*
Happy Endings – Old Dominion Producer: Shane McAnally Record Label: RCA
Life Changes – Thomas Rhett Producers: Julian Bunetta, Jesse Frasure, Dann Huff, Joe London, Thomas Rhett Record Label: The Valory Music Co.
SINGLE RECORD OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company-Label(s)]
“Better Man” – Little Big Town Producer: Jay Joyce Record Label: Capitol Records Nashville
“Body Like A Back Road” – Sam Hunt Producer: Zach Crowell Record Label: MCA Nashville*
“Broken Halos” – Chris Stapleton Producers: Dave Cobb, Chris Stapleton Record Label: Mercury Records
“Drinkin’ Problem” – Midland Producers: Dann Huff, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne Record Label: Big Machine Records
“I’ll Name The Dogs” – Blake Shelton Producer: Scott Hendricks Record Label: Warner Bros.
SONG OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Songwriter(s)/Publisher(s)/Artist(s)]
“Body Like a Back Road” – Sam Hunt Songwriters: Zach Crowell, Sam Hunt, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne Publishers: Universal Music Corp./Sam Hunt Publishing, Highly Combustible Music/I Love Pizza Music,/Songs of Southside Independent Music Publishing/Who Wants to Buy My Publishing/Atlas Music Publishing, Anderson Fork In The Road Music/Smackville Music/Smack Songs LLC, Smack Hits
“Female” – Keith Urban Songwriters: Ross Copperman, Nicolle Galyon and Shane McAnally Publishers: EMI Blackwood Music Inc./Rezolant Music/Plain Jane Songs, Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp./A Girl Named Charlie (BMI), Smack Hits/Smack Songs LLC (GMR)
“Tin Man” – Miranda Lambert Songwriters: Jack Ingram, Miranda Lambert Jon Randall Publishers: Sony/ATV Tree Publishing/Pink Dog Publishing (BMI), Beat Up Ford Publishing (BMI), BMG Platinum Songs (BMI)/SWMBMGBMI/Lonesome Vinyl Music*
“Whiskey And You” – Chris Stapleton Songwriters: Lee Thomas Miller, Chris Stapleton Publishers: WB Music Corp./New Sea Gayle Music (ASCAP), Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp./New Sea Gayle Music (BMI)
VIDEO OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Producer(s)/Director(s)/Artist(s)]
“Black” – Dierks Bentley Director: Wes Edwards Producer: Max A. Butler
“It Ain’t My Fault” – Brothers Osborne Director: Wes Edwards, Ryan Silver Producer: Tiffany Davies*
“Legends” – Kelsea Ballerini Director: Jeff Venable Producer: Ben Skipworth
“Marry Me” – Thomas Rhett Director: TK McKamy Producer: Dan Atchison
“We Should Be Friends” – Miranda Lambert Director: Trey Fanjoy Producer: April Dace
SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR*(Off Camera Award)
Rhett Akins*
Ashley Gorley
Hillary Lindsey
Shane McAnally
Josh Osborne
VOCAL EVENT OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company-Label(s)]
“Craving You” – Thomas Rhett Featuring Maren Morris Producers: Julian Bunetta, Dann Huff, Joe London, Thomas Rhett Record Label: The Valory Music Co.
“Dear Hate” – Maren Morris featuring Vince Gill Producers: Brad Hill, Maren Morris Record Label: Columbia Nashville
“Funny (How Time Slips Away)” – Glen Campbell And Willie Nelson Producer: Carl Jackson Record Label: Universal Music Enterprises
“The Fighter” – Keith Urban featuring Carrie Underwood Producers: Busbee, Keith Urban Record Label: Capitol Nashville*
“What Ifs” – Kane Brown Featuring Lauren Alaina Producer: Dann Huff Record Label: RCA Nashville
Carrie Underwood at the 52nd Annual ACM Awards at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on April 2, 2017. (Photo by Francis Specker/CBS)
The following is a press release from the Academy of Country Music:
The Academy of Country Music® revealed today that thirteen-time ACM Award® winner Carrie Underwood will perform the world television premiere of her soon-to-be-released single live on the 53rd Academy of Country Music Awards™, joining a star-studded lineup of performers and presenters.
Underwood is nominated for Female Vocalist of the Year as well as Vocal Event of the Year for “The Fighter” with Keith Urban. The 53rd ACM Awards, hosted by Reba McEntire, will broadcast LIVE from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, April 15, 2018 at 8:00 PM ET/PT on the CBS Television Network.
Previously announced ACM Awards performers include Lauren Alaina, Jason Aldean, Kelsea Ballerini, Dierks Bentley, Kane Brown, Luke Bryan, Kenny Chesney, Kelly Clarkson, Florida Georgia Line, Alan Jackson, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Midland, Maren Morris, Jon Pardi, Bebe Rexha, Thomas Rhett, Blake Shelton, Keith Urban and Brett Young. Previously announced presenters include David Boreanaz, Drew Brees, AJ Buckley, Cam, Sam Elliot, Eve, Ashton Kutcher, Dustin Lynch, Nancy O’Dell, Rebecca Romijn, Max Thieriot and Lindsey Vonn.
Tickets to the ACM Awards are now on sale at www.axs.com. For more information on the ACM Awards and all ACM events including ACM Party for a Cause®, visit www.ACMcountry.com and www.PartyForaCause.com. You can like Academy of Country Music on Facebook or follow on Twitter at @ACMawards and Instagram @ACMAwards for more immediate updates.
About the Academy of Country Music Awards
The 53rd Academy of Country Music Awards™ is dedicated to honoring and showcasing the biggest names and emerging talent in the country music industry. The show is produced for television by dick clark productions and will broadcast LIVE from MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, April 15, 2018 at 8:00 PM live ET/PT on the CBS Television Network. Allen Shapiro, Mike Mahan, R.A. Clark, Barry Adelman and Mark Bracco are executive producers. Pete Fisher is executive producer for the Academy of Country Music.
Chris Stapleton at the 11th Annual ACM Honors at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville on August 23, 2017 (Photo by Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for ACM)
The following is a press release from the Academy of Country Music:
The host and nominations were announced today for the 53RD Academy of Country Music Awards, Country Music’s Party of the Year(R), honoring country music’s superstars and hottest emerging talent. Multimedia superstar and 16-time ACM Award(R) winner Reba McEntire will return to host live from MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Sunday, April 15 (8:00-11:00 PM, live ET/delayed PT) on the CBS Television Network. This year’s show will mark Reba’s 15th time hosting the ceremony, last appearing in 2012 with Blake Shelton.
In addition to surprising audiences with the news that she will host, Reba appeared live today on “CBS This Morning” to announce this year’s ACM Award nominees for Entertainer of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, Female Vocalist of the Year, Vocal Duo of the Year and Vocal Group of the Year, as well as nominees for Song of the Year on Facebook Live. “Entertainment Tonight” host Nancy O’Dell announced additional nominees on ETonline.com.
Chris Stapleton leads with eight nominations in five categories, including his first nod for Entertainer of the Year. Stapleton is also nominated for Male Vocalist of the Year, and twice, as both artist and producer, in both the Album of the Year and Single Record of the Year categories; he received the Album of the Year nod for From a Room: Volume 1, and the Single Record of the Year nod for “Broken Halos.” He is also nominated twice in the Song of the Year category, both as artist and songwriter, for “Whiskey and You.”
Reigning Male Vocalist of the Year Thomas Rhett earned six nominations, including his second in the Male Vocalist of the Year category. Rhett is also nominated twice, as an artist and producer, for Album of the Year for Life Changes and Vocal Event of the Year for “Craving You” (featuring Maren Morris). Lastly, he is nominated for his first Music Video of the Year award for “Marry Me,” along with director TK McKamy and producer Dan Atchison.
Keith Urban earned five nominations including his eighth nod for Entertainer of the Year and 11th nod for Male Vocalist of the Year. Urban is also nominated for Song of the Year for “Female,” and twice, as both artist and producer, in the Vocal Event of the Year category for “The Fighter” (featuring Carrie Underwood). Urban won Top New Male Vocalist of the Year in 2000 and Top Male Vocalist of the Year in 2004 and 2005. A win in the Entertainer of the Year category would also make him the eighth-ever ACM Triple Crown winner.
Songwriter Shane McAnally received five nominations. He is nominated as Songwriter of the Year, and twice as songwriter in the Song of the Year category for Sam Hunt’s “Body Like A Back Road” and Keith Urban’s “Female.” McAnally is also nominated in the Album of the Year category for Old Dominion’s album Happy Endings, and in the Single Record of the Year category as a producer on Midland’s single “Drinkin’ Problems.”
Reigning Female Vocalist of the Year Miranda Lambert received four nominations, including her 12th nod for Female Vocalist of the Year. If she wins, it will be her ninth consecutive win in this category. She is the current record holder for most consecutive wins in the Female Vocalist of the Year category. Miranda currently is tied for the winningest artist in ACM history with 29 awards along with Brooks & Dunn. This year, she is also nominated twice, both as artist and songwriter, in the Song of the Year category for “Tin Man,” and for Video of the Year for “We Should Be Friends.”
Reigning New Female Vocalist of the Year Maren Morris received four nominations, including her second nod in the Female Vocalist of the Year category. Morris is also nominated twice, as an artist and producer, in the Vocal Event of the Year category for “Dear Hate” (featuring Vince Gill). She is nominated again in the category with Thomas Rhett for “Craving You.”
Sam Hunt received three nominations for his hit “Body Like A Back Road”: one nod in the Single Record of the Year category, and two, both as artist and songwriter, in the Song of the Year category.
Reigning Vocal Group of the Year Little Big Town earned their 12th nomination in the category. This would be their fourth consecutive win and fifth overall. They are also nominated for Album of the Year for Breaker and Single Record of the Year for “Better Man.”
First-time Academy of Country Music Award nominee Midland received three nominations for Vocal Group of the Year, New Vocal Duo/Group of the Year, and Single Record of the Year for “Drinkin’ Problem.”
Eighteen-time ACM Award winner Tim McGraw and 16-time ACM Award winner Faith Hill received their first-ever nomination as a duo in the Vocal Duo of the Year category.
Reba McEntire received her 16th nomination for Female Vocalist of the Year. This would be her eighth win in the category.
The following is the list of final nominees. The Academy of Country Music’s professional membership selects the nominees and winners of the Academy of Country Music Awards. The full list of nominations is available on ACMcountry.com and CBS.com.
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
Jason Aldean
Garth Brooks
Luke Bryan
Chris Stapleton
Keith Urban
FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Kelsea Ballerini
Miranda Lambert
Reba McEntire
Maren Morris
Carrie Underwood
MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Jason Aldean
Thomas Rhett
Chris Stapleton
Keith Urban
Chris Young
VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR
Brothers Osborne
Dan + Shay
Florida Georgia Line
LOCASH
Tim McGraw & Faith Hill
VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
Lady Antebellum
LANCO
Little Big Town
Midland
Old Dominion
NEW FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Lauren Alaina
Danielle Bradbery
Carly Pearce
RaeLynn
NEW MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Kane Brown
Luke Combs
Devin Dawson
Russell Dickerson
Brett Young
NEW VOCAL DUO OR GROUP OF THE YEAR
High Valley
LANCO
LOCASH
Midland
Runaway June
ALBUM OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company-Label(s)]
Breaker – Little Big Town Producer: Jay Joyce Record Label: Capitol Records Nashville
California Sunrise – Jon Pardi Producers: Bart Butler, Jon Pardi Record Label: Capitol Records Nashville
From A Room: Vol. 1 – Chris Stapleton Producers: Dave Cobb, Chris Stapleton Record Label: Mercury Records
Happy Endings – Old Dominion Producer: Shane McAnally Record Label: RCA
Life Changes – Thomas Rhett Producers: Julian Bunetta, Jesse Frasure, Dann Huff, Joe London, Thomas Rhett Record Label: The Valory Music Co.
SINGLE RECORD OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company-Label(s)]
“Better Man” – Little Big Town Producer: Jay Joyce Record Label: Capitol Records Nashville
“Body Like A Back Road” – Sam Hunt Producer: Zach Crowell Record Label: MCA Nashville
“Broken Halos” – Chris Stapleton Producers: Dave Cobb, Chris Stapleton Record Label: Mercury Records
“Drinkin’ Problem” – Midland Producers: Dann Huff, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne Record Label: Big Machine Records
“I’ll Name The Dogs” – Blake Shelton Producer: Scott Hendricks Record Label: Warner Bros.
SONG OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Songwriter(s)/Publisher(s)/Artist(s)]
“Body Like a Back Road” – Sam Hunt Songwriters: Zach Crowell, Sam Hunt, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne Publishers: Universal Music Corp./Sam Hunt Publishing, Highly Combustible Music/I Love Pizza Music,/Songs of Southside Independent Music Publishing/Who Wants to Buy My Publishing/Atlas Music Publishing, Anderson Fork In The Road Music/Smackville Music/Smack Songs LLC, Smack Hits
“Female” – Keith Urban Songwriters: Ross Copperman, Nicolle Galyon and Shane McAnally Publishers: EMI Blackwood Music Inc./Rezolant Music/Plain Jane Songs, Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp./A Girl Named Charlie (BMI), Smack Hits/Smack Songs LLC (GMR)
“Tin Man” – Miranda Lambert Songwriters: Jack Ingram, Miranda Lambert Jon Randall Publishers: Sony/ATV Tree Publishing/Pink Dog Publishing (BMI), Beat Up Ford Publishing (BMI), BMG Platinum Songs (BMI)/SWMBMGBMI/Lonesome Vinyl Music
“Whiskey And You” – Chris Stapleton Songwriters: Lee Thomas Miller, Chris Stapleton Publishers: WB Music Corp./New Sea Gayle Music (ASCAP), Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp./New Sea Gayle Music (BMI)
VIDEO OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Producer(s)/Director(s)/Artist(s)]
“Black” – Dierks Bentley Director: Wes Edwards Producer: Max A. Butler
“It Ain’t My Fault” – Brothers Osborne Director: Wes Edwards, Ryan Silver Producer: Tiffany Davies
“Legends” – Kelsea Ballerini Director: Jeff Venable Producer: Ben Skipworth
“Marry Me” – Thomas Rhett Director: TK McKamy Producer: Dan Atchison
“We Should Be Friends” – Miranda Lambert Director: Trey Fanjoy Producer: April Dace
SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR*(Off Camera Award)
Rhett Akins
Ashley Gorley
Hillary Lindsey
Shane McAnally
Josh Osborne
VOCAL EVENT OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company-Label(s)]
“Craving You” – Thomas Rhett Featuring Maren Morris Producers: Julian Bunetta, Dann Huff, Joe London, Thomas Rhett Record Label: The Valory Music Co.
“Dear Hate” – Maren Morris featuring Vince Gill Producers: Brad Hill, Maren Morris Record Label: Columbia Nashville
“Funny (How Time Slips Away)” – Glen Campbell And Willie Nelson Producer: Carl Jackson Record Label: Universal Music Enterprises
“The Fighter” – Keith Urban featuring Carrie Underwood Producers: Busbee, Keith Urban Record Label: Capitol Nashville
“What Ifs” – Kane Brown Featuring Lauren Alaina Producer: Dann Huff Record Label: RCA Nashville
IMPORTANT NOTE: Award counts for artists reflect categories in which they have been recognized as individuals or as part of their duo or group. In some cases, an artist may receive more than one nomination which factors into their official count.
Multimedia entertainment mogul and mom, Reba McEntire has become a household name through a successful career that spans across music, television, film, theater and retail. She capped off 2017 with the newly-packaged album “My Kind of Christmas,” featuring collaborations with Vince Gill and Amy Grant, Darius Rucker, Lauren Daigle, Kelly Clarkson and Trisha Yearwood. McEntire also marked her 13th summit as “Sing It Now: Songs of Faith & Hope” topped both the Billboard Country and Christian/Gospel charts, bolstering her successful record of 35 #1 singles and over 56 million albums sold worldwide. The double-disc collection, released jointly on Nash Icon Records/Capitol Christian Music Group, earned her a GRAMMY(R) Award for Best Roots Gospel Album and her first GMA Dove Award for Bluegrass/Country/Roots Album of the Year. The Country Music Hall of Fame and Grand Ole Opry member has won 15 American Music Awards, 16 ACM Awards, 9 People’s Choice Awards, 6 CMA Awards and 3 GRAMMY Awards, in addition to other philanthropic and leadership honors, such as the Horatio Alger Association and induction alongside her mom in the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame.
During her 2011 All The Women I Am Tour, Pollstar and Billboard’s Boxscore named McEntire the #1 female country touring artist with a combined total of over nine million tickets sold in her career. She is part of the longest-running country act in the history of the Colosseum at Caesars: Reba, Brooks & Dunn: Together in Vegas, which returns in March 2018. In 2005 McEntire partnered with Dillard’s to launch her own lifestyle brand, and she separately launched the REBA by Justin(TM) collection at select retailers nationwide. She most recently has been named the first woman and musician to portray KFC’s iconic founder, Colonel Harland Sanders, in the brand’s celebrity colonel campaign to launch KFC Smoky Mountain BBQ fried chicken. The Oklahoma native is an acclaimed actress with 11 movie credits to her name, a lead role on Broadway in “Annie Get Your Gun,” and starred in the six-season television sitcom, “Reba.”
About the Academy of Country Music Awards
The 53RD ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS(TM) is dedicated to honoring and showcasing the biggest names and emerging talent in the country music industry. The show is produced for television by dick clark productions. Allen Shapiro, Mike Mahan, R.A. Clark, Barry Adelman and Mark Bracco are executive producers. Pete Fisher is executive producer for the Academy of Country Music.
Tickets to the ACM Awards are now on sale at www.axs.com. For more information on the ACM Awards and all ACM events including ACM Party for a Cause(R), visit www.ACMcountry.com and www.PartyForaCause.com. You can like Academy of Country Music on Facebook or follow on Twitter at @ACMawards and Instagram @ACMAwards for more immediate updates.
RATING: To Be Announced
Official CBS website: http://www.cbs.com/shows/academy_of_country_music/
Miranda Lambert at the 52nd Annual ACM Awards at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on April 2, 2017. (Photo by Michele Crowe/CBS)
Jason Aldean, Miranda Lambert and Thomas Rhett were among the big winners at the 52nd Annual Academy of Country Music (ACM) Awards, which took place April 2, 2017, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Aldean won Entertainer of the Year. Rhett won Male Vocalist of the Year and Song of the Year. Lambert won Female Vocalist of the Year and Album of the Year. Florida Georgia Line and Brothers Osbourne also won two ACM Awards each: Florida Georgia Line won Single of the Year (for “H.O.L.Y.”) and Vocal Event of the Year (for “May We All” featuring Tim McGraw). Brothers Osbourne won for Best New Duo or Group (an award that was announced before the show took place) and Best Duo of the Year. Keith Urban went into the show with the most nominations (seven) as an individual but didn’t win any of those ACM Awards . However, he technically won an ACM Award for being a part of the all-star group Artists of Then, Now & Forever, which won the prize for Video Event of the Year.
Luke Bryan and Dierks Bentley hosted the ACM Awards for the second year in a row. The two stars joked around (including doing a bit with a wax figure of Bryan) and performed multiple times on the show, as solo artists and as part of a collaboration with other artists. At the beginning of the show, Bryan and Bentley teamed up with Joe Walsh to perform “Johnny B. Goode” as a tribute to the late Chuck Berry. CBS had the live U.S. telecast of the show, which was produced by Dick Clark Productions and ACM. The ACM’s professional membership selects the nominees and winners of the ACM Awards.
Other performers at the show included Aldean, Lady Antebellum, Lambert, Little Big Town, Maren Morris, Backstreet Boys, Florida Georgia Line, Brothers Osbourne, Jon Pardi, Kelsea Ballerini, Sam Hunt, Rascal Flatts, Rhett, Reba McEntire, Lauren Daigle, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Swindell, Carrie Underwood and Urban.
Jason Aldean at the 52nd Annual ACM Awards at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on April 2, 2017. (Photo by Michele Crowe/CBS)
Dierks Bentley and Cole Swindell at the 52nd Annual ACM Awards at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on April 2, 2017. (Photo by Michele Crowe/CBS)
Florida Georgia Line and the Backstreet Boys at the 52nd Annual ACM Awards at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on April 2, 2017. (Photo by Michele Crowe/CBS)
Thomas Rhett at the 52nd Annual ACM Awards at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on April 2, 2017. (Photo by Michele Crowe/CBS)
Faith Hill and Tim McGraw at the 52nd Annual ACM Awards at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on April 2, 2017. (Photo by Michele Crowe/CBS)
Chris Stapleton at the 52nd Annual ACM Awards at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on April 2, 2017. (Photo by Michele Crowe/CBS)
Kelsea Ballerini at the 52nd Annual ACM Awards at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on April 2, 2017. (Photo by Michele Crowe/CBS)
Lady Antebellum at the 52nd Annual ACM Awards at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on April 2, 2017. (Photo by Michele Crowe/CBS)
Little Big Town at the 52nd Annual ACM Awards at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on April 2, 2017. (Photo by Michele Crowe/CBS)
Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban at the 52nd Annual ACM Awards at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on April 2, 2017. (Photo by Michele Crowe/CBS)
Brothers Osbourne at the 52nd Annual ACM Awards at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on April 2, 2017. (Photo by Michele Crowe/CBS)
Sam Hunt at the 52nd Annual ACM Awards at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on April 2, 2017. (Photo by Michele Crowe/CBS)
Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan and a wax figure of Bryan at the 52nd Annual ACM Awards at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on April 2, 2017. (Photo by Michele Crowe/CBS)
Thomas Rhett and Maren Morris at the 52nd Annual ACM Awards at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on April 2, 2017. (Photo by Michele Crowe/CBS)
Keith Urban, Nicole Kidman, Faith Hill and Tim McGraw at the 52nd Annual ACM Awards at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on April 2, 2017. (Photo by Francis Specker/CBS)
Jason Aldean, Reba Mcentire, Ronnie Dunn and Jay DeMarcus at the 52nd Annual ACM Awards at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on April 2, 2017. (Photo by Francis Specker/CBS)
Luke Bryan and Dierks Bentley at the 52nd Annual ACM Awards at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on April 2, 2017. (Photo by Michele Crowe/CBS)
Little Big Town at the 52nd Annual ACM Awards at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on April 2, 2017. (Photo by Francis Specker/CBS)
Luke Bryan, Joe Walsh and Dierks Bentley at the 52nd Annual ACM Awards at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on April 2, 2017. (Photo by Francis Specker/CBS)
Jason Aldean at the 52nd Annual ACM Awards at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on April 2, 2017. (Photo by Michele Crowe/CBS)
Here is the complete list of nominations and winners for the 52nd Annual ACM Awards:
*=winner
Entertainer of the Year Jason Aldean*
Luke Bryan
Florida Georgia Line
Carrie Underwood
Keith Urban
Male Vocalist of the Year
Jason Aldean
Dierks Bentley Thomas Rhett*
Chris Stapleton
Keith Urban
Female Vocalist of the Year
Kelsea Ballerini Miranda Lambert*
Maren Morris
Kacey Musgraves
Carrie Underwood
Vocal Duo of the Year
Big & Rich Brothers Osborne*
Dan + Shay
Florida Georgia Line
Maddie & Tae
Vocal Group of the Year
Eli Young Band
Lady Antebellum Little Big Town*
Old Dominion
Rascal Flatts
New Male Vocalist of the Year Presented by T-Mobile
Kane Brown
Chris Janson
Chris Lane Jon Pardi*
Brett Young
New Female Vocalist of the Year Presented by T-Mobile
Lauren Alaina
Cam
Brandy Clark Maren Morris*
New Vocal Duo or Group of the Year Presented by T-Mobile
A Thousand Horses Brothers Osborne*
Dan + Shay
LOCASH
Maddie & Tae
Album of the Year [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]
“Black” – Dierks Bentley (Producers: Ross Copperman, Arturo Buenahora Jr.; Record Label: Capitol Records Nashville)
“Dig Your Roots” – Florida Georgia Line (Producer: Joey Moi; Record Label: Big Machine Label Group)
“Hero” – Maren Morris (Producers: busbee, Brad Hill, Maren Morris; Record Label: Columbia Nashville)
“Ripcord” – Keith Urban (Producers: Jeff Bhasker, busbee, Nathan Chapman, Nitzan Kaikov, Dann Huff, Tyler Johnson, Johnny Price, Nile Rodgers, Keith Urban, Greg Wells; Record Label: Hit Red Records, Capitol Records Nashville)
“The Weight of These Wings” – Miranda Lambert (Producers: Frank Liddell, Eric Masse, Glenn Worf; Record Label: RCA Nashville, Vanner Records)*
Single Record of the Year [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]
“Blue Ain’t Your Color” – Keith Urban (Producers: Dann Huff, Keith Urban; Record Labels: Hit Red Records, Capitol Records Nashville)
“H.O.L.Y.” – Florida Georgia Line (Producer: Joey Moi; Record Label: Big Machine Label Group)*
“Humble and Kind” – Tim McGraw (Producers: Byron Gallimore, Tim McGraw; Record Label: McGraw Music, Big Machine Records)
“My Church” – Maren Morris (Producers: busbee, Maren Morris; Record Label: Columbia Nashville)
“Vice” – Miranda Lambert (Producers: Frank Liddell, Eric Masse, Glenn Worf; Record Label: RCA Nashville, Vanner Records)
Song of the Year [Awarded to Songwriter(s)/Publisher(s)/Artist(s)]
“Blue Ain’t Your Color” – Keith Urban (Songwriters: Clint Lagerberg, Hillary Lindsey, Steven Lee Olsen; Publishers: WB Music Corp (ASCAP), Music Of The Corn (ASCAP), HillarodyRathbone Music (ASCAP), BMG Gold Songs (ASCAP), House of Sea Gayle Music (ASCAP), Spirit Catalog Holdings (S.a.r.l.), Spirit Two Nashville (ASCAP))
“Die a Happy Man” – Thomas Rhett (Songwriters: Thomas Rhett, Sean Douglas, Joe Spargur; Publishers: EMI Blackwood Music Inc (BMI), Cricket On The Line (BMI), Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp (BMI), Eastman Pond Publishing (BMI), Music of Big Deal (BMI), Nice Life (BMI), Frederic And Reid Music (BMI), BMG Platinum Songs (BMI), Brodsky Spensive Publishing (BMI))*
“Humble and Kind” – Tim McGraw (Songwriter: Lori McKenna; Publishers: Songs of Universal Inc (BMI), Hoodie Songs (BMI))
“Kill a Word” – Eric Church Featuring Rhiannon Giddens (Songwriters: Eric Church, Luke Dick, Jeff Hyde; Publishers: Emileon Songs (BMI), Little Louder Songs (BMI), Longer And Louder Music (BMI), Mammaw’s Fried Okra Music (BMI), Sony/ATV Tree Publishing (BMI))
“Tennessee Whiskey” – Chris Stapleton (Songwriters: Dean Dillon, Linda Hargrove; Publishers: Universal-Songs Of PolyGram International (BMI), EMI Algee (BMI))
“Vice” – Miranda Lambert (Songwriters: Miranda Lambert, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne; Publishers: Sony/ATV Tree Publishing (BMI), Pink Dog Publishing (BMI), Smack Hits (GMR), Kobalt Music Group, Ltd. (GMR), Anderson Fork In The Road Music (ASCAP), Kobalt Music Publishing America, Inc. (ASCAP), Smackville Music (ASCAP))
Video of the Year Presented by Xfinity [Awarded to Producer(s)/Director(s)/Artist(s)]
“Fire Away” – Chris Stapleton (Director: Tim Mattia; Producer: Jennifer Rothlein)
“Forever Country” – Artists of Then, Now & Forever (Director: Joseph Kahn; Producers: Nathan de la Rionda, Jil Hardin, Charleen Manca, Joanna Carter, Chandra LaPlume, Sarah Trahern, Damon Whiteside)*
“Humble and Kind” – Tim McGraw (Director: Wes Edwards; Producer: Jennifer Rothlein)
Peter Pan – Kelsea Ballerini (Director: Kristin Barlowe; Producer: Michelle Abnet)
Vocal Event of the Year [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]
“Different for Girls” – Dierks Bentley Featuring Elle King (Producers: Ross Copperman, Arturo Buenahora Jr.; Record Label: Capitol Records Nashville
“Forever Country” – Artists of Then, Now & Forever (Producer: Shane McAnally; Record Label: MCA Nashville)
“May We All” – Florida Georgia Line Featuring Tim McGraw (Producer: Joey Moi; Record Label: Big Machine Label Group)*
“Setting the World on Fire” – Kenny Chesney featuring P!nk (Producers: Buddy Cannon, Kenny Chesney; Record Labels: Blue Chair Records, Columbia Nashville)
“Think of You” – Chris Young featuring Cassadee Pope (Producers: Corey Crowder, Chris Young; Record Labels: RCA Nashville, RCA Records)
IMPORTANT NOTE: Awards counts for artists reflect categories in which they have been recognized as individuals or as part of their duo or group. In some cases, an artist may receive more than one nomination which factors into their official count. For example, Keith Urban received two nominations in the Album of the Year category—one each as artist and producer—because that category recognizes both.
Dierks Bentley and Luke Bryan at the 52nd ACM Awards press conference at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on March 31, 2017. (Photo by Bryan Steffy/Getty Images for ACM)
The 52nd Annual Academy of Country Music (ACM) Awards will take place April 2, 2017, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. On March 31, 2017, Luke Bryan and Dierks Bentley (who are co-hosting the show) held a press at conference at the T-Mobile Arena. During the press conference, Bryan and Bentley revealed that they will be performing a special collaboration with an icon to honor an icon to open the show. After the press conference, there was a Dice Rollout in front of the T-Mobile Arena with the show’s hosts, producers and executives
Academy of Country Music CEO Pete Fisher, ACM Awards executive producer Barry Adelman, Luke Bryan, Dierks Bentley, CBS Entertainment executive vice president of specials, music and live events Jack Sussman, ACM Awards executive producer R.A. Clark roll dice during the red carpet rollout for the 52nd ACM Awards at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on March 31, 2017. (Photo by Bryan Steffy/Getty Images for ACM)
Performers also began rehearsing at the venue. As previously announced, the performers will include Jason Aldean, Bentley, Bryan, Florida Georgia Line, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Maren Morris, Backstreet Boys, Florida Georgia Line, Brothers Osbourne, Jon Pardi, Kelsea Ballerini, Sam Hunt, Rascal Flatts and Thomas Rhett. In addition, several performers will be teaming up for on-stage collaborations: Reba McEntire and contemporary Christian artist Lauren Daigle performing “Back to God”; Tim McGraw and Faith Hill performing the world television premiere of their new single “Speak To a Girl”; Thomas Rhett and Morris pairing up for “Craving You”; Cole Swindell and Bentley rocking out “Flatliner”; and Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban performing their hit single “The Fighter.”
In addition to the main awards shows, there are several ACM Party for a Cause events taking place in Las Vegas at various locations from March 30 to April 2, 2017. More information can be found at the official Party for a Cause website.
As previously announced, Urban is the leading award contender for the show: He received the most nominations (seven) for the 52nd Annual ACM Awards. Bryan and Bentley will return for the second year in a row to host the ACM Awards, which is produced for television by Dick Clark Productions. CBS will have the live U.S. telecast.
Seat cards for the 52nd ACM Awards at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on March 31, 2017. (Photo by Michele Crowe/CBS)
Photos of the award show’s seating arrangements reveal the following:
Husband and wife Tim McGraw and Faith Hill are attending and will sit next to each other. Ballerini will be seated directly behind them.
The row behind Ballerini will include Rascal Flatts and Chris Young.
The row behind Rascal Flatts and Chris Young will include Trace Adkins.
Urban and Lambert will be seated only a few seats apart in the same row. No word yet if their significant others (Urban’s wife Nicole Kidman and Lambert’s boyfriend Anderson East) will attend the show with them. Ronnie Dunn and Reba McEntire are a few seats apart in the same row.
Little Big Town and Florida Georgia Line are seated in the row behind Urban, Lambert, Dunn and McEntire.
Here are some 2017 ACM Awards behind-the-scenes photos:
Miranda Lambert during rehearsals for the 52nd ACM Awards at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on March 31, 2017. (Photo by Michele Crowe/CBS)
Brothers Osbourne during rehearsals for the 52nd ACM Awards at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on March 31, 2017. (Photo by Michele Crowe/CBS)
Chris Stapleton during rehearsals for the 52nd ACM Awards at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on March 31, 2017. (Photo by Michele Crowe/CBS)
Cole Swindell during rehearsals for the 52nd ACM Awards at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on March 31, 2017. (Photo by Michele Crowe/CBS)
Dierks Bentley and Luke Bryan during rehearsals for the 52nd ACM Awards at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on March 31, 2017. (Photo by Michele Crowe/CBS)
Dierks Bentley and Luke Bryan at the 52nd ACM Awards press conference at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on March 31, 2017. (Photo by Bryan Steffy/Getty Images for ACM)
Seat cards for the 52nd ACM Awards at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on March 31, 2017. (Photo by Michele Crowe/CBS)
Seat cards for the 52nd ACM Awards at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on March 31, 2017. (Photo by Michele Crowe/CBS)
Seat cards for the 52nd ACM Awards at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on March 31, 2017. (Photo by Michele Crowe/CBS)
Seat cards for the 52nd ACM Awards at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on March 31, 2017. (Photo by Michele Crowe/CBS)
Seat cards for the 52nd ACM Awards at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on March 31, 2017. (Photo by Michele Crowe/CBS)
Seat cards for the 52nd ACM Awards at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on March 31, 2017. (Photo by Michele Crowe/CBS)
Keith Urban and Carrie Underwood during rehearsals for the 52nd ACM Awards at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on April 1, 2017. (Photo by Michele Crowe/CBS)
Jason Aldean during rehearsals for the 52nd ACM Awards at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on April 1, 2017. (Photo by Michele Crowe/CBS)
Luke Bryan during rehearsals for the 52nd ACM Awards at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on April 1, 2017. (Photo by Michele Crowe/CBS)
