The 60th ACM Awards: A Glittering Celebration of Country’s Brightest Stars and Boldest Moments

The 60th Academy of Country Music Awards marked a significant milestone in country music history, delivering an unforgettable night of celebration, performances, and tributes to past and present legends. Hosted by 16-time ACM Award winner Reba McEntire, the two-and-a-half-hour commercial-free event streamed live from The Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas, reaching audiences across more than 240 countries and territories via Prime Video and Amazon Music’s Twitch channel.

The ceremony opened with a powerful, 12-minute medley of ACM Songs of the Year from the past six decades. Country icons and contemporary stars alike graced the stage: Reba McEntire performed “Okie from Muskogee,” Clint Black honored Glen Campbell with “Rhinestone Cowboy,” Wynonna Judd delivered “Why Not Me,” LeAnn Rimes sang her signature hit “Blue,” Little Big Town brought a stunning version of “Girl Crush,” and Dan + Shay closed the segment with “Tequila.” The performance set the tone for an evening steeped in tradition, legacy, and groundbreaking achievements.

Lainey Wilson was the standout of the night, securing her second consecutive Entertainer of the Year award. With this victory, Wilson joins the ranks of Carrie Underwood and Taylor Swift as one of only three women to win the top ACM honor in back-to-back years. Her dominance continued as she also earned Female Artist of the Year, Album of the Year for “Whirlwind,” and Artist-Songwriter of the Year, her first win in the latter category. These four wins brought her career ACM total to sixteen.

Newcomer Ella Langley had a breakthrough evening, taking home the most awards of any artist with five total wins. Langley’s collaborative track with Riley Green, “you look like you love me,” won Single of the Year, Music Event of the Year, and Visual Media of the Year. Additionally, she was named New Female Artist of the Year, establishing her as one of the most exciting rising stars in country music. Her acceptance speeches reflected a mix of disbelief and gratitude as she noted she was “on cloud nine.”

Riley Green also had a noteworthy night, sharing in the three major awards won for his duet with Langley. His total ACM wins now stand at four. Meanwhile, Old Dominion extended their reign with their eighth consecutive win for Group of the Year, surpassing Rascal Flatts for the most consecutive wins in that category. Brooks & Dunn, returning to the spotlight, won Duo of the Year for the first time in fifteen years, increasing their record total in the category to 17 and overall ACM tally to 31.

Chris Stapleton added to his impressive resume, winning Male Artist of the Year for the fifth time and second year in a row. He now sits just one win behind Merle Haggard’s record in that category. Jessie Jo Dillon earned her second Songwriter of the Year award, further cementing her reputation as one of Nashville’s most respected behind-the-scenes talents.

The show also introduced fresh winners to the ACM roster. Cody Johnson earned his first Song of the Year award for the heartfelt “Dirt Cheap.” Zach Top was named New Male Artist of the Year, while Alabama roots-rockers The Red Clay Strays captured the New Duo or Group of the Year title, highlighting the ACM’s growing recognition of diverse musical influences within the genre.

A deeply emotional and historic moment arrived when Alan Jackson was honored with the inaugural Alan Jackson Lifetime Achievement Award. The namesake tribute acknowledged Jackson’s storied career, which includes more than 50 Top 10 hits and over 75 million albums sold. In his acceptance speech, Jackson expressed heartfelt appreciation for the fans and the industry, saying, “Country music has given me everything. I hope I’ve given something back.”

The evening’s musical performances showcased a rich blend of nostalgia and innovation. Notable highlights included a collaborative performance from Miranda Lambert and Ella Langley on the 20th anniversary of “Kerosene,” and the debut of “Trailblazer,” a new anthem from Reba McEntire, Miranda Lambert, and Lainey Wilson. Chris Stapleton delivered a soulful rendition of “It Takes a Woman,” and Jelly Roll teamed up with Shaboozey and a 16-member choir for a powerful performance of “Amen.”

One of the most talked-about moments came when Rascal Flatts and the Backstreet Boys joined forces for a high-energy medley that included “What Hurts the Most,” “Larger Than Life,” and “Life is a Highway.” These unexpected yet seamless collaborations exemplified the genre’s evolving boundaries and its capacity to engage both loyal fans and new audiences.

The 60th ACM Awards were more than a celebration of this year’s achievements—they were a vibrant affirmation of country music’s past, present, and future. With iconic tributes, landmark wins, and the emergence of bold new voices, the ceremony served as a powerful reminder of the genre’s resilience, relevance, and capacity for reinvention. As the curtain fell on an evening to remember, one message rang clear: country music is not just enduring—it is thriving, and it is here to stay.

MAIN AWARDS:

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR

• Lainey Wilson

FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR

• Lainey Wilson

MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR

• Chris Stapleton

DUO OF THE YEAR

• Brooks & Dunn

GROUP OF THE YEAR

• Old Dominion

NEW FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR

• Ella Langley

NEW MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR

• Zach Top

NEW DUO OR GROUP OF THE YEAR

• The Red Clay Strays

ALBUM OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]

• Whirlwind – Lainey Wilson

Producer: Jay Joyce

Record Company-Label: BBR Music Group / BMG Nashville

SINGLE OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]

• you look like you love me – Ella Langley, Riley Green

Producer: Will Bundy

Record Company-Label: SAWGOD / Columbia Records

SONG OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Songwriter(s)/Publisher(s)/Artist(s)]

• “Dirt Cheap” – Cody Johnson

Songwriter: Josh Phillips

Publishers: Warner-Tamerlane Publishing; Write or Die Music; Write the Lightning Publishing

VISUAL MEDIA OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Producer(s)/Director(s)/Artist(s)]

• you look like you love me – Ella Langley, Riley Green

Producer: Will Bundy

Record Company-Label: SAWGOD / Columbia Records

SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR

• Jessie Jo Dillon

ARTIST-SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR

• Lainey Wilson

MUSIC EVENT OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]

• you look like you love me – Ella Langley, Riley Green

Producers: Will Bundy

Record Company-Label: SAWGOD / Columbia Records