The 60th Academy of Country Music Awards delivered a night of powerful performances, heartfelt tributes, and major milestones — with Lainey Wilson once again leading the pack.

For the second year in a row, Wilson took home the evening’s biggest honor: Entertainer of the Year. That win capped off a sweeping night for the star, who also claimed Female Artist of the Year and Album of the Year.

“I really do have the best fans in the world,” Wilson said during her final speech, opening up about her ongoing battle with impostor syndrome. “Country music has given me more than I deserve.”

A Celebration of Country, Past and Present

The 2025 ACM Awards didn’t just spotlight today’s biggest stars — it honored country music’s rich legacy.

The show kicked off with a powerful 14-minute medley spanning six decades of country hits. Host Reba McEntire opened with Merle Haggard’s Okie from Muskogee, followed by Clint Black, Wynonna Judd, LeAnn Rimes, Little Big Town, and Dan + Shay, each performing a signature hit that defined a generation.

Ella Langley and Riley Green Shine as Newcomers

First-time nominees Ella Langley and Riley Green made their mark with “You Look Like You Love Me,” which won Single of the Year and Music Event of the Year. During their acceptance, both artists paid tribute to classic country storytelling that shaped their sound.

Alan Jackson Receives Inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award

One of the night’s most emotional moments came when Alan Jackson performed Remember When before receiving the first-ever ACM Alan Jackson Lifetime Achievement Award — named in his honor.

In a lighthearted moment, Jackson recalled a fan naming their dog after him, adding, “Having an award named after me? That’s not half bad either.”

Star-Studded Performances Light Up the Night

The show was packed with unforgettable performances. Highlights included:

• Wilson, McEntire, and Miranda Lambert debuting their new single Trailblazer
• Eric Church performing his fresh track Hands of Time
• Miranda Lambert and Ella Langley teaming up on Kerosene
• Blake Shelton channeling George Strait with Texas
• Chris Stapleton and his wife Morgane harmonizing on It Takes a Woman
• Zach Top, Kelsea Ballerini, and Cody Johnson keeping the energy high
• A surprise celebration for Shaboozey’s birthday, led by Jelly Roll
• A throwback finale featuring the Backstreet Boys and Rascal Flatts

Honoring Legends and Saying Goodbye

The Oak Ridge Boys presented Group of the Year to Old Dominion — a touching tribute following the 2024 passing of Oak Ridge’s Joe Bonsall.

In another emotional moment, McEntire led a sing-along of Me and Bobby McGee in honor of the late Kris Kristofferson.

More Big Wins

• Male Artist of the Year: Chris Stapleton
• Duo of the Year: Brooks & Dunn
• ACM Triple Crown Award: Keith Urban, after surprise performances of Stupid Boy (by Megan Moroney) and Blue Ain’t Your Color (by Stapleton)

Urban’s Triple Crown win marks the first on-stage presentation of the award since Carrie Underwood received it in 2010.

The 60th ACM Awards once again struck a perfect balance — lifting up rising stars while honoring the icons who paved the way. It was a night filled with heart, history, and high notes.

The event streamed live on Prime Video and the Amazon Music Twitch channel, with no Prime membership required.

Source: AP News – Lainey Wilson rules the 2025 Academy of Country Music Awards once again, Alan Jackson is honored

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The 58th Annual CMA Awards lit up Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday night, celebrating the best in country music. Hosted by country music legend Luke Bryan and former NFL quarterback Peyton Manning, the event featured a new addition: Entertainer of the Year 2023 winner Lainey Wilson joined as a co-host.

Nominees and Key Performances

This year’s ceremony highlighted the year’s biggest talents, with Morgan Wallen leading the pack with seven nominations. He was followed by Cody Johnson and Chris Stapleton, who each earned five nods. Lainey Wilson and Post Malone also stood out with four nominations apiece.

Despite technical issues with sound quality, the show featured spectacular performances. Chris Stapleton and Post Malone opened the night with an electrifying performance, and a heartfelt tribute honored George Strait, this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award recipient. Other performers included Kacey Musgraves, Luke Combs, Kelsea Ballerini, Megan Moroney, and Noah Kahan, among others.

The awards aired live on ABC and became available for streaming on Hulu the following day.

List of Winners and Nominees

Entertainer of the Year

• Luke Combs
• Jelly Roll
• Chris Stapleton
• Morgan Wallen (Winner)
• Lainey Wilson

Single of the Year

• “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” – Shaboozey
• “Dirt Cheap” – Cody Johnson
• “I Had Some Help” – Post Malone (Feat. Morgan Wallen)
• “Watermelon Moonshine” – Lainey Wilson
• “White Horse” – Chris Stapleton (Winner)

Album of the Year

• “Deeper Well” – Kacey Musgraves
• “Fathers & Sons” – Luke Combs
• “Higher” – Chris Stapleton
• “Leather” – Cody Johnson (Winner)
• “Whitsitt Chapel” – Jelly Roll

Song of the Year

• “Burn It Down” – Hillary Lindsey, Parker McCollum, Lori McKenna, Liz Rose
• “Dirt Cheap” – Josh Phillips
• “I Had Some Help” – Louis Bell, Ashley Gorley, Charlie Handsome, Hoskins, Austin Post, Ernest Keith Smith, Morgan Wallen, Chandler Paul Walters
• “The Painter” – Benjy Davis, Kat Higgins, Ryan Larkins
• “White Horse” – Chris Stapleton, Dan Wilson (Winner)

Female Vocalist of the Year

• Kelsea Ballerini
• Ashley McBryde
• Megan Moroney
• Kacey Musgraves
• Lainey Wilson (Winner)

Male Vocalist of the Year

• Luke Combs
• Jelly Roll
• Cody Johnson
• Chris Stapleton (Winner)
• Morgan Wallen

Vocal Group of the Year

• Lady A
• Little Big Town
• Old Dominion (Winner)
• The Red Clay Strays
• Zac Brown Band

Vocal Duo of the Year

• Brooks & Dunn (Winner)
• Brothers Osborne
• Dan + Shay
• Maddie & Tae
• The War And Treaty

Musical Event of the Year

• “Cowboys Cry Too” – Kelsea Ballerini (Feat. Noah Kahan)
• “I Had Some Help” – Post Malone (Feat. Morgan Wallen)
• “I Remember Everything” – Zach Bryan (Feat. Kacey Musgraves)
• “Man Made A Bar” – Morgan Wallen (Feat. Eric Church)
• “You Look Like You Love Me” – Ella Langley (Feat. Riley Green) (Winner)

Musician of the Year

• Tom Bukovac – Guitar
• Jenee Fleenor – Fiddle
• Paul Franklin – Steel Guitar
• Rob McNelley – Guitar
• Charlie Worsham – Guitar (Winner)

Music Video of the Year

• “Dirt Cheap” – Cody Johnson
• “I Had Some Help” – Post Malone (Feat. Morgan Wallen)
• “I’m Not Pretty” – Megan Moroney
• “The Painter” – Cody Johnson
• “Wildflowers and Wild Horses” – Lainey Wilson (Winner)

New Artist of the Year

• Megan Moroney (Winner)
• Shaboozey
• Nate Smith
• Mitchell Tenpenny
• Zach Top
• Bailey Zimmerman

The CMA Awards once again showcased the incredible talent and artistry of the country music industry, celebrating both seasoned icons and rising stars.

Source

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