Academy Of Country Music Honors Jimmie Allen, Gabby Barrett With Early Wins

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Jimmie Allen, Gabby Barrett

The Academy of Country Music revealed Jimmie Allen as its New Male Artist of the Year and Gabby Barrett as its New Female Artist of the Year for the 56th ACM Awards. The announcement was made this morning (April 8). Both artists were surprised with a video from ACM Awards co-host, Keith Urban.

Signed to BBR Music Group’s Stoney Creek Records, Platinum-selling singer-songwriter Allen made history as the first Black artist to launch a career with two consecutive No. 1 hits on country radio–“Best Shot” and “Make Me Want To.”

Warner Music Nashville’s Barrett broke out onto the scene with her 5X-Platinum debut “I Hope,” which was the most-streamed country song of 2020. Her Platinum single, “The Good Ones,” is currently climbing at country radio. Barrett is also nominated for Single of the Year for “I Hope.”

“We are thrilled to present Jimmie Allen and Gabby Barrett with their first ACM Award wins. Jimmie and Gabby have experienced tremendous success at both country radio and streaming already, and we are proud to recognize them for such an extraordinary start to their careers,” says CEO of the Academy of Country Music, Damon Whiteside. “A huge congratulations to each of them for this well-deserved win, and to all of our nominees for being recognized for their incredible contributions to country music. We look forward to welcoming Jimmie and Gabby to the ACM Awards stage on April 18.”

The 56th ACM Awards will air live on Sunday, April 18 (8:00-11:00 PM, live ET/delayed PT) on the CBS Television Network. Allen and Barrett will join more than 25 performers, including Kelsea Ballerini, Dierks Bentley, Lee Brice, Brothers Osborne, Kane Brown, Luke Bryan, Kenny Chesney, Eric Church, Luke Combs, Dan + Shay, Mickey Guyton, Ryan Hurd, Jack Ingram, Alan Jackson, Elle King, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Ashley McBryde, Maren Morris, Carly Pearce, Jon Randall, Thomas Rhett, Blake Shelton, Chris Stapleton, The War and Treaty, Keith Urban, Carrie Underwood, CeCe Winans, and Chris Young.

Urban and Mickey Guyton will serve as hosts, and televised event will broadcast live from three iconic country music venues: the Grand Ole Opry House, Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium and The Bluebird Cafe.

Read the full list of nominees here.

LB Cantrell
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