ACM Celebrates 60th Annual Awards With Texas Takeover

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Pictured: Kaitlin Butts and Tyler Braden. Photo: Nick White

Leading up to the 60th annual Academy of Country Music Awards last week, fans, artists and industry members took over Frisco, Texas for a week of celebration.

“The 60th ACM Awards and the events surrounding the show were a shining example of the excitement and popularity of country music,” says ACM Chairman Randy Bernard. “I want to thank the ACM staff for their incredible work throughout the week. The number of events and the amount of joy you’re able to bring to country music fans is immeasurable. I also want to thank the ACM Board and the industry as a whole for the support surrounding ACM Awards Week, making this one of the most successful weeks in ACM history.”

Lanie Gardner. Photo: Michael Buckner

The annual ACM Country Kickoff returned for its third year featuring performances from Gavin Adcock, Kassi Ashton, Ashley Cooke, Jessie Murph, Restless Road, Tucker Wetmore, Josh Abbott Band, Maggie Antone, Drew Baldridge, William Beckmann, George Birge, The Wilder Blue, Tyler Braden, Kaitlin Butts, Lanie Gardner, Dylan Gossett, Don Louis, Hudson Westbrook and Eli Young Band. The event reached capacity, marking the first sold-out crowd ever at the venue.

The “I’m Just Me: Charley Pride, A Celebration of Inclusion” brunch returned for a second year, hosted by Mickey Guyton and honoring singer-songwriter Brittney Spencer; singer, songwriter, producer and American Idol judge Lionel Richie; Guyton; singer, songwriter and record producer Shaboozey; Mexican-American singer-songwriter, artist, actor and activist Freddy Fender; Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient and Grandmother of Juneteenth Opal Lee; President and CEO of F2 Entertainment Fletcher Foster; The Tennessean/USA Today Country Music reporter Marcus Dowling; Head of Country Music at Amazon Music Michelle Tigard Kammerer and CEO of mtheory Cameo Carlson.

On Wednesday afternoon (May 7), the winners of the ACM Radio Awards were celebrated for their wins in On-Air Personality of the Year categories on Radio Station of the Year categories. ACM Award-winner Carly Pearce hosted the exclusive ACM Radio Awards Winners Reception.

That afternoon, the Academy of Country Music and ACM Lifting Lives hosted the exclusive and intimate “Play Something Country,” a 60th anniversary gala honoring Brooks & Dunn and benefiting ACM Lifting Lives, which grossed nearly $1.4 million while honoring the achievements of the 25-time ACM Award-winning duo. The night culminated with a presentation of a special honor to Brooks & Dunn and performances of their hits from country music’s top acts, including Eric Church, Cody Johnson, Megan Moroney, Zach Top, Keith Urban and Lainey Wilson, all hosted by TV and radio personality Bobby Bones.

Just before the awards began, the ACM Lifting Voices Council hosted its second annual community engagement event at Birdie Alexander Elementary School in Dallas, Texas. Joined by one of this year’s ACM New Duo/Group nominees, Restless Road, as well as Mexican-American artist MŌRIAH and country singer Palmer Anthony, the Council delivered musical instruments generously donated by Conn Selmer and Jean Paul in an effort to uplift and empower local youth through music.

Sara Evans.

On the day of the 60th ACM Awards, more than 2,000 local veterans and their families were given access into the Ford Center hours before doors officially opened to the public. In partnership with Vet Tix, these servicemen and servicewomen were given the opportunity to attend the official dress rehearsal of the big show, earning an exclusive sneak peek at the performances that millions of fans would witness when the show aired later that evening.

Hosted by 16-time ACM Award-winning entertainment icon Reba McEntire and featuring 16 powerhouse performances and appearances from 40 artists including Alan Jackson, Backstreet Boys, Blake Shelton, Brooks & Dunn, Chris Stapleton, Ella Langley, Eric Church, Jelly Roll, Kelsea Ballerini, Lainey Wilson, LeAnn Rimes, Lionel Richie, Miranda Lambert, Rascal Flatts, Shaboozey, Wynonna Judd and more, the 60th Academy of Country Music Awards took place on Thursday (May 8).

To wrap the week, the official ACM Awards After Party brought fans and industry alike to a party continuing the celebration post-show at the site of the Official ACM Awards Red Carpet. Brittany Spencer, Carter Faith, Crystal Gayle and Sara Evans all performed in an evening celebrating powerhouse women of country music.

Pictured: Kelsea Ballerini, Jessie Jo Dillon. Photo: Nick White

ACM Lifting Voices Council at Birdie Alexander Elementary School

Brittney Spencer, MŌRIAH attends the “I’m Just Me: A Charley Pride Celebration of Inclusion”

Drew Baldridge at the ACM Country Kickoff. Photo: Darah Hubbard

Lauryn Sink
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