ACM Special Award Honorees Announced

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The Academy of Country Music has revealed the recipients of the Special Awards for the 60th Academy Of Country Music Awards, who will celebrated during the upcoming Academy Of Country Music Honors on Aug. 20 at The Pinnacle at Nashville Yards.

Eric Church, Luke Combs, Jelly Roll, Cody Johnson, Mac McAnally, Rissi Palmer, Randy Travis, Twisters, the late Ben Vaughn and Lori Badgett will be honored during the 18th annual celebration during an unforgettable evening of live music and tributes. Performers will be announced in the coming weeks.

Eric Church and Ben Vaughn have both been chosen to each receive the ACM Icon Award, honoring the contributions of Cliffie Stone, who was known for his producing work along with his country music career. The award is presented to an artist, duo/group or industry leader who has advanced the popularity of the genre through their contributions in multiple facets of the industry, such as songwriting, recording, production, touring, film, television, literary works, philanthropic contributions, and other goodwill efforts.

Luke Combs has been named the recipient of this year’s ACM International Award, inspired by Jim Reeves. The award is presented to a country music artist, duo/group or industry leader for outstanding contributions to the growth of Country Music throughout the world.

Jelly Roll has been chosen to receive the ACM Lifting Lives Award, honoring the contributions of Gary Haber, a business manager and past president of ACM Lifting Lives. This award is presented to a country artist, duo/group, or industry professional who is devoted to improving lives through the power of music, has a generosity of spirit, and is committed to serving others.

Cody Johnson will receive this year’s ACM Spirit Award. The award is inspired by Merle Haggard and is presented to a singer-songwriter who is continuing the legacy of country legend and 20-time ACM Award recipient Haggard by following his/her own path, crafting great songs and epitomizing Merle’s spirit through genuine performances and great storytelling.

Randy Travis has been chosen as the recipient of the ACM Milestone Award, honoring the contributions of Gene Weed, who directed and produced the ACM Awards for more than 30 years. This award is presented to a country artist, duo/group or industry leader for a specific, unprecedented or outstanding achievement in the field of country music during the preceding calendar year.

Rissi Palmer will receive the ACM Lift Every Voice Award. This award is presented to a country artist, duo/group, industry leader or affiliate/partner who plays a pivotal role in elevating underrepresented voices throughout the country genre, transcending demographics and geography. The nominee for this category is proposed by the rising leaders in the Academy’s LEVel UP: Lift Every Voice program, a two-year curriculum designed to empower participants to play a pivotal role in expanding the horizons of country into new audiences that transcend demographics and geography.

Mac McAnally is the recipient of this year’s ACM Poet’s Award. This award is presented to a country songwriter for outstanding and longstanding musical and/or lyrical contributions throughout their career, with special consideration given to a song or songs’ impact on the culture of country music.

Twisters is this year’s winner of the ACM Film Award, inspired by Tex Ritter, which recognizes an outstanding TV movie, series or feature film released during the preceding calendar year which prominently features country music. The 2024 summer blockbuster from Universal Pictures, Warner Bros., and Amblin Entertainment was directed by Oscar nominee Lee Isaac Chung and stars Daisy Edgar Jones, Glen Powell, and Anthony Ramos.

City National Bank executive Lori Badgett has been chosen to receive the ACM Service Award, which honors the contributions of Mae Boren Axton. This award is presented to an outstanding country artist, duo/group or industry leader in recognition of years of dedication and service to the Academy of Country Music.

Previously announced ACM Artist-Songwriter of the Year winner Lainey Wilson, ACM Songwriter of the Year winner Jessie Jo Dillon, and ACM Studio Recording Award and Industry Award winners, will also be feted at ACM Honors.

“This year’s ACM Special Awards honorees each have played an essential role in country music’s success,” says Kerri Edwards, Chair of the ACM Special Awards committee. “From some of country music’s legendary artists to the incredible songwriters and powerhouse executives, we are so excited to celebrate these well-deserved recipients next month at The Pinnacle in Nashville. Congratulations to all the honorees,” she continued.

Tickets for ACM Honors will be available to ACM A-List email newsletter subscribers and Academy members through an exclusive pre-sale beginning tomorrow (July 10), with general on-sale beginning July 11 through AXS. Fans can subscribe now to the A-List here to gain access to Thursday’s pre-sale.

Lorie Hollabaugh
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