It was a hot night in Texas for Chris Stapleton and Lainey Wilson who topped the winners list at the 59th ACM Awards. Chris won in three categories – Male Artist, Album (Higher), and Artist-Songwriter of the Year. With Higher’s win, Chris earned two trophies for his role as artist and producer on the project and holds the title for most wins in the category with eight. Meanwhile, Lainey continued her blazing trail through award shows by being named Entertainer and Female Artist of the Year. Plus, Jelly Roll’s win in the Music Event category for “Save Me” delivered her an additional award.
Old Dominion extended their win streak for Group of the Year. This marks their seventh consecutive trophy, tying them with Rascal Flatts for the most wins in that category. Dan + Shay returned to the Duo of the Year winner’s circle. Luke Combs‘ take on “Fast Car,” a five-week number one on ACC, took the checkered flag for Single of the Year. And, the poignant “Next Thing You Know,” a winner for Song of the Year, scored Jordan Davis his first ACM trophy.
Prior to the show, the ACM announced winners in the new artist, Visual Media, and Songwriter of the Year categories. Megan Moroney and Nate Smith were named New Female Artist and New Male Artist respectively, while Tigirlily took home honors for New Duo/Group of the Year. A former new artist winner himself, Parker McCollum won in the Visual Media category for his fire-filled “Burn It Down” music video. And, hit writer Jessie Jo Dillon was named Songwriter of the Year.
Filled with 18 performances, the ACM Awards shined a spotlight on new music as Lainey Wilson (“Hang Tight Honey”), Jelly Roll (“Liars”), Miranda Lambert (“Wranglers”), Thomas Rhett (“Beautiful As You”), and Post Malone (“Never Love You Again” & “I Had Some Help”) all debuted new songs. Kane Brown honored the 40th anniversary of Ray Charles’ ACM performance of “Georgia on My Mind” by tackling the song himself with flying colors. Jason Aldean paid homage to Toby Keith with a slowed-down rendition of “Should’ve Been a Cowboy” earning praise from Toby’s family in attendance.
There, of course, were plenty of collaborations on hand as Kelsea Ballerini teamed with Noah Kahan for a mash up of her “Mountain with a View” and his hit “Stick Season,” Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani joined forces for “Purple Irises,” host Reba McEntire went acapella with Post Malone to salute the Allman Brothers Band’s Dickey Betts (“Ramblin’ Man”), and Nate Smith brought Avril Lavigne out to sing his latest single, “Bulletproof.” But, the surprise of the night came from Chris Stapleton. He was joined by pop superstar Dua Lipa on “Think I’m in Love with You.”
As Reba closed out the night on her 17th time as host, she announced that she would return in the role for the 60th Academy of Country Music Awards next year.
The full rebroadcast of the 59th Academy of Country Music Awards is available now on Prime Video.
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
Kane Brown
Luke Combs
Jelly Roll
Cody Johnson
Chris Stapleton
Morgan Wallen
Lainey Wilson — WINNER
FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Kelsea Ballerini
Ashley McBryde
Megan Moroney
Kacey Musgraves
Lainey Wilson — WINNER
MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Luke Combs
Jelly Roll
Cody Johnson
Chris Stapleton — WINNER
Morgan Wallen
DUO OF THE YEAR
Brooks & Dunn
Brothers Osborne
Dan + Shay — WINNER
Maddie & Tae
The War And Treaty
GROUP OF THE YEAR
Flatland Cavalry
Lady A
Little Big Town
Old Dominion — WINNER
Zac Brown Band
NEW FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Kassi Ashton
Ashley Cooke
Hannah Ellis
Kylie Morgan
Megan Moroney — WINNER (announced ahead of May 16 show)
NEW MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
ERNEST
Kameron Marlowe
Dylan Scott
Conner Smith
Nate Smith — WINNER (announced ahead of May 16 show)
NEW DUO OR GROUP OF THE YEAR
Neon Union
Restless Road
Tigirlily Gold — WINNER (announced ahead of May 16 show)
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
[Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]
Gettin’ Old – Luke Combs
Producer: Chip Matthews, Jonathan Singleton, Luke Combs
Record Company-Label: River House Artists / Columbia Nashville
Higher – Chris Stapleton — WINNER
Producer: Chris Stapleton, Dave Cobb, Morgane Stapleton
Record Company-Label: Mercury Nashville
Leather – Cody Johnson
Producers: Trent Willmon
Record Company-Label: CoJo Music LLC / Warner Music Nashville LLC
One Thing At A Time – Morgan Wallen
Producers: Joey Moi, Cameron Montgomery, Charlie Handsome, Jacob Durrett
Record Company-Label: Big Loud Records / Republic Records / Mercury Records
Rolling Up the Welcome Mat (For Good) – Kelsea Ballerini
Producers: Kelsea Ballerini, Alysa Vanderheym
Record Company-Label: Black River Entertainment
SINGLE OF THE YEAR
[Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]
Burn It Down – Parker McCollum
Producer: Jon Randall
Record Company-Label: MCA Nashville
Fast Car – Luke Combs — WINNER
Producers: Luke Combs, Chip Matthews, Jonathan Singleton
Record Company-Label: River House Artists / Columbia Nashville
Last Night – Morgan Wallen
Producer: Joey Moi, Charlie Handsome
Record Company-Label: Big Loud Records / Republic Records / Mercury Records
Need A Favor – Jelly Roll
Producer: Austin Nivarel
Record Company-Label: Stoney Creek Records / BMG Nashville
Next Thing You Know – Jordan Davis
Producer: Paul DiGiovanni
Record Company-Label: MCA Nashville
SONG OF THE YEAR
[Awarded to Songwriter(s)/Publisher(s)/Artist(s)]
Fast Car – Luke Combs
Songwriters: Tracy Chapman
Publishers: Purple Rabbit
Heart Like A Truck – Lainey Wilson
Songwriters: Dallas Wilson, Lainey Wilson, Trannie Anderson
Publishers: Sony / ATV Countryside; Songs of Riser House; Songs of Wild Cat Well Music
Next Thing You Know – Jordan Davis — WINNER
Songwriters: Chase McGill, Greylan James, Jordan Davis, Josh Osborne
Publishers: Family Farm Songs; Hold On Can I Get A Number 1 Music; Songs of Universal Inc.
The Painter – Cody Johnson
Songwriters: Benjy Davis, Kat Higgins, Ryan Larkins
Publishers: Big Music Machine; BMG Platinum Songs US; Nashblonde Music; Pompano Run Music; Songs for Ellie May; Sony / ATV Tree Publishing; Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Group; Well That Was Awkward Music
Tennessee Orange – Megan Moroney
Songwriters: Ben Williams, David Fanning, Megan Moroney, Paul Jenkins
Publishers: 33 Creative; Bone Bone Creative; Sony / ATV Tree Publishing
MUSIC EVENT OF THE YEAR
[Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]
Can’t Break Up Now – Old Dominion, Megan Moroney
Producers: Brad Tursi, Geoff Sprung, Matthew Ramsey, Trevor Rosen, Whit Sellers, Ross Copperman, Kristian Bush
Record Company-Label: Three Up Three Down, LLC / Columbia Nashville
Different ‘Round Here – Riley Green (Ft. Luke Combs)
Producer: Dann Huff
Record Company-Label: BMLG Records
I Remember Everything – Zach Bryan (feat. Kacey Musgraves)
Producer: Zach Bryan
Record Company-Label: Belting Bronco Records / Warner Records, Inc
Man Made A Bar – Morgan Wallen (feat. Eric Church)
Producer: Joey Moi
Record Company-Label: Big Loud Records / Mercury Records / Republic Records
Save Me – Jelly Roll (with Lainey Wilson) — WINNER
Producers: Zach Crowell, David Ray Stevens
Record Company-Label: Stoney Creek Records / BMG Nashville
VISUAL MEDIA OF THE YEAR
[Awarded to Producer(s)/Director(s)/Artist(s)]
Burn It Down – Parker McCollum — WINNER (announced ahead of May 16 show)
Producers: Christen Pinkston &Wesley Stebbins-Perry
Director: Dustin Haney
Human – Cody Johnson
Producer: Christen Pinkston &Wesley Stebbins-Perry
Director: Dustin Haney
In Your Love – Tyler Childers
Producer: Kacie Barton, Whitney Wolanin, Nicholas Robespierre, Ian Thorton, Silas House
Director: Bryan Schlam
Next Thing You Know – Jordan Davis
Producer: Jamie Stratakis
Director: Running Bear (Stephen Kinigopoulos, Alexa Stone)
Tennessee Orange – Megan Moroney
Producer: Lauren Starr, Saul Levitz, Laura Burhenn
Director: Jason Lester
SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR
Jessie Jo Dillon — WINNER (announced ahead of May 16 show)
Ashley Gorley
Hillary Lindsey
Chase McGill
Josh Thompson
ARTIST-SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR
Zach Bryan
ERNEST
HARDY
Chris Stapleton — WINNER (announced ahead of May 16 show)
Morgan Wallen
Images: Academy of Country Music