The 60th Annual Academy of Country Music (ACM) Awards took place on May 8, 2025, streaming live from the Ford Center in Frisco, Texas, starting at 8 PM EST. Hosted by country music legend Reba McEntire, the event celebrated a vibrant night of performances and accolades, showcasing the best in the genre.
Leading the nominations was Ella, who received an impressive eight nods, driven primarily by her hit duet with Riley Green, "You Look Like You Love Me." This song earned her nominations in significant categories such as Single of the Year and Song of the Year. Following closely behind were Cody Johnson, Morgan Wallen, and Lainey Wilson, each with seven nominations, all vying for the coveted Entertainer of the Year award.
First-time nominees included Shaboozey, Dasha, and The Red Clay Strays, marking a notable shift in the genre's landscape and highlighting the emergence of new talent. The night also saw Keith Urban honored with the ACM Triple Crown Award for his outstanding achievements across the New Artist, Male Artist, and Entertainer of the Year categories.
As the night unfolded, the winners in various categories were announced. Lainey Wilson took home the prestigious Entertainer of the Year award, solidifying her status as a leading figure in country music. Also notable was Chris Stapleton, who won Male Artist of the Year, marking his 11th award in this category. Stapleton was nominated alongside other heavyweights such as Jelly Roll, Cody Johnson, Luke Combs, and Morgan Wallen.
During his acceptance speech, Stapleton expressed his gratitude, stating, "Wow, so many guys in this category who are so deserving, great artists. I'm happy to just be hanging out in the room still. But I gotta thank everybody who worked so hard and made these things possible. Men and women in my crew, my lovely wife Morgane who keeps me in line all the time. Kids at home." His speech took a poignant turn as he dedicated the award to his late friend Ben Vaughn, a Nashville music publisher who passed away earlier this year at the age of 49. "I'm thinking a lot tonight about my friend Ben Vaughn who we lost this year. So I'm going to send this one out to Ben," Stapleton said.
Reba McEntire later honored Vaughn in the "In Memoriam" segment of the show, which also recognized the contributions of other music legends like Kris Kristofferson and Dolly Parton's husband, Carl Dean. Vaughn was remembered not only for his work as President & CEO of Warner Chappell Music Nashville but also for his advocacy for songwriters and rights protection. His passing left a significant mark on the Nashville community.
The ceremony also celebrated various other winners, including Brooks & Dunn, who won Duo of the Year, and The Red Clay Strays, who took home both Group of the Year and New Duo or Group of the Year. Ella Langley was recognized as New Female Artist of the Year, while Zach Top won New Male Artist of the Year.
Lainey Wilson's album, "Whirlwind," was awarded Album of the Year, further highlighting her successful year in country music. The winners in the major categories were as follows:
- Entertainer of the Year: Lainey Wilson
- Female Artist of the Year: Lainey Wilson
- Male Artist of the Year: Chris Stapleton
- Duo of the Year: Brooks & Dunn
- Group of the Year: The Red Clay Strays
- New Female Artist of the Year: Ella Langley
- New Male Artist of the Year: Zach Top
- New Duo or Group of the Year: The Red Clay Strays
- Album of the Year: "Whirlwind" by Lainey Wilson
As the evening concluded, the ACM Awards not only celebrated established stars but also paved the way for emerging artists, reflecting the evolving landscape of country music. With the ceremony streamed live on Prime Video, fans were able to witness the excitement and emotional moments that unfolded on stage.
In addition to the awards, the ACM Studio Recording Awards and Industry Awards are set to be presented at the 18th ACM Honors in Nashville this coming August, promising to continue the celebration of country music excellence.
