The Academy of Country Music Awards celebrated its 60th year with a star-studded ceremony hosted by country legend Reba McEntire. The Thursday, May 8, awards show took place at the Ford Center in Frisco, Texas, and featured performances from artists including Blake Shelton, Lainey Wilson, Kelsea Ballerini, Clint Black, Miranda Lambert, and many more.
This year’s edition marked McEntire’s 18th time hosting the ceremony, coinciding with her 50th anniversary in the music industry. "I’m just as excited and anxious to see who all’s gonna be singing together. It’s going to be a lot of fun," McEntire, 70, told Entertainment Tonight ahead of the show. "The ACMs are famous for that. And I think that’s a lot of the reason why everybody tunes in. They don’t wanna see who wins. They wanna see the live performances."
The night kicked off with a spectacular 14-minute medley, featuring six decades of country classics, performed by iconic artists. McEntire opened the show with Merle Haggard's "Okie From Muskogee," followed by Clint Black with Glen Campbell's "Rhinestone Cowboy," Wynonna Judd performing The Judds' "Why Not Me," and LeAnn Rimes singing her 1997 ballad "Blue." Little Big Town brought the crowd to their feet with their 2014 hit "Girl Crush," before Dan + Shay wrapped up the medley with their popular track "Tequila."
As the awards were presented, Cody Johnson emerged as a big winner of the night, taking home both the coveted Song of the Year and Single of the Year awards for his hit "Dirt Cheap." Johnson expressed gratitude for the honor, sharing the spotlight with the songwriters and publishers involved in the creation of the track.
Lainey Wilson also had a remarkable night, winning the Female Artist of the Year award and the Album of the Year for her project "Whirlwind." Wilson was thrilled, stating, "This is such an honor, thank you," as she accepted her awards. Additionally, she was recognized as the Artist-Songwriter of the Year, showcasing her multifaceted talent.
Chris Stapleton was awarded Male Artist of the Year, beating out fellow nominees Luke Combs, Cody Johnson, Jelly Roll, and Morgan Wallen. In a humble acceptance speech, Stapleton thanked his family and crew, dedicating his award to the late Ben Vaughn, the former president and CEO of Warner Chappell Music Nashville.
Brooks & Dunn took home the Duo of the Year award, while Old Dominion was honored as the Group of the Year. Ella Langley, a first-time nominee, won the title of New Female Artist of the Year, and Zach Top claimed the New Male Artist award. Restless Road was recognized as the New Duo or Group of the Year.
The performances continued throughout the night, with many artists taking the stage. Notable performers included Clint Black, Dan + Shay, LeAnn Rimes, Sugarland, and the Backstreet Boys, who performed a new rendition of Rascal Flatts' "What Hurts the Most," featured on their recent album "Life Is a Highway: Refueled Duet."
Reba McEntire's hosting duties were complemented by her own performance, as she debuted her new song "Trailblazer" alongside Miranda Lambert and Lainey Wilson. The trio's collaboration was highly anticipated and marked a highlight of the evening.
As the night unfolded, Jessie Jo Dillon won the Songwriter of the Year award for the second consecutive year, underscoring her significant contributions to country music. Dillon has written hits for various artists, including LeAnn Rimes and Maren Morris.
The ACM Awards also showcased a unique moment when newcomer Jessie Murph brought her pet pig, Wilbur, as her special guest on the red carpet. Murph, who is nominated for New Female Artist of the Year, expressed her excitement about attending the event with her beloved pet.
Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban were another memorable couple on the red carpet, with Urban being honored with the ACM Triple Crown Award during the ceremony. The couple's playful demeanor and stylish outfits added to the glamour of the event.
Other presenters at the awards included Blake Shelton, Lionel Richie, Carly Pearce, and Crystal Gayle, all of whom contributed to the star-studded atmosphere of the night.
The 2025 ACM Awards were streamed live on Prime Video, marking a shift from traditional television broadcasts. Fans could enjoy the event from the comfort of their homes without needing a Prime membership, making it accessible to a broader audience.
As the ceremony wrapped up, the excitement and energy of the night left attendees and viewers eagerly anticipating the next ACM Awards. The celebration of country music's rich history and the recognition of its brightest stars made the 60th ACM Awards a memorable occasion for all involved.
The full rebroadcast of the ceremony will be available on Prime Video starting May 9, 2025, allowing fans to relive the performances and awards at their leisure.
