Country music enthusiasts are counting down the days to the 60th Academy of Country Music Awards, set to take place on Thursday, May 8, 2025. This year’s show promises an exciting line-up of performances, featuring Blake Shelton, Lainey Wilson, and Eric Church. Hosted by the iconic Reba McEntire for the 19th consecutive year, the event will stream live exclusively on Prime Video and on the Amazon Music channel on Twitch, allowing fans to tune in from the comfort of their homes.
The Academy of Country Music (ACM) Awards, established in 1966, is hailed as the longest-running country music awards show. This year marks a significant milestone as the 60th ceremony celebrates six decades of country music excellence. The awards will be held at the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas, making it the third consecutive year that the ACM Awards are hosted at this venue. With such a rich history, the ACM Awards have established themselves as a staple in the industry, and their significance continues to grow.
Blake Shelton, a well-known figure in the country music scene, has been invited to perform at this prestigious event. His current single, “Texas,” is climbing up the charts and aims to resonate with the audience on the big night. Shelton is also on the brink of releasing his 13th studio album, titled For Recreational Use Only, which will drop on May 9, just a day after the awards ceremony. This release is particularly noteworthy as it marks his transition to a new record label, BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville, after a lengthy and successful tenure with Warner Music Nashville.
On stage alongside Shelton will be Lainey Wilson, who is returning to the ACMs after a stellar year. In 2024, Wilson not only won the coveted Entertainer of the Year award but also took home honors for Female Artist of the Year and Music Event of the Year for her collaborative hit “Save Me” featuring Jelly Roll. Lainey recently released her fifth studio album, Whirlwind, in August 2024, which performed impressively, reaching No. 3 on the Top Country Albums and No. 8 on the Billboard 200 charts, marking a significant milestone in her career.
Also taking the stage will be Eric Church, whose much-anticipated eighth studio album, Evangeline Vs. The Machine, will be released on May 2, just days before the awards. While the specific song he will perform remains under wraps, his recently released single, “Hands of Time,” has garnered attention and set the stage for an energetic performance.
The awards show has continued to evolve, winning accolades itself, such as pioneering the live-streaming format in 2022. This shift marked the ACM Awards as the first major awards ceremony to livestream, which has not only broadened their reach but also allowed for a dynamic viewing experience.
As excitement builds, nominations for the 60th ACM Awards will be announced on March 27, 2025. Further performers and presenters will be revealed in the upcoming weeks, ensuring that the anticipation remains high as fans look forward to additional announcements.
Tickets for the event are available for purchase through SeatGeek, but seats are limited so fans are encouraged to secure theirs soon. The famed awards ceremony has become a much-awaited event on the country music calendar, providing an opportunity to celebrate the artists' achievements over the past year and honoring the genre's legacy.
In a recent interview, Reba McEntire shared her thoughts on hosting the show again, stating, “Hosting the ACM Awards grounds me by reminding me of how competitive country music (remains) but also acts like a family reunion where I can see my buddies and meet (my metaphorical) relatives and the babies that have been born since the last time the family got together.” This sentiment resonates with many involved in the country music industry, highlighting the collaborative spirit and shared love for music.
As the 60th Academy of Country Music Awards approaches this May, the star-studded event is set to commemorate influential artists and moments in country music’s rich history, uniting generations of fans and showcasing the future of the genre.
