Country Music's Biggest Night: Highlights from the 2025 ACM Awards
The 60th Annual Academy of Country Music (ACM) Awards, held on May 8, 2025, at the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas, celebrated the year's top talents in country music. Hosted by the legendary Reba McEntire, the evening was filled with memorable performances, heartfelt tributes, and well-deserved accolades.
🎤 Top Honors and Major Wins
Lainey Wilson emerged as the night's standout artist, securing four major awards:
Entertainer of the Year
Female Artist of the Year
Album of the Year for Whirlwind
*Artist-Songwriter of the Year
Ella Langley, leading with eight nominations, also had a remarkable evening, taking home four awards, including:
New Female Artist of the Year
Single of the Year for "You Look Like You Love Me" (with Riley Green)
Visual Media of the Year for the same track
Music Event of the Year
Other notable winners included:
Chris Stapleton: Male Artist of the Year
Zach Top: New Male Artist of the Year
The Red Clay Strays: New Duo or Group of the Year
Brooks & Dunn: Duo of the Year, marking their first win in this category in 15 years
🌟 Special Recognitions
Keith Urban was honored with the prestigious Triple Crown Award, recognizing his previous wins as New Artist, Male Artist, and Entertainer of the Year. He became the first recipient since Carrie Underwood in 2010. Urban expressed gratitude to his family, team, and fans during his acceptance speech.
Alan Jackson received the inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award, celebrating his enduring impact on country music.
🎶 Memorable Performances
The ceremony featured a series of standout performances:
Rascal Flatts reunited for a special collaboration with the Backstreet Boys
Cody Johnson performed "The Fall" alongside Brooks & Dunn
Jelly Roll teamed up with Shaboozey for a dynamic duet
📰 Additional Highlights
Cody Johnson, a Texas native, won Song of the Year for "Dirt Cheap"
Nicole Kidman turned heads with her fashion choices, accompanying husband Keith Urban
Morgan Wallen, despite multiple nominations, was notably absent from the event, opting instead to spend time with NFL legend Tom Brady