The 59th Academy of Country Music Awards are back. Airing live on Prime Video, the awards show, hosted by Reba McEntire on Thursday, celebrated and brought together some of the biggest and best artists in country music.
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Host Reba McEntire
Reba McEntire hosted the awards show for a record 17th time this year. McEntire first co-hosted the show back in 1986 and most recently served as emcee in 2019. The 69-year-old took over hosting duties from Dolly Parton and Garth Brooks, who co-hosted the show last year.
McEntire ended the show with a performance of her new song “I Can’t,” which she sang for the first time on an episode of The Voice earlier this month. “It’s a little different from anything I’ve done in a while,” McEntire told Good Morning America recently. “So I hope everybody enjoys it.”
Performers and Presenters
In addition to the Queen of Country, “Country Music’s Party of the Year” featured an extensive list of performances by: Jason Aldean, Kane Brown, Jelly Roll, Cody Johnson, Miranda Lambert, Thomas Rhett, Chris Stapleton, Lainey Wilson, Post Malone, Noah Kahan, Kelsea Ballerini, Avril Lavigne, Nate Smith, married couple Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton, and more.
Taking the stage to present awards during the night are: Alabama, the most award group in ACM history; three-time ACM Award winner Ashley McBryde; Dion and Rozene Pride, the son and widow of Country Music Hall of Fame inductee Charley Pride; Schitt’s Creek actor and musician Noah Reid; and country music icon Randy Travis, among others. Earlier this month, Travis released his first song since his career-altering 2013 stroke.
ACM Award Winners and Nominees
Below are the winners and nominees of the major 2024 ACM Awards that were up for grabs based on music released in 2023.
Entertainer of the Year
Kane Brown
Cody Johnson
WINNER: Lainey Wilson
Female Artist of the Year
Kelsea Ballerini
Ashley McBryde
Megan Moroney
Kacey Musgraves
WINNER: Lainey Wilson
Male Artist of the Year
Cody Johnson
WINNER: Chris Stapleton
Duo of the Year
Brooks & Dunn
Brothers Osborne
WINNER: Dan + Shay
Maddie & Tae
The War And Treaty
Group of the Year
Flatland Cavalry
Lady A
Little Big Town
WINNER: Old Dominion
Zac Brown Band
With this year’s Group of the Year nod, Old Dominion members Matthew Ramsey, Trevor Rosen, Brad Tursi, Geoff Sprung, and Whit Sellers have earned their 10th consecutive nomination in the category. Their win Thursday night brought their total to seven for this award.
New Female Artist of the Year
Kassi Ashton
Ashley Cooke
Hannah Ellis
Kylie Morgan
WINNER: Megan Moroney
New Male Artist of the Year
ERNEST
Kameron Marlowe
Dylan Scott
Conner Smith
WINNER: Nate Smith
“World on Fire” singer Nate Smith takes over the title of New Male Artist of the Year from previous winner Zach Bryan. A Paradise, California, native, 38-year-old Smith spent his early 20s in trying to break into the country music scene but only began finding traction around 2020. The year 2023 brought his self-titled debut album that included some of his biggest hits yet.
New Duo or Group of the Year
Neon Union
Restless Road
WINNER: Tigirlily Gold
Album of the Year
Gettin’ Old, Luke Combs
WINNER: Higher, Chris Stapleton
Leather, Cody Johnson
One Thing At A Time, Morgan Wallen
Rolling Up the Welcome Mat (For Good), Kelsea Ballerini
Chris Stapleton has now won Album of the Year four times. This year, he was joined on stage by his wife, fellow singer-songwriter Morgane Stapleton, who served as one of Higher’s producers. The award marks Morgane’s first ACM trophy.
Single of the Year
“Burn It Down,” Parker McCollum
WINNER: “Fast Car,” Luke Combs
“Last Night,” Morgan Wallen
“Need A Favor,” Jelly Roll
“Next Thing You Know,” Jordan Davis
Luke Combs’ cover of “Fast Car” continues to bring renewed attention to singer-songwriter Tracy Chapman, who originally released the Grammy-winning song in 1988. The duo performed a surprise duet of the song at the 2024 Grammy Awards.
Song of the Year
“Fast Car” by Luke Combs; songwriter Tracy Chapman
“Heart Like A Truck” by Lainey Wilson; songwriters Dallas Wilson, Lainey Wilson, and Trannie Anderson
WINNER: “Next Thing You Know” by Jordan Davis; songwriters Chase McGill, Greylan James, Jordan Davis, and Josh Osborne
“The Painter” by Cody Johnson; songwriters Benjy Davis, Kat Higgins, and Ryan Larkins
“Tennessee Orange” by Megan Moroney; songwriters Ben Williams, David Fanning, Megan Moroney, and Paul Jenkins
Music Event of the Year
“Can’t Break Up Now,” Old Dominion and Megan Moroney
“Different ‘Round Here,” Riley Green featuring Luke Combs
“I Remember Everything,” Zach Bryan featuring Kacey Musgraves
“Man Made A Bar,” Morgan Wallen featuring Eric Church
WINNER: “Save Me,” Jelly Roll with Lainey Wilson
Visual Media of the Year
WINNER: “Burn It Down,” Parker McCollum
“Human,” Cody Johnson
“In Your Love,” Tyler Childers
“Next Thing You Know,” Jordan Davis
“Tennessee Orange,” Megan Moroney
Songwriter of the Year
WINNER: Jessie Jo Dillon
Ashley Gorley
Hillary Lindsey
Chase McGill
Josh Thompson
The daughter of Country Music Hall of Fame inductee Dean Dillon, Jessie Jo Dillon receives her first ACM Award this year. She co-wrote Megan Moroney’s “Girl in the Mirror,” Old Dominion’s “Memory Lane,” and Jelly Roll’s “Halfway to Hell,” among other 2023 songs.
Artist-Songwriter of the Year
ERNEST
HARDY
WINNER: Chris Stapleton
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