ACM Awards 2026

Cody Johnson gained entertainer of the 12 months, however it was Ella Langley’s evening from the beginning. The primary honor of the Academy of Nation Music Awards Sunday was for the coveted music of the 12 months, given to Langley for the crossover hit “Choosin’ Texas,” offered to her by Michael Bublé.”I am not confused fairly often,” mentioned Langley in her speech. “Thanks to the followers. I do not know why you latched on to this music, however thanks for doing it.”Lower than an hour later, she was again on stage, profitable single of the 12 months for a similar smash.She additionally joined Riley Inexperienced shortly thereafter, as their duet “Do not Thoughts if I Do” took dwelling music occasion of the 12 months.After which she acquired her fourth on-stage trophy of the evening for feminine artist of the 12 months. “I am attempting to get to say one thing, however I can not,” she mentioned whereas her voice cracked. “I’d not be standing up right here with out the encouragement of so many ladies.”Nevertheless it was Johnson who took dwelling the highest prize of entertainer of the 12 months. “They are saying that music is the sound of emotion,” Johnson mentioned in his speech. “I get to convey that by means of this factor that God gave me referred to as music.” That was shortly after he was awarded the title of male artist of the 12 months. Then he devoted his award to Luke Combs.It was an evening that promised appearances from the best names in modern nation music and delivered on it. The present began with Lainey Wilson — who took dwelling the highest prize of entertainer of the 12 months for the final two years — opening with “Cannot Sit Nonetheless,” her newest single, an anthemic stopper about ambition.It was an thrilling approach to kick off the 61st annual awards ceremony on the MGM Grand Backyard Area in Las Vegas. That is a famous departure from the Ford Heart at The Star in Frisco, Texas, simply north of Dallas, the place the ACM Awards have been held the final three years.Performances adopted quick and fierce from there: Miranda Lambert, the most-decorated artist in ACM Awards historical past, carried out “Crisco.” Then Thomas Rhett and Jordan Davis teamed up for “Ain’t A Unhealthy Life.”Avery Anna carried out her new music “Bang Bang,” a country-rock reimagination of the Nancy Sinatra basic “Bang Bang (My Child Shot Me Down).” Inexperienced tackled “Change My Thoughts” and Zach Prime nailed his hit “Honky Tonk Until It Hurts.”Little Huge City did “Hey There Sunshine”; The Crimson Clay Strays nailed “Demons in Your Choir.”Host Shania Twain walked out to her 1997 single “Man! I Really feel Like a Lady!,” congratulating Lainey on her marriage ceremony that passed off final Sunday.”What a time that is for nation music!” Twain mentioned in her intro speech, which shortly turned reflective: She talked about profitable her first ACM Award 30 years in the past; she mentioned she had her first prime 10 hit at age 30. “Make it loud for all our sheroes,” she cheered, directing her consideration to the ladies of nation. It made sense: That is Twain’s first time internet hosting. She’s taken over for Reba McEntire, who has hosted the present 18 occasions. Group of the 12 months was awarded to The Crimson Clay Strays; duo of the 12 months went to none apart from Brooks & Dunn.”I do not know why y’all don’t get sick of us,” Kix Brooks joked, “However we love y’all.”The ACM festivities really started forward of Sunday’s occasion. Earlier than the present, a couple of trophies have been handed out. Langley was named artist-songwriter of the 12 months. Jessie Jo Dillon was named songwriter of the 12 months, turning into the primary artist to win 3 times in a row. Stephen Wilson Jr. was awarded visible media of the 12 months for “Cuckoo.” Anna and Tucker Wetmore have been offered with new feminine and new male artist of the 12 months, respectively.Again on stage, Wetmore tackled “Brunette”; Parker McCollum and Lee Ann Womack dueted “Killin’ Me” from McCollum’s 2025 self-titled album.Kacey Musgraves introduced her cheeky wit to the ACM Awards stage with “Dry Spell,” performing atop a washer and in a grocery retailer; Langley carried out “Be Her” acoustically.Carter Religion’s “If I Had By no means Misplaced My Thoughts” was a standout vocal efficiency. She was adopted by Johnson’s emotive “Travelin’ Soldier” and Kane Brown’s “Lady.”Album of the 12 months was a hyper-competitive class, however in the end, it went to McCollum for his self-titled launch. He beat Morgan Wallen’s blockbuster “I am the Drawback,” Prime’s “Ain’t In It for My Well being,” Inexperienced’s “Do not Thoughts If I Do” and first-time nominee Religion’s “Cherry Valley.” That is no small feat.Then two extra remaining performances: Dan + Say doing “Say So,” devoted to Ben Vaughn, the late Warner Chappell president and CEO. It was adopted by Blake Shelton’s highly effective cowl of “The Gambler,” most famously carried out by Kenny Rogers and written by the late nice Don Schlitz, the storied nation music songwriter who died final month.The music, which was recorded by Rogers in 1978 and licensed 5 occasions platinum by the Recording Business Affiliation of America, opened doorways for nation music within the ’70s, a observe that was not solely an enormous style hit but in addition a pop crossover one.