Chris Stapleton picked up his first ACM Entertainer of the Year award at Thursday night’s (May 11th) ACM Awards.

After kissing his wife Morgane, Chris stepped up to accept his award from presenter Trisha Yearwood and he looked visibly shaken. “Well, I’m shocked — truly. By any imaginable metric I don’t deserve this, but thank you,” he said during his acceptance speech. “There’s so many other great people in this category. I stand up, and I play music. That’s what I try to do every night. I write songs, and I make records. I never thought of myself as somebody who’d win this award. I’m so grateful for each and every person who works so hard to make us able to do what we do — my wife Morgane, thank you.”

An incredible moment, an incredible speech and an even more incredible ⭐️ ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR ⭐️

Congratulations, @chrisstapleton! #ACMawards pic.twitter.com/LBwVl7m5u4

— ACM Awards (@ACMawards) May 12, 2023

After thanking his management company, record label, his band and crew, he dedicated the award to his five children. “I’m really at a loss of what to say, but I want to say, my kids sitting at home, they give up a lot of my time, a lot of my wife’s time so we can do this. This is for them.”

Backstage, Chris said he was grateful for the amazing support he’s received. “I’m humbled by it and feel very thankful to the people that voted for me for it and think I’m deserving of that, but I’ll take it. I’ll take it.”

Chris also said he’ll celebrate the win by heading home and sleeping in his own bed.