• LUKE BRYAN AND AMERICAN IDOL WILL SAY GOODBYE TO KATY PERRY DURING SUNDAY’S FINALE.

    The season finale of American Idol is coming to a close on Sunday (May 19th), and it will be a bittersweet ending as Katy Perry is leaving the judges’ table after seven years. Luke Bryan and fellow judge Lionel Richie will be emotional about her departure, for sure, as they’ve all become quite close. Katy tells ET her after-show celebration with Luke will involve some adult beverages. “I’m gonna stay present and take it all in and then have a little after-party and Luke [Bryan] and I will finally drink. After seven years, we’ll really drink.”

    Luke says he’s not sure yet who Katy’s replacement will be, and since it’s an annual deal, he still hasn’t made a decision on his future yet.

    “The relationship with Katie that we’ve had – me and Lionel and Ryan and the show – has been amazing. I don’t know any info on who may be her potential replacement, but it’s a fun thing to be a part of,” says Luke. “I think Katie, you know, I think she’s probably launching world tours and stuff where she goes around the world, and so she probably had to make a decision several months out to get in front of her plans. So, yeah, I kind of roll in, we’ll know how the show’s doing and typically everybody’s really fired up at Disney and ABC about it, so we’ll make that decision. Hadn’t made it yet.”

    He’s still having fun on the show, but he adds, “I kind of treat American Idol like I do my music career. As long as the show feels like the show is reinventing itself and as long as it looks fresh and fun and I know we’re really doing positive things, it’s gonna always be something that I really consider doing.”

    Sunday’s three-hour Season 22 finale will feature the Top 3 contestants — Abi Carter, Jack Blocker and Will Moseley — as well as performances from all three judges, finale mentor Jon Bon Jovi, Hootie & the Blowfish, Wynonn Judd, Cody Johnson, New Kids on the Block, CeCe Winans and Jason Mraz, among others.

    Catch the finale — and Katy’s last show —  on Sunday (May 19th) at 8pm ET/7pm CT on ABC.

    In the meantime, Luke’s latest single “Love You, Miss You, Mean It” is climbing the country charts.

     

    Audio / Luke Bryan on his future on American Idol.

    Download

    Luke Bryan (future of American Idol) 1 OC: …consider doing. :32
    “Everybody’s typically kind of tight-lipped about that, because it’s an annual renewal of something. So, we’re always kind of negotiating the next year and how that looks. I kind of treat American Idol like I do my music career. As long as the show feels like the show is reinventing itself and as long as it looks fresh and fun and I know we’re really doing positive things, it’s gonna always be something that I really consider doing.”

    Audio / Luke Bryan talks Katy Perry and his own future at American Idol.

    Download

    Luke Bryan (future of American Idol) 2 OC: …made it yet. :44
    “The relationship with Katie that we’ve had – me and Lionel and Ryan and the show – has been amazing. I don’t know any info on who may be her potential replacement, but it’s a fun thing to be a part of. I think Katie, you know, I think she’s probably launching world tours and stuff where she goes around the world, and so she probably had to make a decision several months out to get in front of her plans. So, yeah, I kind of roll in, we’ll know how the show’s doing and typically everybody’s really fired up at Disney and ABC about it, so we’ll make that decision. Hadn’t made it yet.”

     

     

    Video /

    View
  • CHRIS STAPLETON NAMED ARTIST-SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR AT THIS YEAR’S ACM AWARDS.

    Chris Stapleton was named the winner for Artist-Songwriter of the Year. Chris Stapleton is the reigning ACM Entertainer of the Year and also the most-recent recipient of the Academy’s coveted Triple Crown prize, which celebrates artists who have won New Female/Male Artist of the Year, Female/Male Artist of the Year and Entertainer of the Year.

    He also has four additional nominations going into Thursday night’s ACM Awards, including Album of the Year (artist and producer) for  Higher, Male Artist of the Year, and Entertainer of the Year, and is set to perform live on the show.

    The 59th Annual ACM Awards, hosted by Reba McEntire, will stream live from Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas on Thursday (May 16th) at 8pm ET/7pm CT/5pm PDT on Prime Video.  You can also catch offical red carpet coverage on Prime Video, the Amazon Music Channel on Twitch and P, the Amazon Music Channel on Twitch and Amazon Live, starting at 7 p.m. EDT/6 p.m. CDT/4 p.m. PDT.

  • PARKER McCOLLUM IS AN EARLY ACM AWARD WINNER FOR VISUAL MEDIA OF THE YEAR.

    Parker McCollum won the ACM award for Visual Media of the Year for his music video “Burn It Down,” directed by Dustin Haney. This is the Texas native’s second career ACM Award. In 2022, Parker won ACM New Male Artist of the Year. He is also nominated for ACM Single of the Year for his recent fourth No. 1, “Burn It Down,” and he’s set to perform on the show, as well.

    Parker was surprised on stage with the award, presented by Old Dominion during his headlining performance set at Parker McCollum and Friends: ACM Lifting Lives LIVE, an all-star fundraiser concert on the green at Topgolf – The Colony. Proceeds from the show will benefit the philanthropic partner of the Academy of Country Music.

     

    https://twitter.com/ACMawards/status/1790949304250593442

     

    The 59th Annual ACM Awards, hosted by Reba McEntire, will stream live from Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas on May 16th at 8pm ET/7pm CT/5pm PDT on Prime Video.  You can also catch offical red carpet coverage on Prime Video, the Amazon Music Channel on Twitch and P, the Amazon Music Channel on Twitch and Amazon Live, starting at 7 p.m. EDT/6 p.m. CDT/4 p.m. PDT.

     

    Audio / Parker McCollum talks about shooting the video for his recent No. 1 song, "Burn It Down."

    Download

    Parker McCollum (Burn It Down video) OC: …turned out great. :38
    “Man, the video was pretty easy, actually. I talked to Dustin, the director, and I was like, ‘Man, I feel like wherever we are, we’re just blowing stuff up and so let’s go blow some stuff up and burn it down.’ And he had a great vision out there in New Mexico. We were in the desert, I mean, the desert, desert. You couldn’t, it was like the ocean, but sand; the middle of the ocean but sand. And it was actually really cold in the morning, then it got really hot at night and then the smoke and the fire and they’re wanting me to walk through it over and over, take after take after take. I’m walking through like this chemical burning black smoke. I’m like this is really risking it for a music video, but it turned out great.”

    Video /

    View
  • TYLER HUBBARD IS TRULY ENJOYING THIS SEASON OF HIS CAREER.

    Tyler Hubbard is poised to top the country charts with his latest hit, “Back Then Right Now.” He says he really feels the support from the industry, country radio and the fans.

    “I definitely feel supported and welcomed, and it’s really nice to know that I still have a spot in the genre, you know, a spot on radio, a spot in the country music fans’ hearts is what it feels like,” he says. “As fun as it is to rebuild, it’s given me that much more gratitude and perspective of what’s important. And I think the journey that I was on over the last decade has really allowed me to enjoy this season even more.”

    Tyler is set to launch the first leg of his Strong World Tour September 6th in Indianapolis with opener Alana Springsteen. In the meantime, you can catch him on the road headlining fairs and festivals throughout the U.S. this summer.

    Audio / Tyler Hubbard is really enjoying this season of his career.

    Download

    Tyler Hubbard (feels the support) OC: …season even more. :30
    “I definitely feel supported and welcomed, and it’s really nice to know that I still have a spot in the genre, you know, a spot on radio, a spot in the country music fans’ hearts is what it feels like. As fun as it is to rebuild, it’s given me that much more gratitude and perspective of what’s important. And I think the journey that I was on over the last decade has really allowed me to enjoy this season even more.”

     

    Video /

    View
  • REBA McENTIRE SAYS “I CAN” TO THE SONG “I CAN’T.”

    Reba McEntire loves everything about her new song, “I Can’t,” which she debuted in a fiery performance on NBC’s The Voice last week.

    “I love the lyrics of this song. I love the melody,” she says. “I really am drawn to minor chords in a song, and that’s what this one has. A lot of people tell me they can relate to it.”

    Reba also enjoyed the recording process for the driving new song. She says, “Recording this song was a lot of fun ‘cause I got to work with Dave Cobb and his musicians. We stripped it down, and then we recorded it and then started adding more things to the track. It was a lot of fun. We had a great time in the studio.”

    The Oklahoma native is doing double duty on Thursday night’s (May 16th) ACM Awards. She will not only host the entire show, but she’s set to perform “I Can’t, which is the first track from Reba’s upcoming album and was penned by Victoria Banks, Tania Hancheroff and Tia Sillers. 

    The 59th Annual ACM Awards will stream live from Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas on May 16th at 8pm ET/7pm CT/5pm PT on Prime Video.  You can also catch the official red carpet coverage on Prime Video, the Amazon Music Channel on Twitch and P, the Amazon Music Channel on Twitch and Amazon Live, starting at 7pm ET/6pm CT/4pm PT.

    Audio / Reba McEntire says she loves everything about her new song, "I Can't."

    Download

    Reba McEntire (I Can’t) 1 OC: …relate to it. :10
    “I love the lyrics of this song. I love the melody. I really am drawn to minor chords in a song, and that’s what this one has. A lot of people tell me they can relate to it.”

    Audio / Reba McEntire talks about the recording process for her new song, "I Can't."

    Download

    Reba McEntire (I Can’t) 2 OC: …in the studio. :14
    “Recording this song was a lot of fun ‘cause I got to work with Dave Cobb and his musicians. We stripped it down, and then we recorded it and then started adding more things to the track. It was a lot of fun. We had a great time in the studio.”

    Audio / LINER Reba McEntire (I Can't)

    Download

    Audio / LINER Reba McEntire (I Can't) 2

    Download

    Audio / LINER Reba McEntire (I Can't) 3

    Download

    Audio / LINER Reba McEntire (I Can't) 4

    Download

    Audio / LINER Reba McEntire (I Can't) 5

    Download
  • CHRIS STAPLETON PERFORMS AN ELECTRIC VERSION OF “LOVING YOU ON MY MIND” ON THE JENNIFER HUDSON SHOW.

    Chris Stapleton appeared on The Jennifer Hudson Show on Tuesday (May 14th). He performed “Loving You On My Mind” from his latest album, Higher, and he had some very special guests join him, including ACM-nominated Duo of the Year The War And Treaty, as well as the host herself, Jennifer Hudson.

     

     

    The reigning ACM Entertainer of the Year also sat down to chat about his album, Higher, the major influence his wife Morgane has on his music and opens up about their children’s relationship with his fame. Then the country star reveals how he reacts when he’s mistaken for another celebrity.

    Chris also chatted about going on Saturday Night Live with host Ryan Gosling, revealed whether he would like to explore acting and hosting and also talked about where he keeps his many awards.

     

    Speaking of awards, the Kentucky native, who is making his way up the country charts with “Think I’m In Love With You,” is nominated for five awards at Thursday night’s (May 16th) ACM Awards, including Entertainer of the Year, as well as his ninth consecutive nomination for Male Artist of the Year, an award he’s won three times in the past. Chris is also up for Album of the Year (Higher – Artist & Producer nominations) and Artist-Songwriter of the Year. His wife Morgane Stapleton received her first nomination as a producer on her husband ’s album, Higher. 

    The 59th Annual ACM Awards, hosted by Reba McEntire, will stream live from Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas on May 16th at 8pm ET/7pm CT/5pm PT on Prime Video.  You can also catch the official red carpet coverage on Prime Video, the Amazon Music Channel on Twitch and P, the Amazon Music Channel on Twitch and Amazon Live, starting at 7pm ET/6pm CT/4pm PT.

     

  • NEWS AND NOTES: Chris Stapleton, Reba McEntire, George Strait, Anne Wilson, Josh Turner

    Chris Stapleton‘s recent No. 1 song, “White Horse,” was featured in the hit CBS drama, Fire Country, this past weekend. The song from his recent album, Higher, was played during a scene where the firefighters from Cal Fire were racing to a campaign fire.

    Reba McEntire is set to return for her third season as a coach on NBC’s The Voice this fall. She will be joined by friend and returning coach Gwen Stefani, as well as new coaches Snoop Dogg and Michael Bublé.

    Reba McEntire shares some of her pre-awards show rituals and more just two days before this year’s ACM Awards. The 59th Academy of Country Music Awards will stream LIVE on Amazon.com Thursday (May 16th) beginning at 8pm ET/5pm CT.

    https://twitter.com/reba/status/1790424018970915121

    George Strait is releasing the song titles of his upcoming album, Cowboys And Dreamers, one by one. Check cowboysanddreamers.com every day to find the MIA titles.

     

    Anne Wilson has three nominations at this year’s KLove Fan Awards. She’s up for Artist of the Year, Female Artist of the Year and Song of the Year for “Strong.” Voting is now live at klovefanawards.com/vote. You can watch them beginning at 8pm ET/7pm CT May 31st on TBN.

     

    Josh Turner and Terri Clark are among the artists just announced to open the nightly concerts at Nissan Stadium during this year’s CMA Fest, June 6th-9th in downtown Nashville. Craig Morgan, Gretchen Wilson and Old Dominion were also added.

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • BILLY CURRINGTON IS SET TO RELEASE A CAREER RETROSPECTIVE #1S ALBUM.

    Billy Currington is set to release a career retrospective album, #1’s Vol. 1, on July 5th. The 11-song project will feature his smash hits, “Good Directions,” “People Are Crazy,” “Must Be Doin’ Something Right,” “We Are Tonight,” “Pretty Good At Drinkin’ Beer” and “That’s How Country Boys Roll,” among others. Pre-order for the collection, on both vinyl and CD, is live now.

     

    #1’s Vol. 1 (Best of Billy Currington)- Track List:

    Side A:

    1. Must Be Doin’ Somethin’ Right
    2. Good Directions
    3. People Are Crazy
    4. That’s How Country Boys Roll
    5. Pretty Good at Drinkin’ Beer
    6. Let Me Down Easy

    Side B:

    1. Hey Girl
    2. We Are Tonight
    3. Don’t It
    4. It Don’t Hurt Like It Used To
    5. Do I Make You Wanna

     

    Billy Currington Tour Dates:
    May 17 – Tuscaloosa, AL – Mercedes-Benz Amphitheater #+
    May 18 – Nashville, TN – Ascend Amphitheater #+
    June 14 – Sterling Heights, MI – Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre *+
    June 21 – Bridgeport, CT – Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater *+
    June 22 – New York, NY – The Rooftop at Pier 17 *+

    # = with Kip Moore
    * = with Larry Fleet
    + = with Redferrin
    Portsmouth, VA on sale 2/2

     

    Audio / Billy Currington says his single, “We Are Tonight,” reminds him of his childhood summers. NOTE: "We Are Tonight" was co-written by Sam Hunt.

    Download

    Billy Currington (We Are Tonight) 2 OC: …perfect for it. :35
    “Just a young vibe, the innocence, the Friday nights, and it made me think of football games and the summer rolling down the window, driving down the beach boulevard, everything that the song states took me back to my younger years. Also, it’s really amped-up energy, amped-up production in that song, and I thought, ‘Man, this would be great, ‘cause I would love for something like this to be a single ‘cause I definitely want to play it in the arenas and football stadiums.’ And that song would [be] perfect for it.”

    Audio / BILLY CURRINGTON TALKS ABOUT RECORDING HIS NO. 1 SINGLE, “DON’T IT.”

    Download

    Billy Currington (Don’t It) OC: …did that. :33
    “‘Don’t It’ – it’s just one of those songs when you first hear it, you’re like, ‘That’s it! That song sounds like a smash, and I’m so thankful that the songwriters sent it to me.’ Dann Huff worked really hard to get that groove set back in the pocket like it is. It wasn’t something that came in a few minutes of recording. We worked on it, and he got that magical feel to it, and I think that’s one of the main reasons it’s doing so well, ‘cause it’s a shuffle, and it’s hard to get those kind of songs right and get the right tempo and everything about that. And Dann did that.”

    Audio / BILLY CURRINGTON ALMOST MISSED RECORDING HIS NO. 1 SINGLE, "IT DON'T HURT LIKE IT USED TO."

    Download

    Billy Currington (It Don’t Hurt No. 1) OC: …that it did. :32
    “When we wrote the song, at that point in my life I was writing a lot and getting so many songs pitched my way, I kinda already had all the songs I wanted for the record. Then this demo that I guess it was Jesse [Frasure] kind of threw some grooves on there and mixed it up and sent it to my manager John Dennis and he sent it to me and said, ‘Man, have you heard the song you wrote that day?’ And I was like, ‘Naw. It’s been a while, but let me hear it.’ Then he sent it my way and it kind of changed my album a little bit, just that one slot. But I’m thankful that it did.”

    Audio / BILLY CURRINGTON TALKS ABOUT “DO I MAKE YOU WANNA,” FEATURED ON HIS ALBUM, SUMMER FOREVER.

    Download

    Billy Currington (Do I Make You Wanna) 2 OC: …record it. :24
    “It just felt good. The lyrical content is written so perfect. It’s a question. ‘Do I make you wanna dance real slow/do I make you wanna go fly down a two-lane road/am I that guy/am I the one that’s making you happy ‘cause I wanna know/do I make you wanna.’ It just spoke to me. I became a big fan. I listened to it over and over, so I had to record it.”

  • SAM HUNT RELEASES NEW SINGLE, “COUNTRY HOUSE.”

    Sam Hunt has released his new single, “Country House,” the follow-up to his recent 10th No. 1 song “Outskirts.” Included on his Locked Up EP, which dropped last month, “Country House” was written by Sam, Ross Copperman, Josh Osborne and Michael Lotten.

    “The phrase ‘Country House,’ I connected with immediately,” says the Georgia native. “I initially thought, when I think ‘Country House,’ I think of the English countryside. Obviously, I grew up in the South, but there is a strong connection between my Southern roots and the English countryside, so that country house feel. So, I took the ‘Country House’ idea and sprinkled some rural Southern American lingo over the top of it, or imagery, to make it my own or closer to my own experience. And also, I’m at a place in my life where I moved from the country off to the city to pursue my country music dreams and I find myself feeling the pull back towards a simple life like the one that I grew up with, and especially hoping to give that experience to my kids, and this song captures that for me.”

    Sam is set to launch his Locked Up Tour June 28th in Bend, Oregon.

     

    Audio / Sam Hunt talks about the song “Country House,” and what that means to him.

    Download

    Sam Hunt (Country House) OC: …that for me. :58
    “This is a song that came to me, so my longtime collaborator Josh Osborne played it for me. He had started it with Ross Copperman. They had a version of it. I took it and made it my own, I guess you could say, and wrote some verses for it. The phrase ‘Country House,’ I connected with immediately. I initially thought, when I think ‘Country House,’ I think of the English countryside. Obviously, I grew up in the South, but there is a strong connection between my Southern roots and the English countryside, so that country house feel. So, I took the ‘Country House’ idea and sprinkled some rural Southern American lingo over the top of it, or imagery, to make it my own or closer to my own experience. And also, I’m at a place in my life where I moved from the country off to the city to pursue my country music dreams and I find myself feeling the pull back towards a simple life like the one that I grew up with, and especially hoping to give that experience to my kids, and this song captures that for me.”

    Audio / LINER Sam Hunt (Country House) 1

    Download

    Audio / LINER Sam Hunt (Country House) 2

    Download

    Audio / LINER Sam Hunt (Country House) 3

    Download

    Audio / LINER Sam Hunt (Country House) 4

    Download

    Audio / LINER Sam Hunt (Country House) 5

    Download

    Audio / LINER Sam Hunt (Country House) 6

    Download
  • ACM AWARDS 2024 PREVIEW

    The 59th Annual ACM Awards will take place Thursday (May 11th) with a star-studded cast of nominees, performers and presenters.

    Presenters include Jordan Davis (who has four nominations), as well as Little Big Town, Alabama, BRELAND, Tyler Cameron, Sara Evans, Carin León, Ashley McBryde, Dion and Rozene Pride, Noah Reid, Richard Sherman, Charissa Thompson, Randy Travis and Clay Walker

    Previously announced performers include Chris Stapleton, Parker McCollum, host Reba McEntire, Jelly Roll, Lainey Wilson, Thomas Rhett, Cody Johnson, Miranda Lambert, Kane Brown and Jason Aldean. Post Malone, Kelsea Ballerini and Noah Kahan, Nate Smith and Avril Lavigne, Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani will also perform.

    The reigning ACM Entertainer of the Year Chris Stapleton has five nods, including one for Entertainer of the Year, as well as his ninth consecutive nomination for Male Artist of the Year, an award he’s won three times in the past. Chris is also up for Album of the Year (Higher – Artist & Producer nominations) and Artist-Songwriter of the Year.

    Morgane Stapleton receives her first nomination as a producer on her husband Chris Stapleton’s album Higher. 

    Jordan Davis earns four nominations, including Single of the Year (“Next Thing You Know”), Song of the Year (“Next Thing You Know” – Artist & Songwriter nominations) and Visual Media of the Year (“Next Thing You Know”).

    Parker McCollum is nominated for a pair of awards, including Single of the Year and Visual Media of the Year for “Burn It Down.”

    Brothers Osborne’s nomination for Duo of the Year marks their 17th ACM nomination and the tenth year in a row being nominated for ACM Duo of the Year, an award the pair has brought home four times, including last year.

    Kacey Musgraves’ two nominations this year brings her total nominations count to 27, including eight nominations for Female Artist of the Year. She won the award in 2018, the same year she won Album of the Year for Golden Hour. She is nominated for Female Artist of the Year and Music Event of the Year (“I Remember Everything” w/ Zach Bryan).

    Little Big Town receives its 18th nomination for Group of the Year, which ties the group for the all-time record of 18 nominations for Group of the Year held by Alabama. Little Big Town has been nominated in the category every year since 2005, with the exception of 2011.

    Maddie & Tae are nominated for Duo of the Year, along with Brothers Osborne and The War And Treaty.

    Kassi Ashton and Kylie Morgan have earned their first ACM nomination, which is for New Female Artist of the Year.

    Eric Church is nominated for Music Event of the Year for “Man Made A Bar,” along with Morgan Wallen.

    The ACM Country Kickoff at The Star features performances from nearly every ACM New Artist nominee this year, including Kassi Ashton, Kylie Morgan, Ashley CookeHannah EllisKameron Marlowe, Megan MoroneyNeon UnionRestless RoadDylan ScottConner SmithNate Smith, and Tigirlily Gold. More artists are set to hit the Carhartt Stage in Frisco on Tuesday (May 14th) and Wednesday (May 15th), including Chayce BeckhamAnnie Bosko, Tyler BradenTiera KennedyJenna PauletteAlana SpringsteenMatt Stell, and more.

    There will also be special performances on Tuesday (May 14th) night starting at 8pm CT for Live From the ACM Awards: ACM New Artist Winners Celebration, where the New Artists of the Year category winners for the ACM Awards will be revealed. Country Heat Weekly Podcast hosts Kelly Sutton and Amber Anderson will emcee the show, which will air live on the Amazon Music channel on Twitch.

    Another event leading up to Thursday night’s (May 16th) ACM Awards, Parker McCollum will serve as the headliner for the ACM Lifting Lives LIVE, presented by Choctaw Casinos & Resorts, the tentpole fundraising event of ACM Awards Week, which brings together artists, industry members, and fans for an all-star concert. The event will take place on the golfing green at Topgolf The Colony on May 15th.

    In its second year in Texas, Parker McCollum and Friends: ACM Lifting Lives LIVE, which will also feature performances by Jordan Davis, among others, will raise money and awareness for ACM Lifting Lives, which works to improve lives through the power of music with a specific focus on health-related initiatives that use music therapy as a way of healing.

    The 59th Annual ACM Awards, hosted by Reba McEntire, will stream live from Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas on May 16th at 8pm ET/7pm CT/5pm PT on Prime Video.  You can also catch the official red carpet coverage on Prime Video, the Amazon Music Channel on Twitch and P, the Amazon Music Channel on Twitch and Amazon Live, starting at 7pm ET/6pm CT/4pm PT.

    https://twitter.com/reba/status/1789765727764808074

     

    ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR

    • Kane Brown
    • Luke Combs
    • Jelly Roll
    • Cody Johnson
    • Chris Stapleton
    • Morgan Wallen
    • Lainey Wilson

    FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR

    • Kelsea Ballerini
    • Ashley McBryde
    • Megan Moroney
    • Kacey Musgraves
    • Lainey Wilson

    MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR

    • Luke Combs
    • Jelly Roll
    • Cody Johnson
    • Chris Stapleton
    • Morgan Wallen

     DUO OF THE YEAR

    • Brooks & Dunn
    • Brothers Osborne 
    • Dan + Shay
    • Maddie & Tae 
    • The War And Treaty

    GROUP OF THE YEAR

    • Flatland Cavalry
    • Lady A
    • Little Big Town 
    • Old Dominion
    • Zac Brown Band

    NEW FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR

    • Kassi Ashton
    • Ashley Cooke
    • Hannah Ellis
    • Kylie Morgan 
    • Megan Moroney

    NEW MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR

    • ERNEST
    • Kameron Marlowe
    • Dylan Scott
    • Conner Smith
    • Nate Smith

    NEW DUO OR GROUP OF THE YEAR

    • Neon Union
    • Restless Road
    • Tigirlily Gold

     

    ALBUM OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]

    Gettin’ Old – Luke Combs
    Producer: Chip Matthews, Jonathan Singleton, Luke Combs
    Record Company-Label: River House Artists / Columbia Nashville

     Higher – Chris Stapleton
    Producer: Chris Stapleton, Dave Cobb, Morgane Stapleton
    Record Company-Label: Mercury Nashville

    Leather – Cody Johnson
    Producers: Trent Willmon
    Record Company-Label: CoJo Music LLC / Warner Music Nashville LLC

    One Thing At A Time – Morgan Wallen
    Producers: Joey Moi, Cameron Montgomery, Charlie Handsome, Jacob Durrett
    Record Company-Label: Big Loud Records / Republic Records / Mercury Records

    Rolling Up the Welcome Mat (For Good) – Kelsea Ballerini
    Producers: Kelsea Ballerini, Alysa Vanderheym
    Record Company-Label: Black River Entertainment

    SINGLE OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]

    Burn It Down – Parker McCollum
    Producer: Jon Randall

    Record Company-Label: MCA Nashville

    Fast Car – Luke Combs
    Producers: Luke Combs, Chip Matthews, Jonathan Singleton
    Record Company-Label: River House Artists / Columbia Nashville

    Last Night – Morgan Wallen
    Producer: Joey Moi, Charlie Handsome
    Record Company-Label: Big Loud Records / Republic Records / Mercury Records

    Need A Favor – Jelly Roll
    Producer: Austin Nivarel
    Record Company-Label: Stoney Creek Records / BMG Nashville


    Next Thing You Know – Jordan Davis
    Producer: Paul DiGiovanni

    Record Company-Label: MCA Nashville

     

    SONG OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Songwriter(s)/Publisher(s)/Artist(s)]

    Fast Car – Luke Combs
    Songwriters: Tracy Chapman
    Publishers: Purple Rabbit

    Heart Like A Truck – Lainey Wilson
    Songwriters: Dallas Wilson, Lainey Wilson, Trannie Anderson
    Publishers: Sony / ATV Countryside; Songs of Riser House; Songs of Wild Cat Well Music

    Next Thing You Know – Jordan Davis
    Songwriters: Chase McGill, Greylan James, Jordan Davis, Josh Osborne

    Publishers: Family Farm Songs; Hold On Can I Get A Number 1 Music; Songs of Universal Inc.

    The Painter – Cody Johnson
    Songwriters: Benjy Davis, Kat Higgins, Ryan Larkins
    Publishers: Big Music Machine; BMG Platinum Songs US; Nashblonde Music; Pompano Run Music; Songs for Ellie May; Sony / ATV Tree Publishing; Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Group; Well That Was Awkward Music

    Tennessee Orange – Megan Moroney
    Songwriters: Ben Williams, David Fanning, Megan Moroney, Paul Jenkins
    Publishers: 33 Creative; Bone Bone Creative; Sony / ATV Tree Publishing

    MUSIC EVENT OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]

    Can’t Break Up Now – Old Dominion, Megan Moroney
    Producers: Brad Tursi, Geoff Sprung, Matthew Ramsey, Trevor Rosen, Whit Sellers, Ross Copperman, Kristian Bush
    Record Company-Label: Three Up Three Down, LLC / Columbia Nashville


    Different ‘Round Here – Riley Green (Ft. Luke Combs)
    Producer: Dann Huff
    Record Company-Label: BMLG Records

     

    I Remember Everything – Zach Bryan (feat. Kacey Musgraves)
    Producer: Zach Bryan
    Record Company-Label: Belting Bronco Records / Warner Records, Inc

     

    Man Made A Bar – Morgan Wallen (feat. Eric Church)
    Producer: Joey Moi
    Record Company-Label: Big Loud Records / Mercury Records / Republic Records

     

    Save Me – Jelly Roll (with Lainey Wilson)
    Producers: Zach Crowell, David Ray Stevens
    Record Company-Label: Stoney Creek Records / BMG Nashville

     

    VISUAL MEDIA OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Producer(s)/Director(s)/Artist(s)]

    Burn It Down – Parker McCollum
    Producers: Christen Pinkston &Wesley Stebbins-Perry

    Director: Dustin Haney

    Human – Cody Johnson
    Producer: Christen Pinkston &Wesley Stebbins-Perry
    Director: Dustin Haney

    In Your Love – Tyler Childers
    Producer: Kacie Barton, Whitney Wolanin, Nicholas Robespierre, Ian Thorton, Silas House
    Director: Bryan Schlam

    Next Thing You Know – Jordan Davis
    Producer: Jamie Stratakis

    Director: Running Bear (Stephen Kinigopoulos, Alexa Stone)

    Tennessee Orange – Megan Moroney
    Producer: Lauren Starr, Saul Levitz, Laura Burhenn
    Director: Jason Lester

    ARTIST-SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR

    • Zach Bryan
    • ERNEST
    • HARDY
    • Chris Stapleton
    • Morgan Wallen

     

    Audio / ACM reigning Entertainer of the Year Chris Stapleton talks about his nominated Album of the Year, Higher.

    Download

    Chris Stapleton (Higher album) OC: …on this record. :56
    “One thing that’s probably notable about the record to me is it’s the first one that we’ve put out that doesn’t contain a cover, so there’s no covers on this record. So, in that way, I guess you could say it should be more intrinsically whatever we do. So, there’s definitely some exploration of the edges of what that is, and certainly some moments of stretching out vocally and trying to see what that is. There’s some different stuff on this record, I think, and I think it’s really great. I think it’s something that people will enjoy. I think there’s something on it for everybody, which is kind of always my goal. If you’re a kind of a hardcore traditional country person, there’s a song on there for that somewhere. If you leaned into more of the R&B side of what we do, there’s stuff on there for that. If you like the rock side of things that we do, there’s stuff on there for that. And there’s some really great songs on here. I’m excited about the songs on this record.”

    Audio / Jordan Davis has four nominations going into Thursday night's ACM Awards, and he talked about the morning the nominations came out.

    Download

    Jordan Davis (2024) OC: …shakes out. :32
    “So, when I actually found out that I was nominated, I was driving to rehearsals and I totally forgot that the nominations were coming out that morning, and I looked down and I had 18 text messages, and I was like, ‘Oh, I must’ve gotten nominated.’ (laughs) So, I wasn’t expecting it, I really wasn’t. I mean, I love that song to death. There’s a lot of amazing songs out this year, so I truly just started calling people and saying thank you and already looking forward to being down in Dallas and seeing how this thing shakes out.”

    Audio / Jordan Davis talks about being nominated for one of his songs at the ACM Awards.

    Download

    Jordan Davis (awards nominations) OC: …a song acknowledged. :38
    “Nominations are truly wins. I don’t think any of us really do it for awards. They’re definitely special, but yeah, to be acknowledged by the ACMs for having a song up for Song of the Year, to me, I just go back to watching the ACMs with my family and seeing that award every year and now here I am for a chance to be up there, and I don’t know. It’s just kind of full circle. So, for me, it shows how special country music is, these award shows, but also too, it makes you feel like you’re doing something right enough to get a song acknowledged.”

     

    Audio / Jordan Davis talks about his ACM-nominated song, "What My World Spins Around."

    Download

    Jordan Davis (WMWSA song) OC: …any faster. :47
    “It’s special because of what the song means to me. A lot of the messages, a lot of the comments I get on this are that there’s a spot for everybody on this – married, unmarried, engaged, grandparent, expecting a baby for the first time – there’s a spot for you in it. I’m hoping, that in all honesty, I think where I wrote the song from was you know being a touring musician and being gone for half the year and even in four years of having a kid, I’ve already missed a lot of stuff. I hope that that slows down, or at least I’m able to kinda really cherish some of the moments that I’m at home. So, aybe that’s it. Maybe it’s just seeing people slow down a little bit and realize that time’s moving fast and we don’t need to make it move any faster.”

    Audio / BACKSTAGE AT LAST YEAR'S ACM AWARDS, BROTHERS OSBORNE'S JOHN OSBORNE SAYS AWARDS REMINDS HIM OF THE JOURNEY HE AND HIS BROTHER TJ OSBORNE HAVE TAKEN IN COUNTRY MUSIC.

    Download

    Brothers Osborne (ACM 2023 win) OC: …very grateful for that. :52
    JOHN: “You know, it’s absolutely crazy. I mean, the best way for us to stay grounded is when it happens…it’s a blur on stage. You know, you have an idea of what you’re going to say, it never comes out right. And then, I walked backstage, and we get a million texts from friends, my wife, from family and stuff like that, and it reminds you constantly of where you came from and the journey that you took. There will be a day where we won’t even be nominated, and that’s okay. The reality is nothing is permanent, and we’re fortunately in a position now where we can kind of swim and bask in the glory of something, and that being this country music community has lifted us on their shoulders for years now, and we’d be nothing without them and I’m very grateful for that.”

    Audio / PARKER MCCOLLUM TALKS ABOUT SHOOTING THE VIDEO FOR "BURN IT DOWN."

    Download

    Parker McCollum (Burn It Down video) OC: …turned out great. :38
    “Man, the video was pretty easy, actually. I talked to Dustin, the director, and I was like, ‘Man, I feel like wherever we are, we’re just blowing stuff up and so let’s go blow some stuff up and burn it down.’ And he had a great vision out there in New Mexico. We were in the desert, I mean, the desert, desert. You couldn’t, it was like the ocean, but sand; the middle of the ocean but sand. And it was actually really cold in the morning, then it got really hot at night and then the smoke and the fire and they’re wanting me to walk through it over and over, take after take after take. I’m walking through like this chemical burning black smoke. I’m like this is really risking it for a music video, but it turned out great.”

    Audio / Maddie & Tae talk about their Duo of the Year nomination.

    Download

    Maddie & Tae (Duo nomination) OC: (MADDIE) …super fun. :24
    “Having that nomination was like, ‘Oh, wow, our peers still feel like we’re doing something special and do still believe in us.’ And that was like a really nice like spirit lifter where we were like, ‘Omigosh. We are doing something right, and we’re making music that people are enjoying,’ and that was just a huge, huge compliment. And we’re nominated with some of our favorite people in the industry, so super fun.”

    Audio / The members of Little Big Town talk about winning their very first award at the ACMs.

    Download

    LBT (ACM first award) OC: (KAREN) …so much fun. :24
    JIMI: “The ACM Awards – is that the first?” KAREN: “The first award we ever won? Yeah. We won New Vocal Group. (KIMBERLY: “Yup.”) I can’t even remember what year that was.” KIMBERLY: “I was pregnant. It was 2007.” KAREN: “That’s right. That’s right ‘cause you bounced all the way up. We were like, don’t go into labor.” (LAUGHS) KIMBERLY: “That was our first award ever!” KAREN: “Very special, and this awards show is always like so much fun.”

    Audio / WHEN LAST YEAR'S ACM NOMINATIONS WERE ANNOUNCED, MICHAEL AND TANYA (pr. TONYA) TROTTER OF THE WAR AND TREATY TALK ABOUT THEIR FIRST ACM NOMINATION FOR DUO OF THE YEAR.

    Download

    The War and Treaty (ACM 2023 nomination) OC: (Tanya) …country music. 1:13
    “Hey everybody! I’m Tanya, and I’m Michael, and we’re The War and Treaty. (Michael) This morning, April 13th, we woke up and to be able to see Bobby Bones do the nominations for the ACMS ad get to the category of Duo of the Year, and we were just callin’ ‘em out. We were like, ‘Brooks & Dunn,’ ‘Dan + Shay,’ and we were like ‘Brothers Osborne,’ Brothers Osborne, yes! Dan + Shay, Dan + Shay, and we was like, ‘Yes.’ We were like, ‘Maddie & Tae,’ we was like ‘Yes,’ and then time slowed down. They were like The War and Treaty. And honestly, we burst into tears, we screamed, we yelled, we high-fived, we hugged our manager, Christina. In our minds then traveled back in time and forward. We traveled to Charly Pride, DeFord Bailey and Ray Charles, and we were like, ‘I hope they’re seeing this wherever they are, and I hope they’re dancing and high-fiving as well. Thank you, ACMs.” TANYA: “Thank you so much to the ACMs and everybody who’s nominated and all of our peers in country music.”

    Audio / An emotional Kylie Morgan is blown away by her ACM nomination for New Female Artist of the Year at this year's ACM Awards.

    Download

    Kylie Morgan (ACM 2024 reaction) OC: …so excited. :19
    “I truly still can’t believe that this is actually happening. I’ve been watching the ACMs since I was a little girl, just watching all of my heroes win awards and walk down the red carpet. And the fact that I am now one of those people just absolutely blows my mind and I’m just so thankful and so excited.”