Chris Stapleton and Shania Twain were among the recipients of the Special Awards for the 57th Academy of Country Music Awards.
Chris received the ACM Spirit Award, which is presented to a singer-songwriter who’s continuing the legacy of Country Music legend Merle Haggard by following his/her own path, crafting great songs and epitomizing The Hag’s spirit through compelling performances and great storytelling.
Shania, along with tunesmith Sonny Throckmorton, received the ACM Poet’s Award, which is given to a Country Music songwriter for outstanding and longstanding musical and/or lyrical contributions throughout their career, with special consideration given to a song or songs’ impact on the culture of Country Music.
Little Big Town honored Miranda Lambert with the ACM Triple Crown Award. Other honorees include HARDY (ACM Songwriter of the Year), Connie Bradley (ACM Icon Award), Paul Barnabee and Dwight Wiles (ACM Lifting Lives Award), Morgan Wallen (ACM Milestone Award), Duane Clark (ACM Service Award) and the TV show Yellowstone (ACM Film Award).
Performers and presenters include Kelsea Ballerini, Dierks Bentley, The Warren Brothers, Brooks & Dunn, Dan + Shay, Jordan Davis, ERNEST, Jesse Frasure, Vince Gill, Ashley Gorley, Mickey Guyton, HARDY, Wynonna Judd, Avril Lavigne, Little Big Town, Morgan Wallen, Lainey Wilson and more.
The 15th Annual ACM Honors will air Tuesday (September 13th) at 8pm ET/PT on FOX.
Audio / Chris Stapleton talks about receiving the ACM Honors Spirit Award, especially at the legendary Ryman Auditorium.
DownloadChris Stapleton (ACM Honors) OC: …big enough word. :30
“Well, you’re in the Mother Church, you know, first of all. This is a special building. This is kind of ground zero for the foundations of what we know to be country music, a lot of it. Great people have come through this building and stood on that stage. Anytime you walk in here, it’s a special place, but to stand on that stage and accept an award that draws some comparisons between you and someone who’s obviously as important to country music as Merle Haggard, that’s very, honored is probably not even a big enough word.”
Audio / Shania Twain talks about her ACM Poet's Award at this year's ACM Honors.
DownloadShania Twain (ACM Honors) OC: …through music. :17
“It’s sort of a fancy word for someone who plays with words, a poet. (laughs) But I am very honored, and I do believe that poetry really is just putting words together that communicate or resonate with whoever reads them or listens to them through music.”
Audio / Phillip Sweet of Little Big Town talks about honoring Miranda Lambert at this year’s ACM Awards.
DownloadLBT (ACM Honors) OC: …not cry. (laughs) :13
“It’s so beautiful to see her and to honor her in this way. She deserves every bit of it, and a powerful woman that we all admire and so thankful that this is happening tonight, ‘cause it’s gonna be emotional. I’m gonna try to not cry.” (laughs)
