NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Academy of Country Music held the 6th annual ACM Honors awards show Monday night at the Ryman Auditorium in downtown Nashville.

The show honored musicians, as well as industry leaders, and is a continuation of the Academy’s awards show held every April in Las Vegas.

Hundreds of fans lined 5th Avenue North in front of the Ryman Auditorium as stars arrived on the red carpet. Luke Bryan, Hunter Hayes and Dierks Bentley were among those who stopped to sign autographs, according to local CBS affiliate, NewsChannel 5.

“All these fans lined up, it’s going to be a pretty amazing night,” said Bentley, who also hosted the show.

Legendary performers like Ricky Skaggs were honored with the Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award.

“Oh, it’s well deserved. There’s no award that Ricky could get that wouldn’t be deserved,” Bentley said.

Dwight Yoakam also took home the honor of the Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award. Up and coming country artist Hunter Hayes paid tribute to Yoakam by performing one of his songs.

“I don’t know if I’m even going to be able to look at him I’m going to be so nervous. I’m just going to have to block it out for a minute, then look afterwards and make sure he’s cool with it,” Hayes said.

The legendary Yoakam was humbled to have Hayes perform in his honor.

“I told him, I said look you play way too many instruments and are way to good to be saddled with simple old tunes like you’re going to play tonight,” Yoakam said.

Luke Bryan took to the Ryman stage to honor his good friend Dallas Davidson. He was honored as the ACM Songwriter of the Year.

“Songs that he and I have written have changed my life, his life, making this night possible. So it’s really great to be here,” Bryan said.

Alan Jackson, Kenny Chesney and Vince Gill were just two of a long list of performers and musicians the Academy of Country Music honored Monday night.