As the midday sun shone down on Frisco, Texas, a line formed around the Dallas Cowboy’s Headquarters. The Star in Frisco, a 91-acre campus and practice facility for the Dallas Cowboys, was home to the 60th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards on May 8.
The ACMs offered a sneak peek to veterans and their families during the day of the awards. Thousands of people were dressed in their finest western outfits, and many were hoping to catch a glimpse of their favorite country singers.
Guests of the event were privy to behind-the-scenes activity and were able to witness many of their favorite artists rehearsing their numbers for the evening’s event.
RebaMcEntire’sfanswere treated to see her multiple times, since she was the host of the event. Since it was the ACM’s 60th anniversary, they reminisced quite a bit about past winners and performers. McEntire said that she won her first ACM 45 years prior.
The show began with McEntire,ClintBlack,Wynona Judd, Leann Rimes, Little Big Town and the duo Dan and Shay paying homage to legendary singers and songs from the past. McEntire sang the Merle Haggard hit, “Okie from Muskogee.” Black sang “Rhinestone Cowboy” from Glen Campbell.
Wynona’s tribute was to her own mother, who sadly passed away 2022. She sang one of their famous songs “Why not me.” Rimes sang “Blue”, the song that put her on the map.
LittleBigTownperformed their mega hit, “Girl Crush, and Dan and Shay sang “Tequila.” There were multiple noteworthy performances throughout the night.
McEntire, Miranda Lambert and Lainey Wilson debuted their upcoming song “Trailblazer.” The song was exclusive to guests because it their first time performing it together.
The show had a few collaborations, as well. Jelly Roll and Shaboozey teamed up with a choir to perform “Amen.” Brooks & Dunn collaborated withCodyJohnson for “Red Dirt Road.”
Langley and Lambert sang “Kerosene,” and Rascal Flatts teamed up with the Backstreet Boys to perform a collaboration of “What HurtstheMost,”“IDareyou,” “Larger than Life” and “Life is a Highway.”
Other performances consisted of Blake Shelton with his new single “Texas,” Chris Stapleton, “It Takes a Woman;” Johnson, The Fall;” Langley, “Weren’t for the Wind;” Eric Church, “Hands of Time;” Jelly Roll, “Heart of Stone;” Kelsea Ballerini, “Baggage;” Wilson, “Whirlwind,” Lambert, “Run”; Zach Top, “Use Me.”
Along with the performances, there were also multiple awards given out. The most emotional award went to Alan Jackson. He received the inaugural Alan Jackson Lifetime Achievement Award.
Jackson received his namesake award in recognition of his “outstanding achievements and enduring legacy in country music.” He has sold over 75 million records worldwide and has had more than 50 Top 10 hits and 35 Number 1 singles on the Billboard Country charts.
The ACMs said that the award was named after him because his career has become a cornerstone of the genre and the award will “continue to recognize an iconic artist, duo, or group that has achieved both national and international prominence and stature through concert performances, philanthropy, record sales, streaming numbers, and public representation.”
After receiving his award, Jackson performed an emotional version of “Remember when.” He almost started crying while singing the song.
KeithUrbanwasbestowed the coveted ACM Triple Crown Award – award given to a musician who has landed the New Artist of the Year, Artist of the Year and Entertainer of the Year awards. To honor Urban, Chris Stapleton, MeganMoroneyandThe Brothers Osborne each sang on of the honoree’s songs.
Singer Ella Langley was the big winner of the night. She was nominated for eight awards and brought home five. She won ACM New Female Artist of the Year, ACMSingleoftheYear,ACM Music Event of the Year and ACM Visual Media of the Year.
Wilson took home four awards: Entertainer of the Year, Female Artist of the Year, Album of the Year and Artist-Songwriter of the Year.
RileyGreensnaggedthree awardsfromhiscollaboration with Langley. He received Single of the Year, Music Event of the Year and Visual Media of the Year. The other awards were Stapleton, Male Artist of the Year; Brooks & Dunn, Duo of the Year; Old Dominion, Group of the Year; Top, New Male Artist of the Year; Red Clay Strays, New Group of the Year; Cody Johnson, Song of the Year; Jessie Jo Dillon, Songwriter of the Year.
The ACM was established in 1966, making it the longest-running country music awards show. It made history in 2022 as the first major awards ceremony to exclusively livestream.