The 59th Academy of Country Music Awards are back. Airing live on Prime Video, the awards show, hosted by Reba McEntire on Thursday, celebrated and brought together some of the biggest and best artists in country music.
Host Reba McEntire
Reba McEntire hosted the awards show for a record 17th time this year. McEntire first co-hosted the show back in 1986 and most recently served as emcee in 2019. The 69-year-old took over hosting duties from Dolly Parton and Garth Brooks, who co-hosted the show last year.
McEntire ended the show with a performance of her new song “I Can’t,” which she sang for the first time on an episode of The Voice earlier this month. “It’s a little different from anything I’ve done in a while,” McEntire told Good Morning America recently. “So I hope everybody enjoys it.”
Performers and Presenters
In addition to the Queen of Country, “Country Music’s Party of the Year” featured an extensive list of performances by: Jason Aldean, Kane Brown, Jelly Roll, Cody Johnson, Miranda Lambert, Thomas Rhett, Chris Stapleton, Lainey Wilson, Post Malone, Noah Kahan, Kelsea Ballerini, Avril Lavigne, Nate Smith, married couple Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton, and more.
Taking the stage to present awards during the night are: Alabama, the most award group in ACM history; three-time ACM Award winner Ashley McBryde; Dion and Rozene Pride, the son and widow of Country Music Hall of Fame inductee Charley Pride; Schitt’s Creek actor and musician Noah Reid; and country music icon Randy Travis, among others. Earlier this month, Travis released his first song since his career-altering 2013 stroke.
ACM Award Winners and Nominees
Below are the winners and nominees of the major 2024 ACM Awards that were up for grabs based on music released in 2023.
Entertainer of the Year
- Kane Brown
- Luke Combs
- Jelly Roll
- Cody Johnson
- Chris Stapleton
- Morgan Wallen
- WINNER: Lainey Wilson
First time was the charm for “Wildflowers And Wild Horses” singer Lainey Wilson. The 31-year-old took home the Entertainer of the Year award in her first chance at the trophy. She has toured extensive since releasing her 2022 album, Bell Bottom Country, and collaborated with fellow country stars Jelly Roll and Hardy within the past year.
Female Artist of the Year
- Kelsea Ballerini
- Ashley McBryde
- Megan Moroney
- Kacey Musgraves
- WINNER: Lainey Wilson
Male Artist of the Year
- Luke Combs
- Jelly Roll
- Cody Johnson
- WINNER: Chris Stapleton
- Morgan Wallen
Duo of the Year
- Brooks & Dunn
- Brothers Osborne
- WINNER: Dan + Shay
- Maddie & Tae
- The War And Treaty
Group of the Year
- Flatland Cavalry
- Lady A
- Little Big Town
- WINNER: Old Dominion
- Zac Brown Band
With this year’s Group of the Year nod, Old Dominion members Matthew Ramsey, Trevor Rosen, Brad Tursi, Geoff Sprung, and Whit Sellers have earned their 10th consecutive nomination in the category. Their win Thursday night brought their total to seven for this award.
New Female Artist of the Year
- Kassi Ashton
- Ashley Cooke
- Hannah Ellis
- Kylie Morgan
- WINNER: Megan Moroney
New Male Artist of the Year
- ERNEST
- Kameron Marlowe
- Dylan Scott
- Conner Smith
- WINNER: Nate Smith
“World on Fire” singer Nate Smith takes over the title of New Male Artist of the Year from previous winner Zach Bryan. A Paradise, California, native, 38-year-old Smith spent his early 20s in trying to break into the country music scene but only began finding traction around 2020. The year 2023 brought his self-titled debut album that included some of his biggest hits yet.
New Duo or Group of the Year
- Neon Union
- Restless Road
- WINNER: Tigirlily Gold
Album of the Year
- Gettin’ Old, Luke Combs
- WINNER: Higher, Chris Stapleton
- Leather, Cody Johnson
- One Thing At A Time, Morgan Wallen
- Rolling Up the Welcome Mat (For Good), Kelsea Ballerini
Chris Stapleton has now won Album of the Year four times. This year, he was joined on stage by his wife, fellow singer-songwriter Morgane Stapleton, who served as one of Higher’s producers. The award marks Morgane’s first ACM trophy.
Single of the Year
- “Burn It Down,” Parker McCollum
- WINNER: “Fast Car,” Luke Combs
- “Last Night,” Morgan Wallen
- “Need A Favor,” Jelly Roll
- “Next Thing You Know,” Jordan Davis
Luke Combs’ cover of “Fast Car” continues to bring renewed attention to singer-songwriter Tracy Chapman, who originally released the Grammy-winning song in 1988. The duo performed a surprise duet of the song at the 2024 Grammy Awards.
Song of the Year
- “Fast Car” by Luke Combs; songwriter Tracy Chapman
- “Heart Like A Truck” by Lainey Wilson; songwriters Dallas Wilson, Lainey Wilson, and Trannie Anderson
- WINNER: “Next Thing You Know” by Jordan Davis; songwriters Chase McGill, Greylan James, Jordan Davis, and Josh Osborne
- “The Painter” by Cody Johnson; songwriters Benjy Davis, Kat Higgins, and Ryan Larkins
- “Tennessee Orange” by Megan Moroney; songwriters Ben Williams, David Fanning, Megan Moroney, and Paul Jenkins
Music Event of the Year
- “Can’t Break Up Now,” Old Dominion and Megan Moroney
- “Different ‘Round Here,” Riley Green featuring Luke Combs
- “I Remember Everything,” Zach Bryan featuring Kacey Musgraves
- “Man Made A Bar,” Morgan Wallen featuring Eric Church
- WINNER: “Save Me,” Jelly Roll with Lainey Wilson
“Save Me” continues to pay dividends for 39-year-old Jelly Roll. The first-time ACM Award winner originally wrote the song in May 2020 but re-recorded a version with Lainey Wilson for his 2023 album, Whitsitt Chapel. The pair also performed the song live at the 2023 ACM Awards, which earned them this award.
Visual Media of the Year
- WINNER: “Burn It Down,” Parker McCollum
- “Human,” Cody Johnson
- “In Your Love,” Tyler Childers
- “Next Thing You Know,” Jordan Davis
- “Tennessee Orange,” Megan Moroney
Songwriter of the Year
- WINNER: Jessie Jo Dillon
- Ashley Gorley
- Hillary Lindsey
- Chase McGill
- Josh Thompson
The daughter of Country Music Hall of Fame inductee Dean Dillon, Jessie Jo Dillon receives her first ACM Award this year. She co-wrote Megan Moroney’s “Girl in the Mirror,” Old Dominion’s “Memory Lane,” and Jelly Roll’s “Halfway to Hell,” among other 2023 songs.
Artist-Songwriter of the Year
- Zach Bryan
- ERNEST
- HARDY
- WINNER: Chris Stapleton
- Morgan Wallen
Emily Shiffer has worked as a writer for over 10 years, covering everything from health and wellness to entertainment and celebrities. She previously was on staff at SUCCESS, Men's Health, and Prevention magazines. Her freelance writing has been featured in Women's Health, Runner's World, PEOPLE, and more. Emily is a graduate of Northwestern University, where she majored in magazine journalism at the Medill School of Journalism and minored in musicology. Currently residing in Charleston, South Carolina, Emily enjoys instructing barre, surfing, and long walks on the beach with her miniature Dachshund, Gertrude.
Adrienne directs the daily news operation and content production for Biography.com. She joined the staff in October 2022 and most recently worked as an editor for Popular Mechanics, Runner’s World, and Bicycling. Adrienne has served as editor-in-chief of two regional print magazines, and her work has won several awards, including the Best Explanatory Journalism award from the Alliance of Area Business Publishers. Her current working theory is that people are the point of life, and she’s fascinated by everyone who (and every system that) creates our societal norms. When she’s not behind the news desk, find her hiking, working on her latest cocktail project, or eating mint chocolate chip ice cream.
